After trying its hand at creating an Android-powered media streamer last year, it appears that Google may now be working to create some other non-mobile Android hardware. Sources speaking to The Wall Street Journal claim that Google is currently developing a wristwatch and a game console, both of which will run its Android mobile operating system. The company is said to be working on these devices in an effort to counter new products that it thinks Apple will unveil in the future, such an Apple TV that can play video games. Details on Google's smartwatch and console are light, but the watch is expected to connect to a smartphone using Bluetooth.
In addition to a watch and video game console, the WSJ's sources say that Google is prepping a new version of the Nexus Q streaming media player. The first Nexus Q made its debut at Google I/O 2012 and was sold to the public for a very brief time before Google yanked the device off of its virtual shelves. The new Nexus Q will reportedly be "much less expensive" than the original model, which was priced at $299.
The list of upcoming Android products doesn't stop there, as Google is also said to be prepping its own low-cost smartphones. The devices will reportedly be targeted at emerging markets and are expected to run the next major version of Android, referred to by many as Key Lime Pie.
Speaking of the next major version of Android, the WSJ's sources claim to have some details on that as well. The tipsters say that the future update will be "tailored to the lower-cost smartphones prevalent in developing countries" that often run older versions of Android. This will help developers focus on a fewer number of versions of Android when working on their apps. Google is also reportedly planning to use Key Lime Pie to begin placing Android on non-mobile hardware such as laptops, refrigerators and other appliances. HP is specifically named as one company that's already hard at work on an Android-powered laptop.
Google recently announced that there have been 900 million Android devices activated to date, most of which are likely smartphones and tablets. The company has shown recently that it's interested in loading its little green robot onto other types of hardware, though, including its Glass eyewear and the Nexus Q. Today's report suggests that Google wants to go even further by placing Android on laptops and non-computing products, a move that could help it to get Android into even more hands and homes. Of all the upcoming products named in today's leak, which are you most excited about?
