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ASUS' ZenWatch 2 launches in the Google Store
Want a brand new Android Wear smartwatch while sticking to a tight budget? It's your lucky day. The Google Store has started carrying ASUS' ZenWatch 2, which offers the latest Android experience while starting at a very frugal $149 US. You don't have the full selection of straps or case colors -- sorry, no Milanese band here. However, you can pick from either a moderately-sized 45mm silver body with an aqua blue rubber strap, or a large 49mm gunmetal case with a wristband in navy blue leather. Either wearable will give you improved weather resistance and as much as 66 hours of use between charges. The ZenWatch 2 isn't as posh-looking as the new Moto 360 or the 2nd Edition LG Watch Urbane, but you probably won't mind when you're going to save a wad of cash.
LG's 2nd Watch Urbane is the first Android Wear device with LTE
Tonight LG took the wraps off of the new V10 phone and its latest smartwatch, the Watch Urbane 2nd Edition. Like the first model, it has a circular display but one-ups its predecessor by arriving as the first device to combine Android Wear with a built-in cellular connection for calls and data, so you can leave your phone at home -- something even the upgraded Apple Watch can't do. LG already had a webOS-powered Watch Urbane LTE that could go it alone, while Samsung's Gear S ran Tizen. Packing Android Wear means this watch should have more apps ready for internet-connected use even when your phone and WiFi are out of range. Behind its 1.38-inch 480x480 res P-OLED display there's a 570mAh battery that LG claims can still last through the day with the help of a Power Saving Mode. There's no word on price or exact release date yet, but it's coming to the US and Korea first.
Skype dons Android Wear support
If you've been waiting for the day you can use Skype on your Android Wear watch, then update your app ASAP. The messenger now supports the wearable platform and gives you a way to read and reply to new messages on your wrist using pre-written responses or via the voice-to-text feature. You can also reply with emojis, though, just like on Skype for Apple Watch. To do so, channel your inner artist -- or not, since it looks like the app can recognize even first-grade level emoticon doodles -- and draw on the watchface.
Google adds more useful features to its Clock app for Android
With Google's focus on improving the custom Android experience, standalone applications like Camera, Calendar and Messenger continue to get better over time. Today, the search titan updated its Clock app with a number of features that will come in handy to many Android users, including those who own a companion Android Wear device. One of the main additions is new progressive alarms and timers, which will gradually increase their volume as they're set off. You can also choose your favorite ringtone, control timers from a notification and dismiss an alarm preemptively -- in case you wake up ahead of time, as any responsible human would do. On the Android Wear side, the Clock app now further integrates with Android Wear, giving you easier management options and interactive alarm notifications. And best of all, it's free for the taking.
Android Wear is coming to China with Motorola's help
Android Wear smartwatches have been available in many places for a while, but not China -- the platform's dependencies on Google Play and Google Now weren't going to fly when Google refuses to offer some services in the censorship-heavy country. Motorola isn't deterred, however. It's releasing a version of the new Moto 360 in China with local services in place of their Google equivalents. Mobvoi will handle both search and voice recognition, third-party stores will offer apps and Sogou will handle navigation. It definitely won't represent the familiar Android Wear experience, but it will give Chinese Android fans a wearable option they haven't had before.
IFTTT brings one-touch app control to Android Wear devices
The recipe-based automation software IFTTT delivered its one-button control app to phones back in February, and now it's putting it on your wrist. Android Wear gadgets can now employ the DO Button to complete any number of tasks that you assign to it. Rather than waiting for certain criteria to be met in order to trigger an action or swiping over to the requisite app, a single button push handles the chore. We're talking about things like setting your Nest thermostat to 68 degrees or turning off those Phillips Hue lights. Looking to take the DO Button for a spin? Grab the app from Google Pay and you'll be able to do just that.
At last, Motorola reveals a Moto 360 you can take to the gym
Let's be real: As pretty as the new Moto 360 is, it definitely isn't ready for the gym. That's where the new Moto 360 Sport comes into play. The company hasn't said anything about price or when we'll be able to take these things out for a torturous run -- hell, there wasn't even a live model to play with -- but there's still more going on here than you might expect.
The new Moto 360 comes in two sizes, ships later this month for $299
Samsung and LG might have been first to market with Android Wear smartwatches, but the Moto 360 was the first that really got people excited. Now, after innumerable leaks, Motorola's finally ready to talk about the sequel it's been working on behind closed doors. Say hello to the 2015 Moto 360. Prices for these shiny new models start at $299 and they'll hit store shelves later this month, with pre-orders starting today. In the meantime, let's take a closer look at Motorola's handiwork.
Canyon's Smart Bike Computer puts Android Wear on your handlebars
When you're cycling up a steep incline, hunched over the handlebars and desperately willing your legs to keep going, you don't want to be messing around with your phone or a second-rate cycling computer. Bike manufacturer Canyon has teamed up with Sony to find a solution -- and the fruits of their labor is the Smart Bike Computer. It runs on Android Wear, so the 1.6-inch touchscreen can display a bunch of popular cycling apps including Strava and Google Maps. The small, waterproof unit slides directly into the stem, ensuring the sleek stylings of your ride aren't ruined, and can connect to your phone over Bluetooth. In addition, it boasts up to 8 hours of battery life, built-in GPS and 4GB of internal storage, so you can leave your handset at home and still use some of its essential features.
Huawei Watch will reach American wrists starting September 17th
Huawei's upmarket take on an Android Wear watch has been a long time coming; we first saw it back in Barcelona at MWC shortly before the Chinese company stopped talking about it completely. Well, it just ended its vow of silence to confirm you can buy one of your own starting on September 17th (though if you're a little too eager, you can pre-order one now).
ASUS' ZenWatch 2 is dirt cheap and arrives next month
It's been a few months now since we first clapped eyes on the ASUS ZenWatch 2, the company's second stab at an Android Wear timepiece. Today, we've got a smattering of new details to go along with those first impressions: specifically, price and availability. The larger 49mm model will cost around €149 (about $170), while the dinkier 45mm variant will set you back €169 ($190). Both will be hitting store shelves worldwide in October. If you need a reminder, the wearables feature a new metal crown, AMOLED screens and a Snapdragon 400 processor. They also support a magnetic charger cable -- an improvement over the old plastic cradle -- and superior dust-and water-resistance ratings of IP67. It'll debut in three colors, silver, gunmetal and rose gold, along with a plethora of rubber, leather and stainless steel straps to help you match your personal sense of style.
Android Wear now works with iPhones
The rumors are true: Google has officially announced that Android Wear is coming to the iPhone. But there are a few caveats. For one thing, only the latest iPhones -- those that are running iOS 8.2 and up -- are supported (that includes the iPhone 5 onwards). More importantly, this app only works with the very latest in Android Wear watches. Right now, the only watch that works with this is the new LG Watch Urbane, which is the most recent Android Wear watch to launch. We're told that the app will also work with all future Wear devices, including upcoming watches from ASUS, Motorola and Huawei.
Huawei aims high with $800 gold-plated Watch
Huawei may have accidentally revealed that its Android Wear Watch will cost as much as $799.99 and be compatible with iOS. Earlier today, the company teased a September 2nd arrival at IFA 2015 via Twitter, but a tipster pointed us to a legit-looking Amazon listing that shows four flavors of the wearable. The basic version in stainless steel starts at $349.99 with a leather strap, but the highest-end model in gold-plated stainless steel goes for $799.99, making it one of the pricier Android Wear devices out there. Intriguingly, the listing also mentions that the Watch is compatible with iOS 8.2 or later devices.
