Nixon’s Star Wars watches aren’t smart, but you’ll still desperately want one

Just because Nixon’s newest watches don’t connect to your phone, don’t think that makes them dull. It has announced four timepieces that are inspired by characters in the soon-to-be-released Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi. While we’re used to seeing all manner of products with the Star Wars name slapped on them, Nixon has a history of releasing subtle, stylish, and really desirable Star Wars watches, and these continue that tradition.

There are four models in the official collaboration line up, all with designs and color schemes influenced by major players in The Last Jedi. Perhaps the most popular will be the homage to Luke Skywalker. It is based on the 42mm Nixon Sentry watch, and comes with a black and brown leather strap, attached to a stainless steel case with gold accents. It’s by looking closely you’ll see the cool touches. The second hand is shaped like a lightsaber, with Luke’s blue blade, and there is a Jedi insignia at the 12 o’clock mark.

Rey also gets her own watch. It has a brown leather strap and a stainless steel case, while the second hand has an unusual style, and the Resistance insignia sits at 12 o’clock. It’s much smaller than Luke’s watch at 31mm, making it suitable for slimmer wrists.

Nixon changes the design for the Stormtrooper Executioner watch, based on the Charger design. The 42mm case has a metal bracelet, both in black, while the face has an eye-catching black and white theme. A First Order symbol is at 6 o’clock.

We’ve saved the best for last. For the Praetorian Guard-inspired watch, Nixon returns to the Sentry watch design but with a metal strap and an all-red color. The First Order symbol shifts to the crown for a subtle, but really fantastic look. Flip any of the Nixon Star Wars watches over and the back of the case has unique markings. All four watches use a Miyota Japanese movement, are waterproof to 10ATM, have hardened mineral crystals, and spring pin lugs to make swapping the straps easy.

Rey’s watch is the cheapest at $120/100 British pounds, with Luke’s a little more at $175/175 British pounds. The two metal Stormtrooper and Praetorian Guard watches cost $275/210 British pounds. They’re available globally through Nixon’s online store from December.

While the Star Wars range aren’t smartwatches, Nixon has already jumped aboard that train with The Mission, a really tough-looking, water resistant, and completely customizable watch that runs Android Wear.

Editors’ Recommendations

• The ultimate guide to 2017’s Android Wear smartwatches
• When a movie isn’t enough, the best shows on Netflix will keep you busy for days
• Who will be the last Jedi? Everything we know about ‘Star Wars: Episode VIII’
• What’s the best GoPro camera for your needs? We’ll help you choose
• Prepare to face Hoth’s frozen tundra with Columbia’s Echo Base jackets

You’ll need to sell your Bitcoin if you want to buy games with it on Steam

Amidst Bitcoin’s biggest value explosion in the cryptocurrency’s short history, Valve has announced that it will no longer allow direct purchases with it through Steam. Citing its inability to control the amount of Bitcoin used to purchase games and rising transaction costs, it has removed the currency from its list of options for buying games on the platform.

Valve originally introduced Bitcoin purchases on Steam in April 2016, when the value of the cryptocurrency rested at around the $430 mark. It joined the likes of Paypal, credit cards, Steam Wallet, and MoneyBookers, among others. While at the time Bitcoin’s value was relatively stable and remained so for much of 2016, the sharp increase in the currency’s value throughout this year has caused Valve to rethink its viability as a payment option.

“In the past few months we’ve seen an increase in the volatility in the value of Bitcoin and a significant increase in the fees to process transactions on the Bitcoin network,” Valve explained in a blog post. “Unfortunately, Valve has no control over the amount of the fee. These fees result in unreasonably high costs for purchasing games when paying with Bitcoin. The high transaction fees cause even greater problems when the value of Bitcoin itself drops dramatically.”

On top of skyrocketing fees for speedy transactions, short-term volatility meant that buyers could see their payments be far higher than necessary by the time they were “confirmed,” by the network, and in the case of a downturn, the payments might be insufficient. In those cases the currency would be returned without the game, but that would incur further transaction charges for the buyer.

Because of that Valve has now decided that it is “untenable” to utilize the cryptocurrency as a payment method on its platform, but may consider it again in the future if it becomes more stable over time.

For now it seems that if users want to leverage their Bitcoin to purchase games, they will need to cash out first before utilizing that money to pay for the games directly.

