Google buys WIMM, clearing the way for an Android smartwatch
- Jon Xavier
- Web Producer- Silicon Valley Business Journal
- Email | Twitter | Google+
Now it looks like Google is eyeing the smartwatch market, even as it pushes forward with its glasses-based wearable tech effort.
According to a report in GigaOM, Google has purchased WIMM Labs, a Los Altos startup that was pretty much the OG of the modern smartwatch movement. WIMM got its start in 2007, incubating out of former Rambus President Dave Morring's investment arm, Pillar Ventures. WIMM released a developer version of an Android smartwatch back in 2011, before the iWatch was even a twinkle in Apple CEO Tim Cook's eye.
WIMM had abruptly ceased selling its developer watch in 2012, saying only that it had entered into an exclusive, confidential licensing agreement for its technology. That wasn't all that surprising— licensing the technology was always the plan for WIMM, and Morring certainly had the experience to make a deal, coming as he did from one of the world's largest technology licensing companies.
The fact that Google is the buyer is a little surprising as the company has kept any smartwatch plans it might have close to the vest up until this point. It also already had a smartwatch program that it picked up when it bought Motorola Mobility.
But snapping up WIMM is a clear win for Google as its watch wasn't just a straight port of Android, but rather a heavily customized operating system that took into account the limitations and advantages of the watch-based form factor, including ways to save battery life. It also had at least a rudimentary developer platform, which would be invaluable to Google if it wants to get people to create apps for the new device. As everyone knows, it's apps, not operating systems, that are the real value for a device.
Google did not respond to an email request for comment in time for this report.
Jon Xavier is Web Producer at the Business Journal. His phone number is 408.299.1826.
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