Google's Upcoming Pixel Watch Might Run A Version Of Android OS

Google has been rumored to be working on its own version of the smartwatch, which will be called the Pixel Watch. The new device is expected to be revealed at the upcoming Google’s hardware event in New York City next week.

According to reports, the Mountain View-based company is set to release a number of new hardware in the planned tech event. In that event, the company is expected to reveal an all-new Google Home Mini device, the brand new Pixel 4 smartphones and the Google WiFi product that is designed to boost broadband internet connection. But, Google might likely add new hardware to the mix. The latest report from Nikkei Asian Review suggested a brand new Google-branded wearable or smartwatch.

The tech company has long been rumored to be working on a smartwatch in a bid to counter the growing popularity of Apple Watch. Some reports also suggested that the new product might likely run Google Wear OS, a version of the company’s Android operating system. This version of Android OS was specifically designed for wearables and smartwatches.

The rumors about the Google Pixel Watch first came from the Asian-based news publication Nikkei Asian Review, which reportedly gets the fresh info from an unidentified source close to the tech company Google. The website is known for providing reliable information about an unannounced product and new technology still in the drawing table.

The Nikkei Asian Review is also one of the first news sites to publish a story about the upcoming 5G variant of the Google Pixel 4 smartphone. Even though the latest report does not precisely mention the name Pixel Watch, there’s always a big chance that the company will use the name Pixel. The company’s hardware line has always been tied to the Pixel name for years. So, it’s just natural for the company to use the Pixel name in their next product.

However, there are also some reports that this product isn’t planned for 2019 release and that Google is preoccupied elsewhere and may not able to work on another expensive project like the Google-branded wearable or smartwatch. In fact, a recent report from Business Insider said that the Google-branded project has been placed on a halt. It added the company was all set to reveal a new device but later decided not to proceed on the project.

The Google hardware chief Rick Osterloh, reportedly, made the drastic decision to scrap the project. Additionally, the Google development team is also struggling to get the smartwatch to work well with the Google Pixel handset. Basic functionality like syncing data is, reportedly, not working well between the two devices. For now, the best thing to do is to wait for Google’s official confirmation whether the company will reveal the new Pixel Watch device or not.