Google Ventures into Smartwatches with Android Wear

Google officially announced Android Wear, a project that extends Android to wearable devices starting with smartwatches.

Android Wear is an extension of the popular mobile operating system that powers most smartphones today and relies heavily on Google Now to provide the following functions and services:

• Useful information when you need it most via social, messaging, shopping, news, photography apps and more.
• "Ok, Google" to answer your spoken questions, flight details, game scores, booking a taxi, sending text messages, restaurant reservations or setting an alarm
• Integration with health and fitness apps to help you hit your goals
• Access and control other devices from your wrist such as turning on the music player on the phone or casting a video to the TV

Developers can now download the Developer Preview at developer.android.com/wear to modify their existing apps for watches powered by Android Wear. As Android Wear works with Android's rich notification system, most apps should already work well.

Google also states that it is already working with consumer electronics brands ASUS, HTC, LG, Motorola, Samsung; chip makers Broadcom, Imagination, Intel, MediaTek and Qualcomm; fashion brands like the Fossil Group to bring watches powered by Android Wear later this year.

With Google entering the wearable space and Apple rumored to be unveiling its iWatch this year, 2014 is shaping up to be the year of the wearables. Check out the video below to find out what Android Wear can do:

Play

Source: Google

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