4 year premium VPN subscription, $59
There are plenty of reasons for one to want to keep their internet connection private. It’s possible that you have a dose of distrust for your government and want to ensure your sense of privacy …
9
Apr
Google Close to Finishing Android Wear App for iOS
Earlier this year, news leaked that Google was working on an Android Wear app for the iOS App Store, and it appears that the company’s progress on engineering Android Wear devices to work with iPhones is nearing completion.
According to a source that spoke to The Verge, Android Wear on the iPhone works similarly to the Apple Watch, connecting through a companion app and providing functions like Notifications. Google is said to be “close to finishing” the final technical details behind the project.
An LG G Watch R with FaceTime notification from iOS, via The Verge
In its current state of development, Android Wear works along with a companion app on the iPhone and supports basic functions like notifications — as you can see in the photo below. As it does on Android, on the iPhone Android Wear also supports Google Now’s ambient information cards, voice search, and other voice actions. It should also support some more advanced features with Google’s own iOS apps, like replying to Gmail messages.
If Google finishes the project and submits its Android Wear app to the iOS App Store, it is not clear how Apple will react, given that the app would allow Android Wear devices to compete directly with the Apple Watch. Apple allows Pebble and other competing fitness bands to have apps in the App Store, so it may also permit Google to release an Android Wear app, but at the same time, Apple has aggressively cut down on products similar to the Apple Watch in its retail stores.
It no longer sells fitness devices like the Fitbit, the Jawbone UP, and the Nike Fuelband, and over the years, Apple has also had some altercations with Google. Apple used to feature Google Maps on its iOS devices, but moved on to its own proprietary mapping solution several years ago.
Android Wear watches are built on Google’s platform but are available from a number of Apple’s competitors, including Samsung and LG. Popular smartwatches like the LG G, the Moto 360, and Samsung’s Gear lineup are all Android Wear devices.
There is no word on when Google might release an iOS app capable of officially connecting Android Wear devices to iPhones, but it’s possible an announcement could come during the company’s I/O developer conference in late May.
9
Apr
LPDDR4 – everything you need to know
64-bit, octa-core, and nanometers may be grabbing the taglines of the mobile tech world this year, but the latest and greatest mobile SoCs are also packing lightning fast LPDDR4 RAM memory. DDR4 memory has been making the rounds in the high-end PC space for a little while now, and LPDDR4, essentially the mobile equivalent of this standard, is finally here, bringing with it faster memory speeds and lower power consumption.
Read & Watch – Best Android Phones 2015
Breaking down the acronym, LPDDR RAM stands for low power double data rate random access memory, and is the memory used to store short term data used by applications. Unlike its desktop equivalent, low power RAM comes with a smaller bit bus, but this helps when it comes to power efficiency. The number, such as LPDDR3 or LPDDR4, simply marks the generation of the technology, we’ll have to dive down a little deeper into the specifications to see what has changed.
The LPDDR4 specification aims to double data rates (up to 3200 Mb/s) over last generation RAM and to save on energy consumption for mobile devices. Compared with LPDDR3’s one-channel die, LPDD4 was redesigned for a two-channel die with 16 bits per channel, for a total of 32 bits total. This lowers the core’s power, thanks to shorter data paths, and improves operational speed. The bandwidth target is 17GB/s per die, but can still be arranged in a dual-channel configuration to reach much higher speeds.
To save on energy, LPDDR4 chips lower the nominal operating voltage from 1.2V to 1.1V. The standard now also supports an improved power saving low frequency mode, which can bring the clock speed down for further battery savings when performing simpler background tasks.
Micron and Samsung are two of the industry leaders in this technology, and both are pushing their first LPDDR4 products to market this year. Micron has been instrumental in leading the definition and adoption of LPDDR4, working towards meeting consumer demands for faster boot and loading times, while fitting within the tight power constraints of the mobile platform.
Micron Low power requirements are essential for mobile and LPDDR4 is the most energy efficient memory yet.
