Google unveiled Google Assistant at I/O 2016 alongside of its plans for the major Android Wear 2.0 update, with little discussion of "Google Now." We assume that Google intends to make Now even smarter "now" than it once was, and thereby make the voice assistant as formidable as Microsoft's Cortana is proving to be in the mobile space. Google Now has been exceptional in its performance, though I've always wished it would have more "personality" (I realize that's a weird thing to say about any voice command assistant, but there it is).
A new rumor says that Google will utilize Google Assistant to the fullest by bringing the voice command feature to a future pair of Nexus-branded smartwatches. Android Police, who's been behind the Huawei Nexus 6P and LG Nexus 5X leaks last Fall, says that these two smartwatches will have heart rate monitors, circular bodies (no flat tire, as has been the case with the Moto 360 and the Fossil Q Founder, the Michael Kors Android Wear smartwatch, as well as the upcoming Xiaomi smartwatch according to a sketch), varied button combinations (one will have 3 buttons, another 1), and more.
Let's get into the details before we rush past them. One Nexus smartwatch, codenamed "Angelfish," will have LTE capabilities, three buttons on the right side, GPS, and a heart rate monitor, as well as come in a titanium matte dark gray finish. The other Nexus smartwatch, codenamed "Swordfish," doesn't have LTE, GPS, or heart rate monitor but boasts the same circular shape as the Nexus Angelfish smartwatch. The Nexus Swordfish smartwatch comes in three colors: rose gold, silver, and titanium. The Nexus Angelfish smartwatch will not have MODE watchband compatibility, but the Nexus Swordfish smartwatch will. Angelfish is said to also have a similar weight to that of the LG Watch Urbane LTE, with a diameter of 43.5mm.
The Nexus Angelfish and Nexus Swordfish smartwatches will launch after the arrival of the new Nexus smartphones. Currently, we've been told by AP as well that the Huawei Nexus 6P (2016), the high-end Nexus, as well as the HTC Nexus Marlin and HTC Nexus Sailfish (budget-friendly offerings) are in the pipeline for this September. With that timetable in place, the Google Nexus Angelfish and Nexus Swordfish could launch at September's end or in October, some weeks after Samsung announces its new Tizen-powered Gear S3 smartwatch that'll have its own luxury design.
At this point in time, this is all that can be said about the Nexus smartwatches. Keep in mind though, that, as the source says, these plans can change at any moment. We happen to think that Google is undercutting its OEMs with this move, though Google's smartphone and tablet lines are a testimony to the search engine giant's desire to see greater success in mobile with its own hardware.
What do you think? Would you pick up a Nexus smartwatch? Is this the smartwatch you've been waiting for, or do you need more details before making a decision either way?
