If you were waiting for Google to announce a new WearOS smartwatch alongside the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL then, unfortunately, you may be disappointed.
Google was widely expected to release its Pixel smartwatch to accompany the smartphones next month after rumors emerged earlier this year that the company was working on its WearOS device. However, a new story has emerged that says Google is focused on improving the software of its WearOS platform while working with third-party OEM’s to build the hardware, rather than attempt to create a smartwatch itself.
The news comes from a new report from Tom’s Guide, based on an IFA 2018 interview with Miles Barr, Google’s director of engineering for Wear OS, saying that the company has no plans to release its smartwatch this year. While that was a pretty definitive statement, the story was later affirmed by an official Google PR representative as being accurate.
The idea of a Pixel smartwatch made total sense and had been suggested as a possibility by some high profile leakers in the community that it would appear alongside the new Pixel 3 devices. However, it seems with the comments from Barr, that the likelihood of a Pixel smartwatch is next to none. That’s not to say the leakers were wrong in their predictions, but perhaps the timeframe was off, and Google is working on a smartwatch but just not this year.
Instead, it seems the company’s focus remains firmly focused on developing the software for other third-party OEM’s to take advantage of, including Armani and others that are churning out smartwatches at a steady rate. It seems that Google’s hesitation to enter the hardware market is the number of different smartwatch devices that exist for different purposes with Barr stating that there isn’t a single watch that is perfect for everyone. It seems until Google can come up with a device that is one-size-fits-all in its function and appeals to the masses, it will leave the hardware to others.
Google was widely expected to release its Pixel smartwatch to accompany the smartphones next month after rumors emerged earlier this year that the company was working on its WearOS device. However, a new story has emerged that says Google is focused on improving the software of its WearOS platform while working with third-party OEM’s to build the hardware, rather than attempt to create a smartwatch itself.
The news comes from a new report from Tom’s Guide, based on an IFA 2018 interview with Miles Barr, Google’s director of engineering for Wear OS, saying that the company has no plans to release its smartwatch this year. While that was a pretty definitive statement, the story was later affirmed by an official Google PR representative as being accurate.
The idea of a Pixel smartwatch made total sense and had been suggested as a possibility by some high profile leakers in the community that it would appear alongside the new Pixel 3 devices. However, it seems with the comments from Barr, that the likelihood of a Pixel smartwatch is next to none. That’s not to say the leakers were wrong in their predictions, but perhaps the timeframe was off, and Google is working on a smartwatch but just not this year.
Instead, it seems the company’s focus remains firmly focused on developing the software for other third-party OEM’s to take advantage of, including Armani and others that are churning out smartwatches at a steady rate. It seems that Google’s hesitation to enter the hardware market is the number of different smartwatch devices that exist for different purposes with Barr stating that there isn’t a single watch that is perfect for everyone. It seems until Google can come up with a device that is one-size-fits-all in its function and appeals to the masses, it will leave the hardware to others.
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