Google (GOOG) is officially getting into wearables world with Android Wear.
In a blog post on Tuesday, Google executive Sundar Pichai announced the Android Wear platform, an extension of the company’s Android mobile operating system [OS] designed specifically for wearable devices. The OS, which will be based on Google’s intelligent-personal-assistant software called ‘Google Now’, is designed to be applied initially to smart watches, with other wearables likely to follow if the new platform proves successful. The watches will also connect with Android smartphones.
Global fashion accessory maker Fossil (FOSL), one of the largest manufacturers of so-called “fashion watches” in the world, has signed on to produce the first Android Wear-powered smart watch later this year.
“Although still very much in the formative research and development stage, we are committed to playing an active role in the push toward wearable technology and helping to shape the fusion of fashion and technology, Fossil strategy and marketing chief Greg McKelvey said in a press release announcing the group’s participation.
Google also said that it’s working with electronics manufacturers Asus, HTC, Motorola (MSI), and Samsung as hardware partners to utilize Android Wear, and Broadcom (BRCM), Imagination, Intel (INTC), MediaTek, and Qualcomm (QCOM) as chip partners. LG Electronics and Motorola Tuesday said they would begin selling smart watches that run on Android Wear.
Google has released a promotional video (posted below) that shows off what the gadget’s interface will look like.
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