Who knew that our gaze into the future would trigger a flurry of wearable stories today. First we saw that flexible LG stylus wristband. Now comes Google with its announcement of Android Wear, an extension of its Android operating system for wearable devices. Google will first focus on the wearables most commonly available today, watches.
Android Wear features a new user interface focused around voice and contextual information.
The concept video below shows you how Google envisions Android Wear working:
Google promises a range of new devices that will be supported by a catalogue of Android apps. Android Wear will support functions such as:
- Contextual information: Information and suggestions you need, right when you need them including social app updates, chats from your preferred messaging apps, notifications from shopping, news and photography apps, and more.
- Straight answers to spoken questions: Support for “Ok Google” to obtain information and perform tasks like sending a text or setting an alarm.
- Health and fitness monitoring
- Access and control of other devices using “Ok Google” such as launching a music playlist on your phone or casting a movie to your TV
A Developer Preview is available as of today for developers to begin tailoring existing app notifications to work with Android Wear. In fact, many apps may require little to no major modifications to work well with Android Wear devices. Additional developer resources and APIs will also be launched in the near future.
Google is also working with hardware partners to bring watches powered by Android Wear to market later this year. Partners include Asus, HTC, LG, Motorola and Samsung as well as chip makers Broadcom, Imagination, Intel, Mediatek and Qualcomm and fashion brands like the Fossil Group.
Source : Google