Micron’s technology tops out the standard with a 2133 MHz clock in the standard’s 2 x16 channel configuration for a transfer rate of 4266 MT/s, which targets the standard’s peak bandwidth of 32 GB/s at x64. Samsung’s latest chip offers a 1600MHz equivalent which tops out at 3200 MT/s and a theoretical bandwidth peak of 25.6 GB/s at x64.
Memory bandwidth is a key specification to keep an eye on here. Although rarely operating at peak levels, this figure tells us how much data the memory can pass each second, which is an important statistic for low-latency gaming or when transferring very large data sets, such as 4K or slow-motion video. These numbers probably don’t mean much on their own, so the table below offers a comparison with previous LPDDR standards.
Related – Samsung switches to LPDDR4 and UFS 2.0 memory, but what does it mean?
The move to LPDDR4 also sees chip capacity take another jump forward. Micron already offers a selection of LPDDR4 memory densities for mobile applications, including 8Gb (gigabit) and 16Gb LPDDR4 packages, i.e. 1GB and 2GB densities. Samsung is also working on high density memory packages. Not long ago the company announced the start of mass production of its 8Gb (1GB) LPDDR4 modules, which will be manufactured on a small 20nm process. 24 and 32 Gb packages are also planned for the future. Fewer components with larger memory sizes allow for lower costs and larger amounts of RAM running with a high bandwidth.
LPDDR4 is architected to meet the power, bandwidth, packaging, cost, and compatibility requirements of the world’s most advanced mobile systems – Micron
While numbers are all well and good, improving the user experience is the ultimate end goal. Faster memory is key as we demand more performance at 2K and push towards 4K displays and demand higher levels of performance from mobile graphics processing units.
New media features, such as slow-motion video, face recognition, and 3D camera capture are also driving up the memory bandwidth requirements. LPDDR4 memory will allow for higher frame rate slow-motion capture and will also enable camera sensors to breach the 20MP mark. Not only that, but moving to more efficient, lower power memory designs can help squeeze extra life out of device batteries.
Mobile SoCs so far confirmed to be using LPDDR4 RAM are Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 810 and Samsung’s Exynos 7420, which is used in both flagship offerings of the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge, meaning that this year’s high-end flagships should all be making use of this improved memory technology. LG’s latest flagship, the LG G Flex 2 is also packing industry leading LPDDR4 memory, as well. However, this standard is not expected to become a mainstream mobile technology for mid-tier products until 2017.
Smartphones with LPDDR4 Memory!
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9
Apr
Sling TV now offering HBO
Proclaiming they “continue to give TV lovers the content they want on the devices they already own,” Sling TV’s CEO Roger Lynch announced today that HBO content is now available on the service. Sling TV subscribers who are paying for the $20 per month “Best of Live TV” package, or some Sling International packages, can add HBO for another $15 per month. For that $35 total per month, subscribers will have access to 20 core channels along with access to WatchESPN programming, some VOD options, and eventually three additional streams of HBO content to go along with the main HBO stream.
Lynch went on to say,
“We know Sling TV is the only way most of our customers can watch HBO shows like ‘Game of Thrones’ live. Adding HBO’s live and extensive on-demand content to our lineup highlights our continued commitment to bringing customers the very best programming.”
Sling TV is available on several devices like the Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Roku and Roku TV devices, the Xbox One, Android and iOS devices, Macs and PCs.
The addition of HBO to Sling TV comes just in time for the premieres of Game of Thrones and Silicon Valley this coming weekend. You can read the full press release below.
HBO Joins Sling TV Today
- Available across all Sling TV-supported devices: Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, current-generation Roku players, Roku TV models, Xbox One, Android, iOS, Macs, PCs
- Priced at $15 per month when customers sign up for “Best of Live TV” or select Sling International programming packages
- Sling TV to offer customers three additional streams dedicated to HBO viewing
ENGLEWOOD, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sling TV today added HBO to its programming lineup for $15 per month, making it the only live Internet TV service to offer HBO’s content on both a linear and Video-On-Demand basis.
