Google’s new smartwatch system, Android Wear, was the main focus of its annual I/O developer conference this year, with an interface that ditches app grips for voice commands and swipeable cards.
The conference also saw the search giant unveil its voice-enabled Android Auto operating system and a wrist-worn, fitness-tracking devices.
Watch this Google developer video showing how Android Wear works below:
The company demonstrated the Android Wear platform onstage at I/O using LG’s G Watch.
The devices use touchscreens that support both circular and rectangular displays, and work via swiping series of Google Now cards.
When a specific card is selected, users can swipe left and right to bring up information related to that card. And everything is synced between an Android watch and connected Android phone, meaning that associated Google Now cards are removed from the phone as well.
Android Wear also supports voice commands, and the onstage demo was used to show off creating reminders or creating notes. Android Wear will also respond to queries and find information quickly.
The first two devices supporting Android Wear, the LG G Watch and the Samsung Gear Live, are due to ship on 7 July and will require the owner to have a phone running Android 4.3 or above.
LG said the G Watch costs $229 (£145) and would initially be made available to 12 countries including the US, UK, France, Germany and Japan. Samsung said the Gear Live would cost $200 (£118). But those waiting for the Moto 360 smart watch will have to wait, as Google said it won’t be available to preorder until later this summer.
David Singleton, director of engineering in the firm’s Android division, said one of its core aims was to be able to “quickly show you relevant information, and make sure you never miss an important message, while letting you stay engaged with the people that you are actually with”.
To achieve this, when notifications are received by the user’s smartphone they can be set to make the watch vibrate on the user’s wrist.
If the owner then dismisses the alert and carries out a follow-up action on the watch, such as scheduling an appointment, the details are “immediately synched across” so that the smartphone also hides the notification and adds the meeting to its diary.
Users can also reject calls to their phone via the watch and select a pre-set text message to explain why, and bring up map navigation.
Android Auto
In unveiling Android Auto, Google noted at its I/O conference on Wednesday that the average person spends an hour in their car every day, and many of those people dangerously use their phone while driving.
Android Auto aims to solve this by providing users with eyes-free, voice-driven navigation, communication and music. The system is contextually aware, featuring a home screen that borrows from the Google Now feature found on Android devices, giving relevant information learned from user habits, along with recent destinations.
The mostly voice-activated system is being experimented with by car makers including Ford, Honda, Audi and Volkswagen – but should not be confused with Google’s continued efforts to create a driverless car.
Android TV
Google also used the event to unveil Android TV. The platform is designed to work on big screens, and can be controlled by items such as a person’s smartphone, games controller or, eventually, smartwatch.
“We’re giving TV the same level of attention that phones and tablets have enjoyed,” said Mr Burke, on stage.
Sony, Sharp and TP Vision – which manufactures Philips’ products – will all release smart TVs using Google’s software.
Google has attempted to get stuck into the TV market several times before with little success – although its most recent TV-related launch, the Chromecast, has been well-received by consumers.
Other developments and notable absences – Where is Google+ and Google Glass?
Google also showcased Android One, scaled back software designed to work on phones used primarily in the developing world.
Other apps showcased by Google include Allthecooks, which automatically displayed an entire recipe on the watch and offered a timer when the associated smartphone app was opened. An SDK for Android Wear is available to developers starting today.
Absent from the keynote speech were any significant developments involving Google Glass eyewear or the firm’s social network, Google+.
As is typical at the developer event, those in attendance were all given free devices.
Watch the full 3 hour keynote speech below:
