androidwear
Latest
Android Wear puts Inbox by Gmail updates on your wrist
You may have to give up a few things from Gmail to use Google's task-oriented Inbox email app, but smartwatch support isn't one them. The company has updated the app (on Android) to bring Android Wear support, letting you check mail, send replies and mark completed items from the comfort of your wrist. There are some meaningful upgrades whether or not you have advanced wristwear, including suggestions for reminders and a better tablet interface. Swing by Google Play if any of these refinements are the excuse you needed to give Inbox a spin.
To-do list app Todoist now works on Android Wear devices
Calendar notifications are nice, but speaking for, er, other people, not so much if you also forgot to keep your phone nearby. Most of us at least remember to put our watches on, though, and productivity app Todoist now supports Android Wear with location-aware notifications. If you have to "pick up milk" as a task, for instance, it'll use your GPS to buzz the watch when you drive near a selected store. If that doesn't make you feel futuristic enough, there are also voice commands -- just say "OK Google" into your watch, launch the app and it'll let you add a task on the fly. Finally, you can now send task lists straight from your smartphone to your watch to plow through, say, a grocery list hands-free. The new update will hit Google Play soon, and if you don't have an Android Wear device, Todoist is even giving a few away.
Pebble's smartwatches now support Android Wear notifications
What's a little startup like Pebble to do when there are so many Android Wear smartwatches out there? Two things: cut the price, and make the watches as useful as possible. After recently adding apps for Dominos Pizza and PayPal, the company is updating its Android application so that it's compatible with Android Wear notifications. Which is to say, you can act on notifications directly from your watch. (Think: dismissing alerts and such.) From a developer standpoint, that means that if an app is already Android Wear-compatible, it'll work on Pebble devices too; devs don't have to code their applications twice. The feature is still in beta, but it's open to everybody, so any of you can try out this new feature, starting now. All you need is a Pebble or Pebble Steel watch, with a smartphone running Android 4.0 or higher. And, of course, you need the latest version of the app (v2.3) installed. Have at it!
ASUS ZenWatch review: subtle and stylish, with a few shortcomings
The war for your wrist isn't going to wind down any time soon: We've already seen the industry's biggest players take a stab (in some cases, multiple ones) at perfecting their wearables. ASUS isn't quite as prominent as other names on that list, but that just makes its $200 ZenWatch all the more interesting The Taiwanese company -- probably best known for its quirky phone-tablet hybrids -- has put together an inaugural smartwatch that's dripping with style. In fact, it's the first smartwatch I've worn that's ever attracted random compliments from passersby (in two countries, no less), not to mention the first one that didn't make me feel like a complete nerd while wearing it. Alas, it takes more than just a sweet face to make a smartwatch worth owning.
Android Wear's Lollipop update adds a slew of new watch faces
It's like an early Christmas for the handful of Android Wear users out there. A long-awaited upgrade to Android Lollipop is rolling out for the platform today, bringing with it a big focus on customization through watch faces. There are now dozens of stylized face designs available on Google Play, including some featuring the likes of Pac-Man and Despicable Me minions. You can install them right from Google's app store, or via the new Android Wear app (which also lets you quickly switch between faces). Not surprisingly, Google is also officially launching its Watch Face API for developers today, which means we'll see plenty more new designs rolling out over the next few months.
Now Moto 360 owners can buy new bands at will
Did you rush to get a Moto 360 as soon as possible, only to realize that you were (temporarily) stuck with the band that came attached to your smartwatch? You can now do something about it. Motorola has started selling both leather and metal bands by themselves at respective prices of $30 and $70. They're all normal width -- sorry, no slim gold band for you -- but you're otherwise free to buy whatever suits your mood. Just be ready to take your 360 into a jeweler, since you can't perform the transplant yourself.