“We continue to give TV lovers the content they want on the devices they already own”
In time for the “Game of Thrones” and “Silicon Valley” season premieres on April 12, HBO is now available to subscribers of Sling TV’s “Best of Live TV” core package or select Sling International programming packages. Customers can watch HBO on all Sling TV-supported devices including: Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, current-generation Roku players and Roku TV models, Xbox One, Android and iOS devices, and Macs and PCs.
“We continue to give TV lovers the content they want on the devices they already own,” said Roger Lynch, CEO of Sling TV. “We know Sling TV is the only way most of our customers can watch HBO shows like ‘Game of Thrones’ live. Adding HBO’s live and extensive on-demand content to our lineup highlights our continued commitment to bringing customers the very best programming.”
The new offering features HBO’s main live channel and will include the same VOD library HBO provides on its other platforms; Sling TV will begin adding HBO’s VOD titles today. Sling TV will also provide its customers with access to three streams of HBO, in addition to the single-stream dedicated to its core and add-on packages. Multi-stream functionality for HBO will be added to customer accounts on a rolling basis starting today.
Sling TV’s “Best of Live TV” $20 core package delivers ESPN, ESPN2, AMC, A&E, TNT, HISTORY, H2, TBS, Food Network, HGTV, Travel Channel, IFC, El Rey, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, ABC Family, Disney Channel, CNN, Lifetime and Galavision. This package additionally features access to WatchESPN, including ESPN3 and an array of VOD entertainment. Customers can choose to tailor their entertainment experience with the addition of HBO for $15 per month, or with the optional “Sports Extra,” “Hollywood Extra,” “Kids Extra,” “Lifestyle Extra” and “World News Extra” add-ons, each priced at $5 per month. In addition to live channels and VOD entertainment, Sling TV customers have access to content from Maker Studios.
About Sling TV
Sling TV L.L.C., a subsidiary of DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH), provides over-the-top television services including domestic and international live and Video-On-Demand programming. It is available on televisions, tablets, computers and smartphones. The Sling TV programming portfolio includes content from Disney/ESPN, HBO, AMC, Turner, Scripps, EPIX, Univision and Maker Studios. Sling International (formerly DishWorld) currently provides close to 200 channels in 18 languages across multiple devices to U.S. households. Sling TV is a next-generation service that meets the entertainment needs of today’s contemporary viewers. Visit www.Sling.com.
Come comment on this article: Sling TV now offering HBO
Visit TalkAndroid for Android news, Android guides, and much more!
9
Apr
Snapseed 2.0 adds new filters, tools, and non-destructive editing
Photo editing app Snapseed has hit version 2.0, adding a number of new editing tools to help you get the most out of your photos.
Snapseed received its last major update in October 2013. Version 2.0 adds a number of new tools, including a non-destructive editing feature called Stacks.
9
Apr
EasyAcc Gen2 6400mAh battery pack review
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I got the chance to take this portable battery pack from EasyAcc for a test drive this past weekend and working 14 hour days on a film set, without a place to plug in a phone charger, was the perfect environment for putting it through its paces. If you’re looking for the TL;DR, this is absolutely worth picking up.
This model is equipped with a 6400mAh battery and boasts the ability to charge an S5 one and a half times on a single charge. I found the claim to be accurate and got almost two complete charges out of my Galaxy S4. The speed of the charge was comparable to a wall unit. Where this unit really shined was it’s form factor. With dimensions of 4.09×1.77×0.87 inches, it’s shorter and more narrow than most cellphones and only about double the thickness. This means that it fits easily into any coat or pants pocket. The weight of the unit is about on par with an S5, if not a bit lighter (4.66 oz). It feels well-made and has a very comfortable finish. I didn’t drop my review unit but everything about the construction leads me to believe this thing could take a real beating and keep chugging right along. The blue ring battery indicator works alright but would be easier to read as a numbered percentage. The built-in flashlight, however, leaves quite a bit to be desired and I can’t imagine a situation in which you wouldn’t just use your phone’s far superior flashlight app but it’s a fine perk to have. Its USB port accommodates almost every device on the market. I even charged my Playstation 4 controller, for the lulz, and it worked swimmingly.
