Even though the Google Store has stopped selling the original round-faced smartwatch, the Moto 360, the device is still getting the update to Marshmallow for Android Wear.
Released a year and a half ago, the first Moto 360 can still keep up with the latest Android Wear devices such as the second generation Moto 360, Moto 360 Sport, and LG Watch Urbane, with the Android 6.0.1 update rolling out to users right now.
The software build is described as MEC23I, and to start the update the original Moto 360 needs to be paired first with an Android smartphone. Now most Android smartphones aren't even updated to Android 6.0 but that won't matter in this case. The update will still work on a Lollipop-based device.
Beyond that, make sure there's enough juice left in the Moto 360 — probably about 50 percent battery — and a consistent connection to the Internet to complete the update.
Once the update is completed, users will notice a slew of new features including Doze Mode, screen dimming, app permissions, navigation gestures, support for more messaging clients and voice control to make calls. (That last feature won't work on the Moto 360, however, because it doesn't have voice support.)
At its launch, one of the drawbacks to owning the first Moto 360 was its poor battery life. With ambient mode on, the smartwatch could not make it through the day. With ambient mode off, it would still barely last long enough before needing a charge at night. With subsequent updates, the Moto 360 got better.
Now with Doze Mode and better screen dimming abilities, the dated Moto 360 can last a day easy. Doze Mode on Android smartphones already helps to increase battery life on today's flagship smartphones and it's no different with the Moto 360 that's almost two years old.
Other upgrades include extended support for new languages like Mandarin, Cantonese, Polish, Dutch, Thai and Indonesian. Owners of the latest generation Moto smartwatches - the 2015 360 and the Sport - should also have access to Moto Body Running.
This year's Moto 360 Sport received bad reviews (for many good reasons) so we're hoping the third generation Moto 360 launches without the Sport's flaws while providing for a true 360 display — without that signature flat tire look it currently has.
Photo: Kārlis Dambrāns | Flickr
