Tech Desk
Sep 16, 2024
Masimo and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. have formed a coalition in a bid to develop a next-generation smartwatch reference platform for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) building Wear OS by Google smartwatches.
The agreement comes amid the ongoing discord between Masimo and Apple which led to the removal of the pulse oximetry features from Apple Watches for committing patent infringement on Masimo.
Paving foundations for an ultimate wearable future, the coordination of Masimo’s clinically proven technologies with the best-in-class Snapdragon wearable platforms, the reference platform will enable OEMs to propel the production of high-performing, premium smartwatches to market.
Masimo and Qualcomm Technologies sign deal for supercharged Wear OS by Google
With the deal sealed between two tech giants, Masimo's expertise in designing health and wellness tracking tools will let users get more accurate and reliable data from modern-day smartwatches.
This deal executing the planned roadmap will power Wear OS watches with exclusively high-performance and ultra-low power system-on-a-chips (SoCs) from Masimo, and class-leading wireless and cellular communications from Qualcomm Technologies, bringing to the table an unmatched connectivity experience.
"We’re thrilled to be able to partner with Qualcomm Technologies, to whom we naturally turned to supply the chips in our own forthcoming Masimo Freedom wearable, to craft a truly remarkable reference platform," said Masimo CEO and Founder Joe Kiani.
With Qualcomm Technologies and Masimo engineers working together and utilising Qualcomm's meticulously engineered, high-performing, low-power Snapdragon systems, he added that "we expect this new wearable platform to supercharge smartwatch OEMs’ abilities to create competitive, desirable smartwatches for consumers everywhere. I look forward to partnering with a company as well known for its commitment to innovation as Masimo."
