Android Marshmallow is about to hit Android Wear watches everywhere within a few weeks' time.
By "everywhere," it means that even recently released models such as the Casio Smart Outdoor Watch and Huawei Watch for Ladies will be getting it. In other words, the update won't land on smartwatches all at the same time, but it will definitely arrive in due time.
Of course, what everyone wants to know is what the update has in store for them, so without further ado, here are the expected new features.
New Gestures For Navigation
With new gestures on board for Android Wear watches, navigating through the apps and interface will become a breeze – even more so. Wearers will be able to expand a card, pull up apps or go back to the home screen by pushing, lifting or shaking.
For those who don't know how to turn on wrist gestures, simply swipe left, go to Settings and tap on Wrist Gestures. Considering the added functionality, this option will eat up battery life a bit faster, though.
Sending Messages By Voice
Voice support will finally come to Android Wear watches, allowing wearers to send messages just by talking to their wearable devices. They will now be capable of sending a message via messaging apps such as Google Hangouts, Nextplus, Telegram, Viber, WeChat and WhatsApp.
Anyone who has ever used Google Now on other Android devices will know how to use this feature. For instance, if the user says, "Okay Google, send a Viber message to Britney: How are you?" then it'll automatically send the message to the designated recipient.
Speaker Support To Make Calls And Listen To Messages
Android Wear watches that are fitted with a speaker will benefit from this feature. Aside from screening calls, wearers will have the option to make and take calls using Bluetooth and listen to audio and video messages via apps such as Glide.
Google is up and about in making people's lives more convenient with technology, but in some cases, accessing devices such as smartphones just can't be done. These functions that Google develops are the company's answer to such predicaments.
"There are plenty of times when you've got your hands full but still need to stay on top of reminders, messages, and calls. That's why Android Wear includes things like voice actions and gestures," Krystal Higgins, user experience designer for Android Wear, says.
Googler Wayne Piekarski announced the highly anticipated news via Google+, saying that it'll be an over-the-air update. On the developer side of things, he reminded everyone that the API 23 is already live and that the API 22 is still necessary until the rollout is complete. He also posted a link to the Android Developers blog for more detailed information.
It's also worth mentioning that Android Marshmallow already made its way to the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition, but it didn't quite pan out because of an issue that "affects the day-to-day functionality." Needless to say, the update went back under wraps for the time being.
At any rate, Android Marshmallow for Android Wear is about to go official gradually over the following weeks.
