14 DAY TRIAL // As we speculated yesterday, Google is getting serious about wearables. The search giant has just announced Android Wear, an operating system optimized for wearable devices.
The OS is designed for smartwatches and Google has enclosed a video showing off a concept watch. And it might as well be the Google Nexus smartwatch we have been talking about in the last few weeks.
There are several key features that have been detailed in the official blog post and Google makes a point in highlighting the fact it plans the OS will be capable of much more than just displaying the time. Here’s a couple of interesting feats the new software will bring about.
Providing the right information when you need it: Android Wear will relay updates coming from your social apps or notifications coming from shopping, news or photo apps you follow.
Google Now Answers you: Users have just to say “Ok Google” to ask a question. For example you can inquire how many calories are in a fruit or vegetable you’re about to consume. The same command is applicable when you want Google to do something like, call a taxi or confirm a reservation at a restaurant.
Monitor your health: The new OS will be able to send you real-time speed, distance and time information on your wrist, while you work out, run or cycle. Pair the smartwatch running the OS with other devices. Android Wear lets you access and connect other devices like smartphones from your wrist. Just by saying “Ok Google” you’ll be able to play music or video.
Google mentions there’s going to be a bunch of wearables sporting the new OS and of course that make sense, but its certainly going to be mounted on the Nexus smartwatch we have been hearing about in the last few months, too.
So far, we know the smartwatch will have a 1.65-inch IPS LCD screen with a 280 x 280 pixel resolution, combined with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage.
There's no info about whether there’s going to be a camera on board like we have seen on the Samsung Gear 2, but most likely we’re going to be seeing one. Also note, not so long ago a patent filed by Google showed the company on a wrist band that has sensitive areas built in it.
Earlier this week we did wonder about the software we were going to see be mounted on the Google smartwatch and the answer came sooner than expected.
