Google Unveils Android Wear

mrspoonsi tips news that Google has announced 'Android Wear,' their effort to bring the Android mobile operating system to wearable devices. Android Wear provides an interface to control other devices through a smartwatch, adds support for Google Now's voice commands, and lets wearables integrate with various apps. Google has made a developer preview available for download immediately. Google's Motorola division concurrently announced a smartwatch that's powered by Android Wear called the Moto 360. LG announced one as well.

Comments

so what does it do?

[alen]

other than tell me the weather that i can already do by looking outside or checking my phone in the morning

Re:so what does it do?

[Anonymous Coward]

You can also load an app that will make fart noises.

Re:so what does it do?

[Anonymous Coward]

Monitors how often you masturbate so Google can send you targeted adds for lotion and corrective lenses.

Re:so what does it do?

[Anonymous Coward]

From the text linked from google I guess it would have these features. So LCD display, Sim (4g?) Wireless, an accelerometer GPS (maybe, because its technically a phone so it has to have gps), must have a great battery otherwise maybe 2 days battery life, Maybe also a pedometer and heart rate monitor?

The biggest issue I have with these devices is the Ask Google feature. There is well documented bias for google results not to mention companies selling "better results" do you really trust google for all your information?

Re:so what does it do?

[Trax3001BBS]

other than tell me the weather that i can already do by looking outside or checking my phone in the morning

Tell you the weather, what a movie is, all kinds of neat stuff, for one.

The voice search, I have had it on my MyTouch cell phone for a few years, and on my Motorola Xoom tablet, it's an Android staple.

This weekend an example, the wind kicked up harder than normal so I "weather (my zip code)" to my tablet and saw that rain and a bit of it was headed our way. I was asked what a movie on a CD/DVD was I "movie legend" to the tablet and saw Tim Curry was in it (Rocky Horror Picture Show).

First though I tell anybody close "I'm going to talk to my cell phone/ Tablet", as I get too many odd stares if I don't.

Loading apps yes, I've found it much easier to say "open camera" than to dig for it even if it's on the main screen

Re:so what does it do?

[alen]

OMG, how did we do these things before

Re:so what does it do?

[NatasRevol]

Apparently, display fake pictures & videos.

Re:so what does it do?

[Anonymous Coward]

When I read the headline I thought maybe Google was introducing a line of designer clothing incorporating the little green mascot robot.

That would have been less dumb than the actual story.

Re:so what does it do?

[timeOday]

What does a smartphone do that a laptop cannot do? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Quite a bit less, in fact.

As miniaturization proceeded past simply being portable (laptops), it has become all about convenience instead - saving a few seconds at a time. So, does saving a few seconds on something you could do with a smartphone matter at all? Well, it does, if there's anything you want to do 3,500 times per month.

Re:so what does it do?

[Anonymous Coward]

What does a smartphone do that a laptop cannot do?

Fit in my pocket.

Re:so what does it do?

[interkin3tic]

I think the "wear" in the title highlights the main feature: you can wear it. While that sounds stupid, ask yourself what your smartphone can do that you can't already do with your computer.

Re:so what does it do?

[ArcadeMan]

In my days, we had to look outside to know the weather, walk to the phone tied to the wall and turn a mechanical wheel multiple times to call someone and wait for the movies to play on the television and we had to wait for ads during the movie to sprint to the bathroom when we needed to.

Now I don't even bother going outside, I get the weather status via the Internet, talk to people via the Internet and watch movies via the Internet. All from a windowless room. I'm sad.

Re:so what does it do?

[ArcadeMan]

What does a watch do that a smartphone cannot do?

Fit on your wrist.

Re:so what does it do?

[Trax3001BBS]

Now I don't even bother going outside, I get the weather status via the Internet, talk to people via the Internet and watch movies via the Internet. All from a windowless room. I'm sad.

LOL

Re:so what does it do?

[NatasRevol]

Well, your phone's OS can be forked.

This can't.

Re:so what does it do?

[Anonymous Coward]

Not sure if these two watches will have them but sports, fitness and health tracking abilities will be quite useful. There are already few bracelet brands tracking sleep and health condtions.

Re:so what does it do?

[J-1000]

I don't even wear a dumb watch, so this is probably not for me, but...

