Google ‘Nexus Watch’ could be unveiled this month

15 Oct 2013

'Google Time' smart watch concept by Adrian Maciburko

Google’s rumoured smart watch might finally be revealed later this month as a smartphone companion device sporting the tech firm’s latest mobile operating system.

Google’s new Nexus 5 smartphone, manufactured by LG, is expected to be announced on 31 October – but we may also see this smart watch product at the same event.

9to5Google’s Seth Weintraub claims that finishing touches are being made to the alleged Nexus Watch. Weintraub’s source tells him the smart watch will be centred on Google Now functionality, offering users answers to queries and notifications before they even have to search, based on their usage on Google’s wide range of services.

The Nexus Watch is also said to run on Android’s latest version 4.4, which is expected to debut on the Nexus 5.

Rumours of a Google smart watch have been circulating for over a year now and, last October, reports on a patent filing from Google engineers solidified the company’s intentions.

With Google’s first wearable tech venture, Glass, set to reach consumer availability in 2014, a smart watch product could provide an alternative housing Glass functionality in a lower-cost, less conspicuous device.

Like Glass and other smart watches on the market, Google’s device will likely be a companion product for smartphone owners, pairing via Bluetooth 4.0 and providing an alternative display to receive notifications and, perhaps, voice control functionality.

Google is also said to be working on ensuring battery life is long-lasting.

If the Nexus Watch transpires, Google will enter a new market with competitors Sony, Samsung and, if reports are to be believed, Apple. Analysts at Juniper Research believe that mobile smart wearable devices will be worth US$19bn by 2018, which explains why key players want to get in ahead of the pack.

‘Google Time’ smart watch concept by Adrian Maciburko

Elaine Burke is the host of For Tech’s Sake, a co-production from Silicon Republic and The HeadStuff Podcast Network. She was previously the editor of Silicon Republic.

editorial@siliconrepublic.com