It has been rumored multiple times over the past few months that Google could launch a Pixel-branded Wear OS smartwatch this year. With the company expected to conduct an event in October to unveil new Pixel smartphones, many believed that the new Pixel Watch may also be announced alongside the new handsets. Google has now confirmed that it’s not going to launch a new smartwatch this year.
Miles Barr, director of engineering for Wear OS, confirmed to Tom’s Guide during IFA 2018 in Berlin this week that Google isn’t going to launch its own smartwatch this year. It’s going to focus on its partners for now that make Wear OS smartwatches.
“To think of a one-size-fits-all watch, I don’t think we’re there yet. Our focus is on our partners for now,” Barr said.
As for what Google’s vision for its own smartwatch would be, Barr added that “Our Google Pixel line of phones is the best experience and Google’s take on it, so I imagine we would focus heavily on the Google Assistant to integrate AI and machine learning into the device, which is Google’s forte.”
It’s still going to be a big year for Wear OS. Qualcomm is due to unveil its new processor for smartwatches in the near future which will be used by Google’s partners to bring new Wear OS smartwatches to market. Google itself won’t be making one based on it just yet, though.