Google has announced a new partnership with Masimo and Qualcomm to boost health tracking capabilities on Wear OS with new, premium features. This collaboration aims to improve the accuracy and efficiency of health data tracking on smartwatches using Wear OS. Masimo’s advanced health technology, including its blood oxygen tracking capabilities, will be integrated into Wear OS.
This new platform promises accurate health data and seamless syncing with Android phones. Manufacturers can continue to design their smartwatch exteriors and user interfaces, while Masimo handles the internal tech design and testing. Masimo is known for its legal battle with Apple over the use of its blood oxygen tracking technology.
Apple had briefly halted sales of its Apple Watch and disabled the blood oxygen feature to resolve the dispute. Now, Google has successfully licensed this technology from Masimo, along with various other health features. This partnership has led to the creation of a reference framework that will help smartwatch manufacturers speed up the development process.
Collaboration enhances Wear OS health tracking
By using this new platform, manufacturers can focus on external design and UI, while Masimo ensures the performance and reliability of the internal components such as Snapdragon chips and biosensors. According to the announcement, this collaboration aims to provide a variety of health tracking options to consumers, accommodating different price ranges.
However, it also emphasizes the importance of reliable and effective health features, which can sometimes be difficult for users to assess before purchasing a device. This development marks a significant step in Google’s vision for advanced health tracking on Wear OS. While Google oversees the Wear OS experience, the partnership with Masimo and Qualcomm aims to bring premium health features to its wearable platform, benefiting both manufacturers and consumers.
By securing a license for Masimo’s blood oxygen tracking technology, Google is poised to offer more advanced health features on Wear OS devices, potentially setting a new standard in the wearable tech industry. The exact timeline for when Masimo’s new hardware will hit the market remains unclear, but the partnership with Qualcomm is a promising step toward scaling the wearable ecosystem. This collaborative effort between Google, Masimo, and Qualcomm could significantly enhance the Wear OS landscape, providing consumers with more options and improved technology in their wearable devices.
The initiative is expected to make it easier for a wider range of manufacturers to create their own Wear OS hardware, fostering innovation, variety, and choice in the Wear OS market.
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