Google looks set to finally debut its Apple Watch competitor in 2022

According to reports, the long-rumoured in-house smartwatch from Google will finally launch in 2022.

Insider reports that a smartwatch from Google codenamed Rohan will launch next year. When it hits the market, it will probably launch commercially as the Pixel Watch.

Rohan is said to have a round design without a physical bezel. Google employees have reportedly been allowed to use the prototype for feedback purposes but claim that it currently needs to be charged...

3 December 2021 | Consumer IoT & Wearables

The EU is set to approve Google’s acquisition of Fitbit this week

While most eyes are on the close-to-collapse Brexit negotiations, another notable European decision is finally expected this week.

Google’s proposed $2.1 billion takeover of Fitbit naturally caught the attention of the European Union—which continues to tighten its screws on “big tech” over privacy concerns.

According to Bloomberg’s sources, the EU will grant conditional approval for Google’s historic takeover this week.

We don’t know what...

7 December 2020 | Consumer IoT & Wearables

Oppo could miss the opportunity to launch the first interesting WearOS smartwatch in years

WearOS may need to wait a bit longer for the spark it needs, with Oppo’s upcoming smartwatch appearing to miss a big opportunity..

Oppo has announced that it will debut a WearOS smartwatch on July 31st. The new watch could’ve been the first to market packing the Snapdragon Wear 4100.

Qualcomm’s Wear 4100 is the first true upgrade for a WearOS chip since the Wear 2100 launched in 2016 (a Wear 3100 was released in 2018, but it featured the same main processor and...

24 July 2020 | Consumer IoT & Wearables

Google promises the EU that it won’t use Fitbit data for ads

Google is attempting to avoid an EU antitrust probe by promising that it won’t use Fitbit data for advertising purposes.

The web giant announced its intention to purchase Fitbit for $2.1 billion back in November 2019, but it’s caught the attention of regulators.

EU regulators are concerned that Google will use Fitbit data to further boost its advertising business. A decision is due to be made on July 20th whether to launch a full probe into Google’s...

14 July 2020 | Consumer IoT & Wearables

Opinion: Pixel Watch is more likely now a decent WearOS processor is available

Rumours of a Pixel Watch are now more believable following the release of a competent WearOS processor.

Unlike wearables from Apple and Samsung, Google relies heavily on third-parties. The main reason WearOS manufacturers have struggled is the inability to access hardware which can compete with the in-house chips used by Apple and Samsung for their wearables.

The main critiques of WearOS devices are they’re slow and have poor battery life. The OS didn’t help in the...

1 July 2020 | Applications