There has been talking of a Google Pixel Watch under development for quite some time. This smartwatch was actually expected last year, but it was too early for this.
Still, Google seems to be working on a smartwatch in the background. This smartwatch will, of course, use Google’s Wear OS. As for the other functions, much is still unclear. A new patent may give us more insight into one of the most important functions of this Google Watch.
Google smartwatch with a built-in camera
This is a design patent filed by Google LLC mid-2017. On August 27, 2019, the patent was published in the USPTO (the United States Patent and Trademark Office) database.
The Google Pixel Watch patent includes seven sketches on which a smartwatch with a round watch case is depicted. A large circle can be seen in the middle. Although you might still think of a hybrid watch with analog hands, it is the patent name that gives us more information about this. The patent is entitled ‘Camera Watch‘.
In other words, Google seems to be working on a smartwatch with a camera. This would, of course, be a good entry to the smartwatch market.
Finally, none of the renowned brands – think of Apple, Samsung, Huawei, and LG – has a watch with a camera in the portfolio. There are some more unknown brands that offer a smartwatch with a camera, but the quality of these cameras leaves something to be desired.
Google Pixel 3 smartphones are known as one of the best smartphone cameras. While only one lens is used. This is due to the unique software from Google. Chances are that the manufacturer also wants to use this knowledge for its smartwatch.
However, since it is a design patent, the functions are not discussed in more detail. It also remains unclear whether it is an under-screen camera, possibly a gap in the screen – as we have seen this year with various smartphone models.
Whether Google actually intends to build in a camera in the watch remains to be seen, of course, but it seems plausible since the company also filed a patent for a smartwatch earlier this year. With this patent the watch strap was discussed in particular, however, the same round circle could also be seen with this design.
In addition, Google seems to opt for a digital turning ring for the operation, although this cannot be deduced 100% from the images. We will not see a crown again. The most recent Samsung smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch Active 2, was also equipped with a digital rotating ring.
It is as yet unclear when Google will unveil its first smartwatch. Google Pixel Watch was already expected last year until Google indicated that this is not yet in place. We have now moved on for quite some time, it is certainly not inconceivable that the company simply needs more development time.
Google invested USD 40 million in the smartwatch technology of watchmaker Fossil at the beginning of this year.
There are more smartphone manufacturers who want to enter the wearables market, such as Oppo. Earlier this month, Oppo’s CEO, Brian Shen, announced through Chinese social media that the company is developing an Oppo smartwatch. Google is probably still working on its own smartwatch in the background.
