Tag: android wear

Google Wear OS Is Now Official

Wear OS is now officially the moniker that Google will use for its smartwatch OS. The new branding will be available on a select number of smartwatches, which were running Android Wear.

Google and its smartwatch OS has been fighting a losing battle with Apple’s watchOS. Apple Watch and its three iterations have helped Apple become the biggest watchmaker in the world. In the fourth quarter of 2017, Apple shipped more Apple Watches than the entire Swiss watch industry. With such enormous popularity, it feels like it will take more than just rebranding for Google to revive Android smartwatches.

While the rebranding kind of resembles the moniker Apple uses, the features are not similar in any way. Google, so far, has not announced any new features that will hit the market. Prominent non-Apple smartwatch makers like Samsung now use their own OS instead of Wear OS. However, unlike an Apple Watch, a Samsung S Gear watch is compatible with other Android devices.

Apple Watch

The exclusivity of the Apple Watch almost plays into its favour. Apple has built a massively impenetrable ecosystem around its devices. Every iPhone owner who wants a smartwatch is automatically no longer a potential Android smartwatch customer. That is solely because an Apple Watch works more cohesively with an iPhone.

Just like the Android OS market, Android Wear OS market is extremely fragmented. From Samsung, Huawei to Fossil, Android Wear smartwatches are made by a lot of manufacturers. This means that the level of customisation and cohesion that an Apple Watch provides, an Android Wear smartwatch simply cannot.

Google, however, is definitely trying to make it work. The smartwatch industry is well on its path to become similar to the tablet industry. Where its either an iPad or nothing. But, for Google to prevent that, it will take more than just rebranding.

March 16, 2018
Fossil Misfit Vapor Smartwatch Launched In India At A Price Of Rs. 14995

Fossil Misfit has launched its smartwatch lineup called Vapor in India at a price of Rs. 14995. The smartwatch is available in three colour variants, Black, Blue, and Grey and is sold online via Flipkart exclusively.

The Misfit Vapor has a 1.39-inch AMOLED display with 326ppi and a 44m stainless steel case around it available in Jet Black or Rose Gold colour. A touch bezel allows users to browse Vapor’s menu of watchfaces and applications, and respond to notifications, without obscuring content on the display.

Under the hood, the Vapor smartwatch has the Qualcomm Wear 2100 chipset, 4GB of onboard storage and a battery that is supposed to last up to two days on a single charge.

People use smartwatches for various reasons, and tracking fitness is one of them. The Vapor smartwatch has an accelerometer, altimeter, gyroscope, optical heart rate sensor, and GPS to track your movement. It even has a microphone to give voice commands and invoke Google Assistant, since the watch runs Android Wear 2.0, it has Google Assistant built-in.

The Misfit Vapor is supposed to ‘swim proof’ and water resistant at up to 50 meters.

As far as compatibility with devices is concerned, you can connect it to an iOS device running iOS 9 and above and Android devices running Android 4.3 and above.

December 12, 2017
Louis Vuitton Gets Into Smartwatches, Launches a Pricey Android Wear Watch

Going up against the likes of Apple and Tag Heuer, the luxury fashion brand, Louis Vuitton throws its hat in the smartwatch ring with the launch of the Tambour Horizon Android wear watch. An amalgamation of technology and high fashion, the pricey Tambour Horizon smart watch offers a level of exclusivity to a usually mass-market device. The 42mm Tambour Horizon smartwatch will be available in Black, Graphite and Monogram along with stainless steel watch cases and sapphire glass back buckles. All three models are water resistant up to 30 meters and includes 60 interchangeable strap options like white, baby pink etc .

Developed in collaboration with Qualcomm and Google, the LV smartwatch runs Android Wear 2.0. The 42mm case sports a 1.2-inch, 390 x 390 resolution AMOLED touchscreen display and is powered by a Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor to keep Google’s OS running slick alongside 512MB of RAM and 4GB of storage. The 300mAh battery is said to get you through a day’s use. It may not be the best workout companion as the Tambour Horizon does not include a heart rate monitor. Other interesting features are the ‘Vuitton City Guide,’ which is basically a tour guide on your wrist, and ‘my Flight,’ which gives you flight information.

The regular stainless steel model is available for $2,450, while the black variant will cost $2,900. Additional accessories include interchangeable watch straps and a battery charger with a Louis Vuitton cover for $235 and $140 respectively . It also features a sapphire crystal Louis Vuitton logo on the caseback. But for those looking for a mechanical option, the Louis Vuitton Escale Time Zone watch runs for $7,200.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AjdAObqC74

July 12, 2017
Google Wants to Make its Own Watch Too

After reports of the new Google Phone, it seems Google is keen on making a Google Watch too. A new report claims that Google will make two new round smartwatches codenamed; Angelfish and Swordfish.

