Google smartwatch: What we know and don’t know about the company’s Apple Watch rival – Times of India

Google seems to be finally getting its own smartwatch, and it may reportedly sport Pixel branding. Rumours are rife that Google is all set to launch its first-ever smartwatch next year — 2022. The watch may be called Pixel Watch. Said to be referred as Android watch inhouse, its code name reportedly is Rohan. Though Google powers several smartwatches across brands, it has so far not made its very own smartwatch. The company has other products with the Pixel branding, including the wireless headphones called Pixel Buds. Google is said to have almost launched its smartwatch in 2016, before the plan was shelved at the last moment after Google’s senior executive Rick Osterloh pulled the plug on the device because it “didn’t look like what belonged in the Pixel family.” Here’s all that we know and don’t know about the alleged Pixel Watch.
Pixel Watch will run on WearOS
One thing that is certain about the watch is that it will run on the company’s own operating system for wearable devices — WearOS. Google is also said to be working on integrating Fitbit OS in WearOS.
How will Pixel Watch look like?
There are no confirmations on this. However, as per leaked renders the watch is round and has no bezels. This means it will not have a design similar to Apple Watch. Other popular smartwatch in the category Samsung’s Galaxy Watch has round dial.
Will the watch have integration with Fitbit?
Google acquired wearables major Fitbit in 2019 in a $2.1 billion deal. It is not certain if the watch will have Fitbit’s tech or be standalone device. Speculations are that since the watch will compete against Apple Watch, Google may go with Pixel branding than Fitbit.
Pixel Watch will offer fitness features
The Pixel Watch will offer all the key health and fitness tracking features like step and calorie counting, heart rate monitor and more. Fitbit’s CEO had earlier said that some of the popular Fitbit features would come to Wear watches.
When will Pixel Watch launch?
There are no confirmed timelines, but speculations suggest that the watch may launch in spring of 2022, which means in the second quarter of the year.