Google to introduce smartwatch and NFC ring, bake payments into Android KitKat?

An unauthenticated screenshot of Android KitKat, showing a "payments" option
Android 4.4: Screenshots indicate that KitKat could feature built-in NFC payments

As speculation builds for the likely launch of the Google Nexus 5 and new Android KitKat operating system later this month, rumours suggest Google could also unveil a smartwatch and NFC ring.

Both Droid Life’s Kellen Barranger and Android Police’s Artem Russakovskii suggest a smartwatch, codenamed Gem, could be on its way to rival Samsung’s recently announced Galaxy Gear.

Barranger also points to another potential device, known as Sauron, that could be an NFC ring likely used as an accompaniment to the Nexus 5 for unlocking the smartphone.

These new devices could also link up with another possible move, to include native support for NFC payments within KitKat.

• Find details of all current and upcoming NFC phones in our comprehensive NFC devices list.

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