Google Confirms It Has Acquired Android Smartwatch Maker WIMM Labs

Google has confirmed it acquired WIMM Labs last year, a company that previously made an Android-powered smartwatch before shuttering operations in 2012. At the time a message on its website said it had entered into an exclusive partnership without releasing further details, but it’s now clear that partner was Google, rather than Apple as some had initially speculated. Google's WIMM Labs acquisition was reported earlier by Gigaom.

Google is rumoured to be developing a smartwatch of its own, with patents turning up earlier this year (filed in 2011), and a report by the FT that claimed Google’s Android team was in the process of developing such a device. Google has also hinted at Android powering a range of wearable devices in the past, when CEO Larry Page let slip during a quarterly earnings call this year that Glass runs on its smartphone and tablet OS, and that Android is "pretty transportable across devices". Google has also long had bigger ambitions for Android than just pushing it onto phones and tablets, with TV set-top boxes, in-car tech, home automation and wearables all areas where it's actively encouraging Android to spread.

WIMM Labs started out building Android-based platforms for wearable displays, akin to Google Glass, and then created the WIMM One in 2011: a smartwatch powered by Android 2.1 that was aimed at developers as a sort of concept flagship ahead of a broader consumer launch. The WIMM One used Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 802.11b/g for connectivity, had 256 MB of RAM plus a 667MHz processor, and used a screen design that refreshed once per minute to conserve battery life. It also supported apps via a “Micro App Store” -- installed and managed by users via a web-based dashboard. Android developers were offered custom APIs for adapting their software to the WIMM One's tiny, 16-bit colour screen.

Google is not commenting further on the acquisition at this point, beyond providing confirmation that it picked up WIMM Labs in 2012. If Mountain View is building its own smartwatch it's unlikely to beat its Android OEM partner Samsung to a launch, as the Korean company's Galaxy Gear device is probably going to be unboxed next week in Berlin at a September 4 event. Plenty of other Android-powered smartwatches are also entering the frame via crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter, and also cropping up on the roadmaps of other Android OEMs. Meanwhile Apple's rumoured iWatch remains elusive.

If Google isn’t building its own smartwatch hardware, acquiring WIMM Labs could be a way to help it develop a custom version of Android designed for wrist-mounted wearables, which it could then provide to OEMs the same way it currently does with Android proper. Given the amount of interest in smartwatches from OEMs big and small, that could be the better strategy for longterm platform growth.

Apple iWatch release date, specs, renders and price rumours

We take a look at all the latest rumours circulating about Apple's upcoming iWatch

Wearable tech is big business and looks to be one of the biggest trends of the coming year. Google has its glasses and Apple and Samsung have their respective watch projects. But how would an iOS-powered watch work? What would it do? And how much is it likely to cost?

Concrete information is decidedly thin on the ground at present but we do know the company has put together a highly skilled team including engineering director James Foster and program manager Adam Pantfoerder to work on the project – and we’re hearing that the whole thing is being overseen by none other than Sir Jony Ive – so it’s fairly safe to say that this is no half-hearted venture on Apple’s part.

In fact, Apple has trademarked the iWatch name in both Japan and Mexico, suggesting the name and device will come sooner than we first imagined.

Apple's SEO Tim Cook has already been caught talking about the iWatch, saying creating such an accessory is something Apple has considered. He said that while a wrist-based gadget like the iWatch would be great, a lot of people - now that they have smartphones - don’t wear watches anymore. In order to make people buy a wearable product, the proposition has to be very compelling, according to Cook.

So what can we expect in the way of USPs from Apple’s effort? 

28 Aug 2013

iWatch price and release date speculated

The iWatch price has been revealed as between $149 (£96) and $229 (£148), with a release date of the second half of 2014.

15 Jul 2013

iWatch: Apple aiming for 2014 release, reports suggest

Apple has trademarked the iWatch name, hired former CEO of Yves Saint Laurent, and is now aggressively recruiting engineers in order to get its first iOS-powered wristwatch to market for 2014.

Apple’s iWatch is said to have progressed from an exploratory phase to having several dozen employees working on the project, reports Cult Of Mac. But all is not well inside Cupertino with engineering issues reportedly plaguing development.

The FT reports that Apple has run into ‘hard engineering problems that they’ve not been able to solve.’ In a bid to curtail a descent into development hell Apple is now believed to be ‘aggressively hiring’ as well as looking at potential companies – ones with experience of smart accessories – to acquire. 

‘Apple has been reportedly seeking out acquisitions of early-stage start-ups working on connected devices,’ claimed the source. 

In other Apple news, the company recently hired Paul Deneve, former CEO of French fashion house Yves Saint Laurent, to work on ‘special projects’ inside Apple’s Cupertino-based HQ.

Apple is looking to bring the iWatch to market in 2014.

3 Jul 2013

Best iWatch pictures and renders

The Apple iWatch has been running on the rumour mil a lot lately, so it will come as no surprise to find designers and chancers producing a whole load of renders and pictures to guess what the wrist accessory will look like.

The iWatch is said to connect to your iPhone or iPad via Bluetooth and will allow you to view notifications without taking your phone or iPad out of your pocket or bag. It'll show who's calling, allow you to preview emails and texts and even alerts such as friend status updates, @s and tags.

The iWatch will feature a touchscreen, just like many other Smart Watches including the Sony SmartWatch and the Pebble that was released in US Best Buy stores this week.

Speculation suggests the iWatch will run on iOS 7, but it is expected the version of iOS will have to be tweaked a fair amount to make it work on such a small display.

Without further ado, here's a pick of the best iWatch renders available from round the web.

This explanatory render shows the features expected to launch on the iWatch. It communicates many of the features already circulating about the iWatch - such as it will run on iOS and will connect wirelessly via Bluetooth with full Siri functionality. However, this picture shows the iWatch as a transparent item that seems a little silly really as watches are traditionally fashion accessories.

This iWatch render shows the box for the device in addition to a chunky-looking watch unit. Not a lot can be gleaned from this picture, but it's certainly hoped the iWatch won't be this chunky, otherwise you may struggle to write or type, or even lift your arm.