Google has just announced its intention to take over the wearables world with Android Wear — a project with which it aims to spread Android beyond smartphones, with watches being the first target. Unlike other smartwatches currently available on the market, Google aims to provide an extensive catalogue of apps on Android Wear-powered watches that will provide users with the right amount of notifications, information and answers at the right time.
According to Google, Android Wear will show users all their cards from Google Now, their social media updates from all the popular networking sites, notifications from various apps and the ability to monitor their health and fitness in real-time.
Android Wear-powered smartwatches will also feature “Ok Google” voice recognition technology that will allow users to fire up a playlist, initiate a search on Google, call their friends and more using a simple voice command.
Below is a demo video from Google showing Android Wear in action:
Google has also released a developer preview of Android Wear so that developers can tweak their existing app notifications for watches. The company is also already working with OEMs like HTC, LG, ASUS, Samsung; chip makers like Broadcom, Imagination, Mediatek, Intel and Qualcomm and fashion brands like Fossil to bring Android Wear powered smartwatches later this year.
LG G Watch — the company’s first Android Wear powered Smartwatch
LG and Motorola have also gone ahead and announced their first Android powered smartwatches. LG’s offering will be known as the G Watch and is slated for release sometime in the second quarter of this year. The company does not provide any other details about its smartwatch except that it will feature always-on “Ok Google” functionality.
On the other hand, Motorola’s smartwatch will be known as the Moto 360 and will feature a round face with premium build materials. Like the G Watch, the Moto 360 will also feature “Ok Google” functionality along with various gestures. It will be available in a variety of styles globally, with the initial launch happening by Summer 2014 in the United States.
