Google will reportedly team up with LG to manufacture its upcoming Nexus smartwatch and next-generation Nexus 6 smartphone.
When Google purchased Motorola back in 2012, it appeared as if the two tech companies were going to use each other to both their advantage. Google would easily provide the money and software and Motorola would use its hardware manufacturing know-how to build Google great devices. The partnership, however, came into question when it was revealed that Google had partnered with Motorola rival LG to build its flagship Nexus 5 smartphone.
Motorola was, in fact, working on a very important device with Google and believed it would change the smartphone world. The Moto X was the first smartphone the two companies worked on together and the device dominated headlines leading up to its announcement last summer.
The handset was often referred to as the "X Phone" and numerous reports claimed that the secret smartphone was more advanced than anything Apple and Samsung had on the agenda. The smartphone was said to be "contextually aware" of its surroundings and would be able to adjust to situations and perform tasks without any input from the user. The handset's other headlining feature was that it would let users design the smartphone by choosing its color palette and some of its hardware.
The smartphone would eventually be announced as the Moto X and had a reported $500 million budget to ensure the device did not fail. While Google was pouring money into the Moto X, the company was still planning its own flagship smartphone without Motorola, the Nexus 5 with LG.
Google and LG had partnered in 2012 on the Nexus 4 and the smartphone was an instant hit with Android fans. When Google released the Nexus 5 last year, the smartphone was based off of LG's G2 and a new report now claims Google and LG will partner on the Nexus 6 and a Nexus smartwatch .
The Nexus 6 will reportedly be based off of LG's upcoming G3 smartphone. LG is expected to announce the G3 in May and a Nexus 6 launch would likely take place in the fall. The so-called Nexus smartwatch will be Google's entry into the rapidly expanding smartwatch market, where it will join Samsung's Galaxy Gear and Apple's rumored iWatch. The device is expected to be unveiled at Google's I/O conference in June and will reportedly have deep Google Now integration.
We expect to hear more details about both devices in the coming weeks and months. We'll also be waiting to see how Motorola and its new owner, Lenovo, respond.
