The wait is over. Google has unveiled the first flagship watches running Android Wear 2.0 as the software begins rolling out to existing wearables. Read more: How to get Android O before it's released
The stand-out features of Android Wear 2.0 include improved watch faces, advanced fitness tracking, more ways to respond to messages, iOS support, Android Pay and Google Assistant built in.
The layout has been updated to feature a curved layout on round devices with a circular scrolling gesture, which can be turned on and off. A Navigation drawer lets you switch between views of your app, similar to the navigation drawer on a phone. The drawer will appear at the top as a drop-down menu: for instance in the Mail app, the drop-down will give you easy access to your mailbox and settings.
Support for iOS lets Android owners pair their Android Wear 2.0 watches with an iPhone to install apps from the Play Store. Apps running on the watch will interact with the paired iOS device in a similar way to how the Apple Watch works.
With Android Wear 2.0 you can choose which apps you want on your watch and download them directly from the on-watch Google Play Store. Plus, if your watch has a 3G or 4G connection, you can make calls and use apps without your phone. Read more: Best Android Wear apps to get you started with your wearable
A selection of apps built for Android Wear 2.0 include AccuWeather, Android Pay, Bring!, Foursquare, Google Fit, Google Messenger, Google Play Music, Lifesum, Robinhood, Runkeeper, Runtastic, Strava, Telegram and Uber.
WIRED has selected the essential Android Wear apps to get you started. The full list of Android Wear apps is available from the Google Play Store.
Leaked screenshots earlier this week seemingly bolstered the rumours Android Pay was coming to smartwatches on Android Wear 2.0 and this has now been confirmed.
Similar to how Apple Pay works on the Apple Watch, wearers can touch their wearable on a contactless reader to pay for goods and services from partner retailers. Android Pay will only work on devices with an NFC chip built in.
Android Wear 2.0 adds Google Assistant to smartwatches meaning you can use voice commands to see upcoming events, book a table, ask questions, play games, get directions, update shopping and to-do lists, listen to the news, get detailed weather information and more. Read more: The human (and Pixar characters) inside Google's Assistant
To ask for help, hold down the power button on your watch or say “Ok Google." The Google Assistant is available in English and German on Android Wear and will be available in other languages "in the coming months."
Google has updated the software to make it easier to read and respond to a message from your watch. When you receive a message, you can now expand the notification in Android Wear 2.0 and tap to respond by dictating, typing or handwriting your answer, or drawing an emoji. These improved features are available on Facebook Messenger, Glide, Google Messenger, Hangouts, Telegram or WhatsApp.
Alternatively, Android's Smart Reply uses machine learning to suggest responses based on the messages you receive and how you've replied previously.
Google told WIRED Android Wear 2.0 will be available on the new LG watches from February 10 and the software is rolling out to other flagship Android smartwatches from other manufacturers "soon." The exact release dates depend on the individual manufacturers.
LG Watch Style and LG Watch Sport
The first watches to run Android Wear 2.0 will be the LG Watch Style and LG Watch Sport, both designed in collaboration with Google. The LG Watch Style is available in silver, rose gold and titanium, with snap-and-swap 18mm leather and silicone bands. A rotating power button lets you scroll through your stream, bring up the app launcher, or access your Google Assistant.
The LG Watch Sport, available in titan and dark blue, comes with an elastomer strap, NFC, GPS for tracking exercise and navigation, a heart rate sensor, and cellular connectivity. There are also buttons for Google Fit and Android Pay.
Both devices will be on sale from the Google Store from February 10. The LG Watch Style will additionally be available at Best Buy in the US, while the LG Watch Sport will be sold by AT&T and Verizon. The smartwatches will then go on sale in Canada, Korea, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, UAE and UK in the coming weeks.