If all the hype around Bitcoin’s latest surge has you considering buying into it, make sure you read up as much on it as you can first. Our introductory guides will get you started.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Survey: Bitcoin buyers prefer investing in it over using it as a payment method
• Everything you need to know about Android Pay
• Forget Apple Pay — Sirin Labs’ Finney phone helps you pay with cryptocurrency
• You’ll soon be able to bet on Bitcoin’s future value on NASDAQ
• Activision has a plan to make you want to pay for in-game items

The heartwarming Love Gnome tops 2017’s list of most popular GIFs

It’s nearly the end of the year, and you know what that means. It’s time to look back at 2017, because did a year really conclude if it doesn’t get some kind of roundup? Here to help close out 2017 with some nostalgia is GIPHY, which announced the “world’s most animated Year End list.” So if you want to see what moving, dancing, shaking GIFs brought down the house over the course of the last 12 months, read on.

While the GIF file format was actually invented three decades ago in 1987, it’s only in recent years that these live images have taken on a life of their own. In 2017, 300 million folks shared over 2 billion GIFs on a daily basis, and GIPHY has now brought together a list of the most commonly used GIFs. The digital database noted that a “wide array of popular content” rose to the top, from original artwork to TV clips to meme remixes.

The most popular GIF this year was the Love Gnome by Anna Hrachovec, which raked in 340 million views. Hrachovec, an artist, uploaded her original GIF at the end of 2016 as a reaction to the election results. But it was in 2017 that it really took off, and was often used for both displays of everyday affections, as well as larger messages of love in the face of tragedy throughout the year.

via GIPHY

The No. 2 spot this year was taken by the aptly named, “White Guy Blinking,” which brought in 226 million views. This was also one of the year’s top memes, and while the GIF actually made its debut in 2015, it apparently began a renaissance of sorts in February. “It’s the perfect reaction GIF for when you’ve just been insulted and you weren’t expecting it,” GIPHY said.

via GIPHY

Of course, we’re all partial to precious animals, and that’s particularly true in GIF form. No. 3 was DNCE’s Waving Pug, with 215 million views. Taken from DNCE’s “Kissing Strangers” music video, this waving pug is a pretty spectacular way to say hello to a friend…or maybe, a potential date.

via GIPHY

In No. 4 was the Fall Out Boy Llama, whose dance moves managed to drive 197 million views.

via GIPHY

And in fifth place was the Excited NFL Celebration, which comes from Junior Galette of the Washington Redskins. After sacking a  quarterback, he gave fans quite the victory show, and now, his GIF is often used to ring in the weekend.

via GIPHY

Editors’ Recommendations

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• Want more likes? Check out Instagram’s 2017 trends, from puppy faces to travel
• All the King’s works: Upcoming Stephen King movies and shows

It’s alive! These ‘living tattoos’ may someday monitor your health

From personal pizzas to rocket parts, there seem to be few limits to the things that can be 3D printed. Even living cells have been squeezed through these 21st-century tabletop machines.

And now, genetically engineered bacteria cells have been successfully 3D printed by a team of researchers at the Massachusettts Institute of Technology (MIT). Programmed to light up when in contact with certain stimuli, the new kind of living ink is layered to create three-dimensional and interactive structures that can signal the presence of specific compounds.

Led by MIT’s Xuanhe Zhao, the research team has dubbed their method “living tattoos,” which can be placed on surfaces where the network of cells respond to chemical stimuli and information from one end to the other.

“Our ‘living tattoos’ refer to a wearable thin film which contains the genetically programed bacteria cells in different patterns,” Zhao told Digital Trends. “The functional cells can detect chemical secretions from the skin, and potentially … monitor human health.”

The patches are arranged in a treelike pattern, in which each branch is coated with cells that are responsive to specific compounds. When the patch is placed on a surface such as skin, the branches light up where they are exposed to the same compound that they are coated in. The result is an easy-to-apply, wearable sensor with an interactive display that could help detect things like chemicals, pollutants, and temperature.

“We envision this technique can allow continuous point-of-care monitoring of biomarkers based on the living cell sensing,” Zhao said. “Together with some living cells that can release therapeutics, this technology provides a unique solution for the treatment of chronic, homeostasis-related diseases such as diabetes.”

Researchers have been exploring the possibility of building living tissue structures for decades. But by experimenting with hardy bacteria cells, rather than fragile mammalian cells, Zhao and his research partner Timothy Lu were able to create more durable structures.

