Platform Android Wear was announced in March 2014 and June 25, 2014, at the conference Google I / O introduced the first smart watch on Android Wear: Samsung Gear Live and LG G Watch.

Rumors about the update Android Wear 1.3 walked for a long time, and it is not surprising, since the current version of the operating system, there are some aspects that can be improved. The main feature of this update is the interactive dials for devices running Android Wear, which in turn leads to greater information content on the screens of hours. Now the user will be able to bring to dial any interesting information or a label on the desired application. For example, the dial that shows the current weather conditions, when you open the details.

In our today’s article, we look at how to change the platform, as well as consider new applications and functions that include an update.

We have written this review after two weeks of using Android Wear 1.3 (Build LCA44B) on smart watches Moto 360 (2014) paired with Samsung Galaxy S6 EDGE. At the time of this writing, the update Android Wear 1.3 is available for 10 different hours from different manufacturers.

Initial Setup Android Wear

Platform Android Wear 1.3 is designed so that it relies on a connection and receive instructions from your smartphone. This does not mean that the device on Android Wear 100% of the time must be connected to the smartphone, but most of the information is transmitted to the wearing device when connecting to the smartphone. For the connection usually used Bluetooth, but you can also use Wi-Fi.

To connect a wearable device with Android Wear 1.3 your smartphone, you do not need a long time to dig into the settings. All you need to do – just install and run the application on Android Wear 1.3 your smartphone. The application including Bluetooth, and try to find a portable device running Android Wear 1.3, which fall within the range of Bluetooth. For the connection of portable devices to your phone, you will need to enter the code interface.

Operating System Android Wear 1.3 check for updates, and if they are upgraded to the latest version. Then you can choose which applications you want to install on your watch and synchronize them. Synchronization can take from 1 to 15 minutes.

After synchronization is complete, the wearing device will show you how to navigate the interface. As part of the training is complete, you will have access to all the applications and features that have been added to your clock with your smartphone.

Overall, this is a fairly simple process. Application Android Wear 1.3 is now much better informs the user, explaining in detail how and what to do. Therefore, if you carefully read the instructions, you are unlikely to have questions on the use of Android Wear 1.3.

Compared with the previous version of Android Wear, Google made it so that the user easily to explore the operating system, even if he never had the experience of using it.

Navigating the interface of Android Wear 1.3

Interface Android Wear 1.3 comprises five main parts – the face, the application section, a list of contacts, voice commands, and settings. By default, when downloading is always displayed face. Dial interactive and on him you will receive information from your smartphone and will be able to interact with it. This includes Google Now, incoming calls, battery status information and other notices.

Any notification, which support clock on Android Wear, can be displayed directly on the home screen and portable devices with the same screen you can interact with them. These interactions can be as simple (for example, marking the incoming e-mail as read) or complex (eg, a response to the message by voice). This greatly simplifies the work of your smartphone, and you will not have to get every time your machine, unlock it and include exactly what the application in which it was notified.

Alert that you are not interested, you can close using swipe or unlock your smartphone and remove it without downloading to watch.

All of your applications that can be synchronized with the clock arranged in alphabetical order down the left side. For those users who have installed on your phone a very large number of applications, this list may seem very long. If you are tired of flipping back and forth between multiple applications, the last three applications you chose to appear at the top of the list. Some of the applications are ordered according to the manufacturer (eg, Motorola has its own applications for fitness and heart rate monitor).

Under Settings, you can change the font, see the remaining amount of the battery, reboot your watch, if something went wrong or view information about the system. Once you once everything is set up, it is unlikely you will go to this section frequently.

Contact section looks quite interesting. All your contacts are arranged in alphabetical order, it is also possible to write a text message or a call to the number that is not in the list.

Voice commands and access to the service Google Now can be accessed from any partition hours. To activate Google Now, you just need to say: «OK, Google». If you do not want to completely dictate the name of the team, you can scroll through the commands and options to choose from them right. However, after this, you will still need to use your voice, because the clock is not the keyboard. Many will say, “why not set the clock keyboard” … The answer is simple – use it will disastrously uncomfortable, so the only option through the clock input is voice commands.

