At Google's recent Pixel event, amidst the spotlight shone on the Pixel 11 series and the Pixel Watch 5, a curious new entrant captured the imagination of tech enthusiasts—a mysterious smartband. While Fitbit was notably absent from announcements, a buzz around this unidentified device has begun to swell, as Google Australia appears to be hinting at something new. Could this be Google's first-ever Pixel smartband?
Reddit users have taken to discussion, speculating whether this new device might be the anticipated Fitbit Charge 7 or a potential Google Pixel Watch a-series variant. Adding to the intrigue, the unverified smartband has surfaced in multiple Google ads, showcasing its presence alongside the Pixel 11 series.
A new smartband appears in promotional images for the Google Pixel 11 series.
The design of this device stands out, distinctly different from the existing Fitbit Charge 6 and Fitbit Inspire 3, raising further questions about its identity and purpose.
Comparison: Fitbit Charge 6 (left) and Fitbit Inspire 3 (right)
Crucially, the branding in the promotional materials leans heavily towards Google Pixel, hinting that this may indeed be a Pixel-branded device, rather than one branded under Fitbit. If this turns out to be true, it would mark Google's venture into the smartband market. This revelation could bring forth numerous implications, such as whether the Wear OS will adapt to accommodate smartbands or if this device would rely on a different operating system altogether.