• - It could display incoming text messages
• - It could allow you to mute your phone without taking it out, unlocking it, etc. (handy for meetings)
• - It could allow quick access to Google Now voice commands
• - It's probably great for GPS navigation while on foot or on a bike
• - It could play/pause/skip music tracks
• - It could initiate speakerphone and/or Bluetooth calls

These are all just assumptions. I have no idea what features this thing really has. All would be pretty handy though.

Re:so what does it do?

[shellbeach]

other than tell me the weather that i can already do by looking outside or checking my phone in the morning

Was this a serious question? It tells you the time (that's the watch bit) and it displays notifications and information (that's the smart bit), all without you having to dig your phone out of your pocket/bag and unlock it. Presumably the intended market is executives in meetings -- something like this allows you to remain connected far more discretely than playing with your phone. (Although FWIW having a feed of a hyperlocal weather source such as forecast.io would also be significantly more useful than looking outside the window ... and navigation whilst cycling would also be kinda handy.)

Personally I like mechanical watches and I'm not going to buy one of these. But this (or at least the Moto360 version) is at least the first smartwatch that's actually appealed to me, and the interface Google's dreamed up (swipe-based without apparent multiple touch targets) seems sensible and intuitive. Even if you didn't care for the "smart" bit at all, it's a good looking watch in its own right ... and that's a first for the wearables industry.

Re:so what does it do?

[master5o1]

If you don't trust Google for your information why would you get a device with software developed by Google?

Re:so what does it do?

[SuperKendall]

Fit on your wrist.

To be the difference in utility is much less between the phone/watch case than the laptop/phone case... with the laptop I cannot always have it with me in the way I can with a phone. With a phone and a watch, the line is a lot blurrier - I can always have either with me. I even can have either of them mostly visible (note how many people set out a phone on a table when they sit down). So a smart-wtach vs. a phone is about slight differences in convenience of access, more than massive availability differences.

I think there's defiantly a place for them (lots of people enjoy the pebble and even the Samsung smart watch) but I just don't see it being as big a "thing" as the smartphone market is. I really like not having a watch.

Re:so what does it do?

[mrchaotica]

Who says you can't strap a smartphone to your wrist? Sure, people will look at you funny, but it's not as bad as wearing Google Glass (for example). It'd be like that thing Leela wears in Futurama...

Re: so what does it do?

[TigerTime]

What can you do with an iPad/tablet that you can't do with a smartphone/laptop?

Re: so what does it do?

[SuperKendall]

What can you do with an iPad/tablet that you can't do with a smartphone/laptop?

Actually draw well with just the device.

But you have a great point that there's not really a huge distinction between them, which is why for lots of people tablets are slowly replacing laptops.

Re:so what does it do?

[Anonymous Coward]

Pffff! You don't need an app for that! http://fartingforboys.wordpres...

And I knew a guy back at the end of primary school who only had to lift his leg ever so slightly - no bending over needed. Humans can do crazy stuff with a bit of practice... and without having a ridiculous watch.

Re: so what does it do?

[L4t3r4lu5]

But you have a great point that there's not really a huge distinction between them, which is why for lots of consumers tablets are slowly replacing laptops.

Right tool for the job, guys. A tablet is a consumption device, not a creation device. I wouldn't dare try replacing my mate's laptop as his coding machine with a tablet, and you can pry the keyboard and mouse interface on my gaming machine from my cold, dead, claw-like hands.

Re:so what does it do?

[L4t3r4lu5]

Yes, the screen images are "simulated", but what of it? Have you seen mobile phone screens of the past 18 months? You couldn't pick out individual pixels without a jewelers' loupe. There's no reason to believe that the screen wouldn't be as good quality as the "simulation" suggests.

Re:so what does it do?

[blogan]

"OK GOOGLE, MUTE PHONE".

Hm......effectiveness might be lost.

Re:so what does it do?

[Zebedeu]

These watches have a touchscreen

Re:so what does it do?

[Jmc23]

Some of us don't have windows you insensitve clod!

Re:so what does it do?

[Trax3001BBS]

other than tell me the weather that i can already do by looking outside or checking my phone in the morning

Tell you the weather, what a movie is, all kinds of neat stuff, for one.

The voice search, I have had it on my MyTouch cell phone for a few years, and on my Motorola Xoom tablet, it's an Android staple.

A user has moderated your comment "Overrated" (-1).

I laugh out loud at your rating.

