Google just recently announced Android Wear, an extension of the Android OS that has been optimized for wearable tech. It will be for wearable tech what Android has been for smartphones. So basically, anyone can run Android Wear on their wearable tech. Google has decided to kickoff Android Wear with the most obvious wearable tech around – smartwatches.
I like to think of Android Wear as Google Now (on steroids) for smartwatches. Smartwatches running on Android Wear will serve you contextual and actionable information – exactly when you need it – and you can interact with them using “Ok Google” commands. In addition, there’s also health and fitness monitoring functionality and the ability to connect to smartphones and other devices to interact and receive notifications. This 2-minute video explains it all better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrqZl2QIz0c
Android Wear will come with it’s own Software Development Kit that will enable developers build apps for the platform. A Developer Preview is already available with which developers can run Android Wear in the Android emulator and begin tailoring their existing app notifications for watches powered by Android Wear.
Google is already working with several consumer electronics manufacturers (Asus, HTC, LG, Motorola and Samsung), chip makers and fashion brands to bring you watches powered by Android Wear before this year runs out. In fact 2 Android Wear powered smartwatches have already been announced – the LG G Watch and Moto 360. They both will be compatible with all Android 4.3 and later smartphones – so we can finally say goodbye to Galaxy Gear elitism – and should be available by Summer 2014.
The LG G Watch and Moto 360
While there’s no specific pricing information at the moment, the LG G Watch should naturally cater to the entry-level price range, in comparison with the Moto 360’s premium appeal.
I find the Moto 360 the more intriguing of the 2, for it’s very traditional look and feel. A lot of the criticism directed at modern smartwatches is centred on the fact that they steer too far away from the traditional. Motorola really went back in time to reimagine the modern day time piece. Favouring a round form factor over the popular rectangular in its genre, the Moto 360 will come in chain and leather strap variations.
The LG G Watch and Moto 360 are just 2 of the many possibilities of smartwatches that will come running on Android Wear. It will be exciting to see what other manufacturers come up with in the coming months and years. I’m particularly interested in how Apple, Pebble Watch and Samsung will respond. Samsung, who already have a smartwatch line running on their very own Tizen OS, happen to have a very good working relationship with Google. So we can expect they will also delve into Android Wear territory. Pebble founder, Eric Migicovsky, has said he’s “excited” about Android Wear and the Moto 360 and Apple is reportedly working on the iWatch. Whichever way it pans out, 2 things are certain; smartwatches have a huge role to play in the future of mobile tech and the consumer is set to win again and again.
