Google rows with Samsung over its approach to smartwatches

        Google wants more focus on Android Wear rather than Tizen


Google is concerned that Samsung, its largest licensee, is undermining its Android Wear platform by focusing primarily on its own Tizen OS.

The Information reports that the tech giants were at odds at the recent Allen & Co. meeting of tech and media industry luminaries held in Sun Valley, LA.

The “tense private meeting” saw Google CEO Larry Page tell Samsung vice chairman Jay Y. Lee of his displeasure at Samsung’s current approach to smartwatches.

Samsung did provide a smartwatch device for Android Wear's launch at Google I/O recently, but the Samsung Gear Live is essentially a version of the Tizen-powered Samsung Gear 2 made to run on Android Wear.

Three of Samsung’s four smartwatches run on Tizen, although the first those – the Samsung Galaxy Gear – initially ran on Android but later converted to Tizen.

Google wants Samsung to focus more on Android Wear, although it’s likely that Samsung will want to run with Tizen and establish its own platform separately.

Google can quarrel although Samsung ultimately has leverage, with the Korean company responsible for around two thirds of all Android devices sold.