Expect two Google smartwatches in the first few months of 2017.
VentureBeat reporter Evan Blass last week tweeted that two Google smartwatches could be available early next year.
Google's two smartwatches will be released with Android Wear 2.0 in Q1 2017 [image courtesy of: https://t.co/so8uJyEZCy] pic.twitter.com/ruejqXSNSy
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) October 13, 2016
The Verge noted that Google smartwatches are expected to run Android Wear 2.0 and be designed around Google's AI assistant.
What's new in Android Wear 2.0 talk by @peterfriese at #devfestHH pic.twitter.com/736d2ejcmb
— Teresa Holfeld (@TeresaHolfeld) October 14, 2016
Also, the new Google smartwatches, originally called "Swordfish" and "Angelfish," may present both opportunities and challenges for mobile developers.
Market research firm Allied Market Research has predicted the smartwatch market could expand at a 67.6 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) and be worth $32.9 billion globally by 2020. This indicates the smartwatch market is likely to grow, and mobile developers who can create smartwatch apps could be in high demand over the next few years.
On the other hand, wearable app developers "rely heavily on cloud platforms," according to cloud brokerage and marketplace platform provider ComputeNext. Thus, finding the right cloud platform to store, process and analyze smartwatch app data could challenge mobile developers who want to enter the smartwatch market.
Standalone watches are reality. But faces many challenges. @AndroidWear 2.0/#devfestHH pic.twitter.com/V3pUkD58mr
— Selim Salman (@A_SelimS) October 14, 2016
It remains to be seen whether the Google smartwatches will keep the names Swordfish and Angelfish when they are released.
@evleaks carrying the pixel name no doubt
— Andrew Bone (@Link2Twenty) October 13, 2016
The release schedule has created a dilemma for developers eager to cut their teeth with the latest smartwatch.
@evleaks hmmm now buy Zenwatch 3 when it's released or wait for these
— Ryan Moss (@RyanMoss96) October 13, 2016
Meanwhile, some developers will wait out the smartwatch market as they search for smartwatches that offer the same level of control as a smartphone.
@AndroidWear It would be nice to be able to control my watch more from my phone. e.g. Turn it off.
— nickgerig (@nickgerig) October 19, 2016
Although many developers remain confident in iOS, which has been the major smartwatch player so far, Google's move into the smartwatch market may lead some developers to reconsider Android as well.
If you develop mobile apps, owning an Android makes way more sense. Glad I switched over.
— Joshua Moran (@joshuamoran_) October 16, 2016