The watch wars are quickly heating up, and Google seems to have been quietly working on a product for longer than anyone had previously imagined. Almost 2 years ago, WIMM Labs released the WIMM One, one of the first Android smartwatches. Several months later, the company essentially shut down and replaced most of its website with this message:
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.
Today, GigaOM is reporting that the shutdown was due to an acquisition by Google. The company stealthily purchased WIMM a year ago and merged it with the Android team. Since then, it has been quietly working to fulfill Google's smartwatch ambitions.
GigaOM points out that Woodside Capital Partners, the investment bank that assisted with the deal, spilled the beans on its website with the image you see above. Several WIMM employees have also updated their Linkedin profiles with their new employer.
One of WIMM's biggest selling points was a fully fledged app store, which is still up and running on WIMM's website. The store features additional watch faces, a Facebook app, a pedometer, and even tiny video games. It looks like Google has been charging full steam ahead on its smartwatch project for some time.