Tag Heuer Connected Modular 45
Earlier in March, Tag Heuer unveiled the Connected Modular 45. The watch is water-resistant to 50 metres, features GPS, NFC, comes with the latest version of Android Wear and is possibly the most customisable watch ever created. As well as coming with an AMOLED screen, the Connected Modular 45's head can be changed. Instead of having the screen on display – or if the 24-hour battery life runs out – it is possible to remove it from the strap and replace it with a mechanical head. On April 10, Tag announced that all of its first-generation Tag Heuer Connected watches will be getting the Android Wear 2.0 update.
Montblanc Summit
Just days after TAG Heuer its Connected Modular 45, Montblanc hit back with its very first smartwatch, the €890 Montblanc Summit. It smartwatch runs Android Wear 2.0 and is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear 2100.
Diesel On
Unveiled at Baselworld 2017, the $325 Diesel On is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 chip. Other specifications are yet to be announced.
Hugo Boss Touch
The $395 Touch is the first Android Wear smartwatch from Hugo Boss. Made of carbon black IP stainless steel, the timepice has interchangeable straps, comes with Android Pay and NFC and goes on sale in August. It will not ship with a heart rate sensor, though.
Tommy Hilfiger TH24/7 You
Also announced at Baselword 2017, Tommy Hilfiger's $299 TH24 runs the same Snapdragon Wear 2100 as the Hugo Boss Touch, adds a heart rate sensor but lacks NFC meaning it can't support Android Pay
Fossil Q Venture and Fossile Q Explorist
Fossil used the annual watch event to show off two new smartwatches. The Q Explorist has a 44mm display while the Q Venture is slightly smaller with a 42mm display. Both Android Wear 2.0 devices have digital crowns, similar to those seen on the LG Watch Sport, Snapdragon Wear 2100 chips, and 4GB of memory.
Movado Connect
The Movado Connect has an edge-to-edge crystal face with an always-on display and will come in five men's styles. The Android Wear 2.0 smartwatch is expected to launch in Autumn with prices starting at $495.
List of watches getting Android Wear 2.0
- Asus ZenWatch 2 & 3
- Casio Smart Outdoor Watch
- Casio PRO TREK Smart
- Diesel On
- Fossil Q Founder
- Fossil Q Marshal
- Fossil Q Wander
- Fossil Q Venture
- Fossil Q Explorist
- Huawei Watch
- Hugo Boss Touch
- LG Watch R
- LG Watch Style
- LG Watch Sport
- LG Watch Urbane and 2nd Edition LTE
- Michael Kors Access Smartwatches
- Montblanc Summit
- Moto 360 2nd Gen
- Moto 360 for Women
- Moto 360 Sport
- Movado Connect
- New Balance RunIQ
- Nixon Mission
- Polar M600
- TAG Heuer Connected
- TAG Heuer Connected Modular 45
- Tommy Hilfiger TH24/7 You
"While traditional watches tell the time, Android Wear watches make the most of your time," David Singleton, VP engineering Android Wear said. "In an instant, you can check when and where you’re meeting a friend, whether you’ll need an umbrella tonight, or how many minutes you’ve been active today—all without reaching for your phone.
"Today, we’re launching Android Wear 2.0 to give you watch faces that do more, better ways to work out, more ways to stay in touch, new ways to use apps, and on-the-go help from Google Assistant."
1. Back up your data
Before installing new software, make sure to back up all your data because this will get removed when installing a new system image.
2. Download the new preview image in order to flash your watch
Android has detailed step-by-step instructions on how to flash your device here.
3. Download and install the Android version of the companion app on your smartphone
On the Play Store on your phone, go to the Android Wear app listing. Tap update to download and install the new app.
4. Pair the phone to the watch
On your phone, select your watch device name and pair the devices using the pairing code. Once this is confirmed, choose a Google Account to sync to your watch before following the instructions in the wizard to finish the pairing process.
5. Install and run the app on your watch
Open your app in Android Studio and select your Wear app module name from the Run/Debug configuration drop down menu. Click the Play button, before selecting your device and then install the app.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
