Back in January, it was announced that Google had agreed to purchase the intellectual property rights to some proprietary technology being developed by the Fossil Group. Fossil’s executive vice president of chief strategy and digital officer. Just a few years ago, Fossil acquired the connected wearable company Misfit as part of a larger strategy to focus on smartwatches and other technology-driven wearables.  That particular plan seems to have shifted a bit, as Fossil and Google will now be sharing in Fossil’s smartwatch technology and the resources it has developed over the last few years.

Google Play Store certainly isn’t carrying any at the time of writing). Google’soriginal focus was to allow third parties to use its own software for its devices — similar to Google’s original strategy with the Android smartphone operating system. Then, Google made the wise decision to offer devices with its software for purists looking for the core experience. As we know, a desirable product in this space is only partially about the software.

 Sister Fossil Group brand Michael Kors has also released the fully round, touchscreen smartwatches with their Michael Kors Access.

Stacey Burr, president of product management for Google’s WearOS platform, explained that Google’s motivation to make the purchase was down to the potential her team believed it had to differentiate the WearOS platform from those of rivalsThat statement leaves a lot to be interpreted. Some might read this news as an indicator that Fossil is exiting the smartwatch space.  Fossil wants to mostly focus on producing non-electronic watch hardware (the case, bracelet, etc.) along with design, while it allows companies like Google to focus on the software side of the smartwatch equation.

WearOS is also used in major brands such as TAG Heuer, LG, and Movado. Purchasing this new technology from Fossil, which will also port a portion of its R&D department over to Google so the technology’s new owners can continue its development seamlessly, gives Google not just a head start in creating its own product, but, more crucially, the chance to offer something different.

Although we’ve only heard whispers of what this new technology could offer, it is clear from the $40 million USD purchase price that Google believes there’s a good reason to be excited. Forty million bucks sounds like a lot, but in an industry that craves differentiation, it could turn out to be an absolute bargain.the theoretical potential of (and perhaps serious need for) smartwatches (or wearable technology, in general) to take a more active, autonomous role in assessing the environment of the wearer, in order to provide a more intimate and tailored experience, is vast. believes will continue to grow by 11 percent through 2022, thanks to increased adoption of smartwatches and wearable technology. To follow the collaboration between Google and the Fossil Group, check out  fossil.com.