Neil Hughes
Speculation that wearable smart watches are the "next big thing" in tech continues to mount, as a pair of new reports claim both Google and LG are working on their own wrist accessories.
Word of Google's alleged work on a smart watch was reported by the Financial Times, while The Korea Times added that electronics maker LG is also working on its own watch. Those new reports, unsurprisingly attributed to unnamed sources, join claims that Apple is working on a so-called iWatch, while Samsung has publicly admitted that it is readying what would be the company's third attempt to offer a successful wrist-worn accessory.
Interest in smart watches picked up last year when a Kickstarter campaign for the Pebble wrist watch earned more than $10 million. After a few delays, the device began shipping to supporters this year, and has received generally favorable reviews.
Competitors like the MetaWatch, I'm Watch, Sony Smartwatch, and Cookoo are also currently available for purchase.
Google allegedly views its wristwatch project as a device that could have more mainstream appeal than the company's in-the-works Google Glass project, which offers users the ability to read messages and take photos with a device worn on their head in the same of normal glasses. Google Glass emanates from the search giant's experimental "X Lab," while the company's proven Android team is instead said to be handling development of the rumored Google Watch.
As for LG's watch, that alleged device is said to have a touchscreen, but it's unknown what operating system the device may run. Two options presented by the Korea Times were Android or the Firefox mobile operating system.
However, the same report also erroneously said that Apple "recently leaked photos and information of its iWatch to foreign media outlets." While it's possible that Apple may have secretly leaked information about the rumored device, to date there have been no pictures of it or any of its components — only fan-made mockups.
AppleInsider did uncover a detailed patent application last month that showed off an official Apple concept for a wristwatch. The accessory shown in the filing boasted a full-length flexible touchscreen display that would conform to a user's body through a "slap bracelet" design.
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30 Comments
Google received a "smartwatch" patent a couple weeks ago, and there was another approved in Oct/2012, originally filed about a year earlier in 2011. That Google might have been looking into the possibility of developing a smartwatch for several years now isn't anything new. As for LG that is a new one to me.
I'm waiting for the smart necklace.
Of course they are. I fully expect they all had [I]something[/I] going before we ever heard about any iWatch rumours, and if they didn't they certainly did immediately after the iWatch rumours appeared. Now I can see LG and Google et al. trying to using Android but I don't think that's ideal. Even with current advancements I think a more limited, power efficient OS would be better. The Pebble watch uses [URL=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FreeRTOS]FreeRTOS[/URL]. Jean-Louis Gassée feels that Apple will use iOS. I disagree. I think that something closer to what the iPods use. The latest Nanos already have Bluetooth connectivity. I expect it to be an accessory to your iOS-based iDevices, not a fullblown computing device that is designed to make and receive calls, emails, etc. on its own. It will have its own independent features but the advanced options will interact with your iDevice.
I think Apple need to start spreading rumors that they are working on something completely fictitious, just to send Google and Samsung off on a wild goose chase copying something that doesn't exist. The iSpaceShip perhaps?
I'm waiting for the smart necklace.
Angelique Pettyjohn was my favorite Star Trek actress turned porn star.
I commented my skepticism about smart watches on a different forum discussing Google entering the fray along with Samsung and Apple. One response said I should buy an Apple product if I was such a fossil I could not grasp the genius of a smart watch. Brand partisanship defies logic.