Gestures wrist Android Wear

One of the most frustrating things in the previous version of Android Wear was that even simple management functions of hours needed a second hand. In order to, for example, browse incoming notification to be done is a second hand. The Android Wear 1.3 Google has found a solution to this problem by adding the function of gestures wrist.

Now, instead of having to scroll through your notice to the other hand, you can do it with the help of gestures. For example, if you shake the clock away, you will be notified from one to another, and shaking the clock in the opposite direction, back to the list of notifications. This allows you to quickly view the notice, without being distracted, for example, from driving when you hold the steering wheel with both hands.

Having experienced this method of controlling the clock with the help of gestures, you will quickly get used to it, and training you will need to spend quite a bit of time.

Application Android Wear

The first thing you will notice that the updated application for smartphones Android Wear 1.3 changed the icon. The image that you can see below is an improved version that is better matched to the style of Material Design.

Another interesting feature, for which say “thank you” to the developers, it is an opportunity to select a device in debug mode.

A new feature «Together» and new dials are perhaps the main feature of the updated Android Wear. Thanks «Together» owners of “smart” watches will be able to “connect” their dials messaging, reminders, events, smiles, and various media content.

In addition, interactive dials allow you to change the default behavior when you click on them, thereby providing a new way to interact with the device. For example, you can quickly change the background color or the hours to begin training.

As for new applications in the Android Wear, they presented “weather” and “translator”. “Weather” from a simple Google Now cards in the previous version has turned into an interesting application with which you can learn the forecast for the next four days, as well as more detailed weather information.

The feature of “translator” is that in it the ability to use voice recognition in the form of, “Okay, Google. Translate …”.

Notifications Android Wear

If you use your smartphone for “anything”, and get a lot during the day the notification of all applications installed on it, you will certainly be annoying constant notifications on your watch. The Android Wear 1.3 is there a way to remove the display notifications on the clock by using the “never show me notice of this application.”

You can configure notifications from any application to be displayed on the clock, and from none, adding and removing them from the blocked section. You can, for example, to turn off all notifications that come with your application Facebook or disable only the specific types of notifications.

Once you have selected an application, notice of which you want to disable all notifications from it immediately cease to come. If later you decide to take, they made a mistake, you need to go back to the settings and to remove the application from the list.

Fitness Tracker in Android Wear

Despite the wealth of changes in Android Wear 1.3 over the last year, at the moment only one clock can act as a fitness tracker particularly well, and this Sony SmartWatch 3. The functionality of “smart” watches of previous generations as a fitness tracker, including the Moto 360 limited heart rate monitor and usually inaccurate meter steps. In the second generation of hours, the situation has improved slightly, but the lack of GPS in most cases does not give the opportunity to get accurate results.

What the devices on Android Wear 1.3 lacking in a hardware point of view, they are trying to catch up with the help of software. Integration with Google Fit is a key part of the Android Wear. The application is able to gather all the usual statistics for these products, as well as work with the objectives which the user can specify. Google Fit distinguishes between walking, running and cycling, said of overcoming distance, pace, calories burned, and even gives you recommendations based on your achievements. You can also set themselves specific goals for yourself, such as the duration of employment or the number of steps you want to go. After that, Google Fit will create a graphical visualization for easy tracking of a particular job. You can also link to any third-party application fitness trackers, services and applications for more precise tracking of physical activity.

If you – happy owner of a smart watch on Android Wear 1.3, the Google Fit is already installed.

Verdict Android Wear 1.3

Operating System Android Wear 1.3 has improved significantly over the last year. The developers were able to not only remove all errors and defects but also to make the interface more friendly to newcomers so that even users without experience with this platform is easy to learn throughout.

Many people ask, “Should I buy a smart watch Android Wear 1.3?” The answer: “Definitely worth it!”. The reasons for this are many. First, smart watches will help you to get less out of pocket your smartphone due to the fact that it came to any notice. Secondly, they will relieve you of unnecessary movements when you’re behind the wheel, because if you get any notice, You will need only to look at your watch, without taking the stand or smartphone with bags. And in the end, the smart watch – a stylish accessory with which you will always look modern because we live in a century of innovation and endless progress.

