Android Wear 2.0 release date, features news: Google to launch new smartwatch OS in early February
Android Wear 2.0, Google's new smartwatch operating system (OS), was touted to arrive in late 2016 but had been delayed in order to further refine the software. Now, a notification from Google that was sent to developers reveals that the latest version of Android Wear will be released in early February.
In the letter that was obtained and published by Android Police, Google announced that Android Wear 2.0 would be arriving in a few weeks and that apps that have not been optimized for the new platform will not appear in the on-watch Play Store. Google urges developers to make the necessary changes before Android Wear 2.0 is released.
It can be recalled that when the new smartwatch OS was introduced at Google's I/O conference in May 2016, one of the most exciting features would be the ability to run standalone apps. This means that the smartwatches would no longer be dependent on smartphones. Support for Android Pay and the Google Assistant are also expected to arrive via the upcoming update.
Alongside the arrival of Android Wear 2.0, Google has already confirmed that it will be releasing two new flagship smartwatches. In an interview with The Verge last December, Jeff Chang, product manager of Android Wear at Google, said that these will be the first devices to launch following the new smartwatch OS.
Chang also revealed that the new smartwatches will not have Google or Pixel branding. Instead, Google collaborated with the manufacturer, which they have yet to introduce.
The list of smartwatches that will be receiving the Android Wear 2.0 update include the Moto 360 Gen 2 and Sport, the LG Watch Urbane and Watch R devices, the Fossil Q lineup, the Casio Smart Outdoor Watch, Tag Heuer Connected, Michael Kors devices, Huawei Watch and Huawei Watch Ladies, the ASUS ZenWatch 2 and the ZenWatch 3.
However, it is important to note that access to the new features of Android Wear 2.0 will still depend on the specific smartwatch models and whether they have the necessary hardware to support them. For example, only devices with near-field communication (NFC) will be able to support Android Pay.