Google buys $40 million worth of Fossil’s smartwatch IP

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Google is shelling out $40 million for some secret smartwatch intellectual property (IP) developed by the Fossil Group, with the seeming intention of adding it to the Android WearOS portfolio. Also included in the deal is part of the R&D team behind this new IP.

While it’s not clear what the new tech is, Greg McKelvey, EVP and chief strategy and digital officer of the Fossil Group told Wareable that “the new product line is based on technology that the Fossil Group has evolved on top of the Misfit acquisition [back in 2015].” He went on to say that “it’s new to the market technology.”

Misfit is best known for its minimalist, LED-only fitness and notification wearables, so I’m having a hard time visualizing what the secret IP might be. Perhaps advanced haptics that can make the user feel in different places, similar to running your finger over hour marks on a raised bezel? Perhaps it’s something in the wellness and health sphere.

Google is making moves in wearables

Google has been making some big moves in this area recently, such as the partnership with FitBit which moved its data storage into the Google Cloud. That looks likely, with a small clue given by Stacey Burr, Vice President of Product Management, Wear OS by Google, saying the IP fits the “ever-evolving needs of the vitality-seeking, on-the-go consumer.”  [emphasis mine]

From Google’s point of view, it looks like the new IP will be brought to any partner using WearOS. While Fossil will be releasing the first products using the new tech, that doesn’t mean they will be the only maker – it’s obviously something that could benefit the whole ecosystem as a whole.

With the transaction due to complete by the end of this month, maybe we’ll see an announcement of the actual devices at Mobile World Congress at the end of February. The last few years have had little to offer from smartphone makers so some innovative smartwatches would likely steal the show.

Fossil stock jumped 8% on the announcement.

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Editors’ Recommendations:

• Google will soon drop the ban hammer on apps that have access to your SMS, call logs
• The new Fossil Sport is an ok smartwatch that arrives in time for the holidays
• Ezviz announces more smart home security devices at CES 2019
• Microsoft really believes Project xCloud can be the “Netflix for games”
• The resurrection of the Razr flip phone may be upon us

Joe Rice-Jones

Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience at KnowTechie, SlashGear and XDA Developers. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere, with particular focus in gadgetry and handheld gaming. Shoot him an email at joe@knowtechie.com.