Google already makes their own phones and tablets and speakers, so the idea of them making their own smartwatch isn’t really that much of a stretch. In fact earlier this year there were rumors that Google could be working on such devices, and now thanks to a report from The Verge, those rumors have since been confirmed.
Speaking to The Verge in an exclusive interview, Android Wear’s product manager Jeff Chang confirmed that Google has plans to launch two flagship Android Wear smartwatches in early 2017. Chang also confirmed that the watches will not bear neither Google nor Pixel branding, but instead will be branded by the company manufacturing them (who Chang would not confirm now).
However Chang did state that this company has made Android Wear devices in the past. So in a way it is similar to the Nexus/Pixel handsets in which they are devices commissioned by Google, but made by someone else. It also seems that the devices will be launched with Android Wear 2.0.
Given that quite a few of the major Android Wear makers chose not to launch new devices this year, and with Motorola saying that they’ll be taking a break from smartwatches, it almost felt like many were jumping ship from Android Wear, but with this push from Google, smartwatch owners and Android Wear fans can rest assured that the platform is here to stay.
Filed in . Read more about Android Wear, Google, Smartwatch and Wearable Tech.