Angelfish comes with a thickness of 14mm and has a bezel of 43.5mm. Angelfish will have GPS, LTE, and a heart-rate monitor and is designed to be a “standalone” Android Wear device. Swordfish has a single button centered on the right-hand side of the body, bezel of 42mm and a thickness of just 10.6mm.

Moto 360 2nd Gen

The Angelfish device will not support Google’s interchangeable MODE watch bands but, Swordfish will be compatible with MODE bands.

Along with the new devices, some serious updates to Android Wear 2.0 are in the works claims the report. Google may have some new tricks up its sleeve. With a Google phone and a Google Watch, Google may finally be going after Apple.

Source

July 8, 2016
Moto 360 Sport Launched in India

Motorola has launched the Moto 360 sport in India through online website Flipkart. The smartwatch which retails for US $ 299 in the US has been launched for roughly the same price in India Rs. 19999.

The 45 mm smartwatch comes with a sweat and dustproof silicone strap and in only the black color for the Indian market. Its enhanced features are targeted at the fitness enthusiast community, however, it can be used as a regular Moto360 and will work Android and iOS devices.

The iP67 rating keeps the Moto 360 Sport waterproof and can be immersed in water for up to 30 minutes.

The pricing is appreciated as it does not jump much higher than the global pricing, however only the black color has been launched which is a bit of a letdown. We were really digging the Orange and White colors.

April 27, 2016
LG Says no to Nexus Devices for 2016

2015 saw LG and Google team up to bring a refreshed version of the most popular Nexus phone of all time when they brought to the users the Nexus 5X. The phone came packing upgraded specs over LG’s original Nexus 5, and was available for decent price upon launch.

But regardless of the success that the partnership enjoyed, LG has already come out and declared that it wants out of the arrangement by revealing that it won’t be working with Google for another Nexus phone in 2016.

A spokesperson of South Korean tech company, in a conversation with CNET at MWC, said that LG is looking to take a step back from the Nexus program to “focus on its own brand.” The Spokesperson further added that LG is “totally happy” with the relationship it enjoys with Google its Nexus program, but building a Nexus phone requires a lot of resources that the company thinks would be better spent/utilized in the production of their upcoming phones and other devices.

This move is seen as a step towards LG making a push towards the smart wearables market which so far it has not been able to make a substantial dent in. With the freeing up of resources from the Nexus program LG’s previously recalled smartwatch, the Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE looks more probable than ever to be reintroduced to the market in the coming months. LG has also revealed that it has another new smartwatch which will also release in the second half of 2016.

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February 25, 2016
HTC’s Smartwatch Could Launch by April

For a long time now, there have been rumours and speculations regarding HTC’s own version of a smartwatch. Back in July 2014, popular tipster Evan Blass revealed that HTC had ditched the idea of a smartwatch. Back then, the renders available were of a square-shaped Android Wear watch. Last year, Yusuf Catalkaya displayed a render of the HTC One W1 ‘Superwatch’ that had a BoomSound speaker on the front, but nothing much was spoken about it ever since.

However, a recent tweet by Evan Blass stated that the HTC smartwatch will be available for purchase before the end of April. This comes after the mild response towards leaked images of HTC’s upcoming One M10 flagship. Clearly, fans are not all that kicked about the smartphone that looks like it doesn’t bring too much to the table, specification and design wise.

From what we know about the smartwatch so far, the watch will feature a circular design and will be powered by Android Wear. All of this should be taken with a grain of salt until HTC confirms the rumours.

February 13, 2016
Asus ZenWatch 2 with Android Wear Launched

The long wait is over. It’s been almost 7 months from the date that Asus first announced its plans for this second generation SmartWatch, and finally today the ZenWatch 2 has hit Indian markets.

The successor to the first ZenWatch comes in two sizes, 1.45-inch (WI502Q) and 1.63-inch (WI501Q). They are priced at a cool Rs. 11,999 and Rs. 14,999 only, and considering the price tags with which previous Android wear smartwatches have been released in the country, this at least on paper, looks like a smart buy.

The ZenWatch 2 variants come with Gorilla Glass 3 protection, and are run by the quad-core Snapdragon 400 Soc chipset, paired with 512 MB of Ram. Internal storage as revealed is 4GB, and the smartwatch comes equipped with Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.1 to ensure continued connectivity.

The 1.45-inch variant sports an Amoled 273 ppi 280×280 resolution display, while the 1.63-inch variant comes equipped with a superior 278 ppi, 320×320 display. The smaller of the two siblings comes with 300 mAh battery, while the other model gets the juice it needs from a 400 mAh pack. The smartwatch interestingly is also one of the few Android Wear devices that can be paired with iPhones, and other iOS 6+ devices.

