The Age of the Smartwatch is Upon Us

 Wearables  

Google is going all in on wearables with the announcement of Android Wear, a platform that extends Android platform to smartwatches and more.

For most people nowadays, we are rarely without our smartphones nearby. What are essentially powerful supercomputers keep us connected to the world and the people we love. Now according to Google, we're only at the beginning of wearable technology.

The beginning for Google is Android Wear, the company's new software platform for wearable devices.

"This is just wide open blue-sky territory for people to dive in and create new experiences."

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"We’re so excited about wearables—they understand the context of the world around you, and you can interact with them simply and efficiently, with just a glance or a spoken word," states the company on their blog.

"I'm really interested in seeing applications that are unlike anything we've ever seen before.  We're going to see a lot of innovation from developers in this space," says Alex Faaborg an Android designer. "This is just wide open blue-sky territory for people to dive in and create new experiences."

Google intends Android Wear to provide:

• -Useful information when you need it most. 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 how many calories are in an avocado, 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. 

Dick Tracy has used a Smartwatch precursor since the 1930's.

Coinciding with Google's Android Wear announcement, Motorola has introduced the Moto 360 — a smartwatch built around Google's wearable platform. Setting Motorola's watch apart from other smartwatches like Pebble or Samsung's Galaxy Gear is that it is housed in an all-new round form factor.

The round shape makes Google's acquisition of Nest even more poignant as the design of new wearables becomes an important sales strategy.

The Moto 360 will be available starting this summer in the US, according to Motorola.

LG has also announced its plans to introduce the G Watch as an Android Wear device in the coming months. Google says wristwatch makers like Fossil will also offer Android smartwatches in the future.

According to one YouTube commenter, "I was on the fence about the whole smart watch thing... This may have pushed me over the edge though. Google Now is very handy at times, would love it on a watch." 






SOURCE  Official Google Blog

By 33rd Square

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