Google To Release New Smartwatches Early 2017

By A.M. Uygongco | Dec 23, 2016 12:01 PM EST

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Google will release two new Android Wear smartwatches early next year, and it will be branded by the manufacturing company. It includes apps that do not require phone connection and can work for both iOS and Android devices.

In an exclusive interview with the Product Manager of Google’s Android Wear, Jeff Chang, The Verge found out that there will be two new smartwatches coming out in the first quarter of 2017. These watches will contain an upgrade called Android Wear 2.0, which has a lot of features that its previous and existing watches do not have.

The most interesting among them so far is the fact that Android Wear 2.0 can connect and work with both iOS and Android devices. There will be differences between the two platforms, but it will function nonetheless.

The smartwatches will also contain standalone apps that do not require a phone to work. Support for Android Pay and for Google’s voice-controlled assistant are also included.

Unfortunately, not every existing android watch will be updated with the 2.0 version because some watches do not have the hardware for it. Those that will receive the update are Moto 360 Gen 2, LG Watch Urbane, Fossil Q Wander, Nixon Mission, Michael Kors Access Bradshaw Smartwatch, Huawei Watch, and Asus ZenWatch 3. For a full list see here.

This flagship is part of Google’s endeavor to convince consumers that smartwatches are still in demand. According to The Verge, it has been having difficulty with it after it has spent more than two years trying to make Android Wear successful, but these kinds of watches are still quite new in the market.

Collaborating with the manufacturing company and have the latter brand the watches are one way for Google to reach different types of consumers. The tech company is optimistic of the future of the product and are determined to make it stay.

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