If you’re looking for a flashlight, you’ll want to keep shopping but if you’re in the market for an excellent source of power, EasyAcc Gen2 6400mAh is a dynamite choice. If you can find a better solution for under $20, let me know because I haven’t. I’ll be keeping mine and using it regularly for, hopefully, years to come.
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9
Apr
4 year premium VPN subscription, $59
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There are plenty of reasons for one to want to keep their internet connection private. It’s possible that you have a dose of distrust for your government and want to ensure your sense of privacy while online. Maybe you’ve made enemies or inadvertently endeared yourself to some over-infatuated stalker and want to safeguard your activities. Perhaps you travel frequently for business and spend a significant amount of time connected to unsecured public Wi-Fi and want to immunize yourself from the painful experience of being targeted by a hacker. Whatever your reasons, demanding a private and secure internet connection no longer means you’re some sketchy weirdo; it’s quickly becoming the new norm. ibVPN would love to be your trusted source with this 4-year comprehensive VPN package subscription!
ibVPN is a premium virtual private network service with servers worldwide, protected by 256-bit encryption. Compatible on Android, Windows, Mac and iOS, ibVPN helps users bypass regional settings, access blocked content and maximize their internet connection speed with SmartDNS functionality. While this subscription would typically run you upwards of $300, AndroidGuys readers can lock in 4 years of service for a total of just $59!
See more at deals.androidguys.com
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9
Apr
EasyAcc Gen2 6400mAh battery pack review
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I got the chance to take this portable battery pack from EasyAcc for a test drive this past weekend and working 14 hour days on a film set, without a place to plug in a phone charger, was the perfect environment for putting it through its paces. If you’re looking for the TL;DR, this is absolutely worth picking up.
This model is equipped with a 6400mAh battery and boasts the ability to charge an S5 one and a half times on a single charge. I found the claim to be accurate and got almost two complete charges out of my Galaxy S4. The speed of the charge was comparable to a wall unit. Where this unit really shined was it’s form factor. With dimensions of 4.09×1.77×0.87 inches, it’s shorter and more narrow than most cellphones and only about double the thickness. This means that it fits easily into any coat or pants pocket. The weight of the unit is about on par with an S5, if not a bit lighter (4.66 oz). It feels well-made and has a very comfortable finish. I didn’t drop my review unit but everything about the construction leads me to believe this thing could take a real beating and keep chugging right along. The blue ring battery indicator works alright but would be easier to read as a numbered percentage. The built-in flashlight, however, leaves quite a bit to be desired and I can’t imagine a situation in which you wouldn’t just use your phone’s far superior flashlight app but it’s a fine perk to have. Its USB port accommodates almost every device on the market. I even charged my Playstation 4 controller, for the lulz, and it worked swimmingly.
If you’re looking for a flashlight, you’ll want to keep shopping but if you’re in the market for an excellent source of power, EasyAcc Gen2 6400mAh is a dynamite choice. If you can find a better solution for under $20, let me know because I haven’t. I’ll be keeping mine and using it regularly for, hopefully, years to come.
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9
Apr
Dunkin’ Donuts and Google partner to bring seamless integration with Google Wallet
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A confession of mine, I have never eaten at Dunkin’ Donuts. I have heard great things about them, and I love donuts, I just happen to live in a city where there are just a few Dunkin’ Donut restaurants. My brother, on the other hand lived in Boston, and told me Bostonians love their Dunkin’ Donuts and they are everywhere. Today Google and Dunkin’ Donuts partnered up to make your purchases easier by integrating Google Wallet with their mobile Dunkin’ Donut cards.
Instead of typing in credit card information to recharge the cards, users can now purchase recharges through Google Wallet. Google Wallet works for Dunkin’ Donuts, just like buying a movie from the google Play store would work. All you have to do is key in your password and the payment will be processed.
