New in OS X: Get MacRumors Push Notifications on your Mac

Resubscribe Now Close

Google Reportedly Working on Its Own Android Smart Watch

Thursday March 21, 2013 8:19 pm PDT by Husain Sumra
google_android_logosThe Financial Times is reporting that Google's Android unit is working on a smart watch. With Samsung confirming that it is working on a smart watch and rumors about Apple's "iWatch" continuing to circulate, it appears that the three companies are set to battle in a new mobile device segment.

The report unsurprisingly suggests that Google views the smart watch as a more mainstream wearable accessory than the Google Glass project that has garnered significant attention in recent months.
While Glass is being created in its X Lab, home to experimental “moonshot” projects such as the self-driving car, Google’s smart watch is being developed by its Android unit, according to a person briefed on the project, to act as an extension to the smartphones using that operating system. The project is separate from Samsung’s efforts, the source said, although there is no indication of when it might launch.
Apple reportedly has 100 product designers working on an "iWatch", experimenting with curved glass and possible features such as biosensors. Apple's smart watch is also said to run a "full" version of iOS, which would make it easier for developer access. However, battery life is said to be the big challenge for Apple, with current prototypes needing to charge every two days, half of Apple's goal.

Tag: ft.com
[ 169 comments ]

Top Rated Comments

(View all)

Avatar
komodrone
86 months ago
Watch and see which watch will be on everyone's watch list because everyone is watching for a watch that will replace their own watch.
Rating: 34 Votes
Avatar
cclloyd
86 months ago
I can't wait for Apple to say "We aren't and never have been working on a watch" and then watch as everyone else says "We are dropping the watch project".
Rating: 32 Votes
Avatar
bag of kittens
86 months ago
Once again

Google & Samsung's definition of innovation: COPY APPLE.

:apple:
Rating: 19 Votes
Avatar
DeathChill
86 months ago

What we will all look like in 6 months to 1 year.


I've already scheduled my perm.
Rating: 16 Votes
Avatar
kbt1020
86 months ago
Apple will come out 1 year later: "Screw ya'll. We didn't make a watch, but smart contact lens instead"
Rating: 14 Votes
Avatar
Macman1993
86 months ago
This is awesome, at this rate we can have 1 company for each person who wants one.
Rating: 10 Votes
Avatar
techpr
86 months ago
What we will all look like in 6 months to 1 year.
Rating: 10 Votes
Avatar
iSee
86 months ago
Is there no innovation in rumors anymore?

Why do Samsung rumors and Google rumors just copy Apple rumors? Can't they come up with rumors of their own? Do they make up a checklist of Apple rumor features to compare with so they can make their rumors even more like Apple rumors?
Rating: 9 Votes
Avatar
rjohnstone
86 months ago

Google & Samsung's definition of innovation: COPY APPLE.

:apple:

Samsung has already made several before. And Google owns Motorola, which has made them before as well. So who is copying who again? :rolleyes:
Rating: 8 Votes
Avatar
Winni
86 months ago

Google & Samsung's definition of innovation: COPY APPLE.

:apple:


So the companies who already have ANNOUNCED products are copying a company that has NOT yet announced such a product. I guess that only makes sense in the world of Apple fans.

By the way, in your opinion, is Samsung also copying Apple with their Smart TVs? After all, Samsung has been selling Smart TVs for years now while the iTV is still just a silly rumor. But they sure are copying Apple, aren't they?
Rating: 8 Votes

[ Read All Comments ]