Android Wear 2.0: What’s new in the major software update for watches?

Android Wear is due to get a major overhaul.

Google announced at Google I/O 2016 in May that its wearables OS would get a massive update, in the form of Android Wear 2.0, sometime this autumn, but the company later pushed that release date to sometime in early 2017. The delay is likely related to the fact that no big Android Wear partners, such as LG, Lenovo, and Huawei, reportedly plan to launch new smartwatches in 2016.

With no new watches to run or even demo the new software, Google likely thought a delay was best. But to soften the blow, it revealed Android Wear 2.0 will include Google Play Store integration when it launches for consumers.

Here’s what you need to know about the feature, including everything else that’s new in Android Wear 2.0.

Android Wear 2.0: What is it?

Android Wear 2.0 is an upcoming software update for Android wearables. It will bring a Material Design-themed overhaul, standalone apps, improvements to watch faces, messaging, and fitness, and more. Google has released three major updates to Android Wear since it launched two years ago, but this version brings a number jump that can only mean big changes are coming.

Android Wear 2.0: What’s new in the update?

Standalone apps

Thanks to Android Wear 2.0, one of the biggest new changes coming to Android Wear is standalone apps.

With support for standalone apps, you will longer need your phone nearby to use apps on your Android Wear device, because instead of requiring a tethered connection to your phone, it will communicate through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or cellular and be able to do more. Not only is this beneficial for Android Wear users but also iPhone owners, as they’ll be able to download apps directly to their watches.

Google said this will result in a “faster, richer on-watch experience.” Keep in mind early Android Wear watches don’t have Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity, but newer watches will have the fortune of being less dependent on phones. 

Google Play Store

Google recently revealed that the third developer preview of Android Wear 2.0 includes a standalone Google Play Store.

That means the final software will let you download apps directly to your watch instead of queuing them on your phone. With this integration, you’ll be able to download paid titles and beta tests, browse recommended apps, and search for specific apps. You’ll download apps without having to send them to your phone, too, as developers can now develop apps that live just on the watch.

Material design

Android’s design language developed in 2014 is coming to Android Wear, but this version will be specifically optimised for Android Wear watches. You’ll see a redesign of the app launcher that works with round screens, and there’s new ways to interact with the app launcher. For instance, instead of a left or right swipe, you’ll push the side button to see apps displayed in an arc.

Material design will also add an action drawer to the bottom of the display.

Complications

A new Complications API will now let third-party developers include data from other apps on their watch faces.

You’ll be able to tweak these watch faces, too, and choose which data you want to show. Google said any watch face will be able to show data from any app. They can show, for instance, your calories burned, steps taken, incoming messages, or whatever. Also, tapping on individual complications will launch the full watch app for more information.

Sounds a lot like Apple Watch complications, right? 

The way you can select and change watch faces will change as well, and according to Google, it’ll be “fast and fun”.

Notifications

Card notifications in Android Wear tend to cover watch faces and and make the software feel cluttered, but Android Wear 2.0 will change all that.

When you see a card notification, the watch face will show smaller icons instead of massive space-hogging messages. When you raise your watch to activate it, it will pull up a card notification, then hide it, and you can swipe up from the bottom to go sift through notifications. A progress bar will appear at the bottom, revealing how many cards are left in the stack.

The cards have also been redesigned. You’ll see light text on a black background instead of dark text on a white background.

Messaging

Android Wear 2.0 adds two new input methods: a swipe-style keyboard and handwriting recognition.

The handwriting mode will let you draw out letters on your watch’s screen in order to write messages. Previously, sending messages was much more limiting. Google said it will offer its own native keyboard, but it’s also allowing third-party keyboard apps for you to choose from. You’ll even have access to new Smart Replies, which Gmail users should be very familiar with…

It gives you the option of three possible responses to quickly reply to a contact. These smart replies will be generated on the watches themselves. And finally, responding messages no longer means you have to swipe to another screen, because with Android Wear 2.0, you’ll be able to tap on the message and view more data before deciding on sending a smart reply or whatever.

Fitness

Google has improved fitness in Android Wear 2.0. It is getting automatic activity recognition and a Google Fit API so data can sync with like a running app. Google’s also expanding the ways you can listen to music.

Not only will apps will be able to now detect when you begin walking, running, or biking, but because apps can now be installed right on the phone, Android Wear watches with built-in LTE support can start Spotify and stream music from the cloud right to your Bluetooth headset without you having to be tethered to a phone. Also, third-party apps can now exchange data through Google Fit.

That means your Strava cycling data can show up in your Fitbit companion app.

Android Wear 2.0: Which devices are compatible?

Android 2.0 won’t be available for every Android Wear smartwatch. Older devices like the original Moto 360 and the LG G Watch aren’t compatible. We should know more when the software’s launch date approaches.

Android Wear 2.0: When will it be available?

Google said it will roll out Android Wear 2.0 to watches sometime in early 2017.

Want to know more?

Check out Pocket-lint’s Android Wear hub for all the latest. We also have this round-up of features from what Google announced at I/O 2016.

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Daily brief: Android Weariness, Google Maps listens, and what the heck is LeEco?

