BlackBerry announces BBM support for Android Wear
BlackBerry has just announced that it will “soon” be bringing its BBM messaging service to Android Wear. This should please some of the 50 million Android users who have installed the BBM app, but maybe a specific release date would have pleased them more.
Hit the break to see a full list of what the app has in store when it launches later this year.
- See who a new message is from and read it – while loading grocery bags into the back of your car
- Review and accept invites from would-be BBM contacts while on the go
- Flip through several messages to find that one with the address you’re looking for – while carrying a coffee
- Pick from a list of pre-defined messages to quickly send a response – while in a meeting
- Use your voice and Google Now to respond to messages hands-free.
We will be sure to let you know the exact release date as and when it is revealed.
Source: BlackBerry
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LG mystery smartwatch is made for specifically for Audi
That LG mystery watch we showed you earlier isn’t going to be the G Watch R 2. It was actually developed specifically for Audi and their new Prologue automobile. It will carry the Audi brand as well.
Earlier today, Ulrich Hackenberg used the watch to summon the self-driving Prologue to the stage during Audi’s press conference. The watch was confirmed to be made by LG, so it was assumed that it could be the successor to the G Watch R or a new variant.
Although it is using Android Wear and is definitely an offshoot of the G Watch R, we won’t see it widely sold anytime soon. Apparently LG and Audi worked together to develop this watch to match the design of the Prologue but also included extra hardware to communicate with the car.
NFC is included in the watch, which isn’t available on any other Android Wear watch. This NFC capability establishes a secure connection between the car and the watch, which allows you to unlock the doors. Since NFC can work without the battery, the driver should still be able to unlock or lock the doors even when the watch battery is dead.
Then there are biometric sensors that could feed information such as the driver’s body temperature and heart rate to the car’s onboard computer. This could be used to automatically control the air conditioning or heat in the car.
There is also a UI skin on top of Android Wear that is specifically designed for Audi, which I thought Google wasn’t allowing. I guess because this device isn’t going to be widely sold, it’s okay. It also means that any old Android Wear watch won’t work with the Prologue, even if it were to have NFC.
Slashgear was able to get some video time with the watch, so check it out below.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Hopefully LG will offer something that looks like this watch as a regular Android Wear device.
Be sure to check out our complete CES 2015 coverage.
source: SlashGear
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CES 2015: The Audi smartwatch made by LG is a thing of beauty
Don’t you love it when things are unintentionally spotted and turn out to be absolute gems? During Audi‘s presentation at CES 2015, at some point, an Audi executive demonstrates the ability to control a car with a smartwatch. That device, a Audi smartwatch shall we say, is something we’ve never seen before, nor does it resemble […]
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Could this mysterious watch be the LG G Watch R 2?
There are a lot of things meant to be seen at CES, but some of the best stuff are the ones that aren’t literally on display. Take for instance the watch in the image above which is made by LG and was on the wrist of Ulrich Hackenberg during Audi’s press conference at CES.
It certainly resembles the G Watch R in the design, but other than the obvious difference of silver, you can clearly see three buttons at the right. What they could be used for is anyone’s guess. This watch actually looks a lot like what I asked for in my review of the G Watch R: A two-toned silver and black option.
When will it be available is a valid question, but a bigger question would be, is this even Android Wear? It’s safe to assume that it is, but there is a very small possibility it could be WebOS. I doubt it, but crazier things have happened.
Be sure to check out our full CES 2015 coverage.
source: TheVerge
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Hyundai Blue Link for Android Wear hands-on at CES 2015
Whether we’re talking about Audi, Viper or a number of other car manufacturers, we’ve certainly heard seen auto makers embrace wearable technology in the past. Not more than a few days ago, Hyundai announced their Blue Link service Android Wear integration would be shown off at CES 2015. While Blue Link has been around for about three years now, the company has just made their service compatible with Android Wear, and the company is at CES 2015 to give us a first-hand look.
Once the Blue Link app is loaded on to your Wear device and your smartphone, it’s pretty easy to navigate from there. Either flip through your list of installed apps, or simply say, “Okay, Google. Start Blue Link.” You’re then presented with a clear list of all available actions, including: remote engine start, door lock, remote engine stop, door unlock, flash lights, set off horn/lights, car finder, call roadside and call Blue Link. If you’d rather speak your selection, there’s a small microphone button on the top-right of the app that allows you to choose your option by voice dictation. No matter what option is chosen on the app, the user must enter a 4-digit PIN code to proceed with the action.
Blue Link is a service built from the ground up by Hyundai, and is currently available on all Hyundai cars except for the Hyundai Accent. Due to the deep integration into the vehicle Blue Link requires, Hyundai tells us that Blue Link cannot be retrofit into a Hyundai car without the technology. Hyundai has also been slowly adopting the Android Auto platform, and they tell us we can expect to see Blue Link integration with the technology in the future.
You can expect to see the Blue Link Android Wear application available sometime in the near future. Make sure you stay tuned to Android Authority for more CES 2015 coverage!
Could this be the LG G Watch R 2?
A lot of gadgets are on display at CES 2015 this week, but notably is what appeared on the wrist of Ulrich Hackenberg during Audi’s press conference at CES. The watch pictured is made by LG and does look like the G Watch R in design, except for the presence of silver and 3 buttons on… Read more »
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Mystery LG smartwatch reportedly spotted at CES 2015 [updated]
Update: Android Central has confirmed that the watch was made specifically for Audi by LG. It is running a custom version of Android Wear, but only to show off Audi’s software. That’s really too bad, because this is probably the classiest smartwatch we’ve seen so far.
