Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) is apparently gearing up to launch its own smartwatch, which is almost finished, according to 9to5Google, citing information from an unknown source. Google smartwatch may be the next big thing for Android users. Smartwatch from Google will reportedly have a longer battery life and Bluetooth 4.0 support, according to 9to5Google.
Challenges facing Google in the segment
Artem Russakovskii, of Android Police also wrote about the Google watch, saying that the internet firm will launch a Nexus watch codenamed Gem on October 31. However, a major challenge facing Google is how the company’s smartwatch will infuse life in the market segment, which is in its nascent stage.
According to a recent survey from On Device Research and CCS Insight, consumers are not really keen on buying smartwatches though they know about them. The poll also revealed that 40 percent of smartwatch owners stopped using these devices because they forget about them or get bored with the technology.
Smartwatches carry a disadvantage as they need a smartphone to operate, which means that users will have to frequently switch between both devices. Another drawback that was recently pointed out by Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai is that the technology is limited to how big a smartwatch people are willing to wear.
Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) has been successfully exploring different areas related to technology, but possibilities are quite high that it will have to face the same set of challenges once it forays into the smartwatch market.
Acquisition of WIMM may prove useful
Last year, Google acquired WIMM Labs, which came to light a couple of months back, after the latter unveiled its own Android based smartwatch that can select the colors and the battery saving greyscale mode. This acquisition can give Google an edge over other smartwatch makers, different from Samsung’s battery consuming Galaxy smartwatch.
At present, Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) works like a personal assistant to a user by giving the answers, showing information that have been asked. With the launch of Google smartwatch emails, appointments, directions and other data can be displayed.
Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) has increasingly become better in virtual assistance by bringing in new features such as public transit cards, reminders and boarding passed, which if ported on to watch will prove very useful. But for the gadget to really useful should be light, low powered and not very pricey.