The name WIMM Labs may not ring any bells, but you might be interested to know they were actually one of the first in the smartwatch business, creating their own smartwatch SDK and manufacturing their first smartwatch, the WIMM One in 2011. Quite unexpectedly, the company went silent last year giving only this message on their website:
Almost three years ago WIMM set out to make information more personal, accessible, and connected. The WIMM One proved the concept and inspired many to take a fresh look at wearable technology.
During the summer of 2012, WIMM Labs entered into an exclusive, confidential relationship for our technology and ceased sales of the Developer Preview Kit. Existing WIMM One owners can continue to synchronize their devices at this time as well as contact us at help@wimm.com.
We’d like to thank all of our developers for their interest and willingness to experiment with our platform and look forward to exciting advances in the wearable market.
Contrary to suggestions that Apple had bought WIMM, it turns out the actual buyer of WIMM was Google as confirmed by a Google spokesperson. Now, if that isn’t like throwing oil on the flames of a Nexus smartwatch rumour. This is a great move for both Google and WIMM as WIMM’s original SDK was already Android-based as well as the fact it greatly supported third-party developer apps and the ability for standalone smartwatch functionality. It gives Google a leg up as well on a potential smartwatch project who might have otherwise taken a while to develop the expertise required.
We’ll see if a Nexus smartwatch ever makes it to the light of day, but at least we know now that it’s a distinct possiblity. Anybody excited about a possible Nexus smartwatch? Does anybody have a WIMM One? Let us know if you do down in the comments.
