It’s almost time: February 8 may be Android Wear 2.0’s big release day

Why it matters to you

Your Android Wear smartwatch is about to get way better than it is at the moment

Excited for Google’s Android Wear 2.0 software? You should be, it’s going to reinvigorate the platform designed for wearable tech, ready to catch up with improvements made to Apple’s WatchOS and Samsung’s Tizen platform. A number of companies and fashion brands have already pre-announced Android Wear watches with the new version, and they’re set to release later this year

Google’s highly anticipated update will arrive in “early February,” according to a Google+ user, who posted a screenshot of an email from the Google Play Developer team, urging developers to publish their apps for Android Wear 2.0. “Android Wear 2.0 is launching in early February 2017. It includes a new on-watch Play Store to help users discover apps right on their wrist.”

More: Expect more smartwatches and wearables this year, Qualcomm executive says

When exactly will it arrive? Google hasn’t said precisely, but Twitter-based technology leaker @evleaks has given us two hints. In mid-January, he said Android Wear 2.0 would launch on February 9; but has since tweeted the date has been moved forward to February 8.

Update: the launch of both the watches and the platform have been moved up a day, to February 8th.

*checks dumbwatch*

Hey, that’s soon! https://t.co/dzG6YPc4kp

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) February 4, 2017

Which watches will use Android Wear 2.0?

If you own an Android Wear device, the following watches will receive the update: Asus ZenWatch 2, Asus ZenWatch 3, Casio WSD-F10, Moto 360 Gen. 2, Moto 360 Sport, Tag Heuer Connected, LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE, LG Watch Urbane, LG G Watch R, Polar M600, Fossil Q Wander, Fossil Q Marshal, Fossil Q Founder, Michael Kors Access Bradshaw Smartwatch, Michael Kors Access Dylan Smartwatch, Nixon Mission, Huawei Watch, and Huawei Watch Ladies.

At CES 2017, Casio announced a new watch that will be released in April with Android Wear 2.0, as did New Balance. Swarovski said it is also collaborating with Qualcomm and Google on a smartwatch “for her,” and Qualcomm’s director of wearables says more smartwatches from fashion brands are to be expected this year — especially at Baselworld 2017, an annual jewelry and watch trade show.

Google is also expected to announce two Android Wear smartwatches, and according to Evan Blass in his tweet regarding Android Wear 2.0’s launch date, they will both arrive on the same day as the software: February 8.

More: Swarovski partnering with Qualcomm, Google on an Android Wear smartwatch

What features are new?

Apart from design changes, Android Wear 2.0 introduces watch-face “Complications,” which act like miniature widgets for notifications on your watch. The update also adds an on-watch Play Store and standalone apps, meaning you won’t need to be connected to your phone all the time. The OS will also recognize activities and can begin tracking them automatically — something many fitness trackers can do already.

You’ll also find improved input options for responding to texts and messages — namely, a keyboard, swiping through letters, scribbling, and smart replies that now make it easier to type. The update will also enable support for Android Pay, though you’ll need a device with NFC, as well as the Google Assistant.

For more details about Android Wear 2.0, here’s our hands-on from Google’s developer conference last year.

Article originally published on 01-11-2017 by Julian Chokkattu. Updated on 02-06-2017 by Andy Boxall: Added in a second, revised possible launch date for Android Wear 2.0