Source: androidcentral

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At the end of October, I became the owner of one of the first intelligent clock running Android Wear – LG G Watch. All their discoveries, experiences, emotions and observations obtained during the three-month use of G Watch, I’ll discuss in this article.

Housing

LG G Watch – this is definitely not a fashion or status gadget, but it does not try to seem such as G Watch R or Moto 360, which, in my opinion, make it quite ridiculous. Most G Watch like sports LED-clock. Not to say that this is the best example to follow, but in others when looking at your wrist will emerge that impression, and you do not run the risk of looking in the crowd did not even black sheep, but as it is not in the best sense speak English «geeky» .

The body clock is used plastic (made from it their interior) and metal (the frame around the screen), screen covers protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass 3, silicone strap. During the three months of operation I did get to leave a few scratches on the metal frame. They appeared after I touched the clock or table, or a door, or cabinet. I do not know – that’s my problem (because the clock had not worn) or metal frame G Watch.

Silicone Strap showed himself perfectly – it is soft and pleasant, it does not want to replace. However, if desired it can be done – at specialized forums, there are plenty of examples replace the standard strap to any other, brought the usual hour shop.

Hours are protected by standard IP67, with them without any fear I wash my hands and utensils. Also with G Watch can walk in shower, but this idea is somehow not for me.

On the case there is a single button or connector. Pad dock – the only thing wherewith G Watch can communicate with the outside world (not including wireless modules, of course). On the one hand, this is done for the sake of dust- and waterproof – still without buttons and connectors housing becomes more monolithic, but on the other hand, if the clock for any reason, turn off all (I did this happen a few times) or you just get them out of the box, it is not clear how to turn them on. It’s simple – they must be connected to the charge, but the first day of January of this I could not remember.

IPS-display resolution is 280 x 280 pixels, pixel density – 240 ppi. Paired with the Nexus 5 catches the eye of the granularity of the screen, but after three months of operation of smart hours I can say that the display brightness and autonomy for their hours are much more important than the pixel density. We’ll talk about autonomy alone, but I will say this about the brightness of the – of the six available levels of brightness, I used only the third and fourth, the need for the fifth or sixth has never arisen.

Functionality LG G Watch

Android Wear – something that is worth and why I bought the LG G Watch. Frankly, the first Galaxy Gear, developed by Samsung, did not cause me any interest. When the matter was taken for itself Google, eyes lit up almost immediately.

What is the Android Wear now? This is your Google Now, notice from your smartphone and applications for hours, combined in one device. I’ll tell you about the basic usage scenarios LG G Watch.

Oddly enough, the clock. Remember, at the Google I / O, we were told that the average person gets smart phone from his pocket something about a hundred times a day? So, half the time I pull out your smartphone to see the time, date or day of the week. Now, for these purposes, I use the clock. Once again I remind you that to G Watch I did not wear a watch, so check the time and date look at the wrist became for me even a little, but a revelation. By the way, as if the world’s smartest hours Android Wear not boasted its scale in terms of applications and dials, I still use one of the standard “votchfeysov” because he could not find an appropriate third party, which could at the same time show the time, date and day week in Russian. If you use those, you share with me in the comments.

The second reason why the smartphone has to get out of your pocket – notice. These can be emails, calendar reminders, messages from the messengers, and notices of Twitter spam from all sorts of applications (mostly games this sin). Familiarization with the notification on the screen hours makes it clear, it is worth to go into his pocket for a smartphone or not. Further, the situation is as follows – in most cases you still have to get a smartphone. With Android Wear you just save yourself from having to get a smartphone in order to see the spam (e-mail or those annoying notifications from applications) – seeing the notice of this kind on the clock, you just smahnёte them and forget. If you received a really useful e-mail, then most likely you will not be able to read it completely, as the clock is available even if large enough, but only Preview letters, which entails an inevitable appeal to the smartphone.

