Android-powered smartwatches are about to get a considerable upgrade as Google has announced that Android Wear 2.0 is currently in the works.
Touted to be the “biggest platform update yet”, Android Wear 2.0 will feature major overhauls to the platform. Overhauls aren’t the only thing that will be coming to Android Wear 2.0 of course, as the update will also introduce features like new input methods to Android-powered wearables.
One of the biggest additions to Android Wear 2.0 is the ability for apps to communicated directly over the internet via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or cellular. This means that an Android-powered smartwatch will no longer need to rely exlusively on a tethered phone or cloud syncing between the watch and the phone. This feature allows the wearable to be much more useful when it is connected to the internet despite the lack of a phone.
New input methods will also be available on Android Wear 2.0. Google will be introducing a swipe-style keyboard to the platform, as well as a handwriting recognition mode that allows you to trace letters on the screen to spell out messages. Smart Input will also be available on Android Wear 2.0, allowing you to respond to messages as quickly as possible.
Fitness was not neglected as Android Wear 2.0 now comes with automatic activity recognition. For fitness apps, Google Fit API will allow apps to communicate with each other. One example that Google pointed out on stage is that information gathered by a nutrition app can be synced with an app that calculates calories burn, allowing you to fine tune your exercise routine.
Watch faces are also an important point of Android Wear 2.0. The upcoming update will allow you to display any information you want on any watch face, allowing you to mix and match styles with the information you need. To assist developers who are interested in designing watch faces and apps for Android Wear 2.0, Google has released a Material Design guide that explains every aspect of Android Wear software design.
No solid release date has been given for Android Wear 2.0, but a developer preview will be available starting today.
