Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) is reportedly working on a smart watch — just like Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Samsung. It was announced earlier this week that Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930) was likely going to take on Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) in the quest to create a smart watch, so it certainly seems natural that Google would want to join the party as well.
The Financial Times cites a source who said Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s Android unit is working on a smart watch. That comes out in stark difference to the company’s other wearable computing projects. The search giant has been working on its Glass project for a long time, and it is currently being developed in their XLab. The XLab handles projects that are more experimental. Earlier this month, they unveiled a pair of talking shoes, which were actually a more marketing product as opposed to something that to be sold to the public.
While Samsung does offer some Android phones, the Google source told The Financial Times that the smart watch is separate from the smart watch Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930) is said to be working on.
There’s also a patent application filed by Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) in 2011. It was approved last year, and it describes a watch with a screen that flips up and has a user interface and even a camera.
Of course, the whole point of all these companies developing smart watches is the idea that they will replace smartphones. The smart watches that seem to be in development all have the same functions as a smartphone.
Trading on shares of Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) was mostly flat early Friday afternoon.
