Besides being a hugely successful search engine and investor, Google tries nearly everything that is internet-related. Google Glass is among the world's most talked about wearable, but we have yet to see a smartwatch... until now that is. In a blog post on Tuesday, the search giant announced news of extending its Android operating system towards 'Android Wear'; a concept that has actually been rumored for months now. The first of the Android Wear line is going to be a smartwatch, tailored particularly to health, as well as a remote control for other Android devices. As shown in the video, users are able to check sports scores, weather, directions, and other notifications. Similar to the way Google Glass works, vocal control may be used to perform almost any command, simply by saying “OK Google”.



Google is introducing its smartwatch prior to any hardware as its match. Unlike Samsung's Galaxy Gear, which works in conjunction with Samsung smartphones, various manufacturers are invited to help design Google's OS extension. Google has admitted to working with Asus, HTC, LG, Samsung, and Motorola for hardware help; as well as chip makers Imagination, Intel, Broadcom, Qualcomm, and Mediatek. Although still in the formative research and development stage, fashion brand Fossil Group, whose global annual sales are over $3.3 billion, is partnering with Google to bring the smartwatch to consumers later this year.

So far, Samsung and Sony are the only two companies to create their own Android-based smartwatch. However, Google's entry towards Android-based wearables seems like a stable step considering the operating system's solid foundation so far. According to CNET, details of the Google-Android extension will be unveiled at the Google I/O developer conference this month, with South Korean electronics maker, LG, confirmed as the first partner. LG made a statement regarding how the watch will perform. By saying “OK Google”, then a particular voice command, the screen would then present corresponding information; all quite familiar to Google Glass functionality. Google also wants Android Wear to be capable of linking the user between televisions and computers.

Although Google and LG are collaborating very closely on the design and engineering, the Fossil brand will too be an important part of Android Wear's fusion. With Fossil's portfolio, and its belief of being “uniquely positioned to bring products for our fashion customers that marry the beauty of our designs, the promise of our brands and now the function of new technology”, the fusion is hoped to be a success. This is an opportunity for Google to finally find its niche in internet-connected devices. Currently, Google has created an “Android Wear Developer Preview” download, providing tools and application programming interfaces (APIs) for interested developers to work with.