You can now make Amazon purchases with an Android Wear watch
If you're an impulse buyer and own an Android smartwatch, you may not want to read this. Amazon's Google Play app for Android Lollipop now lets you "search for products, buy with 1-click or add products to (your) wish list" with an Android Wear watch. On top of being able to order a banana slicer instantly after yelling "start Amazon" at your wrist, you'll also get Android 5.0 (Lollipop) support. The app will work with Android 4.3 or higher, depending on your device. Ready to buy without even taking your phone out of your pocket? Really? Grab it here.
ASUS' ZenWatch comes to the US on November 9th for $199
If you've been jonesing for a square Android Wear smartwatch that's slightly more stylish than what's currently on offer, your wait is just about over. ASUS has announced that the ZenWatch will reach the US on November 9th, when it'll sell through Best Buy for $199; it'll also be available through Google Play at a later date. That's a pretty alluring price for wristwear that's not only fairly sleek looking, but goes above and beyond Android Wear's usual features, such as double-tapping the screen to launch a pre-assigned task. While a lot of what's under the hood will be familiar if you've tried earlier Google-powered wearables, ASUS' stand-out design could make it worth a closer look.
Moto 360 metal bands arrive, gold option in tow
A few days before other retailers offer the option, and coming just after the goods appeared on Amazon, Motorola has officially put new bands on sale for its Moto 360. If you've already purchased one, or look to do so soon, the smartwatch now comes with your choice of silver or black metal bands for $299. Fancy the look of leather instead? There are the usual options in stone and black, with a congac hue on the way. In addition to those, stitched bands from DODOcase and silicone colors from TYLT are in the works. The gold model that broke from cover via the aforementioned retailer was properly outed as well in an 18mm width, but it'll cost you a bit more at $329. The light silver metal band comes in the narrower option, too.
AT&T will carry LG's G Watch R in stores
LG may still be coy about when you can strap a US version of the G Watch R on your wrist, but you'll at least know where you can get it. AT&T has confirmed that will be "among the first" carriers to sell LG's nicer Android Wear timepiece in stores. It's not discussing the details, although it's safe to presume that you'll be paying more than the $229 you'd shell out for a regular G Watch. You probably won't have to wait long, either -- LG already said the G Watch R would ship in the fourth quarter of the year, so don't be surprised if you're picking up this smartwatch in a matter of weeks.
Android Wear's latest update adds GPS support and offline music playback
Android Wear, Google's four-month-old wearables platform, is off to a good start. But like all nascent systems, there are still plenty of areas that need some TLC. It's got a lot of features and developer support, but it's practically useless if you want to use your smartwatch as a fitness tracker and leave your phone at home. Over the next few days, Google will push a new update to the LG G Watch, Moto 360 and Samsung Gear Live that will make your smart timepiece more useful when it's not tethered to your handset.
Microsoft Android Wear app lets you search Bing by twisting your wrist
Slightly irked that you have to say "OK Google" whenever you want to use voice search on your Android Wear smartwatch? Microsoft, of all companies, is coming to your rescue. The developer is leading a trio of experimental Android releases with Torque, an app that lets you start a Bing search just by twisting your wrist; you only have to speak when you're asking your question. You'll get optimized output for certain kinds of search results, including maps, stocks and weather.
Moto 360's latest update brings better battery life and mood lighting
When the Moto 360 last got an update, the painfully handsome smartwatch seemed to get a noticeable boost in battery life. Now, with a new bit of software, Motorola's itching to improve its battery life just a little more... as well as stamp out a few bugs for good measure. Perhaps the most notable addition is the 360's newfound ability to shut off Ambient Mode (which leaves the screen on, albeit at a lower brightness) automatically once its battery level hits 15 percent. Also on deck this time are some minor UI changes (you can temporarily dismiss a notification without leaving the watch face), the addition of mood lighting when you plop the thing in its dock, and some behind-the-scenes Bluetooth improvements. All of the above will be hitting your wrist sooner or later -- Motorola says the update is rolling out in waves, so be patient if your smartwatch doesn't get a little smarter as quickly as you'd like.
