Google Launches Pixel Watch, Pins Hope on Full Ecosystem Tech Strat to Penetrate Niche Market

Source: Google

Google finally announced what has become one of the worst kept secrets in the tech world the past weeks—the release date of its first smartwatch product, the Pixel Watch. During its recently concluded Google I/O developer conference, the tech giant informed audiences of the gadget’s fall launch. This is a major step for Google, which is considered a latecomer to the smartwatch market with Apple and Samsung leading the pack.

Weeks before the announcement, we reported on the much-leaked photos of a Pixel Watch prototype left at a restaurant. Our take on the Pixel Watch was its potential to dominate the market since it caters to the huge, underserved audience using Microsoft and Android ecosystems and can be integrated into various SaaS tech tools.

Now that we know Pixel Watch is coming, the product will definitely have an impact on Google’s presence in our daily lives by offering a full ecosystem of tech products and services—a strategy that’s been used by no other than its rival, Apple. SaaS companies like Zendesk, Salesforce, and HubSpot, for example, also apply this strategy by developing a broad array of apps within a suite that caters to the specific needs of their clients. Doing so helps vendors penetrate niche markets faster and boost their prominence in the SaaS industry.

Though Google is already the most prominent search engine and offers a wide range of digital services, its venture into developing smart gadgets is a significant push toward dominance in both software and hardware markets. Its recent acquisition of MicroLED startup, Raxium, is proof of the company focusing resources on developing AR/VR hardware.

What to Expect: Design, Apps, and Fitbit Integration

The Pixel Watch will run on Wear OS and will be loaded with lots of Google apps and services that we’ve all come to love—Google Maps, Assistant, and Wallet, just to name a few. But perhaps what most aspiring owners are really excited about is the watch’s deep integration with Fitbit’s software and all its health and fitness tracking features.

It’s not yet known how the Pixel Watch will actually improve on the high-end Fitbit Versa and Fitbit Sense, but Google was forthcoming about how its new smartwatch will use the same cutting-edge fitness tools, data, and system of Fitbit such as sleep tracking and continuous heart rate tracking. Though the two gadgets will sport similar features and tech, Fitbit fanatics don’t need to worry about losing their most-loved smart fitness tracker. According to Google’s senior vice president of devices and services, Rick Osterloh, the company doesn’t have intentions of merging the two. Instead, they will complement each other said Fitbit’s founder, James Park, who also is the current head of Google’s wearables division.

In terms of design, the Pixel Watch will have a circular, bezel-less face that comes with a rotating crown and side button. Like its rival the Apple Watch, it will also sport interchangeable propriety bands to suit the user’s style, personality, or whatever one’s mood is for the day.

There’s still a lot that was kept in the dark during the announcement of the Pixel Watch. We expect details such as technical specs and prices to be revealed as we get closer to the fall release.