Dunkin’ Donuts, if you read this, I wouldn’t mind a free sample or two of your donuts and coffee.
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9
Apr
List of Apple Stores That Will Carry the Apple Watch Edition at Launch
Following reports that Apple Watch Edition stock will be limited to select Apple Stores in the United States and other launch countries, MacRumors has discovered that Apple’s Find Locations tool enables prospective buyers to search their local area to check for Apple Watch Edition availability. Below, we have identified some of the major cities and metropolitan areas in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong and Japan that will carry the Edition.
To check Apple Watch Edition availability in your local area, navigate to Apple’s Find Locations website, click on Sales, use your current GPS-based location or enter another one, select Watch Edition from the list of all products, and click on the Go button. A map will then display nearby Apple Store locations that will be carrying the Edition. If you live outside the United States, you will need to change the country flag in the top right first.
United States
— New York City: Fifth Avenue, SoHo, Upper West Side
— Boston: Boylston Street
— Chicago: North Michigan Avenue, Lincoln Park
— Philadelphia: Walnut Street
— Washington DC: Georgetown
— Atlanta: Lenox Square
— Miami: Lincoln Road
— Virginia: Tyson’s Corner Center
— Newark, Delaware: Christiana Mall
— Bay Area: San Francisco, Stanford
— Los Angeles: The Grove, Third St. (Santa Monica), South Coast (Costa Mesa)
— Houston: Highland Village
— Dallas: Northpark Center
— Seattle: Bellevue Square
Canada
— Toronto: Eaton Centre
— Montreal: Sainte-Catherine
United Kingdom
— London: Covent Garden, Regent Street, Selfridges
Australia
— Sydney: George Street
— Brisbane: MacArthur Chambers
— Melbourne: Southland (Cheltenham)
France
— Paris: Carrousel du Louvre, Opera, Galeries Lafayette
Germany
— Berlin: Kurfurstendamm
— Munich: Rosenstrasse
Hong Kong
— Festival Walk
— International Finance Centre (IFC)
— Causeway Bay
Japan
— Tokyo: Isetan, Ginza, Omotesando
— Osaka: Shinsaibashi
Apple Watch pre-orders begin April 10, and the device goes on sale April 24.
9
Apr
Top Android alternatives to the Apple Watch
Smartwatches are a hot topic right now, and even more so with the impending launch of the Apple Watch, which is set to arrive April 24th. The Apple Watch was one of Apple’s most rumored devices before it was announced last October and the interest has only risen as Apple has slowly released more info about its wearable.
Now – just a couple of weeks ahead of the launch and two days before pre-orders open – the reviews are in and the world’s technology press have had their say. At first glance the review seem positive but dig into them and one thing is clear, the reviews are brutal and the Apple Watch takes a beating.
Android Wear vs Apple Watch: The Key Differences
We’ve already gone into a lot of detail about how Android Wear and the Apple Watch compare but summarizing, the key differences are around input and artificial intelligence (AI) of the platform.
Android Wear relies on Google voice input for actions and to respond to messages while the Apple Watch uses AI to predict your next response. Both methods have their limitations but the key is that Google Now on Android Wear relies upon Google recognizing your accent, which has proven troublesome for many users.
In comparison, the Apple Watch relies on pre-populated answers or Digital Touch; the pre-populated answers are tailored based on the Watch’s knowledge of you and the more you use it, the more tailored and accurate the answers will become. Digital Touch is a rather handy feature that allows you to sketch or tap a pattern and as long as your recipient has an Apple Watch, they’ll be able to respond in-kind.
Not for novices, apps don’t work well and you have to use Siri, which still stinks.
All of this AI does come at a price though, as initial reviews of the Apple Watch have found it to be slow and the AI to be somewhat unintuitive. The Verge’s Nilay Patel called the Apple Watch “kind of slow” as it stutters when loading notifications while Farhad Manjoo of the New York Times says that the Watch is “not for novices” (unlike every other Apple device), “Apps don’t work well” and “you have to use Siri, which still stinks.”