“It is intriguing to envision a robust and personalized implant in which different cell types are programmed to monitor inflammatory biomarkers and release growth factors to promote angiogenesis,” Zhao said. “Further, new ingestible devices based on our 3D printing of living materials may be able to modulate the gut microbiota and treat microbe-mediated disease such as obesity and diabetes.”

A paper detailing the study was published this week in the journal Advanced Materials.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Bacteria’s at the core of this 3D-printed living ink that could become your skin
• Here are the names and achievements behind this year’s Nobel Prizes in Science
• The best accidental inventions prove sometimes it’s better not to try
• Dermal Abyss smart tattoos may know more about your health than you do
• Comfort or performance? Under Armour’s high-tech foam gives runners both

Are Google’s Pixel Buds worth it?

Here’s what our forum users have to say about Google’s first foray into wireless earphones.

Alongside the Pixel 2 and Pixelbook at Google’s October hardware event this year, we also got our first look at Pixel Buds. Pixel Buds are Google’s first attempt at creating and releasing a pair of wireless earphones, and they’re meant to compete directly with the likes of AirPods, Jaybird earphones, and more.

Andrew found quite a lot to like with his pair of Pixel Buds, but as he notes in his hands-on, there are still a few reasons why you might want to hold off this year and wait for Google’s second iteration of the product.

One of our forum users recently posted that their Pixel Buds won’t ship until January, and as such, is wondering if there are any better options they should go for rather than waiting.

Here are some of the responses.

andrew_ackley
12-01-2017 08:09 PM

“

Airpods are the ****. I think htc makes some decent usb c earbuds though. Also the Bluetooth ones jaybird makes are good.

Reply

Jeremy8000
12-02-2017 12:21 AM

“

The HD1’s are fantastic. Another neckband to look at is the Klipsch R6 which you can pick up dirt cheap on Amazon – $60 with free shipping via Prime. Originally $180 and were only a little overpriced at that point, they’re a steal right now.

Klipsch R6 Neckband Bluetooth Headphones

Reply

legobricke01
12-01-2017 11:28 PM

“

IMO –
They fit great..
They store easily…
They pair easily…
Love the case…
Sounds great….
Last long on a charge…
Have great range..
Assistant works very well…
Gesture sensitivity is solid…

Reply

bhatech
12-02-2017 02:25 AM

“

Have them and using it for couple of weeks, also have airpods. If I have to choose one I still prefer airpods because of fit and comfort. Apart from fit and comfort (which is personal thing anyway), I love the Pixel buds in other areas. Love how well it integrates with the assistant and also love you can control volume thru side swipe and there is none on airpods (got to use Siri if you don’t…

Reply

What do you think – Are Pixel Buds worth it?

Join the conversation in the forums!

Andrew’s Favorite Tech of 2017

Andrew’s Favorite Tech of 2017

We see a whole bunch of technology come across our desks in this job. There are of course plenty of phones and tablets, but also all of the associated accessories and extras that make them even more useful. And then there’s all of the extra tech that we use in the course of our jobs. It can be tough to keep up with it all, but if there’s one benefit it’s that I have more perspective on these devices than most — and after using so much in 2017, these are some of the favorites that I personally use.

Google Pixel 2

Google has once again made my favorite phone of the year. I still appreciate a smaller device to use every day in all sorts of situations, and unlike last year the Pixel 2 doesn’t have big battery life compromises. The current Oreo software is excellent, with a bunch of little Google touches that take it to the next level. And knowing that it will have years of updates to come really adds to its value.

$649 Buy now

OnePlus 5T

The OnePlus 5T nails the basics and barely sets a foot wrong, all while offering top-notch specs, a big display and a slick body — and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg like much of the competition. The design is a bit lackluster but you just can’t argue with the value for money here.

$499 Buy Now

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

Nobody does a big phone better. The Note 8 is unapologetically large, and it has the software features and specs to take advantage of the screen. The hardware is also flashy, the cameras are great and the screen is the best in the industry. But you definitely pay for it.

$949 Buy Now

Moto X4

Motorola may not be able to make great phones at the flagship price points, but it sure does well at lower prices. The Moto X4 is a fantastic phone, especially if you’re looking for something less expensive to use on Project Fi. It’s made just as well as any flagship, and has capable specs and a pair of solid cameras as well.

$399 Buy Now

Samsung Galaxy Tab S3

Let’s be honest, an Android tablet isn’t for everyone. But if you want to get one, I see no reason to choose anything but the Tab S3. You get great hardware, a good screen and a keyboard attachment that makes it all work even better.

