Android Wear gets detailed, full SDK available today

June 25, 2014

Android Wear has finally been demoed in front of a live audience. With people checking their phones 125 times per day according to Google, a quicker solution is vital. Google is delivering a powerful platform that works right on your wrist or, later, in other form factors.

The platform features multiple watch faces when users press and hold on the display. This allows for familiarity with Android by providing some personalization rather than having all users remain the same. Android Wear even acts like Google Now by dismissing cards left or right with a swiping gesture.

Android Wear works directly with other Android devices to sync and keep everything updated. For example, setting reminders and adding notes with Google Keep can be done. Using your voice with an Android Wear can send a quick note over to Google Keep that syncs with other devices. Notifications sync, too. Receive a Hangouts message? It will be forwarded right over to your wearable.

An Android Wear device can also work with incoming calls. From the left and right edges, the ignore and answer toggles will peek onto the display. If the caller is within your contacts, their photo will be displayed in the center. If you cannot answer, Android Wear will allow you to send quick messages with Hangouts so the caller does not feel completely ignored or rejected.

Fitness is the key to any wearable and its platform. Google knows this and has step tracking and heart rate reading supported in the event a hardware manufacturer wants to include such features. Android Wear will work with Google Maps in the event you need a walking path for the day.

Google explained that apps only need to be installed on the users phone because the Android Wear code will be put into the main app. In return, apps can go right over to an Android Wear device seamlessly. Google showed this with Eat24, allthecooks, and Lyft.