The ZenWatch 2 is currently being sold exculsively via Flipkart, but Asus has informed that it will soon start sales of the smartwatch through its exclusive Asus Stores. It has also informed that another cool looking stainless steel version of the watch will also hit stores some time in the future.

January 5, 2016
Android Wear Now Supports Cellular Connectivity

In today’s wearable news it seems Android has taken a leap forward and has finally made LTE support for its smartwatches a reality. Google has updated its Android Wear OS for smartwatches with cellular service, which means you can now leave your phones at home when you’re on the go. Android wearables will be able to stay connected with a SIM card even when your phone isn’t nearby.

LG’s Watch Urbane 2nd Edition will be the first smartwatch to ship with the SIM feature along with support for cellular connectivity. The watch will be available in the US and South Korea this week. This features puts Android Wear ahead of the Apple’s WatchOS 2 and other platforms out there that don’t support cellular connectivity.

What this feature does is that it allows you to use all the apps on your smartwatch including receiving and sending messages, calls, among other, without having your phone nearby. It will come in handy when you want to go out for a run and leave your phone at home.

While this does put Android Wear ahead of Apple’s WatchOS in terms of functionality, it may not attract too many buyers as cellular connectivity means more strain on your smartwatch’s tiny battery. You may find yourself having to charge your watch frequently. Currently, AT&T and Verizon are selling the watch with cellular connectivity from today.

November 12, 2015
Android Wear Smartwatches are Now Compatible with the iPhone

Finishing the day off with some good news for iPhone users – Android Wear will finally support Apple’s smartphones. In an official blog post, Google announced that they will be rolling out Android Wear for iOS.

Starting today, the LG Watch Urbane will work with iPhones and all upcoming Android smartwatches, by Motorola, Asus and Huawei, will be also iOS compatible. By this, we’re assuming Google was hinting at the upcoming Moto 360 (Gen 2), Asus ZenWatch 2 and Huawei Watch.

With a smartwatch one doesn’t have to constantly be on their phones in order to check the time, reply to emails, take calls, respond to text messages etc, instead all these activities can be completed by a few glances and voice notes.

Android Wear for iOS is rolling out today. Just pair your iPhone (iPhone 5, 5c, 5s, 6, or 6 Plus running iOS 8.2+) with an Android Wear watch to bring simple and helpful information right to your wrist.

We’re a fan of cross-compatibility – if we would like to pair an Apple product with a Google product, their interactivity should be easy and seamless. For iPhone users, up until now, the only choice of a smartwatch was the Apple Watch, which has received mixed reviews. On the other hand, Android watches are cheaper and in some cases, more readily available. With this move, Google gives (nearly) everyone the option to buy and use Android watches.

It’s now your turn, Apple.

August 31, 2015
LG Speculated to be Working on the First Nexus Smartwatch, Codenamed ‘Nemo’

New reports suggest, that LG is working on a new Android Wear watch codenamed “Nemo”. And this could be the first Nexus smartwatch. What is known about the smartwatch is that it will have the highest resolution display any Android Wear watch has ever had at 480 x 480 resolution.

The connection that has been made is the due to the codename used. In the past, Nexus devices have used a similar nomenclature. Nexus 6 was codenamed ‘Shamu’, and Nexus 9 was ‘Hammerhead.’

Other rumours suggest that the watch will have a circular 1.3-inch display size with a pixel density of around 340 to 400 ppi. The importance of this pixel density is that it should ideally be able to eliminate readability issues.

With LG catching up in the smartwatch race with the anticipation of its new smartwatch, you can watch this space for more details about this new device.

August 18, 2015
Google Gives Android Wear a New Look With the Latest Update

The search engine major is geared to update its smartwatch operating system that would bring Android-run watches a step closer to Apple Watch. Lately, Google announced to update Android Wear to bring a slew of new features that are simple, fast and would make Android watches convenient to use.

The foremost significant feature of the new update is the always-on mode that is now extended to the apps. With the update, Android Wear will support a low-power, always-on mode that would allow apps to stay in the background in black and white. The screen will remain on, showing just a minimal amount of data and will save the battery life as well. The feature is helpful especially with shopping lists, map directions, music controls and fitness apps. The screen turns back to full colour when the user is actively looking at it.

Google has reduced the dependability on your smartphone with the latest Android Wear update. The Android smartwatches can now operate independently “as long as your watch is connected to a Wi-Fi network, and your phone has a data connection.” Yes, the Android Wear now supports Wi-Fi. Users can move the smartwatch beyond the Bluetooth range of their handset, which was the only connecting medium until now. The Android Wear device will now receive notifications, send messages, and use all your favorite apps.

