What we know so far about the new Google smartwatch
Google will unveil a smartwatch later this year. It’s always exciting to see what new tech companies are working on, and what they plan to bring to market in the very near future. The smart watch is expected to be Google’s answer to Apple’s upcoming iWatch.
Both companies have been rumored to be hard at work on their own wearable device for quite some time now, but it wasn’t clear when we would get any more information about it. That changes today as an industry insider has revealed the new name for Google’s smart watch, and also provided us with a few details about what we can expect from it.
This is just the beginning of a long wait, so make sure you bookmark this page and check back often for updates as they become available! Here’s everything you need to know before the official reveal later this month
What is the Google smartwatch going to be called?
This new smartwatch is called the Google Pixel Watch! It is already available for purchase in many countries.
Android Wear 2.0 and Google’s wearable OS
Last year Google introduced Android Wear 2.0, a major update to the wearable OS it has been developing alongside the Moto 360 and the Huawei Watch.
It added an app store, allowed users to reply to messages and make payments with their watches, and introduced a new interface which makes it easier to manage notifications. We don’t know yet if the new smart watch will also feature Android Wear 2.0, so it’s possible the company will reveal it as one of the main features of the device.
Android Wear 2.0 is currently available on three devices, the Moto 360, the Huawei Watch, and the latest model of the Samsung Gear S2. Google has said it wants to expand the OS to more devices in the future, so it’s likely the new watch will support it too.
Google will reportedly unveil a new smartwatch with a built-in heart rate monitor
A new report from Android Police claims that the new smartwatch from Google will come with a built-in heart rate monitor. This is something Apple is also reportedly planning, which means we might see the two tech giants compete against each other in this regard.
While a built-in heart rate monitor is an exciting prospect, it’s also very invasive, which could make both users and healthcare professionals uncomfortable. What this means for the final design, and the exact capabilities of the device, is still unknown, so we’ll just have to wait to find out more at the event.
Apple is reportedly planning to add heart rate monitoring to the new iWatch, letting users know how fit and healthy they are. A heart rate monitor in a smartwatch would let you track your fitness levels and give you tips on how to improve your workout. It could also help you find out how healthy you are.
A heart rate monitor would also be nice for people who are not used to wearing a watch. A heart rate monitor could also let users track their health and fitness levels. A heart rate monitor would also be useful for athletes and people who want to know how fit they are.
New features coming to Android Wear 2.0
Android Wear 2.0 brought a whole new set of features to the table, but we don’t know yet if the next smartwatch will see those features enhanced.
We’re expecting features like quick replies, a new message composer, and a new interface that makes it easier to manage notifications. We’ll find out more at the event, so we’ll have to wait and see how the device fares in this regard.
What we know about the processor and hardware of the Google smartwatch so far
The reports about the new Google smart watch are currently pointing to a Qualcomm-built processor.
The same media insider who broke the news about the device’s name also shared its hardware specifications, which we’ll go over in this section. The device is expected to have a matte black finish with a metal frame, similar to the LG Watch Urbane.
It will come with a built-in heart rate monitor, and sport a 1.65-inch OLED display with a resolution of 320 x 320 pixels. That’s the same resolution as the current generation Moto 360. The device is also expected to come with an IP68 rating, which means it will be dust-proof, water-resistant, and have an anti-scratch Corning Gorilla Glass protection.
Conclusion
Google is bringing a smart watch to market, and it’s expected to come with heart rate monitoring and a built-in display that’s reminiscent of the LG Watch Urbane. The device will come with a Qualcomm-powered processor, a 1.65-inch OLED display, and an IP68 rating. We’re expecting the new device to launch at I/O 2016, and we should learn more at Google’s developer conference.
