Wearable expertise was a significant focus of Google 1/O 2021, and this 12 months’s convention is anticipated to observe in its footsteps. Google I/O 2022 is scheduled for tomorrow, May 11, and a number of other rumors, experiences and leaks point out the search large’s first smartwatch — prone to be known as the Pixel Watch — may lastly make its debut. The firm can be anticipated to share updates about its Wear OS smartwatch software program, which it overhauled final 12 months in collaboration with Samsung.Only Google is aware of what’s in retailer for its annual convention. But the corporate usually makes use of its opening keynote as a chance to preview developments throughout its main merchandise. That often consists of platforms like Android and Wear OS, and apps reminiscent of Google Photos, Maps and Search.

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What to Expect at Google I/O 2022

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Aside from asserting updates, Google’s keynote often says lots about its general method and imaginative and prescient. We’ll doubtless get a glimpse of how Google plans to make its gadgets and providers stand out from rivals, like Apple, Samsung and Amazon. If the rumors turn into true, the corporate’s stance on smartwatches may very well be a giant a part of this 12 months’s occasion. A Pixel Watch announcement can be greater than a brand new product; it could inform us about what Google sees as being the perfect Android smartwatch expertise. Read extra: Google’s Rumored Smartwatch Should Take a Page From Its Pixel PhonesHere’s what we’re anticipating to see from Google because it pertains to smartwatches and wearable expertise at I/O 2022.

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The Pixel Watch may arriveThere’s an opportunity Google might lastly introduce its first shopper smartwatch. Google hasn’t mentioned a phrase about plans to launch a watch of its personal, however it may be the corporate’s worst-kept secret. Reports from Insider and tech YouTube persona Jon Prosser and up to date leaks claiming to indicate images of the watch counsel a Pixel Watch is certainly coming. Google I/O looks like a super time to make such an announcement. However, it is attainable we’d not get the total story at I/O. Prosser suggests Google will tease the watch at its convention reasonably than reveal all the small print. Instead, the corporate may launch the Pixel Watch within the fall alongside the Pixel 7, Prosser says.Google made an identical transfer with the Pixel 6 final 12 months. It introduced sure tidbits concerning the telephone in August however saved the total reveal for its October launch.So what do we all know concerning the Pixel Watch to date? Everything but in addition nothing, it appears. Reddit consumer “tagtech414” leaked images to Android Central and on Reddit that declare to indicate the watch itself. Both units of photos are in line with earlier rumors and renderings indicating it would have a spherical design. We additionally count on Fitbit to be integrated into the Pixel Watch in a roundabout way, though we cannot know for certain till the watch turns into official. Fitbit additionally beforehand mentioned it is engaged on a high-end Wear OS watch of its personal, however it’s unclear whether or not this Fitbit watch and the Pixel Watch can be the identical gadget. Pricing is one other thriller. Read More: Pixel 6A Rumors: Possible FCC Filing, Benchmarks, Box Tease the Android TelephoneWear OS updatesGoogle may even doubtless have normal updates to share on Wear OS, the software program it gives for smartwatches made by Fossil, Samsung and different corporations. Google introduced a brand new model of Wear OS throughout final 12 months’s I/O that brings higher integration with the corporate’s apps and smoother efficiency amongst different enhancements. It developed the software program in collaboration with Samsung, the world’s second-largest smartwatch maker when it comes to market share, in response to Counterpoint Research. But to date, we have solely seen the software program on Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 4, which nonetheless depends closely on Samsung’s personal apps and providers. It would not really feel very Google-like, so it is laborious to inform how a lot of a distinction the refreshed software program makes. Google Assistant is coming to the Watch 4 in a future replace, though a agency date hasn’t been introduced.Wear OS can be anticipated to return to Fossil wearables and Mobvoi’s TicWatch gadgets in mid-2022. Fossil tweeted in March that the replace would arrive to eligible watches within the midle to second half of the 12 months, however now we have but to listen to extra specifics. A Google spokesperson mentioned the corporate is working to deliver Wear OS 3 to extra gadgets this 12 months, however has nothing to share about its companion roadmap presently. Now that we’re approaching the center of the 12 months, hopefully we’ll be taught extra about timing and availability at I/O. It’s attainable that Google might announce the Wear OS Fitbit watch we have been listening to about, however Fitbit product bulletins often occur nearer to the autumn. Google might additionally unveil new options and different refinements to Wear OS now that it has been nearly a full 12 months for the reason that software program’s reveal. Read More: I Want More From the Apple Watch in 2022  Google’s plans for FitbitMaybe the largest query is whether or not we’ll be taught extra about how Google intends to fold Fitbit into its Wear OS platform. Fitbit plans to launch a model of its app for Wear OS, as my colleague Scott Stein reported final 12 months, though the timing is unclear. A Google spokesperson mentioned it is working to deliver the Fitbit expertise to Wear OS this 12 months and can share extra particulars nearer to the launch. It’s been greater than a 12 months since Google’s acquisition of Fitbit closed; it is attainable we might hear extra about how the 2 manufacturers plan to work collectively. There’s already some proof of this in sure Google merchandise. For instance, the second-generation Nest Hub’s sleep monitoring options would require a Fitbit Premium subscription in 2023. But Google and Fitbit nonetheless supply two distinctly completely different experiences, so it will be attention-grabbing to see how they finally unite.Google has made a reputation for itself in smartphones and laptops because of its Pixel model, however it has but to department out into smartwatches. While promoting stays the largest a part of Google’s enterprise, the corporate has made a push to compete with Apple and Samsung as a number one maker of shopper tech devices in recent times. It even opened its first brick-and-mortar retail retailer final 12 months. Acquiring Fitbit was a giant step in increasing Google’s footprint within the wearables market, however Apple and Samsung nonetheless lead the trade. Apple accounted for 30.1% of the worldwide smartwatch market in 2021, in response to Counterpoint Research, whereas Samsung got here in second with 10.2%. Depending on what Google publicizes at I/O, we might be taught extra about how the corporate hopes to alter that.For extra, try all of the rumors it is best to learn about Android 13 and the Pixel Fold.

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Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 evaluation: The final Android watch?

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The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is available in two seems to be and many colours

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