Google is getting the Moto 360 with Android Wear into stores in China, and it looks like the company is already making its first moves to get back into the country. The Moto 360 will be entering China due to work from Lenovo, who now own Motorola.
This version of Android Wear in the smartwatch is severely modified from the regular version, and Google is relying on Chinese firm Mobvoi to provide search and voice recognition services. The mobile operating system will also be decoupled from all of Google’s services, which are replaced with local Chinese versions. Apps can also be installed on the Moto 360, but it will have to be done with third party apps stores.
The most noticeable difference will be the voice activation, which no longer recognises the “Ok, Google” command. Instead, it will use a more localised “Ni hao Android” to activate listening mode on the smartwatch. This could possibly be the a trend that follows as more Google powered Android devices enter the Chinese market.
Mapping will also be provided by Mobvoi, which is mainly due to Chinese laws that have prevented Google from implementing its Google Maps service in the country.
Google is reportedly attempting to get back into China in an effort to stem Apple’s growing dominance of the mobile market in the country. There has been no official announcement from the company yet, but this move with the Moto 360 indicates that the report is reasonably accurate and we could be seeing more of these kinds of devices appearing.
[Source: ZDnet]
