Google's 'Pixel Watch' Planned for 2022 Launch to Compete With Apple Watch

[MacRumors]

Google is planning to launch its first smartwatch next year, according to a new report from Business Insider, signaling Google's expansion into creating smartwatch hardware rather than just software.

Google has so far only developed wearOS, an operating system that the company has partnered with Samsung and others to implement into smartwatch offerings. Next year, however, Google is planning its first watch codenamed "Rohan." According to the report, the watch will feature a rounded design with no bezels.

Earlier in April, YouTube personality Jon Prosser released renders of what the supposed watch may look like. Prosser said the watch could launch as soon as October, but it has not yet materialized.

A "Pixel Watch" branding would fit with Google's product lineup, but the report says it's unclear what name Google will ultimately decide on. The "Pixel Watch," like the Apple Watch, will help users track their health and fitness, but to what extent remains unknown.

Apple released the Apple Watch in 2015, and in the years since, the watch has gained new features and functionality. The "Pixel Watch" is unlikely to include some advanced sensors, such as ECG or blood oxygen, in its first iteration, unlike the latest Apple Watch.

Internal documents seen by Business Insider indicate that Google wants to target the masses for its watch. A document by the company reportedly said "insufficient sizing excludes some users from wearable wristables entirely" and that it intends to design a watch that's "comfortable to wear for at least 90% of the population."

Google employees who spoke to Business Insider say Google is aiming for a launch in the Spring of 2022, but that timeline is subject to change based on feedback from a select group of employees using the new watch.

Article Link: Google's 'Pixel Watch' Planned for 2022 Launch to Compete With Apple Watch

 

[iamgalt]

I do like the round watch face more than square. I'd like to see Apple move in that direction. Obviously, there are complications that come with a round LED screen. But it'd still be nice to see.

 

[macman01101]

great, more spyware

 

[Motawa]

Here we go again

 

[ElectricPotato]

great, more spyware

That is the problem with tech from an advertising corporation. Buy the product. Become the product.

 

[boss.king]

That is the problem with tech from an advertising corporation. Buy the product. Become the product.

You know Apple has an ads division as well, right?

EDIT: Apparently macman01101 didn't know.

 

[Nozuka]

Would be nice to have some good competition. Ideally they will come up with some good stuff too and they can copy from each other.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

It’s not going to survive. Sorry, Google!

Apple Watch is too good and you are late in the game. ⌚️💫

 

[FightTheFuture]

You know Apple has an ads division as well, right?

For the App Store.

 

[boss.king]

I'm surprised by the negative sentiment here. More competition is good. With all the complaints this year of how the Series 7 wasn't a big enough upgrade, you'd think people would want someone else competing in the smartwatch space.

 

[MacMonkee]

I'd love a round watch and those renders look gorgeous, although from what I've seen, Android smart watches are generally really chunky, so these seem too good to be true!

 

[boss.king]

For the App Store.

That doens't mean they're not ads.

 

[TechRunner]

It’s not going to survive. Sorry, Google!

That's my fear with a Google Watch. They'll roll it out, and when sales aren't great, they'll discontinue/stop supporting it, leaving everyone who bought it with a shiny bauble and little else.

 

[FightTheFuture]

That doens't mean they're not ads.

The way Google, Amazon and Facebook track you is very different than promoting apps on the App Store.

 

[yabeweb]

I do like the round watch face more than square. I'd like to see Apple move in that direction. Obviously, there are complications that come with a round LED screen. But it'd still be nice to see.

They do look nicer when round, but you are missing so much screen space.

Round is great for the watch part, but for "smart stuff, squared is better."

 

[fwmireault]

I'm surprised by the negative sentiment here. More competition is good. With all the complaints this year of how the Series 7 wasn't a big enough upgrade, you'd think people would want someone else competing in the smartwatch space.

100%. Apple is maybe too comfortable in the smartwatch market. More competition will give them more incentives to innovate in the near future

 

[elvisimprsntr]

I do like the round watch face more than square. I'd like to see Apple move in that direction. Obviously, there are complications that come with a round LED screen. But it'd still be nice to see.

A round watch complicates watch band attachment. You either have dog ears to attach the band with a pin or it's molded into the body of the watch, thus not replaceable.

I bought a Speidel Twist-O-Flex for my first AW 3, which is still compatible with my AW 6, lowering my net total cost of ownership.

Twist-O-Flex™ Band Compatible For Use With The Apple Watch® 42mm (series 1-10 before 9/2024), 44/45mm (series 1-10)

Just got an Apple Watch but dont want to leave your Twist-O-Flex band behind? Now you dont have to... Speidels Twist-O-Flex stainless steel expansion band is now available for the 38mm Apple Watch.

speidel.com

 

[MacLawyer]

I want to live in a world where, just once, some company doesn't decide to "enter the space."

Pundits like Thurrott will immediately proclaim this a superior device. So tired of the same opera playing over and over.

 

[Pezimak]

I like the design a lot, but I think it should be priced around 150 as opposed being priced to match the Apple Watch.

 

[boss.king]

I like the design a lot, but I think it should be priced around 150 as opposed being priced to match the Apple Watch.

How do you figure that? There's literally no information about this device yet, even the renders above are just mockups (and Prosser mockups at that, which means they're basically worthless).

 

[mansplains]

That's my fear with a Google Watch. They'll roll it out, and when sales aren't great, they'll discontinue/stop supporting it, leaving everyone who bought it with a shiny bauble and little else.

That's been what's kept me from anything google does. I liked GPay, now trash GWallet on iOS.. GWifi to GHome for my OnHub.. My mom and brother like their pixels at least, but if I wanted to I could keep my iPhone for three times as long and still have another year of support.

 

[lazyrighteye]

You know Apple has an ads division as well, right?

Of course they do. However, ads are not the foundation upon which Apple's is built and, more importantly, they are not contracted by the Pentagon for their civilian data - a fact I learned when working with Google in a past life. That, to me, is a notable differentiator. All of our data is out there. Got it. I just err on the side of "not Google" and glad we have alternatives.

 

[anthogag]

Pixel Pro + Pixel Watch = Google Polishing Cloth...

 

[dwaltwhit]

Competition is good

 

[CrazyForCashews]

A round face watch looks great!