Prelude. I have a (new) G19 keyboard that quit working ($$$$), to get it back together where all the keys work, I need the face plate supported with no keys being pressed.
----

Today I cut out a plastic template, staple the template to the face of a box then spray painted it black - I'll remove the plastic later leaving the areas that need to be removed.

Just to be sure I said phone, tell me the weather for my zip code. It's said rain is coming and soon. It's been overcast all day, but I got on a ladder to look south and son of a gun it was coming.

I no sooner got the box indoors when the rain hit - it was that quick.

Not overrated a bit. Just don't ask a hard questions and your ok.

Will it include

[the_skywise]

Nike self-lacing shoes?
Self-dry coats?

Re:Will it include

[ArcadeMan]

No, but you can display sharks in 3D, using lasers.

Re:Will it include

[Ralph Wiggam]

Those come out next year.

Re:Will it include

[the_skywise]

Still looks fake though...

Android Wear

[jchawk]

The ultimate form of birth control. This revolutionary clothing will ensure that no girls will come within 50 yards of you.

Re:Android Wear

[rogueippacket]

And those who do will be risk of contracting Android malware from your underwear.

Re:Android Wear

[AmiMoJo]

Take a look at Adafruit. Wearable tech seems to be very popular with the girls.

Re:Android Wear

[Anonymous Coward]

I think Motorola's one looks pretty nice. And if it is displaying a traditional style watch face probably won't look any different from a regular watch at a glance.

Re:So it's..

[Anonymous Coward]

More like Pebble with ads, worse battery life and extra cost

I prefer my wearables untethered

[Opportunist]

As long as this is just an Android accessory it's not what I want. Now wearable computer, that would be interesting, but this sounds more like some Android gadgets than a wearable computer.

Re:I prefer my wearables untethered

[BasilBrush]

I expect it'll be just as successful as Google Glass. In other words a flop, just like all the other "smart watches" before it.

Re:I prefer my wearables untethered

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm fine with a tethered accessory. But at what price? More than $50-150 doesn't make sense (see the $300 Galaxy Gear launch price).

Re:I prefer my wearables untethered

[Anonymous Coward]

Google Glass isn't out, or a smartwatch. And it won't cost $1500 for consumers.

Re:I prefer my wearables untethered

[Ralph Wiggam]

Why would you want to duplicate all of the processing power that your phone already has?

Re:I prefer my wearables untethered

[noh8rz10]

it's funny that everybody heard that apple was making an iwatch so everybody rushed their own into production now when apple releases their product it will be late to the market!

Re:I prefer my wearables untethered

[AmiMoJo]

Having it linked to your smartphone means it gets full internet access without the need for an additional SIM or power sapping wifi.

Re:I prefer my wearables untethered

[BasilBrush]

It'll be even funnier if Apple don't release a smartwatch. The lemmings will have rushed in and failed for nothing.

Re:I prefer my wearables untethered

[Opportunist]

Because then I could replace my phone with this? Instead of carrying it in my pocket I'd carry it by wearing it, instantly readying it whenever I could possibly need it. And considering the things our (smart)phones do for us during our mobility hours, that would make a lot more sense than carrying it in the pocket. You could not only instantly and without interrupting what you're doing participate in remote communication, you also have your calender and a local map right in front of your eye without any kind of interruption of whatever else you're doing.

I would not want it as an additional tool. I'd want it as a replacement for my phone. But considering that this would essentially be much more than just a phone, I don't really see why I should do it backwards, i.e. push every other tool and usability on the phone, instead of putting the phone capability on the wearable tool.

Re:I prefer my wearables untethered

[noh8rz10]

it could be they're waiting for screen/battery technology to mature. if everyone else rushes to market with watches with CRT screens and lead acid batteries, maybe they're waiting for the LCDs and lithium ions.

Re:I prefer my wearables untethered

[Opportunist]

And putting smartphone capability on a wearable means the same. But maybe it's only to me more logical to put one app (phone) onto a wearable tool than to cram everything the wearable is supposed to do into a phone and then attach a wearable periphery...

Re:I prefer my wearables untethered

[Zebedeu]

Now wearable computer, that would be interesting, but this sounds more like some Android gadgets than a wearable computer.

If you already have an Android phone you already take everywhere, then it makes more sense.
An independent device would certainly be more useful, but that would greatly increase cost and size, and increase battery drain. And most of that would just be replicating things your smartphone already does.
Given the hardware constraints, it seems that this method is a decent compromise, at least for a first-generation device.