The fresh update will sort of change the way users interact with their smartwatch. Google has added a few gestures to improve usability. Now, one can scroll the screen up just by a flick of the wrist and don’t need to empty your hands to operate the watch.

The basic functionality of the watch has been simplified by bringing ahead the apps and contacts. Just touch the watch face and users can start send messages immediately and start apps.

Also, Google has added hand-drawn emoji support as a mode to communicate with your friends. Android Wear will understand the hundreds of different emojis drawn by you and send it via message or text.

The update will be coming over the next few weeks, starting with the new LG Watch Urbane. All the other Android watches will soon follow.

April 21, 2015
Huawei Unveils its First Ever Android Wearable

Huawei’s smartwatch finally goes official, the Chinese manufacturer just announced its first Android wear at the ongoing Mobile World Congress 2015. The smartwatch gets a circular face with a 286 ppi 1.4 inch AMOLED touchscreen and will be available in three colour options – gold, silver, and black.

Specs on the smartwatch include 4GB storage, 512 MB of RAM, a six-axis motion sensor, while the powering the smartwatch is a 1.2 Ghz processor by Qualcomm. The smartwatch can pair itself with any Android phone using Bluetooth LE.

In addition, the company also announced a new version of its wearable, the TalkBand B2. It appears less gaudy than its predecessor though Huawei claims it offers much more precision and accuracy. The B2 is claimed to offer a battery life of up to six hours of talktime or almost two weeks on standby.

It will come in three colors, black, silver and gold. The retail price of premium version (with leather strap) is 199 euros and that of standard version (with TPU strap) is 169 euros.

Huawei also announced the TalkBand N1 and claims to provide users with ultimate experience in professional sound quality. It can be paired with a smartphone which then acts as fitness tracker and can perform functions like step counting, distance calculation, calorie consumption tracking and more.

The TalkBand N1 will be available in Silver, Grey and Red col0ur options priced at 119 euros.

March 1, 2015
Android Wear Updates to Make Smartwatches More Independent

The biggest factor blamed for the slow adoption of smartwatches is their need to be connected with smartphones. This made them more of an accessory than an actual fully-functional device. Now the companies have sensed the need to detach the Smartwatch from the smartphone while keeping its smartness intact. Google plans to do the same with its Android Wear Operating system.

Google in talks with CNET said that the company plans to bring several updates for the Android Wear ecosystem. These updates will add additional features to the devices as well as cut the umbilical cord that feeds the wearables their features through the smartphones.

These updates will help decouple the Smartwatch from the Smartphone

The updates are essential to providing independent features to these devices. Updates such as Bluetooth headsets support will let you hold your playlist on your watch itself so that you don’t need to lug around your huge smartphone when you go out for a run. In a GPS-enabled smartwatch, the GPS support will map your jog for you.

The updates will be rolled out on a regular basis and will roll out from next week. The first update is expected to advance the voice and navigation features of the smartwatches. One update that the customers will really look forward to is the one that will provide custom watch faces. This will offer the option to have customized watch faces that the users can select according to their liking.

There is still a lot of promise in this burgeoning tech segment. Smart wearables are where the companies are putting their money right now. If Google succeeds in bringing a standardized operating system that is appreciated by the people at large, it will be a big boost to the smartwatch category. Not only would there be a recognizable UI throughout, it will also help easily interconnect with the wide Android ecosystem.

It’s time Apple opened its cards on the long rumoured iWatch. The world is waiting to see if Apple can stop Android’s victory march midway.

September 3, 2014
Facebook Updated its Messenger App With Android Wear Support

Android Wear is the platform of choice for many, and Facebook recently added itself in the list. They’ve updated their popular Messenger app to work with Android Wear, leaving your phone to rest in your pocket.

Facebook recently had pulled out the chat option from its app, making Facebook Messenger a standalone app. Mark Zuckerberg is”The reason why we’re doing that is we found that having it as a second-class thing inside the Facebook app makes it so there’s more friction to replying to messages, so we would rather have people be using a more focused experience for that,” Zuckerberg said.

In an announcement by Facebook’s Ian Lake, an updated version of the Messenger, version 9, will include lots of new Android Wear focused improvements. First on the list is voice replies. The update includes the ability to tap the reply button when a message comes in, and speak what you want to say. Also included is the ability to mute a conversation directly from the Android Wear device.

Lake also mentioned that users will be able to reply to messages with the ‘thumbs up’ icon. No word on whether or not Facebook will follow suit and expand the selectable replies beyond just a ‘thumbs up’, but with Wear support constantly growing, we can’t help but imagine that new features are just around the corner.

Even with the shortcomings wearables can bring, this is still a major app supporting Android Wear. These are still early days for Android Wear, and Facebook Messenger support is pretty impressive

August 7, 2014