What happened on September 29?

Do you use a smartwatch? I do, and there’s a higher-than-normal percent chance that you do, too, if you’re reading this. But do your friends and family members adorn Moto 360s, Gear S2s or Pebbles? Perhaps some wear an Apple Watch? The more likely answer is that they wear a Fitbit, if anything at all. I still know some folks who wear the same Casio calculator watch they graduated high school with 20 years ago. Man, I’m getting old.

With the new that Android Wear 2.0 is getting pushed to early 2017, it occurs to me that the smartwatch wave rose and fell more quickly than even tablets, settling into the steady pace of iteration we see today. It helped that companies already had a pretty good playbook to work from, but it also speaks to the fact that, being accessories, they don’t need to be overly complicated. But with Google bringing elements of the Play Store to Android Wear devices, it appears the company is readying itself for the swift proliferation of 3G and LTE-connected watches. Will they catch on? Will people even want to leave their phones at home?

I doubt it, but what do I know? I’m just a blogger.

Android Wear reboot has been delayed until next year

It was never realistic to expect Android Wear 2.0 to debut in 2016, given the state it was in back at Google I/O. But alongside the penultimate developer preview, which introduced a number of great new features to the next version of Google’s wearables platform, the company announced it was pushing back its public release until “early 2017.” Still worth the wait. More

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Huawei Mate 9 launch event set for Nov. 3 in Munich

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LeEco is jumping headfirst into to the U.S. next month

LeEco, the huge Chinese company that sells everything from TVs to smartphones to self-driving cars is throwing itself a housewarming party of sorts to celebrate its entry into the U.S. The company is holding an event on October 19 in San Francisco to show off its “ecosystem model that integrates platform, content, devices and applications for a truly connected experience.” OK, then. More

Google Apps for Work is now G Suite

Google has rebranded their business offerings with a new name — G Suite. Formerly known as Google Apps for Your Domain and then just Google Apps, the new handle still encompasses the same core applications many businesses use every day: Gmail, Docs, Drive, Calendar, Hangouts, and more. Google says the new name will help promote their original goal to help people work and innovate together.

LG V20 pre-orders begin October 17 in the U.S.

Mark Monday, October 17 on your calendar as the day the LG V20 goes up for pre-order in the States. While earlier reports indicated the phone would be available sooner, it seems more likely that the original shipping date of October 21 is accurate. Oh, well.

Samsung expects Korean Note 7 return rate to hit 80% by Oct. 1 restart date

According to Reuters, the company has restarted TV commercials for the beleaguered phone, and is offering 50% off repairs for Korean customers buying in the month of October. More

Sony Xperia XZ Dual coming to India Oct. 1

The dual-SIM version of a phone we’re already familiar with will be available in India in blue, black and grey. Sony promises a free Smartband Talk SWR30 for pre-order customers, as well as free paid app content.

Samsung says 1 million users around the world have Note 7 with safe battery

The news comes as Samsung looks to wrap up its global recall and recommence sales of the phone around the world. Reuters reports that the company also apologized to Chinese consumers for not adequately explaining that Note 7s sold in China were safe, as they used a battery from another supplier.

OnePlus 3 in Soft Gold coming to India Oct. 1

The phone will be sold exclusively on Amazon India for ₹27,999 ($420). More

Lyrics are coming to Spotify on Android

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Rogers really, really wants you to buy a Moto Z from them

Rogers is giving away a Moto Insta-Share Projector with each pre-order of the Moto Z until October 4. Valued at $399 the pico projector is one of the more intriguing Moto Mods available for the Moto Z line — though the JBL SoundBoost speaker may have been more useful, just saying. More

Many Android Wear watches don’t work with the iPhone 7

It took nearly two weeks for anyone to notice.

Google decided not to release Android Wear 2.0 this autumn

Google has release the third preview of Android Wear 2.0 for developers and announced it is delaying the software’s official launch for consumers.

Earlier this month, reports claimed LG, Lenovo, and Huawei aren’t planning to release new Android Wear smartwatches in 2016, which seemed to imply they are in no hurry to put out new hardware, as consumer demand is reportedly not so demanding. Google was expected to unleash Android Wear 2.0 this autumn, but with no new smartwatches out to run it or even demo it, many wondered if that would affect the software’s launch.

The Mountain View, CA-based company has now confirmed the overhaul of its wearable OS won’t officially release for smartwatches until early 2017. To soften that blow however, Google revealed that the new third developer preview includes the Google Play Store, meaning the software will eventually let you download apps directly to your watch instead of queuing them on your phone.

So, with this Play Store integration, you’ll be able to download paid titles and beta tests, browse recommended apps, and search for specific apps. You’ll be able to download them without having to send them to your phone, too, as developers can now develop apps that live just on the watch.

Beyond the Play Store, Android Wear 2.0, which Google announced at I/O 2016 in May, is a major update that’ll bring a new user interface, widgets called “complications” for watch faces, a new keyboard for messaging, and more.

Google neglected to provide a specific 2017 release date for Android Wear 2.0.

• There won’t be any big new Android Wear smartwatches this year