A recent rumor suggested that Google is working with LG on a new smartwatch device that's powered by Android and slated to be shown off at Google I/O in June. We don't have to wait that long to get a peek at some Google smartwatch hardware, though, because some newly-leaked images have revealed a prototype Google watch that was made by Motorola.
Shared by Android Police, the photos show a fairly standard-looking black smartwatch that's somewhat reminiscent of the MOTOACTV fitness tracker. The watch in these photos includes a rubber band, square display and a handful of buttons. The screen is displaying some options that include one to initiate a developer mode and another to turn on "3 Bit mode Apps." Below the screen is a Motorola logo and a capacitive back button, and up above it is a rocker with buttons that appear to show a runner and a microphone. It's suggested that these keys could be meant to activate a fitness mode and a voice search, respectively.
This Motorola "Gem" smartwatch prototype was reportedly considered a Nexus-type product when it was manufactured in 2013, and is thought to have gone by the name "Google Watch." It's not known if Motorola still has the Gem/Google Watch kicking around in its labs. The company did just confirm that it's planning to introduce a new smartwatch in 2014, though, and so this leak may at least give us a rough idea of what Moto's upcoming wearable might look like. The only release timeframe that we've got for Motorola's new smartwatch is an extremely vague "this year," so for now we'll just have to be content with ogling these leaked photos.
Via Android Police