“Ladies and gentleman, this is your watch speaking. To your left is your favorite coffee shop and you have 15 unread emails”. If you think this is something from a science fiction movie then you are half right. The future of watches, fitness bands and monitors is about to be changed forever. Google has released a customised version of Android that is specifically designed for smartwatches and wearable technology products.
Yesterday, the second major mobile manufacturer (Motorola) unveiled the Moto360. Samsung has their Galaxy Gear smartwatches and their contender to battle fitbit and Nike called the Samsung Galaxy Gear Fit. All of these products have one consistent similarity – they are all powered by Android. Google has pretty much shown all their cards in terms of software for the wearables category. The only thing missing is their own smart watch. What are the odds that it will be called the Google Nexus Watch?
Android Wear: Information that moves with you
Today we’re announcing Android Wear, a project that extends Android to wearables. And we’re starting with the most familiar wearable—watches. The devices and apps will provide users the following:
- Useful information when you need it most
- Straight answers to spoken questions
- The ability to better monitor your health and fitness
- Your key to a multiscreen world.
Google has put the entire smartwatch industry on notice and in doing so also thrown down the challenge to Apple to respond. Think about it for a minute – Android for wearables will provide users with additional benefits when walking through cities etc. The health industry is seeing disruption whereby users are able to access their own key health information (blood pressure, cholesterol levels and heart rate) without having to visit the doctor. Google is becoming part of our daily existence and by leveraging their technology users will be spending less time doing nominal tasks (calling a taxi, booking a table at restaurant etc).
Where does this leave Android’s biggest competitor Apple? Apple has to respond by either unveiling a product like a smartwatch or fitness tracker and has to make changes to iOS. Siri needs to be leveraged more and Apple will need to respond in the coming months to Android Wear. Businesses like Pebble who have a small advantage in terms of hardware and user interaction need to be mindful that Google is coming.
Are you considering purchasing a smart watch or one of these fitness trackers (fitbit and a Nike Fuelband)? If not – tell us in the comments.
