Google Announces Exciting Updates for Android Wear

Last week Google released its Android Wear 2.0 update, making the smartwatch even more user friendly than before. Let’s take a look at the most important changes coming to your Android Wear.

Standalone Apps

The most exciting change coming to Android Wear are standalone apps. Before this update, your smartwatch’s apps were connected to your smartphone. This meant that you needed to have your phone nearby to use an app on your watch, or if out of range, your phone had to be connected to a cellular network. Now, not only does your phone not have to be nearby, but it doesn’t even have to be turned on. Your Android Wear will operate independently of your phone by connecting to WiFi, a network, or Bluetooth.

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Because of this new independence, you will be able to access the Play Store directly on your Android Wear and download apps onto your wearable.

Google Assistant

You now have Google Assistant on your wrist. All you have to do is say “OK Google” to start a conversation with your intelligent, personal helper.

If you’re running errands and your hands are full, but you need to reply to a text, simply ask Assistant to respond for you. If you need to get to a restaurant, it can tell you directions, or even make reservations for you. So far, Assistant can talk in English and German, but will learn new languages over the launch period.

Complications

While the term doesn’t sound very positive, the addition of complications to Android Wear 2.0 is actually a great update. In the world of watches, a complication is any feature on the watch face other than the time. With Android Wear 2.0’s new capability, you can choose what you want to see on your smartwatch’s face — whether it’s the time and location of your next meeting, or stock prices, or even how you’re doing with your fitness regimen.

Google Fit

Updates to Google Fit include automatic activity recognition and rep counting. This means that your Android Wear will recognize when you start walking, running, or riding a bike, and will launch a tracking app to measure your workout. The rep counting update is a great tool for anyone who wants to track their weight training, push-ups, sit-ups, and more.

Notifications

Android Wear 2.0 also includes some updates to how notifications appear on the wearable. They will no longer take up the whole screen, and will instead show up as small icons that you have the option of expanding.

Android Wear 2.0 will not be available on every smartwatch, but will roll out gradually over several months to supported watches. Check out Android’s website to find out when you’ll be receiving the update.