$500 Buy Now

JBL Clip 2

Bluetooth speakers are a dime a dozen nowadays, but JBL makes some great models that are worth the little extra money. The Clip 2 is portable and has a clip so you can hang it on a bag or set it up for better sound wherever you need it, and it’s built to take the abuse of moving around. It has both Bluetooth and a 3.5 mm connection, and the sound is good for the size.

$40 Buy Now

Bose QC35 II

Light, comfortable, long-lasting and with amazing noise cancellation. The QC35 IIs are a traveler’s best friend, but really can be used as daily headphones for those who need to shut out the world and concentrate. I won’t go anywhere without a pair.

$349 Buy Now

Moment Cases and Lenses

Camera lens attachments for phones can be cumbersome, but if you’re serious about photography you have to look at Moment lenses. The cases are great on their own and the glass is high quality for the money. Take your Instagram game to the next level.

from $99 Buy Now

Chromecast Ultra

Even if you already have a streaming box of some sort, it’d be tough to convince me that you couldn’t find a use for a Chromecast Ultra on one of your TVs at home. Leave it plugged in, and the next time you have a quick thought about watching a movie or even just showing off some photos to guests it’ll be there ready to bring it to the big screen.

$70 Buy Now

NVIDIA Shield Android TV

If a Chromecast sounds great but you (or someone you live with) would benefit from the simplicity of a dedicated interface and remote, the Shield Android TV is great. It’s just as capable as a Chromecast Ultra for casting (there’s $70 in value right there), but some media experiences really are best with a dedicated app running on the box itself. The gaming may not interest you, but the performance of this box will.

from $179 Buy Now

Google Home

I’ve settled on Google Home rather than Amazon Echo, and for my basic needs this speaker gets the job done. It sits in the kitchen and is great for quick queries, timers, reminders, music and podcasts. Even if you don’t dive into the deeper integrations and features, you can find a way to justify the $129 price — and maybe you’ll find more to do with it along the way.

$129 Buy Now

Samsung Gear Sport

I’ll be honest, I find it hard to stick with any smartwatch for more than a few weeks. But the best one I’ve used this year is the Samsung Gear Sport. It’s just a bit lighter and more compact than the Gear S3, which makes it much easier to wear every day. And Samsung’s software is just downright better than Android Wear — you just have to be willing to configure it a bit and ignore many of the useless features.

$299 Buy Now

Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro

To skip much of the “smartwatch” experience altogether and just get some good fitness tracking, I like the Gear Fit2 Pro (and the original Fit2 at that). You save $100 off the Gear Sport’s price, and still keep most of the features. Given its smaller screen and lighter weight, you may be even more inclined to wear it for daily exercise tracking.

$199 Buy Now

Apple MacBook Pro

It’s flawed, but it’s the latest and most powerful laptop you can get with macOS, and that still matters to many. The screen is amazing, the specs get all of the jobs done and you don’t have to worry about durability. Embrace that USB-C life (well, and #donglelife).

from $1299 Buy Now

Samsung Chromebook Pro

Not everyone wants (or needs) a full-blown computer. For those people, I always recommend a Chromebook — and the Samsung Chromebook Pro is a great option. It’s a solid step above the low-end models that are cheap-feeling and made of plastic, but is still super light and has a great display. Even with that, and a cool stylus, it’s still less than $500.

$425 Buy Now

Anker PowerCore+ 26800mAh USB-C PD battery

I’m on an ongoing mission to find USB-C PD (Power Delivery) batteries, and this big Anker battery is my current go-to. The huge capacity and Power Delivery let it charge up my MacBook Pro and phones at great speeds, making it a wonderful dual-mode device. Yes it’s huge, but that’s fine as it typically lives in my backpack as a travel companion.

$119 Buy Now

Samsung Evo+ 128GB UHS-I MicroSD Card

SD cards have gotten so big, so fast and so cheap that it’s tough to make a bad choice. But going with a well-known brand and tested performance is always preferred. About $60 gets you a great card that can go in your phone (if you have one with a slot) but also with an adapter can pull double-duty in a camera as mine so often does.

from $58 Buy Now

Aukey USB-C Car Charger

You need to charge stuff while you’re driving, and this $16 Aukey charger has a USB 3.0 port and a USB-C port to help you do it. Toss it in your car and never have to think about it again.

$16 Buy Now

Aukey Amp 6-port AC adapter

Aukey makes great chargers, and for the gadget fans like us with a ton of devices these multi-port deals can both charge them up and Help with clutter. It supports 60W of output total, with four USB-A ports and two USB-C ports. What’s not to love?