The biggest challenge to Android Wear comes from the Apple Watch’s artificial intelligence and its ability to predict your likely response. Android Wear relies on voice input and although Google doesn’t offer AI-based responses yet, it’s only a matter of time until a similar feature rolls out to Android Wear.
If you’ve been waiting for a new smartwatch and the Apple Watch reviews have turned you off Apple’s first wearable, here’s a few tasty Android alternatives to the Apple Watch:
Specs Comparison:
We’ve hand picked a few of our favourite Android Wear watches and we’ll go through how they compare to the Apple Watch below. First, let’s look at how the specs compare:
| Apple Watch | Sony Smartwatch 3 | Asus Zenwatch | Moto 360 | Huawei Watch | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 340 x 272 or 390 x 312 | 1.6″ 320×320 Transflective LCD | 1.63″ 320×320 AMOLED | 1.56″ 320×290 LCD | 1.4 inch Full Circle 400×400 AMOLED Sapphire Crystal |
| SoC | Apple S1 | 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 | 1.2 GHz Snapdragon 400 | TI OMAP 3 | 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 |
| RAM | unknown | 512MB | 512 MB | 512 MB | 512MB |
| Storage | unknown | 4GB | 4 GB | 4GB | 4GB |
| Battery | unknown (18 hours) | 420 mAh (2 days) | 360 mAh (2 days) | 320 mAh (12 hours) | 300 mAh (~2 days) |
| Size | 42mm or 38mm (height) | 51 x 36 x 10 mm | 51 x 39.9 x 7.9 ~ 9.4 mm | 46mm diameter x 11.5mm | 42mm diameter x 11.3mm |
| Weight | unknown | 38g | 50g | 49g | unknown |
| Resistance | no | IP68 | IP55 | IP67 | unknown |
| Extras | pedometer, heart rate monitor, GPS | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, GPS | pedometer, heart rate monitor | pedometer, heart rate monitor | Gyroscope, Accelerometer, PPG, Barometer, Heart Rate Monitor |
| Charging | MagSafe Wireless | microUSB | Dock | Wireless | Dock |
| Price | $349 or $399 | $249 | $199.99 | $250 | TBC |
Sony SmartWatch 3
The Sony Smartwatch 3 shares many characteristics with the Apple Watch including a square display and a button on the side (though it’s a traditional quartz crown on the Apple Watch).
Running on Android Wear, the SmartWatch 3 is fully waterproof while the Apple Watch is only splash resistant, meaning it’ll work in the shower but you won’t be taking it diving with you. Like the Apple Watch, the SmartWatch 3 is available with multiple band options but unlike Apple, there’s not a lot of price difference between them. The regular Apple Watch starts at $349 while the stainless steel version starts at $549 (rising to $1079 depending on the band and size you choose). The Sony SmartWatch 3 costs $249 and is expected to rise to around $349 for the stainless steel version.
The key difference between the SmartWatch 3 and the Apple Watch is in the fitness arena. The SmartWatch 3 comes with a GPS chip and accelerometer to provide accurate fitness data, while the Apple Watch is definitely lacking. In fact, Nilay Patel says that the “Apple Watch is a very expensive, barebones fitness tracker.”
Asus ZenWatch
Asus’ first smartwatch aims to offer something that many Android Wear devices don’t – a stylish design with a regular rectangular display. It has a two tone body and a standard-sized leather watch strap that’s interchangeable.
The Asus ZenWatch looks the closest match to the Apple Watch in terms of design and feature sets are rather similar as well. While the Apple Watch focuses on using the crown to interact with the watch, Asus have added several software enhancements including some nice watch faces and the ability to double tap to launch a particular feature.
The Asus ZenWatch retails at $199 including the leather strap, making it significantly cheaper than the Apple Watch. With the style of an Apple designed product and the Android Wear platform, the Asus ZenWatch is arguably the closest competitor to the Apple Watch.
