[NewsPoster]

Google is working on a smart watch too, reports the Financial Times . The claims are made based on a Google patent application for a dual display smart watch that was filed in 2011 and granted in 2012. Google has shown a strong interest in wearable, connected, electronic devices such as the Google Glass project, making it seem destined to join Apple and Samsung in the race to capture the nascent wearable devices market.

The Google smart watch patent application describes a dual display smart watch incorporating two touchscreen displays, with one flipping up to reveal a second display underneath it. The top display is partly transparent and would help to control the information displayed on the second display. The top display would show notifications, while the second display would show the complete contents of a given notification, like an email, for example. The smart watch also includes a camera that would also be activated when the flip top portion is in the open position hinting at face-to-face call possibilities.

It would certainly be an intriguing device if Google did go ahead and produce it, althought it has always been the case that patent applications do no necessarily lead to the development of actual shipping products. However, with stock analysts keen to see companies demonstrate growth potential, all of the key tech players are constantly searching for the next growth market. A smart watch may offer wider consumer appeal than a device like Google Glass that may also be cost prohibitive by comparison.