The release of the latest Android Wear update is all about making a wearable device more useful even when a phone is out of reach. The update brings with it features that are expected to come in handy at all times.
Wearables like the Sony SmartWatch 3, which come with built-in GPS, can now deliver a GPS location update straight from the wearable sans a paired phone nearby.
There's also the My Tracks app that allows a user to keep track of a run even with the phone left at home. For those whose wearable devices don't have a built-in GPS, they can use a software solution from Google Play Services to automatically utilize the GPS from their connected device.
The SmartWatch 3 is the first and only Android Wear watch that has a built-in GPS sensor. While it is true that Samsung released the Gear S, which features 3G and a GPS sensor back in August, the wearable runs on Tizen. Gear devices that have Android Wear are not GPS-enabled.
The update will allow watches with GPS to work as fitness trackers. This could come in handy when the user decides to do some running or weightlifting at the gym. They can do these activities without having their phones tucked inside their pockets or strapped to their arms.
The enhanced Bluetooth pairing also makes it easier for a music buff to do outdoor activities without the hassle of bringing along a smartphone. This feature allows the user to listen to music stored on an Android Wear watch.
Google is rolling out the update to other Wear devices in the not-so-distant future. These include the Moto 360, Samsung Gear Live and the LG G Watch.
According to David Singleton, director of Android engineering, users will see more features to Android Wear. Over the coming year, they can take advantage of the Wear's Bluetooth headset pairing, refined voice recognition, enhanced notifications and improved battery life.
The update is Google's first step to enable Android Wear watches to work without syncing to a phone. If Google becomes successful in creating smartphone-independent smart watches before Apple does, Android Wear may just provide a serious threat to the Apple Watch.
Google has also announced that thousands of apps for Android Wear are now available in Google Play.
