This article was published on October 2, 2014

LG lets slip that it’s developing a webOS smartwatch


LG lets slip that it’s developing a webOS smartwatch

LG is out of the blocks with two Android Wear smartwatches, the G Watch and G Watch R, but it seems the company is also preparing a wristworn wearable running its own webOS platform.

The operating system has had a difficult life. It was originally developed by Palm, before the company was acquired by HP; the latter’s own troubles meant the technology was later open-sourced and eventually sold off to LG. Its new owner wants to implement webOS in smart TVs, but it appears the platform is also capable of being repurposed for smartwatches.

Screen Shot 2014-10-02 at 11.00.15

A developer site (which has since been pulled) confirmed the existence of a webOS SmartWatch. It was just a holding page, but the carousel revealed that an SDK for app development is on the way. “LG SmartWatch gets more powerful with the new Web-centric platform,” one of the slides added.

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Android Wear has had a difficult start, so it’s hardly surprising that LG wants a platform of its own in reserve. All competition is good for the consumer, but the company might find it tough to attract developers; the proliferation of platforms only reduces the likelihood that a company will dedicate resources.

webOS SmartWatch (via The Verge)

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