$32 Buy Now

Peak Design Everyday Backpack

For the sake of my shoulders and back, I’m trying to use a backpack more nowadays rather than relying on a messenger bag. The Peak Design Everyday Backpack has been an amazing companion for everything from short trips to the coffee shop up to weekend vacations and week-long international work trips. It’s built fantastically, has every single pouch or slot you could imagine, and it’s so clear an obsessive amount of detail was put into every part of how it works.

$259 Buy Now

Vaultz Mesh Storage Bags

Look, I’m a little OCD about things. Especially when I travel. That means bags inside of bags — I use these Vaultz mesh bags to store cables and all sorts of small loose items that would otherwise get lost while I’m traveling. They’re color-coded so you know at a glance what’s in each one, and the varying sizes mean you’ll find the right one for the job. It’s a ridiculously cheap way to bring some sanity to your cables, chargers and accessories.

$7 Buy Now

Pokémon Go gains 50 more monsters and real-time weather mechanic

Time to start training your ice-based Pokémon.

Niantic sure has been slacking off lately. Shortly after announcing its new Harry Potter: Wizards Unite AR game, the company then unveiled that a complete overhaul would be coming to Ingress in 2018. Now, a new update to Pokémon Go adds 50 additional pocket monsters and a completely new mechanic based on real-world weather. When are these folks going to do some actual work?

Joking aside, this update for Pokémon Go sounds like it’s going to be a lot of fun. The 50 new Pokémon being added are all from generation three, meaning you’ll be able to collect and battle with the likes of Mudkip, Torchic, Treecko, and others.

As awesome as it is to have more Pokémon at your disposal, what’s even more exciting is the all-new weather mechanic that’s being added. Now with Pokémon Go, the weather in the real world around you will have in-game effects as you’re playing. The map in Pokémon Go will change when it’s sunny, rainy, snowy, foggy, partly cloudy, and windy, and similar to other Pokémon titles, the type of weather will have effects on the power of your Pokémon.

For example, if it’s cold and snowy outside, your ice Pokémon will have a considerable edge over fire-based ones. It’s a mechanic that adds a nice layer of strategy to the mobile game, and you’ll likely notice it the most when battling with other players at the gym.

These new features should be available in v0.85.1 of Pokémon Go that’s rolling out to the Play Store now.

Niantic announces huge Ingress update for 2018

LG launches V30 Signature Edition with 6GB RAM and Oreo for $1800

Here’s what you’re getting for $1000 more over the regular V30.

Smartphones have been getting more and more expensive this year, with devices like the Galaxy Note 8 and iPhone X getting near or even breaking the $1000 marker. LG is now getting in on the fun with its new V30 Signature Edition, and although the phone is only coming to South Korea, you probably wouldn’t want to buy it anyways.

As you might expect from the name, the V30 Signature Edition is pretty much the same phone as the regular V30. You’ve got the same 6-inch P-OLED display, Snapdragon 835 processor, and dual-camera system. The Signature Edition has four main advantages over its older brother, including:

• 6GB of RAM compared to 4GB
• 256GB as the only storage configuration
• Android Oreo out of the box
• Zirconium ceramic plate replaces the regular Gorilla Glass on the back

The V30 in South Korea sells for $824 USD, and to get these four advantages with the Signature Edition, you’ll need to hand over around $1800. The biggest advantage is the ceramic back that’s more resistant to scratches than glass, but if you’re a hardware junkie, you can pick up the Essential Phone for $499 with a ceramic and titanium build. Food for thought.

LG says it’ll only be making 300 units of the V30 Signature Edition, meaning it’ll likely never come to other markets aside from South Korea. Honestly, that’s fine by me.

LG V30

• LG V30 review: The no-BS flagship
• Top LG V30 camera features
• Full LG V30 specs
• LG V30 vs. G6 vs. GS8
• The V30 is the first phone to support 600MHz spectrum
• Join our LG V30 forums

Best apps for planning the perfect holiday party

Plan the perfect party without losing your mind by getting help from these apps!

‘Tis the season for holiday parties. From planning Christmas dinner at your house for the first time to hosting the annual White Elephant party for your friends, there is always plenty to get done. If you love throwing parties, but hate the stress of planning them, then we’ve got good news. There are plenty of great apps that can help you throw an excellent party without losing your mind in the process.

We’ve got the details for you here!