Personally I think the round version from Motorola looks good enough that I'd consider wearing it. It actually looks like a watch, even if a bit too thick for my taste, though I like my watches to be as thin as possible (I tend to buy Skagen).

The LG just looks too much like a gadget to me, sort of like the Pebble and the Samsung Gear, which is why I never got any of those.

Re:I prefer my wearables untethered

[Ralph Wiggam]

Most people want their primary device to have a screen larger than an inch across.

Re:I prefer my wearables untethered

[Opportunist]

If that screen is an inch from my eye, it's large enough, provided it has sensible resolution.

Re:I prefer my wearables untethered

[Anonymous Coward]

The developer kit has an emulator in. And that emulator shows it runs a full linux OS.

It *is* a computer. if you can root this, there is serious fun to be had.

Round and square screens?

[ArcadeMan]

This means apps won't risk showing important information in the corners of the square watches.

Re:Round and square screens?

[CastrTroy]

If you give the programmer the ability to detect whether or not the screen is round, then the app could change appearance depending on whether the corners were visible or not.

Re:Round and square screens?

[shellbeach]

This means apps won't risk showing important information in the corners of the square watches.

Not a bad thing if it pushes manufacturers away from the fugly square smartwatch screens, but it'll be interesting to see how they're handled in the software. And to be fair, important things like message text will wrap in the space available just fine, whether that's round or square.

Now we can be even more narcissistic

[hessian]

Wearables are great. You can check Facebook, tweet on Twitter, chat with friends via SnapChat, all from the comfort of your own pants.

It's basically like being at home in front of the computer except that you're not. Since no one else has any ideas, we can call this "progress."

Re:Now we can be even more narcissistic

[Anonymous Coward]

Wearables are great. You can check Facebook, tweet on Twitter, chat with friends via SnapChat, all from the comfort of your own pants.

I'm kilted you insensitive clod.

Re:Now we can be even more narcissistic

[lgw]

You forgot "but first, let me take a selfie"

Looks Fake

[Anonymous Coward]

Is it just me or does the screen/UI on the Moto 360 watch (in the video) look completely fake? Watching this video brings back memories of my Motorola Xoom purchase several years ago (spoiler alert: the feeling was not good).

Re:Looks Fake

[sexconker]

Is it just me or does the screen/UI on the Moto 360 watch (in the video) look completely fake? Watching this video brings back memories of my Motorola Xoom purchase several years ago (spoiler alert: the feeling was not good).

Of course it's fake. You can see obvious aliasing on the edges.
Expect the real thing to be semi-functional, slow, and impossible to see under any amount of sunlight. Welcome to the future!

Re:Looks Fake

[NatasRevol]

If you can't tell it's clearly fake, slap yourself.

Just like my phone!

[Anonymous Coward]

Wow, this is just like my cell phone! Except it's less functional, has a small screen, I have to strap it to a limb, and it's a scarlet letter of involuntary abstinence.

Re:So it's..

[NatasRevol]

*Actionable* fitbits with ads.

Astroglide

[Anonymous Coward]

Mod parent down. Obviously not a slashdotter, or if she is, it is a "she."
 
It would in all likelihood be ads for fleshlights and astroglide and arduino servo-driven kits to assist with the task.

From Google to Samsung from Samsung to Google

[Anonymous Coward]

Funny now they are copying Apple Rumors like Samsung!!!!......lol

Did anybody else read "Android WAR"?

[BenSchuarmer]

...guess I've been watching to many conspiracy videos.

OMG, GIFR!

[Thud457]

No wireless. Less space than a nomad. Lame

I kind of wouldn't mind a less fancy one...

[JMZero]

...that just does like cool patterns and crap and looks cool. Assuming it was cheap.

But I don't need another way for someone to message me, or to check the weather (though possibly those things would be cool if they worked without a phone).

And there's other problems that really sound lame. I'd hate having to charge my watch every night.

I know a couple people who ordered Pebble watches. I haven't seen anyone who wears one regularly.

Re:I kind of wouldn't mind a less fancy one...

[j2.718ff]

I know a couple people who ordered Pebble watches. I haven't seen anyone who wears one regularly.

I own a pebble, and wear it every day. I love it for notifications -- I can tell who's calling/texting/e-mailing me, and thus decide if I feel like taking my phone out to interact with them.

But I would never use it to initiate anything. If I want to check the weather, place a call, do a google search, etc., then I'll use my phone -- no matter how good a watch's resolution is, it's just too small to do those things effectively.

