Nokia is shuttering the Withings brand. Last year, the erstwhile smartphone maker acquired the French gadget manufacturer that creates smart scales, activity trackers, and other health gadgets. And it appears that the company is now ready to shut down the brand and take over in earnest.
Yup, Nokia has announced that Withings’ devices will be re-branded before this year is out. So, we are basically talking about devices ranging from thermometers to smart watches to blood pressure monitors and even cameras. The company is also planning to renovate and relaunch Withings Health Mate app under its own brand name.
The Withings Health Mate App, in case you are unaware of it, combines all of Withings varied health products under a single awning and enables the user to get a complete overview of his health.
Speaking on the topic, Cedric Hutchings, VP of Digital Health, Nokia, said:
Nokia is a powerful global brand that is synonymous with innovation, connectivity and great design. Withings joined Nokia because we share a vision to inspire individuals to take control of their own health. With the full power of a brand recognized for trust, reliability and quality, we will reach more people and impact more lives to help the human family be healthier together.
Well, the part of Nokia being a powerful global brand is certainly true. Years after its smartphone business lost its sheen, many people still remember Nokia as the brand which gave them their first phone. Indeed, after all this years it has been in business, the name has become somewhat synonymous with durability and trust — something thanks in no small part to the company’s unbreakable phones from the last decade.
Only yesterday HMD Global, a company which has licensed the Nokia brand name for its smartphones, launched three all new Android devices. And they are getting a huge reception as compared to the one they would have likely received had they released the same devices under the HMD branding.
So yes, while Withings has its fair share of customers, bringing all the products under the Nokia banner is a good decision from the perspective of business.
