Fitbit is in the process of acquiring Pebble for around $40 million, media across the Interwebs are reporting. The activity tracking giant is acquiring Pebble’s assets and has also sent job offers to about 40 percent of the Pebble staff. Those assets, we believe, could help Fitbit stay relevant on the market, to eventually launch a smartwatch for the general public, rather than just fitness fanatics. Nevertheless, any upcoming wearable from the combined company will definitely incorporate activity tracking.

As a result of the acquisition, Pebble will cease to exist and its upcoming products — including the Pebble 2, Time 2, and Pebble Core — will be canceled. Those who paid for them in a Kickstarter campaign will get a refund… And will have to wait for the first Fitbit smartwatch incorporating Pebble’s software. Or get some other smartwatch instead…

In any case, we are sad to see the demise of the modern smartwatch pioneer, but we do understand Pebble has better chances fighting the Apple Watch and Google’s Android Wear platform under the Fitbit umbrella.

We are hoping to hear something new on Fitbit’s upcoming smartwatches during the upcoming CES in Las Vegas or Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. We’ll let you know as soon as we hear something new. Stay tuned…