Google apparently aiming for tight control of Android Wear as crowdfunding campaign closed down

Google appears to be aiming for tight control over its Android Wear smartwatch platform as it asked crowdfunding site IndieGoGo to take down a campaign for a budget smartwatch, Com1, reports Android Police.

Com1 used stock images of Android Wear and the Android Wear trademark in its campaign page, which was taken down by IGG under the premise of an intellectual property infringement complaint by Google shortly after the campaign launched.

Since Google is known to have a relaxed attitude to use of its imagery, the motivation here appears to be control which companies are able to launch Android Wear devices … 

Android Wear smartwatches are currently only available from Samsung, LG, Sony and Motorola. It’s not known whether Google objected to the specific device proposed, or to the concept of budget smartwatches built down to a price.

The Com1 was to be offered to early bird backers at just $125, and to retail at $175, and was to use a low-cost Imgenic CPU rather than the usual Snapdragon 400 chip.

The message to would-be manufacturers appears to be if you want to make an Android Wear smartwatch, you’d better talk to Google first.