The LG Watch Style and Watch Sport are the first two smartwatches to debut with Android Wear 2.0 out-of-the-box.
Android Wear 2.0 is the biggest update Google’s operating system for wearables. It officially launched today with LG’s two new smartwatches, the LG Watch Style and LG Watch Sport. With the new Android Wear 2.0, Google promises “more informative watch faces, better workouts, new ways to sue apps, more ways to stay in touch and on-the-go help from the Google Assistant.” While the LG Watch Style and Watch Sport are the first two watches running on Android Wear 2.0, there are many more smartwatches lined up to receive the update.
Google has announced that these smartwatches are ASUS ZenWatch 2 & 3, Casio Smart Outdoor Watch, Casio PRO TREK Smart, Fossil Q Founder, Fossil Q Marshal, Fossil Q Wander, Huawei Watch, LG G Watch R, LG Watch Urbane & 2nd Edition LTE, Michael Kors Access Smartwatches, Moto 360 2nd Gen, Moto 360 for Women, Moto 360 Sport, New Balance RunIQ, Nixon Mission, Polar M600 and TAG Heuer Connected. These smartwatches will receive the Android Wear 2.0 update in the coming weeks.
Out of these smartwatches, Asus ZenWatch 3, Asus ZenWatch 2, Huawei Watch, Moto 360 2nd Gen, Moto 360 for Women, Moto 360 Sport and Polar M600 Sports Smart Watch are available in India.
Besides LG, Verizon has also announced an Android Wear 2.0-baed smartwatch, Wear24. Verizon says that its Wear24 smartwatch “provides constant connectivity with a slim and modern design in mind.” The Wear24 smartwatch comes with built-in LTE connectivity which will allow making and receiving calls without the smartphone located nearby. The Wear24 smartwatch has a circular dial, and is water resistant up to 1m deep for a duration of almost 30 minutes. The Wear24 smartwatch will be available in the US starting March and for a price tag of $299.99 (Rs 20,200 approximately).
Android Wear 2.0: What’s new
Android Wear 2.0 will now allow personalizing one’s always-on watch face with information and actions from preferred apps. One can add information like appointment details, stock performance, tracks on fitness regime, and more. The update will also allow one to book an Uber with a tap on the watch face. You can set different watch faces in accordance to your work, lifestyle and swipe to use the preferred one. The Google Fit app which comes along with most Android Wear watches, now allows one to track their pace, distance, calories burned and calculate heart rate as well while walking, running or even cycling. In addition to this, one can also measure their weight-lifting reps. DON’T MISS: LG Watch Style, Watch Sport with Android Wear 2.0 launched: Price, specifications and features
Android Wear 2.0 will now allow its users to download apps straight from Google Play Store which has been directly integrated on the watch. The Android Wear watches with cellular connectivity, can be used to make and receive calls, messages. This also extends the options to use many apps like AccuWeather, Android Pay, Google Play Music, Uber and more. ALSO READ: ZTE Quartz Android Wear-based smartwatch leaked; release expected soon
Responding to messages has also become easier with Android Wear 2.0, as one can expand the notification on the watch and tap on it to respond. Here’s where it gets interesting, as responding can be done in different ways like dictating, typing or handwriting the answer or even drawing an emoji. This feature will work on apps like Facebook Messenger, Hangouts and WhatsApp. This also brings the Smart Reply feature which suggests different responses based on the message received. ALSO READ: Huawei Watch 2 with Android Wear 2.0, LTE support rumored to launch at MWC 2017
Google has finally brought its AI-based Assistant with Android Wear 2.0. One can use Google Assistant in a hands-free mode now, and ask questions like weather updates, set reminders, make hotel reservations or even ask for navigation. One can even update their shopping list straight from their watch. To launch Google Assistant on your smartwatch, long press the power button or simple say ‘Ok Google’. As of now, Google Assistant is available in two languages only which is English and German. Google says that more languages will be available in the coming months. RELATED: Google Assistant to soon get support for keyboard input, gestures