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Baidu previews Android smartwatch OS

Chinese search-engine giant Baidu has officially launched the advertising campaign for its Android-based smartwatch OS, which supports various devices including the Sony SmartWatch 3, Moto 360, and LG G Watch.
Written by Cyrus Lee, Contributor

Chinese technology giant Baidu has launched a website to introduce its upcoming Android-based smartwatch OS, named "DuWear", on Wednesday.

According to the company, the system not only supports basic smartwatch functions such as motion tracking and heart rate monitoring, but is also integrated with several Baidu-backed services like voice search and mobile payment technology.

Simply by raising the wrist and talking to a smartwatch running DuWear OS, people will receive immediate feedback on weather and stock information. While issuing an order such as "I'd like to make a payment", the Baidu wallet embedded in the OS will complete transactions instantly, according to the website.

Baidu will also install mapping and GPS software into the OS to provide navigation services to consumers. An app store will be launched later to give users access to other supporting apps for DuWear.

As Apple Watch only supports iPhones, and Android Wear has yet to enter the Chinese market, Baidu believes that the introduction of DuWear OS will effectively fill in the gap, a NetEase report said on Wednesday.

Baidu will kick off DuWear OS downloads in late April. The system supports various smartwatches in the market, including the Sony SmartWatch 3, Moto 360, and LG G Watch, according to the news report.

Baidu is also likely to launch its own smartwatch product -- the DuWear Watch -- in June, NetEase added, citing anonymous sources. It will then become the first mass-produced smartwatch launched by a Chinese company, said the report.

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