No matter how much we expect to see certain products at CES, we’re always blindsided by at least a few product sightings. So far, CES 2015 has been full of device and smartwatch announcements, and we’ve even seen both Hyundai and Viper show off remote car starting, just using an Android Wear smartwatch. During Audi’s press conference earlier today to announce their new advancements in the automotive world, something caught the eye of a few tech writers out there. The Verge reports that when Audi’s Ulrich Hackenberg called a self-driving car up to the stage, he was using an LG-made smartwatch. Judging by the photos, this smartwatch definitely isn’t anything LG has announced thus far, and we’re not even sure if it’s running Android Wear.
Judging by the looks of it, the watch definitely seems like more of a high-end device, even looking more premium than the company’s recently-released LG G Watch R. It looks to have a similar design to the G Watch R, thanks to the circular display and big brackets on the top and bottom to hold the watch strap in place. Aside from that, we don’t have any other details regarding the watch. There was no mention of Android Wear or smartwatch integration in Audi’s press conference, so it looks like we’re just going to have to wait until more details surface in the future.
So, what do you think? Could it be a new Android Wear device? Or LG’s rumored webOS smartwatch? Let us know what you think!
Lenovo announces their new, e-ink smartwatch
Lenovo is jumping into the wearable market, anyone surprised? Their new smartwatch is called the Lenovo VIBE Band VB10. Lenovo’s take on the smartwatch is really more of a fitness band with some smartwatch features included. It uses an e-ink screen to prolong battery life up to 7 days. The smartwatch/fitness band consists of a… Read more »
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Sony unveils a stainless steel SmartWatch 3
One of the best Android Wear smartwatches just got even better, with Sony unveiling their excellent Smartwatch 3 watch with a stainless steel band. If you haven’t read our review of the Smartwatch 3 then check it out, but one of our comments was the lack of additional wristbands, which now is completely addressed. Not… Read more »
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Viper SmartStart 4.0 allows you to start or lock your car using Android Wear
The future is closing in on us fast, folks. Following Hyundai’s big Android Wear news a few days ago, Viper has just announced their new Android Wear-integrated app. SmartStart, the company’s smartphone app that allows users to start and lock their cars, has been around for quite some time. However, up until now, the functionality has been limited to smartphones. With the update to SmartStart version 4.0, Viper is extending car control functionality to both Android Wear and Apple Watch devices.
The Android Wear integration will act exactly like the app does currently, but now you can use it on your wrist. Here are all of the features included in SmartStart so far:
- Lock/arm
- Unlock/disarm
- Remote car starter
- Trunk release
- Panic or car finder
- Aux channel control
For quite some time, Viper has made quality car security systems for a (relatively) inexpensive price, with some going as low as $149.99. So if you already have a Viper, now may be your time to pick up an Android Wear device. The update to version 4.0 should be rolling out to the app sometime in early 2015. If you still need to grab the application, you can do so from the Play Store.
YOUR CAR FROM APPLE WATCH AND ANDROID WEAR
~ Smart Watch Technology to Become the Next Evolution of Viper SmartStart ~
VISTA, Calif. (January 5, 2015) – Viper, the 30-year leader in car security, today announced
that Viper SmartStart, the app that gives users the ability to start, lock, unlock and track
their car from virtually anywhere in the world with their smartphone, will be available for
Android Wear and Apple Watch in early 2015. Viper made the announcement at the 2015
International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
Viper’s smart watch functionality will be available for free download for Android and iOS
through the company’s newest version of the Viper SmartStart 4.0 app. Viper SmartStart
4.0 is compatible with all Viper SmartStart hardware, which means all existing and future
Viper SmartStart users who purchase an Apple Watch or Android Wear product will be able
to take advantage of the smart watch features at no additional cost.
“Wearable technology will give Viper SmartStart users the ability to feel connected with
their vehicle in an even more accessible and convenient way,” said Frank DeMartin, Senior
Vice President of Development and Engineering for Viper. “Whether people choose to use
Viper SmartStart through their smartphone, smart watch or both, the updated Viper
SmartStart 4.0 app will enhance their ability to seamlessly communicate with their car.”
To increase the functionality of Viper SmartStart for the smartphone, SmartStart 4.0 is
updated with a more intuitive home screen that offers faster access to the primary
controls, including interactive overlays to walk customers through how to use the app.
Consumers can visit http://www.viper.com to purchase a Viper system from an authorized dealer,
learn more about Viper SmartStart 4.0 and enter a contest to win a smart watch and a
complete Viper system. Pricing starts at $149.99.
Apple Watch is a trademark of Apple Inc. Android Wear is a trademark of Google, Inc.
About Viper
For 30 years, Viper has been a world leader in automotive electronics. Viper protects and
remotely starts more vehicles than anyone else on the planet. Viper created the connected
car category with the launch of Viper SmartStart in 2009 – the app that lets you start,
locate and control your car from virtually anywhere in the world with your smartphone.
Recipient of hundreds of technology patents and awards, the company is based in Southern
California. Visit http://www.viper.com or follow our social: @vipersmartstart,
facebook.com/viper, youtube.com/vipersmartstart.
AIVAnet 