Re:I kind of wouldn't mind a less fancy one...

[Anonymous Coward]

That's probably why most of the interactions in the demo video, aside from flicking through the notifications, was done by voice commands.

Re:I kind of wouldn't mind a less fancy one...

[Paco103]

I wear mine daily. It has the time on the top 3rd (big enough, because the e-Paper is actually much easier to read even in daylight than my old LCD watches), my next to appointments in the middle, and the weather on the bottom 3rd. And yes, I can just look outside for the weather, but in the areas of the US where it can be 20 in the morning and 70 in the afternoon, looking doesn't solve everything.

Re:I kind of wouldn't mind a less fancy one...

[shellbeach]

And there's other problems that really sound lame. I'd hate having to charge my watch every night.

Have you actually seen battery life estimates for the Moto360? I really hope it's not a charge-once-a-night scenario ...

I know a couple people who ordered Pebble watches. I haven't seen anyone who wears one regularly.

I have, and it's not pretty. I've got higher hopes for this Moto watch -- at least it's actually stylish.

Re:I kind of wouldn't mind a less fancy one...

[L4t3r4lu5]

Is charging once a night a problem? I'm over my all-night clubbing days; I rarely spend more than 24 hours away from an electrical socket. If I do, it's typically by choice (Camping / rambling holiday, for example) and I've every intention of staying incommunicado for the entire trip. That's half of the point of doing it.

I have USB ports, and therefore charging of my various devices, next to my bedside (Wall wart), my home PC, work PC, the stereo on the kitchen, the back of my home router, my TV, even my car radio has USB input and therefore power. Charging devices is just not an issue anymore, wherever I am.

Re:So it's..

[ArcadeMan]

And worst display.

You could also look out the window.

[thisisauniqueid]

You could also look out the window. That's the other thing on the wall that looks like a monitor, only it's 3D.

Re:You could also look out the window.

[internerdj]

My company just gave me a second monitor instead.

Re:You could also look out the window.

[exomondo]

You could also look out the window.

That's hardly a forecast though. What is the point of the weather channel if you can just look out the window?

Re:You could also look out the window.

[L4t3r4lu5]

We call that "AFK", and I hear it doesn't have Netflix. It sounds like a desolate wasteland to me.

Wear No Evil.

[NMBob]

That's it. Just the subject. Wait...Apple could use that if they ever come out with an iWatch.

Display tech?

[Imazalil]

I hope at least some of these are AMOLED or something similar so that the watch face can display the time and missed notifications, all the time. Not just when I press a button, at which point I'm half-way to just grabbing a phone in my pocket.

Re:Display tech?

[Paco103]

I don't know about the others, but the Pebble is on all the time. It is ePaper, black and white only (no grey). It's on all the time, which I agree is absolutely a requirement. I know a guy with a sony smartwatch too, and it's always on, but seems to have more of an issue in sunlight from what he's described. "Oh yeah, it's great, I can see it in the sun. I just sometimes have to tilt it a certain way and shade it." (For the record, I have not seen it outdoors.) It is nice looking though and full color touch screen. The Pebble is easy to read outdoors, but has a weird splotchy but usable look if you look at it through polarized sunglasses. It's also not color or touch screen.

For the people who can't see past their nose

[MugenEJ8]

I've had a wearable for 4mo now and because I ride a motorcycle, it has become priceless during my commutes. I can flip tracks; I can see who's calling or messaging me and then I can answer to listen to what that person has to say.

I couldn't see riding without it...

Re:For the people who can't see past their nose

[shellbeach]

I couldn't see riding without it...

... ah yes, but can you see the road, riding with it?? :P

In all seriousness, when did /. become so goddamn conservative? I can't believe how dismissive people are of wearables around here ...

Re:For the people who can't see past their nose

[Anonymous Coward]

People post to make themselves look good; it's easier to sound intelligent when being cynical than when being enthusiastic, so all you get is page after page full of jaded cynicism, often wrapped in obscure vocabulary to increase the poster's intellectual credentials.

The fact that this post, too, matches my description isn't lost on me.

Re:For the people who can't see past their nose

[fermion]

wearables are potentially very nice. Samsung has one, and when one talks android, one is still talking Samsung. Apple may or may not have one, but it won't be Android, obviously. So we are talking HTC and Motorola, neither or which are profitable. HTC marketshare is falling, and Lenova has not made mobile devices.

