Google and LG Working on Android Smart Watch Set for June Reveal
Google and LG are working on a smart watch that will likely be unveiled at the Google I/O developer conference in June, reports CNET. Google will reveal details on the device's operating system in advance of the hardware announcement, giving developers time to create apps for the device's retail launch.
Google's smart watch endeavor will mirror its Nexus line of mobile devices, with Google providing the software and a manufacturer partner designing the hardware. Google is said to be working with LG on the smart watch, continuing a partnership established with the development of the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5. Similar to their work on the Nexus devices, Google will lead the marketing and sale of the smart watch, while LG will focus on developing the hardware.
Google's smart watch will be powered by a version of Android that will integrate the company's Google Now voice assistant and search feature. The Wall Street Journal also adds that Google's smart watch will be compatible with a variety of Android devices, setting it apart from other smart watches such as the Samsung Galaxy Gear and Gear 2.
Apple is rumored to be working on its own iWatch smart watch that could debut later this year. Recent reports suggest the device may include advanced sensors to track several health-related functions, such as blood glucose and hydration levels. Other rumors also suggest that Apple is developing Healthbook, an iOS 8 app that would utilize both the iPhone and iWatch for monitoring health statistics like weight, heart rate, calories and step counts.
Top Stories
We've seen a lot of teasers about the Beats Studio Buds over the past month since they first showed up in Apple's beta software updates, and today they're finally official. The Beats Studio Buds are available to order today in red, white, and black ahead of a June 24 ship date, and they're priced at $149.99.
The Studio Buds are the first Beats-branded earbuds to truly compete with AirPods...
Serif today announced across-the-board updates for its popular suite of Affinity creative apps, including Affinity Photo, Affinity Designer, and the Apple award-winning Affinity Publisher for Mac, all of which were among the first professional creative suites to be optimized for Apple's new M1 chip.
"After another year which saw record numbers of people switching to Affinity, it's exciting to...
As is tradition, Apple executives Craig Federighi and Greg Joswiak joined Daring Fireball's John Gruber in an episode of The Talk Show to discuss several announcements that Apple made over this weeks WWDC, including iPadOS 15, macOS Monterey, and a large focus around privacy.
Federighi kicks off the conversation discussing the common architecture, now thanks to Apple silicon, across all of...
The upcoming 14-inch MacBook Pro is set to be more expensive than the current 13-inch MacBook Pro and both the 14 and 16-inch models will offer the same performance, according to the leaker known as "Dylandkt."
The leaker shared the information on Twitter, explaining that both of the upcoming MacBook Pro models, expected to come in 14 and 16-inch sizes, will feature the same performance due...
YouTube is planning to stop supporting its YouTube app on the third-generation Apple TV models, where YouTube has long been available as a channel option.
A 9to5Mac reader received a message about the upcoming app discontinuation, which is set to take place in March.Starting early March, the YouTube app will no longer be available on Apple TV (3rd generation). You can still watch YouTube on...
Google and the three major U.S. carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, will all support a new communications protocol on Android smartphones starting in 2022, a move that puts pressure on Apple to adopt a new cross-platform messaging standard and may present a challenge to iMessage.
Verizon recently announced that it is planning to adopt Messages by Google as its default messaging...
Google has rolled out picture-in-picture support as an "experimental" feature for YouTube premium subscribers, allowing them to watch video in a small window when the app is closed.
If you're a premium YouTube subscriber looking to try out picture-in-picture, follow these steps: Launch a web browser and sign into your YouTube account at YouTube.com.
Navigate to www.youtube.com/new.
Scroll...
The iPhone 13 will feature low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication connectivity to allow users to make calls and send messages in areas without 4G or 5G coverage, according to the reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In a note to investors, seen by MacRumors, Kuo explained that the iPhone 13 lineup will feature hardware that is able to connect to LEO satellites. If enabled with the relevant...
Twitter today introduced Snapchat-style QR codes, which are designed to make it easier to find and follow friends on the social network. Each Twitter QR code is unique to an individual Twitter user, so when scanned, it'll bring up the person's account.
To access your Twitter QR code, you'll need the official Twitter app for iOS. In the app, go to your profile, tap on the gear icon, and select...
Apple today seeded the sixth developer beta of macOS Monterey, the newest version of the macOS operating system. The sixth beta comes three weeks after Apple released the fifth macOS Monterey beta.
Registered developers can download the beta through the Apple Developer Center and once the appropriate profile is installed, betas will be available through the Software Update mechanism in...
Top Rated Comments
None of these companies care about making something great. They just feel the need to make something that Apple is going to make.
Things I've learned from reading this thread:
1. Apple was first. Just because they haven't even officially confirmed they are working on a smart watch, let alone announced a release date, doesn't mean we don't all know it's true. All these other guys, they're just copying Apple. As always.
2. It doesn't even matter, because Apple's will be the best. The competition might as well just give up now.
You think Pebble was "encouraged" by Apple rumors of a smartwatch? Wow.
I bought one. I didn't think I would ever want or need a smart watch. Or even a watch as I rarely wear one. But through a "double" sale- I got a Pebble for about $90 so I impulse bought one.
Now that I have one- I love it. Why? Because at work I often have my phone at my desk - but now when I walk away - I get alerts to emails or if someone is calling me (I keep my ringer off.) At home - I have a toddler and when she's asleep - again - my phone is on mute. Further - I have almost never heard my phone or many times felt the vibration - but I can easily feel my wrist vibrate when a call comes in - and I can see who's calling without looking at the phone. To me - that was $90 well spent even without any other benefits.
I like the Pebble - it might not be complex or have a "screen of the future" - but it's the exact functionality I would want or need without being complicated or having too much thrown in just to be cool. THAT is why I believe it's successful.
While there may be an audience for the Dick Tracy watch of the "future" - I think most prefer simplicity over a ton of functions. Because - at the end of the day - most things you want to see or do are better on a larger screen.
Pebble is actually very good. I seen lots of people using it and it generally received lots of good praise from users and reviewers.
Why would you think anyone making smart watch are trying to gambling with Apple? So you think just because there is rumour that Apple is making smart watch so everyone just rushing into the market? This does not make any business sense.
I guess I'll have to wait and see, but this is one product category that really isn't appealing to me. It'll be the first Apple product where I've said "hmm, don't really care".
----------
I would argue that of all the released/proposed smart watches, Pebble makes the most interesting one. And, being first to market, they have a head start, a growing collection of supported apps, etc.