New Delhi: Amazon has announced the closure of its health-focused Halo division and the discontinuation of Halo Band, Halo View, and Halo Rise devices. The products are no longer available on the company’s website. The decision has resulted in the layoff of employees from the Halo team.
In a blog post on Wednesday, Amazon stated that from August 1, 2023, Amazon Halo devices and the Amazon Halo app will no longer function. The company called the decision a difficult one but did not provide a reason for the closure of the division.
Amazon has started notifying affected employees in the United States and Canada, while other regions may have longer timelines due to local consultation processes with employee representative bodies. For impacted employees, Amazon has provided separation payment, transitional health insurance benefits, and external job placement support.
The company has also assured customers who purchased Halo devices in the last 12 months that they will receive a full refund. Amazon Halo View, Amazon Halo Band, Amazon Halo Rise, and Amazon Halo accessory bands will be refunded in full, and any unused prepaid Halo subscription fees will also be refunded.
Amazon launched the original Halo Band in 2020, which tracked user’s activity, sleep, and even their emotional state through voice analysis. The Halo View had a screen and allowed users to take photos, while the Halo Rise was a scale that could measure body fat percentage.
Amazon is encouraging users to recycle their Amazon Halo devices and accessories through the Amazon Recycling Programme.
The closure of the health-focused division is a setback for Amazon, which has been making a push into the health and wellness space. The company recently launched Amazon Pharmacy, which allows users to purchase prescription medications online and receive them in the mail.
The Halo division was seen as a potential rival to companies like Fitbit and Apple, who have a strong presence in the wearables market. However, the Halo Band was met with mixed reviews, with some critics praising its unique features, while others criticized it for its lack of a screen and the need to pay for a subscription to access some features.
The closure of the Halo division comes at a time when the wearables market is growing, with more people looking for ways to monitor their health and fitness. It remains to be seen if Amazon will make another push into the wearables market or focus on other areas of the health and wellness space.
In conclusion, Amazon has announced the closure of its health-focused Halo division and the discontinuation of Halo Band, Halo View, and Halo Rise devices. The company has provided full refunds to customers who purchased the products in the last 12 months and support for impacted employees. The closure of the division is a setback for Amazon’s push into the health and wellness space, and it remains to be seen if the company will make another push into the wearables market.
