Version jumps are a big thing. Going from Windows 7 to 8 (and then to 10, because... yeah, just because)... Android 6.0 to Android 7.0... often it's big changes and we WAAANT it.
For a while, Google had talked about and potentially mentioned what the new version of their Wear would look like, and 2 days ago we got the official unwrapping of it in their post Make Every Minute Count.
With the official unveiling comes their usual "and here's the devices that will showcase it", the LG Watch Sport and LG Watch Style (more on them later), who'll have Android Wear 2.0 out of the box.
It's going to come (eventually) to a bunch of other watches, just stay tuned (they say 'coming weeks'). But what's the purpose? Why get excited?
Well, obviously there's going to be new features. But the big enhancement in this version is the now inclusion of NFC for Android Pay. So the new watches have NFC specifically for that feature. (Yes, I know... Canada doesn't have it, it's apparently on the radar, it's maybe coming for us in the future, just don't go holding your breath).
Other changes?
One neat thing I liked was this opportunity to quickly change between a couple of preset watch faces (one for work, one for home, one for the gym). It's done by swiping the home screen... because you no longer access your apps that way, you have to access your apps via long pressing the button (so, if your watch doesn't have a button... it ain't getting this update).
Other changes include the navigation as discussed, and then also being able to use the apps standalone of the device (via wifi or cellular). That will be very handy.
Neater still is the fact you'll be able to access Google Assistant on your watch. My phone won't have it, but my watch will. That'll be cool. (Now if I ask my watch one answer, will it be different from what my phone might say?)
So, will your watch get this new update? IF it's one of the ones in this list, it'll be coming
- ASUS ZenWatch 2
- ASUS ZenWatch3
- 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 Smartwatches
- Moto 360 2nd Gen
- Moto 360 for Women
- Moto 360 Sport (yay! my device)
- New Balance RunIQ
- Nixon Mission
- Polar M600
- TAG Heuer Connected
Or, the new LG ones should be orderable starting today.
Source: The Keyword