Google, LG also rumored to be working on own smart watch devices
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.
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.
Comments
As for LG that is a new one to me.
I'm waiting for the smart necklace.
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.
The iSpaceShip perhaps?
Quote:
Originally Posted by mstone
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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
Of course they are. I fully expect they all had something 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 FreeRTOS.
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.
FreeRTOS is a RTOS (doh), which I always assumed iOS isn't. iOS must have a real-time capability or component though. Anyone familiar with this?
All the best.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mstone
I'm waiting for the smart necklace.
William Shatner's birthday today (March 22nd). Happy birthday Will!
I'd expect any iWatch to be an iPhone accessory rather than a standalone product. Same with a smartwatch from Google if it happens, and perhaps even working with either iOS or Android. Receiving it's data from a smartphone link only makes sense on many levels.
Samsung is the Apple copycat, Google do their own thing and despite people's beliefs, Google's archival is not Apple but Microsoft.
The idea of a smart watch has been on Google's radar for a couple of years now. They even filled patents for it. It makes perfect sense for them to build such a device considering Google Now. I think that a Google smart watch that itengrates with Now would be killer.
Of course everyone has a watch "in development." Every big tech player with sufficient R&D funds have all kinds of things in development. Most of them will never see the light of day.
What I think is happening now is that rumors of an Apple device have motivated said players to let it be known that they've been working on stuff, so that if Apple does in fact release an iWatch, they can quickly move get something on the market to prevent another Apple smash hit or at least claim me too status.
In other words, Apple sets the agenda, even if it's all only speculative, even as its rivals are at pains to claim prior art. That's the way it always goes with Apple. They take a category, make it popular because they care about making it actually work instead of larding it with "features", then the other players adopt Apple's approach and act as if that approach was just sort of lying there, free for anyone to pick up. The fact that they picked it up after Apple releases a product is just a coincidence, or the "obvious" next big thing.
So as a kind of preemptive question for the inevitable revisionist history: if Apple does release an iWatch, and it becomes popular, and we are informed that there is nothing innovative in such a watch because they are already available and because Samsung, at least, will hustle to put an Android equivalent on the market ASAP, then why are smart watches not popular now?
Right? If Apple has nothing new to bring to the table but a theoretical iWatch proves to be popular, how can that be? Why doesn't Samsung or MS or Google have such a product on the market now, a product that causes people to want a catagory of product that they heretofore have shown little interest in? Or why aren't the products that are on the market, Sony's or Samsung's say, popular? Can't be the Reality Distortion Field, that passed away with Steve. Can't be "marketing", Samsung outspends Apple on marketing by huge margins. It's a puzzler. Probably fan boys, the answer to every question.
Of course, what would be really hilarious is if Apple has no intention of releasing a smart watch, and the entire frenzy of rumor and counter rumor is nothing but a house of cards based on the presumptions of tech pundits. Apple might be releasing something, so naturally everybody else might be releasing something as well, and Apple might be preempted by the maybe rivals to their possible tech.
I look forward to the speculative discussion about how Apple was forced to abandon their iWatch initiative after the competition completely killed them with imaginary watches that also won't be released because something something fan boys.
Apple should start working on their Apple Glass and Apple driverless car. The others like Lenovo, Huawei and ZTE are already working on their smart watch, smart TV, and Glass integrated with cars etc.
Nokia and Microsoft Glass and smart watch are also coming.
I wish Samsung, Google and LG would inovate on their own and STOP copying Apple.
Let me get this right - SONY has had a smart watch on the market for over a year and Pebble made a big splash with theirs this year - but Samsung and LG are "copying" Apple because there is a RUMOR that they could be working on one.
The most innovating thing in the Apple world right now is the stupidity people come up with to justify their admiration for an electronics company.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Notsurprised
I wish Samsung, Google and LG would inovate on their own and STOP copying Apple.
How, pray tell, is Google copying Apple on this?
Originally Posted by Notsurprised
I wish Samsung, Google and LG would inovate on their own and STOP copying Apple.
Let's wait for Apple to actually create a device to copy first.
Vaporware?