Rectangular vs Round:
The decision on whether to go for a square or round smartwatch display is a debate that never seems to end. While the Apple Watch features a rectangular display, there’s definitely a case for round displays, so let’s take a look at the best round Android Wear smartwatches and how they compare to the Apple Watch:
Motorola Moto 360
The Moto 360 was one of the first Android Wear devices to be announced and although it took several months to come to market, it is one of the most stylish Android Wear devices to date. Featuring a circular display with the infamous “flat tire” cutout at the bottom, the Moto 360 has a brushed metal build and several interchangeable bands.
In comparison to the Apple Watch, the Moto 360 embodies the style that Apple have attempted with the more pricey Apple Watch Edition. One of the biggest criticisms of the Apple Watch is the lackluster battery life and sadly this is a condition afflicted upon the Moto 360 as well, thanks to its outdated internals.
The Moto 360 retails at $250, complete with leather strap, which is less than half the cost of the Apple Watch with Leather strap that starts at $579. If you’re looking for a round watch that has a stylish appearance, look no further than the Moto 360.
Huawei Watch
The last wearable on our list is arguably the greatest Android Wear watch to date. Announced back at MWC in February, Huawei’s first Android smartwatch is certainly late to the party but arrives with a bang. From a Sapphire Crystal display to a stainless steel body and an array of features, the Huawei Watch is the most feature packed Wear watch to date.
Side by side, the Huawei Watch and Apple Watch share many similarities but the key difference is value for money. While the most comparable Apple Watch will cost $999, the stainless steel version of the Huawei Watch is expected to cost a mere fraction of this at approximately $399 (price to be confirmed) and has a much larger feature set than Apple’s wearable.
If you’re looking for the best value-for-money Android smartwatch (and arguably on any platform) that you can buy, look no further than Huawei’s first attempt. It’s stunning in person, feature-rich and Huawei’s accompanying app means it will sync with third party fitness apps.
What’s next for Android Wear?
The concept of a smartwatch is ever evolving as technology moves on and manufacturers are able to pack more into smaller devices. The key to smartwatches, and wearables in general, is user experience which is largely set by the software and for Google, Android Wear needs to evolve.
When Android Wear was unveiled at I/O 2014, it offered the best software experience available at the time, but it only had to compete with proprietary platforms on the Pebble, Sony SmartWatch and Samsung Gear range. Since then, Apple have introduced a credible alternative and going forward, Android Wear needs to evolve.
Some of the ways Google could improve and differentiate from the competition is by optimizing the software to offer better battery life, offer native support for 3G data, voice & WiFI, and introduce alternative input methods. Currently Google Voice Input works well but does struggle with accents and dialects. Offering a discrete alternative would allow Android Wear devices to become more integral to our lives.
As Android has become the dominant smartphone platform, its rivals have looked to other forms of technology to steal a march and while Apple Watch hasn’t quite achieved this, it does indicate that Google’s rivals are ready to do battle in the wearables market.
More Android Wear watches
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Wrap Up
The Apple Watch has been one of the most anticipated wearables ever announced but while initial reviews of most Apple products are largely positive, the Apple Watch seems to be missing that certain something. The advantages over Android Wear are minimal and the key differences are software-based, allowing Google to offer similar features at a later date.
Somewhat inferior to that of a traditional wristwatch
Both Android Wear and Apple Watch are designed to complement your smartphone but while the former can be used one-handed without paying too much attention, Nilay Patel found “you have to use both hands to use [Apple Watch], and you have to actually look at it to make sure you’re hitting the right parts of the screen.” Joshua Topolsky of Bloomberg says the experience is “somewhat inferior to that of a traditional wristwatch” due to the size, whereas the watch faces on Android Wear do come much closer to a traditional wristwatch.
Out of all the Android Wear alternatives, which on our list takes your fancy? Have we missed out your favorite Android smartwatch? Let us know in the comments below.
AIVAnet 
