Google partners with Flo to develop new wellness hardware and timing apps

Google announced a partnership with Flo Health to bring more comprehensive menstrual health data to the Google Health app and create future products with this information front and center. The company hasn’t revealed much about its hardware plans, other than noting that such devices would combine “deep integration of Flo’s women’s health insights and algorithms with our expertise in wearable hardware and advanced sensors.”

We will first see the fruits of this partnership with the integration of Flo data into the Google Health application early next year. Google says this feature will be optional. “No data will be transferred between apps without your explicit permission – given separately for each data type and purpose – and you have the control to withdraw permission at any time,” the company said in a blog post. It also states that Flo data will not be used for advertising purposes, nor sold or shared with other applications or developers.

For users who choose to participate, data synced from the Flo app will appear in the Google app alongside other health metrics, and vice versa. Flo data will also be available to the Google Health Coach for those who subscribe to Google Health Premium, so it can offer even more personalized advice. “Connecting the dots between sleep, daily preparation, activity and recovery provides a clearer picture of your overall health across the different phases of your cycle and life,” Google said in its announcement. Google said the partnership would be long-term and include a plan to launch research initiatives in underserved areas of menstrual health.