First Look – Google Gem Nexus Smartwatch Michael Kwan October 14, 2013 It seems that 2013 has been the year of the smartwatch. We already have the Pebble, along with suitable offerings from companies like Sony and Samsung. Given this, it only makes sense that Google would also want to throw its name into the hat. What you see here are renderings of what may be the Google Gem, the “Nexus” smartwatch that Google is reportedly going to reveal alongside the Nexus 5 smartphone and Android 4.4 KitKat later this month. The idea with this smartwatch is that it will integrate heavily with Google Now, possibly also working in the same voice-activated “OK Google” manner as the Moto X smartphone. The Google Now “cards” that you already see on your Android smartphone would be similarly displayed on the Google Gem, giving you relevant information about the local weather, time to get home, incoming text messages and whatever else. There’s no word on whether it’d have a mic and speakers to work with voice calls, but it would still connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth 4.0 as expected. I’d assume it has at least a mic to receive voice searches for Google Now. Google is said to be focusing on longer battery life, which should be a relief to people who aren’t impressed by the day-long battery of the Samsung Galaxy Gear. Of course, this is all rumor and hearsay at the moment, but if Google does indeed take the Nexus approach with the Gem smartwatch, we could see a groundbreaking price too. Can you imagine picking up a Nexus 5 and Google Gem combo for $399? Would you prefer the round or square face, given the choice? Will the Google Gem cannibalize Google Glass or is this an entirely different class of device? Via 9to5Google Share This With The World!
