Google to Launch SDK for Android Wearables

Google plans to release a software development kit in the next two weeks that will allow third-party developers to create Android software for use on wearable computing devices. The announcement was made Sunday by Sundar Pichai, Google's senior vice president of Android, Apps, and Chrome, during a panel discussion with John Battelle at the South by Southwest conference in Austin, Texas.

Likening the evolution of wearable devices to the smartphone revolution, Pichai said the goal is to take Android beyond smartphones and tablets to a multi-screen world. Google is expected to unveil plans for its smartwatch-centric operating system later this month, a person familiar with the company's plans told CNET in February. Google is said to be working with South Korean electronics maker LG to produce a smartwatch that will make its debut at its Google I/O conference in June.