Motorola's Moto 360 sequel shows up in the wild
Motorola hasn't done the best job of keeping its Moto 360 follow-up a secret, and it doesn't look like that trend is about to reverse any time soon. Chicago-area observers on Google+ and Reddit have spotted Motorola employees wearing the next-gen Android Wear device out in the open, and their photos appear to confirm at least a few of the leaks and rumors. The wake button is no longer at three o'clock (likely to reduce accidental screen-on time), and the conspicuous lugs give it more of a traditional watch design. However, it seems as if Motorola hasn't entirely eliminated the 360's "flat tire" look -- this watch might not have a true circular display à la LG. Even it doesn't, though, it's evident that Motorola's next wristwear will be more than just a minor tweak. [Image credits: Gerrit Gödecke, Google+ (top) / TheGuyWhoRuinedIt, Reddit (bottom)]
Android Wear update makes watch faces come to life
Google fans already rocking Android Wear will get an update this week that enables interactive watch faces. You can tap them to show more information or launch an app. The three watch faces released today include "Bits", which keeps the time display in the center, with circles around it displaying different things, like unread emails, upcoming meetings and the weather. The "Under Armour" face, meanwhile, adds fitness stats, allowing you to tap to see your step count, calories burned or distance. Lastly, the "Together" face turns the entire watch face into a display to share doodles, emoji, activities or photos with a loved one (yep, kind of like on the Apple Watch, it sounds like). Additionally, Google Translate is now accessible via a few swipes. You can download the Bits or Under Armour faces from the Play store now, or follow these instructions to install Together.
Motorola's next smartwatch might come in small and large sizes
The Moto 360 is one of the more stylish Android Wear timepieces, but it does have a couple of drawbacks -- one being that its circular 1.56-inch display can look a little large on some people's wrists. Our own Nicole Lee levied this criticism in Engadget's review, but it seems Motorola has been taking notes for its successor. Regulatory documents filed with Brazil's Anatel telecommunications agency have revealed two new devices sporting the model numbers "360S" and "360L." It would make sense if the extra letters indicated two different sizes, as the pair are reportedly listed with 270mAh and 375mAh batteries respectively. (For comparison, the original Moto 360 offers 320mAh of power.) The obvious parallel here is the Apple Watch, which has been available since launch in a 38mm and 42mm design. Given we've just had a fresh batch of Moto phones, we suspect it won't be too long before Motorola unwraps its seemingly inevitable new Moto 360 too.
Google's Android Experiments show what your devices can do
Google has Chrome Experiments to showcase what's possible in its web browser, so it stands to reason that there should be an equivalent for Android, doesn't it? Sure enough, the folks in Mountain View have launched an Android Experiments gallery that demonstrates what Google-powered mobile and wearable devices can do. In many cases, the 20 inaugural experiments take direct advantage of sensors and remote connections. Tilt (above) uses motion sensors to recreate the classic put-the-ball-in-the-hole game, while IOIO Plotter draws flip charts through an Android-controlled board. On Android Wear, the Time Mesh watch face twists and bends based on your movement. The hope is that app makers will use these experiments as springboards for their own ambitious projects -- if you notice that Android apps are markedly more creative in the near future, you'll know who to thank.
Microsoft brings Outlook and Translator to your smartwatch
Microsoft has just released a bunch of productivity apps for wearable devices -- nope, not for the Band, but for Android Wear smartwatches and the Apple Watch. First for the Apple Watch is Outlook, which allows you to read full emails and respond with either canned replies or your own through voice dictation. Cupertino's wearable also gets to-do app Wunderlist and will soon be able to install private social network Yammer, which will be able to take advantage of iOS 8's Handoff feature with an iPhone.
'Half-Life' barely runs on a smartwatch
We were getting a little tired of playing Doom on every household appliance known to man, office printers and even inside the game itself. That's why it's a nice change to see that it's now possible to play Half-Life on your Android smartwatch, thanks to software modder extraordinaire Dave Bennett. He's been able to squeeze SDLash3D, an open-source emulator for some of Valve's early titles, onto the LG's first generation G Watch. Unfortunately, playing the title from your wrist is problematic, since the frame rate can dip down pretty low and the small screen doesn't leave you a lot of room to use the soft controls. Still, anything's better than having to bum around Knee-Deep in the Dead for the millionth time when we're bored on a bus.
Ford gets serious with self-driving and 3D printing tech
Ford's new Research and Innovation Center in Palo Alto must be doing well. The autonomous driving technologies the company's been developing in the facility, which are all part of its "Smart Mobility" plan announced at CES this year, are entering advanced engineering and implementation phase. For starters, the company will work on making its sensing and computing technology viable for actual use. It will also bring Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection that's already loaded on Ford Mondeos in Europe to a Ford vehicle in the US by next year. More importantly, the Detroit-based automaker plans to install driver assist technologies across its product lineup within the next five years. Those technologies include park assist, lane-departure warning and rear cross-traffic alert.
