There are times when you'd like to fire off a text message or answer a call, but your hands are just too tied up at the moment. Happens all the time, right?
Well, Google realizes that, and on Thursday, introduced an update to Android Wear's hands-free options, now enabling users to navigate their watches with gestures, send messages by voice and make and take calls and listen to messages with speaker support.
The improvements will be made available to all Android Wear watches over the next few weeks, Google says, including new watches such as the Casio Smart Outdoor Watch and the Huawei Watch for Ladies.
The new gestures option will allow users to expand a card, bring up their apps or return to their watch face home screen with a push, lift or shake of the wrist. Simple enough, right? It also keeps your smartphone in your pocket.
Sending messages is just as easy with Android Wear's update to its hands-free options, as users can simply use their voice to send messages on their watch via apps such as Google Hangouts, WeChat and WhatsApp. It's as easy as saying, "OK Google, send a WhatsApp message to Nathan — I'll be right there," Google cites as an example.
The update also allows customers to use speaker support to make and take calls via Bluetooth, while even listening to audio/video messages with the help of apps like Glide. There's one disclaimer with this, though. Not all Android Wear watches tout speaker support.
Still, there's no doubt that Google just made Android Wear more functional, especially during times when you're on the run with your hands tied.
