Google to Launch two Android Wear 2.0 Smart Watches in early 2017

Google will release two flagship smartwatches in the first quarter of 2017 that run on Android wear  2.0. This was cited by Jeff chang product manager android wear at Google in an exclusive interview with verge.

He also said that the new devices won’t carry pixel or Google branding and will be branded by the company that manufactures the product. Chang didn’t reveal the name but hinted that manufacturer has produced Android wear devices in the past so it may be LG, Motorola, Huawei or few other brands. He compared the partnership with Google Nexus smartphone program in terms of coordinated efforts and objectives.

After the launch of smart watches, the current Android wear watches will be updated to android wear 2.0. The new software will add support to standalone apps, google assistant, android pay and more. Following are the list of smart watches that will receive the update to Android wear 2.0 next year.

• Moto 360 Gen 2 
• Moto 360 Sport 
• LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE 
• LG Watch Urbane 
• LG G Watch R 
• Polar M600 
• Casio Smart Outdoor Watch 
• Nixon Mission 
• Tag Heuer Connected

• Fossil Q Wander 
• Fossil Q Marshal 
• Fossil Q Founder 
• Michael Kors Access Bradshaw 
• Michael Kors Access Dylan 
• Huawei Watch 
• Huawei Watch Ladies 
• Asus ZenWatch 2 
• Asus ZenWatch 3

Chang further said that following the release of Google’s flagship watches other partners will be releasing new devices throughout 2017.The unveilings of new smart watches by its partners are expected at CES in the first week of January and also at Basal world show later in 2017. CES is a global consumer electronics and consumer technology tradeshow that takes place every January in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Currently, the smart watch segment is dominated by Apple. Although apple faces competition from Samsung in the segment, its smart watches runs on Tizen software rather than android wear. Fitbit is expected to be another entrant in the segment with the recent purchase of pebble.

Chang is optimistic of the fact that Google is in collaboration with different partners and the future launches from these partners will satisfy the diverse preferences of consumers.

Source: Verge