Google Unveils Android Wear

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Posted by Soulskill on Tuesday March 18, 2014 @07:36AM from the you-put-android-where? dept.

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.

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so what does it do? by alen · 2014-03-18 07:39 · Score: 4, Insightful

other than tell me the weather that i can already do by looking outside or checking my phone in the morning
1. Re:so what does it do? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-03-18 07:41 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  You can also load an app that will make fart noises.
2. Re:so what does it do? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-03-18 07:46 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  Monitors how often you masturbate so Google can send you targeted adds for lotion and corrective lenses.
3. Re:so what does it do? by alen · 2014-03-18 08:07 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  OMG, how did we do these things before
4. Re:so what does it do? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-03-18 08:25 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  What does a smartphone do that a laptop cannot do?
  
  Fit in my pocket.
5. Re:so what does it do? by J-1000 · 2014-03-18 09:55 · Score: 2
  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.
6. Re:so what does it do? by shellbeach · 2014-03-18 09:58 · Score: 2
  
  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.
Will it include by the_skywise · 2014-03-18 07:45 · Score: 4, Funny

Nike self-lacing shoes?
Self-dry coats?
Android Wear by jchawk · 2014-03-18 07:48 · Score: 4, Funny

The ultimate form of birth control. This revolutionary clothing will ensure that no girls will come within 50 yards of you.
1. Re:Android Wear by rogueippacket · 2014-03-18 07:56 · Score: 2
  
  And those who do will be risk of contracting Android malware from your underwear.
I prefer my wearables untethered by Opportunist · 2014-03-18 07:49 · Score: 3, Insightful

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.

--
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
Now we can be even more narcissistic by hessian · 2014-03-18 07:55 · Score: 4, Funny

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."

--
Futurist Traditionalism
Re:You could also look out the window. by internerdj · 2014-03-18 08:49 · Score: 2

My company just gave me a second monitor instead.
Re:You could also look out the window. by exomondo · 2014-03-18 09:19 · Score: 2

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?
For the people who can't see past their nose by MugenEJ8 · 2014-03-18 09:29 · Score: 4, Informative

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...
1. Re:For the people who can't see past their nose by shellbeach · 2014-03-18 10:14 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  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 ...