Microsoft's Android Wear keyboard has you drawing every letter
Microsoft's support for Android Wear smartwatches isn't limited to a handy OneNote app. The company's research wing has slipped out Analog Keyboard, a prototype input app that has you drawing individual characters on your wristwear instead of trying to hit tiny keys. It's not the fastest solution (and triggers a few flashbacks to old-school PDAs), but it's very straightforward -- you get a relatively big drawing area, and there's a smart auto-correct system that you turn off just by pausing for a while between letters.
Microsoft OneNote comes to Android Wear, gets updated for iOS 8
We'll say this about Microsoft's OneNote team: It's clear they want to be on every device, even ones you might not be buying. Earlier this year, the company came out with an Amazon application in the wake of some truly awful Fire phone reviews. Now, Microsoft is releasing OneNote for Android Wear, Google's still-nascent smartwatch platform. Starting today, if you happen to own a Moto 360, Samsung Gear Live or LG G Watch, you can capture a note by saying "OK Google, take a note."
Moto 360 review: It's the best Android Wear watch, but that isn't saying much
When it comes to wearables, fashion trumps function. That's the mantra Motorola went by when it designed and developed the Moto 360, and judging by the enthusiastic response the watch received when it was unveiled earlier this year, plenty of people agree. The Moto 360 is undoubtedly the best-looking of the three inaugural Android Wear watches (the LG G Watch and the Samsung Gear Live are the other two), with its premium leather strap, chamfered glass and circular design. As Motorola designer Jim Wicks said in an interview, "We wanted to hit that 'Whoa!' mark." And so it did. But is that enough? In the past few days, I struggled to like this watch, even though it's the best Android Wear device available today. Allow me to tell you why.
Six models in a year: Samsung's struggle to perfect the smartwatch
Can you name them all? It's been merely a year since Samsung revealed its first smartwatch to the tech press crowds in IFA, Berlin. Then, roughly six months later, the company switched software -- and, ugh, gear -- with three new wearable models, the Gear 2, the (possibly most forgotten) Gear Neo and the fitness-oriented Gear Fit wearable. Now Apple's shown off its (already divisive) offering, the race towards the definitive wearable is on. To its credit, Samsung continues to tweak, bend and experiment on each subsequent smartwatch, and appears to be taking on customer (and reviewer) feedback along the way. However, you're likely still pissed if you were one of the few to plunk down cash for the company's first attempt. Let's start there. `
Moto 360 teardown reveals ancient chips, clever tech and a small battery
Motorola has been willing to offer a quick peek at the Moto 360's inner workings, but let's face it: that doesn't really go deep enough to sate your curiosity, does it? You don't have to worry, though, as iFixit has torn apart the circular smartwatch to examine every last detail. In the end, the hardware is an odd mix of the latest technology with surprisingly old components. While that round LCD and inductive charger are pretty forward-thinking, the teardown also confirms the presence of TI's OMAP3630 processor -- a chip that hasn't been cutting edge since that Droid 2 you rocked back in 2010.
LG's G Watch just got a $50 price cut in the Google Play Store
A handful of new smartwatches unveiled at IFA and beyond (we're looking at you, Moto 360 and Apple Watch) are already making some still newish models look a little long in the tooth. Take LG's poor G Watch for instance - it's only been on the market for about two months and it's already got a rounder, handsomer big brother with a slightly better screen to boot. That may just be why the OG G Watch has just gone on sale in ye olde Google Play store, where you can now lay claim to your own for $179 (or $50 off the original price tag). You've only got until September 23 to snag one at the reduced price, but hey - we wouldn't be surprised to see that sale price stick around a little longer just to help move more hardware.
Verizon will sell the Moto 360 with a metal band on November 11th
If you refuse to wear a Moto 360 smartwatch until it's equipped with a metal wristband, you now have a firmer date than "fall" to mark on your calendar. Verizon says that it will ship this slightly ritzier version of Motorola's wearable in both black and silver on November 11th for the expected $300. It's not certain that Verizon will be the first out of the gate with the extra-shiny 360, but its timing should serve as a good yardstick even if you don't plan to buy your watch at Big Red. And don't forget: if two months is simply too long to wait, you can always buy the leather edition now and upgrade to metal later for $80.