Any.do

If you’ve got errands to run, friends to stay in touch with, or a potluck to organize, Any.do is the to-do app to use. It’s got tons of functionality, letting you build specific lists, and it includes the ability to share your lists with friends or family.

With features like reminders, you can ensure that you won’t miss an important deadline while getting everything prepped. There is even a home screen widget so that your task list stays present in your mind, even when you’re preoccupied with other things.

Download: Any.do(Free with in-app purchases)

Google Calendar

Trying to set a date for a party is never an easy task, and it only gets more difficult when you’re trying to adjust to the busy schedules of your friends. Google Calendar makes setting a date and remembering that it’s coming up easier than ever.

You can create events and share them with everyone who is planning to attend. This includes the option for folks to RSVP and lets each guest set reminders of their own so that they don’t show up three quarters of the way through the night. Google Calendar also makes it easy for you to change the date if you need to, and for everyone to easily see their obligations before confirming that they can attend.

Download: Google Calendar(Free)

Cocktail Master

If you want to take things up a notch and deliver an excellent party, then serving up some signature cocktails can most definitely do it. Cocktail Master makes it easy to make complicated drinks that look awesome and taste even better.

You’re able to search for specific recipes, or just swipe through what looks good on the screen. Each recipe includes step-by-step instructions and images that will let you know what your drink ought to look like when it’s finished. The search function also lets you look by ingredient, which means you can take stock of your liquor and find a recipe that will work with it!

Download: Cocktail Master(Free)

Yummly

Whether you’re planning on an intricate four-course meal to surprise your in-laws, or you’re opting for simpler finger foods with friends, having the right recipe for the job makes a difference. That’s where Yummly comes in, delivering thousands upon thousands of delicious recipes for any skill level.

You can search for specific recipes or by the occasion to find holiday-themed food. You’re also able to save your favorite recipes or see similar ones. This way no matter what you want to make, or whether you’re looking for some kind of inspiration for the most delicious entrée, Yummly has you covered.

Download: Yummly

Hello Vino

If you’re new to planning out a holiday party, or you’ve started experimenting with different wine pairings, then Hello Vino is the app that you didn’t know you needed. It was created to help you find the perfect wine to go with dinner, or to enjoy once everyone else has gone home and you’ve cleaned up from the shenanigans.

You can search for wines by their grape variety or flavor profile, scan wine as you purchase it, get wine reviews from the pros, and even get specific wine pairings for specific foods. The more you use the app, you’ll get recommendations and the ability to highlight wines that you disliked so that you don’t accidentally end up with another bad bottle down the line.

Download: Hello Vino(Free)

Spotify

Once the planning is done, the food is in the oven, and the drinks are prepped, it’ll be time to enjoy the party. So of course, you need some music. From the best holiday classics to great music that will have everyone bobbing their head, Spotify is a great option.

You can listen to full albums, create your own playlists, or see what other users have created. You can access Spotify for free or opt-in for the ads free Premium version, and has tons of capabilities with a connected home. This means you can play on your Amazon Echo, Google Home, cast it to the TV with Chromecast, or even play it from your computer.

Download: Spotify(Free with in-app purchases)

Are you planning a party?

For many people, December means time to spend with family and friends. Putting in all the work can be stressful, but hopefully these apps will help take a load off your mind. Are you planning a party? Is there an app you love to use that we missed here? Let us know in the comments below!

Oreo update rolling out to Android Wear, already available on Watch Sport

Oreo for Android Wear brings customizable vibration settings, additional support for countries/languages, and more.

Android Oreo’s been out in the wild since August, and while we’ve seen a fair amount of phones updated with the new software, we’ve still been waiting on a public release for Android Wear. However, on December 6, Googler Hoi Lam took to Google+ to announce that Oreo for Android Wear is finally here.

Android Oreo for wearables isn’t quite as drastic as the one for phones, but in any case, here’s what to keep an eye out for with the new update:

• Customizable vibration patterns for notifications
• Touch lock feature for preventing touch screen inputs
• Support for seven additional countries/languages
• More notification channels
• New background limits for improved battery life

Although Oreo is now available for Android Wear, Lam notes that it’s still up to manufacturers to decide when to push it out to their hardware. Android Police reports that one user has already received the update on their LG Watch Sport, but it could be a while before other watches see similar treatment.

Android Wear

• Everything you need to know about Android Wear 2.0
• LG Watch Sport review
• LG Watch Style review
• These watches will get Android Wear 2.0
• Discuss Android Wear in the forums!