14 DAY TRIAL // The Android Wear section on the Google Stores is no longer available directly to customers, and all the smartwatches that still have valid links are out of stock.
Google just announced a couple of new phones, the Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL, a new and expensive Chromebook, and quite a few other items. The company also improved and changed the website, but removed all mention of Android Wear devices.
For now, it’s easy to attribute this move to a simple mistake, a redesign that’s not complete, or simply something that needs more work. It’s also the kind of move that makes the world wonder if Google is still behind the Android Wear project and if it’s still supporting it.
Do we care about Android Wear?
Google has a lot on its plate, besides the regular Android version. The company also develops Android Wear, Android for Auto, and Android TV, so it’s clear that they intend to control as many platforms as possible.
On the other hand, despite pushing hard for the adoption of Android Wear and smartwatches, they haven’t really caught on as they hopped. They are still a lot way to success, but it’s not like we're expecting Google to pull the plug on Android Wear.
Furthermore, Google just released an upgrade for Android Wear, and it looks like at least we're getting an Oreo version. This makes it unlikely that Google is going to drop it anytime soon.
The simplest explanation is that they will reintroduce it once the Oreo version for Android Wear exits Beta. But even if they do drop this flavor of Android, they not going to announce it outright, and just phase it slowly.
In the meantime, users are invited to admire the newly announced Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL phones, with their amazing cameras.