As the release of the Apple Watch slowly approaches, wearable companies are doing what they can to compete. Android Wear, for example, is offering a major update on its devices this week.
"Google has announced a major update to the Android Wear software that runs on its own range of smartwatches.......The technology giant confirmed that the new LG Watch Urbane, which goes on sale on April 27, will be the first Android Wear smartwatch to carry the updates," reports the Herald Sun.
This update will add a number of unique options and access points for Android Wear users. Specifically, the update will add a hands-free notification option as well as the ability to get notifications without placing your phone within close proximity of the watch.
Users will now be able to dismiss notifications by flicking their watch hand. This is a particularly useful function when wearers' hands are occupied and the watch is trying to notify them of something.
The watch will also be able to operate effectively apart from its phone as long as its in the range of a WiFi network. "Wifi support has also been added, meaning that as long as an Android Wear smartwatch is connected to a wifi network and a user's phone has a data connection, notifications can be received on the watch without the two needing to be directly connected," reports the Herald Sun.
Android Wear's director of engineering, David Singleton, explained the potential behind the updates in a blog post he published on Monday. "Architect and artist William Morris once said, 'Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.' Turns out that's also good advice for deciding what to wear," he wrote. Singleton added, "Over the past few months, we've added lots of ways to express your style - from custom watch faces to a rainbow of bands. Today we're making Android Wear more helpful as well - getting you what you need, right on your wrist."
Android Wear has been on the market since 2013, when the Samsung Gear introduced the watch-based OS to the market.
