Google’s has officially introduced Android Wear 2.0 with the launch of LG Watch Style and LG Watch Sport smartwatches.

The base Android version of Android Wear 2.0 is Android 7.0 Nougat and it brings plenty of new features. Its previous version, Android Wear 1.5 that released in June 2016 was based on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. Here are the 8 new features that has arrived on Android Wear 2.0:

Easier Navigation

It is easier to navigate on Android Wear 2.0 as users can switch between watchfaces by simply swiping left or right. By swiping upwards, uses can see all the notifications and swiping downwards gives access to some settings. The app list can be accessed by pressing the main button. Long pressing on it starts the Google Assistant. For smartwatches with crown, it carries support for rotational input.

Smarter Complications

The watchfaces that are already available with Android Wear 2.0 can be easily customized. Users can modify colors, backgrounds and add personalized items such as calendars, fitness apps, contacts and so on to the watchface. In short, watchfaces will function like homescreens that can be customized with third-party widgets.

Standalone Connectivity

With inbuilt support for Wi-Fi and LTE connectivity, a Android Wear 2.0 smartwatch can connect to the internet. It makes it possible to install apps on the smartwatch without pairing with a smartphone.

Google Play Store Brings Standalone Apps

The Google Play Store is now present inside Android Wear 2.0. Users can now search and install the desired apps directly from their smartwatch. Most apps are compatible with Android and iPhones.

Related: Google Play Store Censored Edition Coming to China?

Google Assistant

The smart Google Assistant is preloaded on Android Wear 2.0. Available only in English and German, the Google Assistant can predict answers. Google Assistant can be also activated by long pressing on the main button.

Improved Google Fit

Since smartwatches are also used for tracking health and fitness, Android Wear 2.0 comes with an improved version of Google Fit. It now comes with three kinds of guided challenges such as push-ups, sit-ups and squats.

Enhanced Messaging

It is now easier to reply messages on apps that are compatible with Android Wear 2.0. Users can tap and swipe to reply a message and with ‘Smart Reply’ onboard, it can predict possible replies. Apart from the usual ways like voice input and emoji for creating new message, Android Wear 2.0 allows users to add text by swiping on the new small-sized QWERTY keyboard and also through handwriting recognition.

Mobile Payments

Smartwatches with NFC chip onboard can support mobile payments on Android Wear 2.0 through Android Pay feature. Users can make payments by simply holding the smartwatch at the payment terminal to approve the transaction. Android Pay will not work on if the smartphone’s bootloader has been unlocked.

Which Smartwatches Will Get Android Wear 2.0?

The existing smartwatches are expected to receive Android Wear 2.0 from Feb. 15. Here is a list of smartwatches that can be upgraded to Android Wear 2.0:

• Asus ZenWatch 2
• Asus ZenWatch 3
• Casio Smart Outdoor Watch
• Casio PRO TREK Smart
• Fossil Q Founder
• Fossil Q Marshal
• Fossil Q Wander
• Huawei Watch
• LG G Watch R
• LG Watch Urbane
• LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE
• Michael Kors Access
• Moto 360 2nd Gen
• Moto 360 for Women
• Moto 360 Sport
• New Balance RunIQ
• Nixon Mission
• Polar M600
• TAG Heuer Connected

The post Android Wear 2.0: Top 8 Features and Complete List of Smartwatches to Get New Update appeared first on Gizmochina.

The first set of Android Wear 2.0 watches are launching tomorrow. The watches made by LG are called the LG Watch Style and LG Watch Sport. A few weeks ago a high-res render of the lower-priced Watch Style leaked. Today, it has been followed by that of the Watch Sport.

The image which was posted by @evleaks on twitter earlier today, shows the LG Watch Style in two color variants. There is a blue variant with black straps and black buttons, and a titanium variant with taupe-colored straps.

The LG Watch Sport is 14.2mm thick, has a 1.38-inches 480 x 480 display and 768MB RAM. It has the same 4GB of storage as the LG Watch Style but has nearly double the battery (430mAh compared to the 240mAh battery in the Style).

Since the Watch Sport will sell for a higher price, LG has added cellular connectivity (3G and LTE), GPS, and NFC; which means in addition to making calls, it will also support Android Pay. It also has a heart rate sensor.

READ MORE: Huawei Watch 2 with Cellular Connectivity Pegged to Unleash at MWC 2017

Both the LG Watch Style and Watch Sport are compatible with iOS, have touch displays and handwriting recognition. Their IP68 (Watch Sport) and IP67 (Watch Style) also means they have water and dust resistance.

The post LG Watch Sport Leaks Ahead of Tomorrow’s Launch appeared first on Gizmochina.

Android Wear 2.0 is coming very soon and if you are eager to get your hands on a watch sporting the new OS, you should look no farther than at the LG Watch Sport and Watch Style smartwatches.

Images of the watches were leaked recently but they were blurry and might have made it difficult to appreciate their beauty. Yesterday, Evan Blass (@evleaks) posted a new set of pictures of the Watch Style that are way clearer and show more  details.

The Watch Style is the smaller of the two and has a 1.2-inch OLED display with a 360 x 360 resolution. Unlike the Watch Sport which has two physical buttons and a digital crown button, the LG Watch Style has only the latter. The pictures show the watch in two color variants: a Silver version with khaki-colored straps and a Rose Gold version with cream-colored straps.

LG’s Watch Style has an Ingress Protection (IP) rating of 67. So apart from being dust proof, you can also immerse it in water with a depth of between 15cm and 1 meter for 30 minutes. The Watch Style is said to have 512MB RAM, 4GB ROM, and a 240mAh battery.

READ MORE: LG Records First Quarterly Loss in 6 Years: Blames LG G5

The LG Watch Sport and Watch Style are made in conjunction with Google and have a deeper integration with Google Assistant. Both watches will launch on February 9 when Google unveils Android Wear 2.0 and will be available for purchase the next day. There is no news yet on how much each of LG’s watches will cost.

(Source)

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