Google's wearable ecosystem is getting a preview version in the form of Android Wear 2.0, and the OS comes packed with plenty of goodies.
The company mentions that more than 100 smartwatches from various manufacturers are on the shelves, only two years after it introduced the wearable OS. Big names such as Casio and Tag Heuer jumped in the bandwagon and are using Google's software for their wearables.
Google recently unveiled the new variant of Android Wear, and it brings novel features and tweaked performance in a few key places.
First things first, data from any of the Android Wear apps will be showcased on any watch face. If you are feeling particularly creative, you may put together data from several apps. The level of customization is a hand extended to the customers.
Android considered those who own tiny screens on their wearable. For them, Android Wear 2 allows AI-powered replies, a feature some users might be familiar with from the Gmail Inbox. What is more, the new OS allows you to scribble text on the watch's screen and it will be transformed into proper text. Users who want to give their wearable a more standardized input now get a novel keyboard for that.
The Coach module suffered a significant reworking. The Fit API allows fitness apps to exchange and sync data between one another. This means that a Fitbit-recorded cycling distance will be available to another app, such as Strava.
A part of the apps is even rigged to start recording as soon any physical movement is detected. Music apps also fall into this category, making sure you get a heart-pumping soundtrack when you work out.
It should be noted that Android wear now allows stand-alone apps to run on its platform. This implies that phones are not needed for the installation and syncing of apps on Android Wear. Seeing how Android Wear smartwatches pack connectivity options such as Bluetooth, cellular and Wi-Fi, this will turn them into independent devices altogether.
You may download the developer preview at the official link, with the company saying that the new Android Wear version will come embedded in devices this fall.
Rumors about the content of the Android Wear 2.0 have been around for some time, and it is good to see them come to fruition.
