Google has made sure that its Android Wear platform is ready to take on the Apple Watch with an update, to Moto 360s, LG Watches and Sony Smartwatches in the coming weeks, brings new gesture controls, Wi-Fi connectivity and even the chance to draw your own emojis.
The gesture control features are definitely something that makes Android Wear devices much more useful.
There’s an always on function that allows for apps to be instantly ready but doesn’t actually hurt the watch’s battery. This is done by working out if your arm is up or down. When your arm isn’t raised it will drain the colour out, then once your arm is raised, the colour comes back and the app is fully workable. You can now also change notifications and scroll through news with a simple flick of the wrist.
The update means that as long as your phone is on Wi-Fi, your watch will be too. According to Google, as long as your watch is connected to a Wi-Fi network, and your phone has a data connection (wherever it is), you’ll be able to get notifications, send messages, and use all your favourite apps. Wi-Fi may not seem like a big feature but this is functionality that has been dormant on many an Android Wear smartwatch for some time now.
You will also be able to draw emojis on your smartwatch and your phone will recognise which one you want to send from your “masterpiece” and send it. These new features will be coming to all seven Android Wear options in the coming weeks, with the LG Watch Urbane the first to get the update.
