Microsoft has finally entered the wearables market, but instead of doing so with an actual wearable related device, the company has chosen to launch its OneNote app for Android Wear devices. It is nothing special at the moment; just a few features to allow users to take note via their wrists without much hassle.
Interestingly enough, Microsoft's OneNote app takes advantage of Google Now. Users can simply say, "OK Google, Take a Note," and speak what they'd like to be added to the note. This is a smart addition because typing on a watch screen might not be an easy task to accomplish.
We suspect this feature will only work if Google Now is capable of picking up what users are saying without a hitch. We doubt the search giant's personal assistant is that advanced, so users should bear this in mind before attempting to add complex notes via voice dictation.
Now, we understand that not only does the OneNote app needs an Android Wear smartwatch; it also requires an Android-based smartphone running version 4.3 or over. The app is free of charge, and is available right now in the Google Play Store.
What about an Apple Watch version?
We're certain once Apple's smartwatch is readily available; Microsoft should port the app to the platform.
Apart from the new OneNote app for Android Wear smart devices, Microsoft also released an update for Office Lens, an app available for the company's Windows Phone platform. The new app should make it possible for users to take an image of words and drawings on a paper, and edit them in Microsoft Word or Microsoft PowerPoint.
Such a feature is quite impressive, and could be used to convert lecture handouts into Word or PowerPoint files. The whole experience is like having a scanner in your pocket because it really works. This is not a gimmick or a feature that is broken beyond repair; it is something that is genuine.
We expect Microsoft to make Office Lens available for Android and iOS devices eventually, so folks who are using Office 365 on those devices need not worry.
