Google unveiled its vision for Android on a smartwatch – dubbed Android Wear – and announced the first partners that will make devices based on the new smartwatch-optimized OS. But one of those devices may actually become the first “Nexus” smartwatch, a device that will highlight Google’s own smartwatch vision – and it appears to be LG’s G Watch.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, LG explicitly insisted that it’s working closely with Google on the G Watch, which is pretty much all the company said, offering no actual details about the device.
“LG Electronics (LG) is working together with Google on LG G Watch powered by Android Wear, which extends the Android platform to wearables,” the press release starts, with LG reminding buyers that it’s one of “Google’s lead partners in this [smartwatch] effort.”
LG revealed that its engineers worked “closely with Google from the initial stages of development to ensure that the LG G Watch worked perfectly with Android Wear,” adding that “this is LG’s fourth device developed in close collaboration with Google following the Nexus 4, Nexus 5 and the LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play Edition.”
Before Android Wear was officially unveiled, many reports claimed that LG and Google are indeed working on a Nexus smartwatch.
Unlike LG’s press release, Motorola’s Moto 360 announcement only mentions Google once, and that’s to describe the watch’s “Ok Google” voice functionality.
However, Google doesn’t give LG any special preference on its Android Wear partners page, where it lists its loyal Nexus partner together with other companies including Asus, Broadcom, Fossil, HTC, Intel, Mediatek, MIPS, Motorola, Qualcomm and Samsung.
LG’s full G Watch press release follows below.
LG G Watch Powered By Android Wear Being Developed In Close Collaboration With Google
Google’s New Android Wearables Platform to Debut on LG DeviceENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., March 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — LG Electronics (LG) is working together with Google on LG G Watch powered by Android Wear™, which extends the Android platform to wearables. LG G Watch will be compatible with a wide range of Android™ smartphones and will present relevant information to users just when they need it or whenever they say “OK Google” to ask questions or get stuff done. As one of Google’s lead partners in this effort, LG is planning to introduce its first watch powered by Android Wear in the second quarter of 2014.
The LG G Watch powered by Android Wear will present a low barrier to entry for developers and offer the best Google experience for users. LG engineers worked closely with Google from the initial stages of development to ensure that the LG G Watch worked perfectly with Android Wear. This is LG’s fourth device developed in close collaboration with Google following the Nexus 4, Nexus 5 and the LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play Edition.
“The opportunity to work with Google on LG G Watch was the perfect chance for LG to really pull out all stops in both design and engineering,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “With the LG G Watch, LG is continuing the milestones we’ve set in wearables following in the footsteps of the world’s first 3G Touch Watch Phone in 2009 and the Prada Link in 2008. We’re confident that a well-designed device has the potential to take the smart wearable market by storm.”
“With wearables, we’ve only just begun to scratch the surface of what’s possible,” said Sundar Pichai, Senior Vice President of Android, Chrome & Apps at Google. “The potential in this space is exciting which is why we’re thrilled to work together with partners like LG to bring Android Wear devices to market.”
Additional details of the LG G Watch powered by Android Wear, including hardware specifications, will be announced in the coming months.
Android and Android Wear are trademarks of Google, Inc.
