Wearable computing is set to take off in a big way as the
Internet giant Google introduced Android
Wear
Android Wear, as the name suggests, is meant to put
Android on wearable devices such as smart watches.
Google will be releasing the official Android Wear APIs to
device vendors who want to put the power of Android in their health and fitness
bands, smart watches and other wearable. LG G Watch is one of the smart watch which
will be released soon with android gear.
Wearable devices driven by Android Wear include ‘OK, Google’
functionality and Android’s rich notification system. Also shows users
timely information and suggestions via Google Now.
Health and fitness functions are supported as well: users
can get their fitness summaries and set their goals with reminders. Fitness
apps taking advantage of the Android Wear APIs can give users fitness stats
such as real-time speed, distance and time for their run, cycle or walk.
The most interesting feature oo Andorid wear is the ability of Android Wear devices to
relay on voice commands to other devices
such as smartphones, tablets or Chrome devices.
The company said that first Android-powered wearables
are coming later this year. Jump past the fold for more information and a pair
of pretty good promotional videos…
Google says it’s
partnered with fashion brands like the Fossil Group, hardware
manufacturers such as Asus, HTC, LG, Motorola and Samsung and chip makers
Broadcom, Imagination, Intel, Mediatek and Qualcomm to “bring
you watches powered by Android Wear later this year”.
Here’s a quick video tour of Android Wear from Google .
Although Android Wear is starting with smartwatches,
the project is conceived to go well beyond wrist-worn devices and should
include health and fitness bands and other form factors.
Highlights of Android Wear include, according to Google:
Useful information when you need - Android Wear shows you info and suggestions you need,
right when you need them. The wide variety of Android applications means you’ll
receive the latest posts and updates from your favorite social apps, chats from
your preferred messaging apps, notifications from shopping, news and
photography apps, and more.
Straight answers to spoken questions - Just say “Ok Google” to ask questions, like Capital
of india,, what time your flight leaves, and the score of the game. Or say “Ok
Google” to get stuff done, like calling a taxi, sending a text, making a
restaurant reservation or setting an alarm.
The ability to better monitor your health and fitness - Hit your exercise goals with reminders and fitness summaries
from Android Wear. Your favorite fitness apps can give you real-time speed,
distance and time information on your wrist for your run, cycle or walk.
Your key to a multiscreen world - Android Wear lets you access and control other devices
from your wrist. Just say “Ok Google” to fire up a music playlist on your
phone, or cast your favorite movie to your TV. There’s a lot of possibilities
here so we’re eager to see what developers build.
Developers should check out a new section focused on wearables on
the Android website.
Google says a bunch of existing Android apps that support
notifications should work well with Android Wear. The company will be soon
releasing more developer resources and APIs soon.
Waiting
for the Smart watches with Andorid wear, May be the best combination for smart
phone users to check the phone updates via wearables rather than referring to
the phone everytime.
