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Sony won't use Android Wear for its smartwatches

Sony won't use Android Wear for its smartwatches

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Sony, one of the most fervent supporters of the Android platform, has said it won't be embracing the smartwatch version of the software that Google recently announced. Android Wear is a customized, trimmed-down variant of the mobile operating system intended to reside on wearable devices of various form factors — starting off with smartwatches — but Sony has taken the position that it will continue to focus on its own OS, while possibly being open to Android Wear down the line. Sony told CNET that it will "continue to work closely with Google as a key partner and continue to evaluate opportunities across a number of areas," even if most of the company's efforts will be focused internally.

The SmartWatch 2 that Sony introduced at IFA last year is actually the fourth generation of its smartphone companion device, with the software gradually evolving and maturing every year. It's therefore understandable that, at least for the present time, Sony would seek to continue building on the platform it already has rather than jumping aboard a whole new one — while leaving the door open to collaborate with the likes of Google, which already has the support of other big names like Samsung, LG, Motorola, and HTC.

Update: This story was updated after publication to include additional details reported by CNET.