New York: Google has confirmed it will launch two flagship smartwatches next year, which will be the first to run Android 2.0.
In an interview with The Verge, Android Wear product manager Jeff Chang said the new watches would not have Google or Pixel branding, despite previous rumours of a Pixel smartwatch. Instead Google will be partnering with another manufacturer, but wouldn't confirm which.
Earlier this year Google released its first flagship smartphone, but that too was built in partnership with HTC. While we'd also love to see HTC partner up for the watch, Chang confirmed Google was working with a company that had made Android Wear devices before, and that it would be akin to the Nexus partnerships of the past, meaning we'll likely see its branding on the watches.
Chang also confirmed that once Google's watches are out, some, but not all, existing Android Wear devices will get the long-awaited upgrade to Android Wear 2.0. Chang confirmed that although there will be some differences between Wear 2.0 on Android and iOS, Android Pay will work across both. Yes, Android Pay is finally coming to smartwatches.