Re:For the people who can't see past their nose

[mjwx]

I couldn't see riding without it...

... ah yes, but can you see the road, riding with it?? :P

He's on a murdercycle making it a self correcting problem. If he's too busy paying attention to his phone to watch the road, someone will be getting a new heart, lung and kidney kidney in short order.

Re:For the people who can't see past their nose

[MugenEJ8]

I couldn't see riding without it...

... ah yes, but can you see the road, riding with it?? :P

He's on a murdercycle making it a self correcting problem. If he's too busy paying attention to his phone to watch the road, someone will be getting a new heart, lung and kidney kidney in short order.

I'm ten times the motorist you are sir. Zero accidents @ 57k miles driven on a motorcycle, one accident in a cage when I was 17 which was 16 years ago. Do you chastise all motorists that check their watch while they drive? Or just the ones that prove a good point...

Finally I can run apps side by side

[Anonymous Coward]

I just need to get two of these watches...

Battery Life

[q4Fry]

I have a Pebble. It lasts ~7 days with my usual watch face, and much less time if I use a weather-fetching one. I can put up with this... I switch to the weather when I'm curious, and leave it on the main one otherwise.

However, I can't imagine that a full-color touchscreen with a microphone in a form-factor smaller than a Pebble is going to last you even 8 hours.

I look forward to Android Wear details.

Re:Battery Life

[Rich0]

I tend to agree. I wonder if this will be like the LED watches of yore where you pushed a button to display the time. I'm not convinced I'd be happy with that. I want to happen to catch my watch out of the corner of my eye and get situational awareness on time (which is why I like analog-style hands). I don't want checking the time to become a conscious action.

If it lasts a few days at least and has Qi charging I could probably live with it. Still, we're getting towards a point where I'm going to feel like Robocop stopping at the charging station at the end of the day to disassemble myself.

Re:Battery Life

[Jmc23]

trainable proximity sensor/accel.etc.. to turn on the screen/backlight?

But of course that would make to much sense.

Cyberpunk's not dead

[Anonymous Coward]

Sometimes I think Google may be trying to singlehandedly make our collective dystopian late-20th-century-sci-fi literature prophetic, good aspects and bad. Now if only they could finally make a Matrix out of our boring old Internet.

home screen

[Anonymous Coward]

Will the clock home screen have to re-launch every time we check something else?

Brilliant Wearable idea

[SuperKendall]

You can also load an app that will make fart noises.

Holy cow, that triggered a brilliant idea. Smart Underwear with a built in speaker, to emit the fart noises from! You could even have an advanced version with a Smell Emitter!

Or I guess I could just eat Taco Bell.

What do androids wear?

[Anonymous Coward]

Clothes made from electric sheep wool.

Tell me you don't live in the Bay Area

[Anonymous Coward]

... because then I wouldn't have to worry about you plowing into me during rush hour as you inexplicably look down and raise one arm from your handlebars to poke at your fucking wrist with it.

Re:Tell me you don't live in the Bay Area

[MugenEJ8]

... because then I wouldn't have to worry about you plowing into me during rush hour as you inexplicably look down and raise one arm from your handlebars to poke at your fucking wrist with it.

F*ck no... Why would I want to live there? See my above comment about mileage and accidents in my life. You, however are probably one of the hypocritical pricks that check their phone while they're stationary at a red light... Meanwhile I'm waiting for your ass to leave the line because you haven't noticed the change.

An argument failed for decades.

[SuperKendall]

Right tool for the job, guys. A tablet is a consumption device, not a creation device.

That argument has been dead since the introduction of the WINDOWS tablets, where Penny Arcade was drawing comics upon.

Come on.

Not to mention there are a LOT of people doing serious writing on tablets these days with specialized software and external keyboards.

One could even argue that with fewer things on screen at once a tablet offers a more distraction free creation environment than a laptop.

Re:An argument failed for decades.

[L4t3r4lu5]

A tablet with a keyboard is a "laptop", or more accurately a netbook. The addition of the peripheral device changes the form factor; A tablet is purely touch oriented; That's what differentiates it from other small computing devices. Yes, you can add a keyboard, mouse, and an external monitor over an HMDI link, but why would you? That's a laptop by any other name!

Google Reveals Android Underwear

[Anonymous Coward]

Am I the only one who facepalmed when they misread the headline as "Google Reveals Android Underwear"?