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Google's next Wear OS update does even more to extend battery life
A major update for Google's wearable Android platform only just arrived and now we're hearing about the next Wear OS version. Today Google announced that "System Version: H" will include a slew of updates when it rolls out in the "next few months."
Fossil gets active with Sport smartwatch
American watchmaker Fossil has a new smartwatch that it's adding to its extensive lineup of wearables: the Fossil Sport. The watch, which is targeted at folks with an active lifestyle, is powered by the brand new Snapdragon 3100 platform and runs the recently overhauled Wear OS by Google.
Mobvoi’s TicWatch C2 brings classic looks to Wear OS
Mobvoi, the maker of some surprisingly good and cheap Android smartwatches, has added a new wearable to its lineup. The company announced the arrival of the TicWatch C2, a Wear OS-powered update of its Classic smartwatch.
Misfit's $250 Vapor 2 smartwatch adds GPS and NFC
Misfit's Vapor 2 touchscreen smartwatch is ready to join the company's line of fashionable fitness trackers. Unlike the original, the Wear OS-powered Vapor 2 will be equipped with GPS and NFC, making it appealing for those who like the option of leaving their phone at home during workouts. Misfit also upgraded the smartwatch's optical heart sensor which tracks active and resting heart rates.
Spotify releases official, and much-needed, app for Google's Wear OS
You'll now be able to bring your music volume down to one percent (when ads start) without having to take out your phone, as Spotify has announced a new app for Google Wear OS. That's not to say there was never a Spotify app for Android wearables. A Spotify app did launch for Android wear, but wasn't regularly updated. It got to the point that third-party apps were being released to give Android wear fans a more usable Spotify experience.
LG may unveil a hybrid Wear OS watch October 3rd
For months, reports have suggested LG is working on a smartwatch that combines Wear OS and physical watch hands. It appears that the company will reveal said wearable, called LG Watch G7, at the V40 ThinQ smartphone launch next week, according to VentureBeat's Evan Blass.
Wear OS review: Google puts usability first
It may be time to give smartwatches another chance. Companies like Apple, Qualcomm, Samsung and Fitbit have kept trying to make these devices actually useful, and the industry seems to be gaining momentum. Google is rolling out the latest iteration of Wear OS, and its continued efforts seem like they're starting to pay off. This third major release of the OS offers a more proactive Assistant and puts more emphasis on health-tracking, making it a platform that you'll actually want to keep on your wrist.
Android at 10: Google's mobile OS has come a long way
The mobile world is celebrating a momentous anniversary today: Android is ten years old. The T-Mobile G1 (and Android 1.0) made its debut on September 23rd, 2008, launching both a new operating system and a new era. It didn't look like much in those early days, but it eventually became the dominant mobile platform and set the baseline for what many people expect in a smartphone. It also helped topple more than a few giants -- the story of Android is as much about a sea change in the industry as Google's own development.
Smartwatches promised to make us healthier, and they finally might
It's been a big week for smartwatches. Big month, really. On Wednesday, Apple unveiled the latest version of its Watch, which -- in addition to cosmetic updates -- got new features like an FDA-cleared ECG app, irregular heart rate notification and fall detection. Meanwhile, Qualcomm launched a new made-for-wearables chip that promises much better battery life. Google also just released the latest iteration of Wear OS, which places your health data front and center. The company also worked with the American Heart Association (AHA) to come up with the new Fit app's health-tracking system to encourage users to engage in more cardio activity.
Qualcomm’s new chipset gives smartwatches new personalities
"Smartwatches are a highly integrated platform," said Pankaj Kedia, Qualcomm's senior director of smart wearables, at the company's Snapdragon Wear 3100 event earlier today. To that end, Qualcomm has been working closely with Google over the past few years or so to perfect its chipset with Wear OS in mind. That's why, thanks to the new Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset, the next version of Wear OS will support three new modes: rich-ambient mode, a dedicated sports mode plus a traditional watch mode. We saw a brief demo of all three modes at Qualcomm's event earlier today, and all three appear to have a specific theme in mind: to make the smartwatch feel as close to a real watch as possible.
Montblanc Summit 2 will be the first Snapdragon Wear 3100 watch
Moments after Qualcomm announced its latest Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset for smartwatches, it also unveiled the first Wear OS device to make use of it: The Montblanc Summit 2. Essentially a sequel of last year's Montblanc wearable, the Summit 2 retains the same premium appeal of the original. It's relatively small, which should be good news to those with slender wrists, and has a simple, elegant appearance. It's "built for travel, fitness or exploration," says Montblanc CEO Nicolas Baretski.
Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon Wear chip could revitalize smartwatches
Don't give up on smartwatches just yet. Qualcomm has finally unveiled its latest made-for-wearables processor, which it first teased at Google I/O earlier this year. The new chipset is called the Snapdragon Wear 3100 and succeeds the existing 2100 model you'll find in many smartwatches currently on the market. The 3100 features revamped architecture that should provide the long-lasting and always-ready performance that wearables have been missing for years. The new Wear 3100 platform also integrates with Google's Wear OS and features three new software modes that are designed to maximize battery life and utility in a variety of scenarios.
Google says it won't release a smartwatch this year
Despite longstanding rumors suggesting that Google was preparing to release a smartwatch in 2018, you won't see a Pixel Watch on shelves (or wrists) any time soon. The company's director of engineering for Wear OS, Miles Barr, confirmed to Tom's Guide that Google is not planning to launch a smartwatch this year. Instead, Google is working with other companies such as Fossil and Casio, who are making their own Wear OS smartwatches, while focusing on improving the software for the foreseeable future.
Skagen's new smartwatch might be The One
It felt like I had found my match on smartwatch Tinder. I hadn't even seen the Skagen Falster 2 in person before today, but I was already enthralled by the pictures. The stunning watch teases with its clean, minimalist design, and then grabs you by your eyeballs with its metallic accents and magnetic mesh band. After meeting it at last here at IFA 2018, I think I'm in lust. Just look at this thing.
Casio's new smartwatch features offline color maps and GPS tracking
Today, Casio announced a new smartwatch running Google's Wear OS platform. The WSD-F30, which is aimed specifically at outdoor adventurers, is available in blue, black and orange. It sports a 1.2-inch dual-layer display, with a monochrome LCD and a color OLED 390x390 pixel screen. The WSD-F30 is water resistant up to 50 meters and is temperature resistant to -10 degrees C. The watch will be available starting in late January 2019.
Google's Wear OS no longer feels like Android on a smartwatch
Google is ready to unveil a shiny new version of Wear OS at last. This is the third major release of the platform (the first since rebranding to Wear OS), and Google finally shows an understanding that what people want from a smartwatch is not a phone replacement. They want a reliable daily assistant and coach that is fast and unobtrusive. The new system doesn't have obvious battery life enhancements, though, which is still a major pain that the industry has yet to solve. It may be up to Google's partners to figure that out for themselves.
Skagen revamps its slick-looking Falster smartwatch
Skagen's Falster has been one of the darlings among Wear OS smartwatches thanks to its posh yet minimalist look, but it was hard to recommend to everyone when there were no standout features besides the design. The Fossil-owned brand is fixing that today with the Falster 2. It still maintains the Danish brand's aesthetic but introduces a heart-rate sensor, GPS and NFC payments. You can use this to track an outdoor run and pay for a snack after your workout. Skagen is promising some tangible improvements on the outside, too.
Google redesigns Fit to get you moving
Sitting kills. Specifically, a sedentary lifestyle can kill you. Google and the American Heart Association want to save your life, or at least, encourage you to be more active. The tech giant is giving the Google Fit app its most serious overhaul since it launched in 2014, and the changes will apply to both the phone (iOS and Android) and Wear OS versions. The redesign focuses on movement and cardiovascular health, aiming to show people that it doesn't take a whole lot to meet scientifically determined weekly goals.
Google may launch a smartwatch-focused AI fitness coach
Google and its partners have slowly but surely trying to revitalize Android-based smartwatches, and it looks like they may use fitness as the way to reel you in. Android Police (which has a history of accurate leaks) claims to have word of Google Coach, a Wear OS-oriented assistant that would use AI to improve your health and fitness. Rather than just track your activities and popping up an endless stream of reminders, it would "proactively" recommend changes to your activity and provide prompts that are genuinely useful.
Michael Kors' latest Wear OS watch features a popular design
Michael Kors is going back to its roots for the next model in its ever-expanding Access smartwatch line. It's reviving its long-serving Runway watch as a Wear OS smartwatch, giving it the familiar case and steel bracelet options while throwing in new silicone strap options and, of course, some digital underpinnings. The new Runway models still use the old Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor (a bit ill-timed with Qualcomm's next chip on the way), but they won't be hurting for features. The resurrected Runway includes heart rate monitoring, NFC for Google Pay purchases, GPS tracking and a "swimproof" (3 ATM) design.
