It is no surprise that China does not particularly like Google, so much so that they’ve replaced many of Google’s products and services with their own, such as Baidu which is used to replace Google Search. Now it looks like Baidu wants in on the wearables game but instead of going the Android Wear route, they have decided to launch their own.
Ironically enough Baidu’s own smartwatch platform is based on Android and it is called DuWear. The company even launched a website that dedicates itself to the upcoming platform which presumably will be used by China-based smartwatch OEMs. That being said, DuWear is pretty standard when it comes to functions and features.
For the most part, the platform will support the usual features one might expect from a smartwatch. This includes motion tracking, heart rate monitoring, and will also come with Baidu’s own services for voice search and mobile payments. Users will also be able to use their voice to command the watch, like to tell them the weather and to launch the mobile payments app.
There will be mapping and GPS software that is part of the platform and an app store will be launched later where more apps will be made available for the platform. It is rumored that Baidu will launch their own smartwatch in June called the DuWear Watch, although their DuWear platform is supposedly supported by other wearables such as the Sony SmartWatch 3, the Moto 360, and the LG G Watch.
Filed in . Read more about Baidu, China, Smartwatch and Wearable Tech.