At the Google I/O conference, the search giant is expected to launch a smartwatch run on Android. Juniper Research projects the wearables market to reach a value of $19 billion by 2018. Google’s smartwatch plans are being created in partnership with LG who will be supplying the hardware following successful ventures with the Nexus 4 and 5 smartmobes.
The device will be integrated with Google Now – built to predict information and answer questions.
Samsung Galaxy Gear has been one of the most visible smartwatches backed by the company’s marketing strategy. Gear 2 and Gear Neo, recently unveiled in Barcelona runs on Tizen, an OS partly developed by Samsung. Android had been the OS of choice as Samsung entered the smartwatch race.
Balancing functionality and fashion is currently one of the challenges facing wearable devices. Apple’s plans for an iWatch have included hiring fashion proffesionals and with Apple’s consistent engineering, smartwatches could soon appeal to the mass market.
Pebble being among the first entries in the smartwatch market has gained a large following and it now features an official appstore and newly designed hardware.
Google’s Nexus 4 was created in limited supply despite a huge demand for the handset among Android-enthusiasts but by February 2013 1 million units had been sold. The Nexus 5 contributed in a large part to Google’s hardware sales in the last quarter. The company might follow this success with the release of its smartwatch.
via