With reports of messengers and notifications from social networks the situation is different – almost always be enough hours in order to fully understand the notice, sometimes you will even interact with them (add, archive, and things like that), but the key feature of Android Wear – the ability to respond to messages, you almost never have to use it. The reason for this is quite simple – the text on Android Wear you dictate that the part looks like communication with the clock, that is very strange. Add to that a slight delay in the recognition of text that is in the Ukrainian EDGE increases several times, and get 5 dictated voice messages for three months the use of smart hours.

In a rebuke to modern technologies of voice recognition can also say that they are very poorly with punctuation marks, and indeed the grammar. To create a more or less literate message, you have to tell the hour “hello comma Bob”, and both “hello” and “Bob” will be written with a lowercase letter.

For Android Wear already developed a lot of applications, but for the most part they are, frankly, clueless – 90% of the applications that I use were developed by Google itself and installed in hours out of the box.

On Android Wear sensibly implemented agenda – in contrast to the text of e-mails text events from Google Calendar, you can drill down and view completely.

Also, using the hours I regularly check the temperature of the air – the weather is just the card as much as and convenient.

In LG G Watch installed accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer trёhnapravlenny (compass). With these sensors clock somehow count my physical activity – how much time I went today, a number of steps walked. Of course, the use of G Watch as fitness tracker will not be too reasonable, but to focus on the data can be quite.

With the clock running Android Wear comfortable control of the music played on the smartphone. My headphones are not equipped with playback control buttons, so switching tracks on the clock, I had to be very helpful. But even when I had a headset on the way to work I do not just take the phone out of your pocket to see the name of the currently playing song. Particularly uncomfortable it was to do in a crush on the subway. Now, however, the need for this has disappeared – all the necessary information is displayed on the clock display.

Yet a few third-party apps I’ve installed. Firstly, Calendar for Android Wear – simple and beautiful calendar that on a small screen well enough hours shows the current month and in the paid version – and the agenda. Wear Mini Launcher – probably must-have for all users of Android Wear. This application adds to your smart watches screens with normal mesh applications and switches. The third and last third-party application installed on my LG G Watch, – TrackID. This application needs no introduction, but agree, how convenient: playing an unfamiliar track, almost imperceptibly brings to the dynamics of a hand, we learn his name. This is the rare case when a similar effect with a smartphone looks much weirder than the clock – because everyone has ever had to bring to the columns of your smartphone and catch glances of passersby.

It has the functionality of Android Wear and questions. For example, I think everyone has heard that in order to connect your smart watches to other smartphones, they must be returned to the factory settings, or, quite simply, to lose. And it’s really annoying, because reset the clock and re-connect the order of five to ten minutes.

Out of the box with a watch you can not view photos from your smartphone. In Play Store, I found several applications that promise similar functionality, but their dubious rating and the absence of the free version does not have forced me to install them. You may ask: “Why on such a tiny screen to view photos?”. I’ll tell you that, even on the sixth-generation iPod Nano was a possibility, and it is infinitely grateful to several generations of modern students.

Android Wear does not display «Google Maps.” It would seem that there is a hint to the desired route to me, there is a button “in the way” – and that’s already on the bus or your bike I rush towards a brighter future, simultaneously peeking at the map on his wrist, but no. All that can offer hours of running Android Wear, – open the map and the corresponding route on the smartphone.

With the clock running Android Wear can not talk on the phone. Let’s say I’m walking down the street with headphones in my ears, I receive a call, the watch immediately report it, with them, I can send one of the standard messages in response, to fight off and take the challenge. Only in the latter case the microphone hours is not activated, and in conjunction with my headphones it becomes a headset, as we would like.

Autonomy

Autonomy – one of the most important parameters when choosing a device such as smart watches. In LG G Watch installed capacity of 400 mAh battery, but this figure is about anything you can say can simply remember and brag about it at every opportunity.

You should start with the fact that after the purchase of hours you should decide which mode you will use them: to constantly turn the display or not. Let me explain. On continuously display brightness level hours in standby mode on your wrist is minimal, you can always look at them and be aware of everything that happens. In the second mode, the clock screen in standby mode turns off completely. I have such a mode of use were not satisfied at all, so the whole time using my clock worked on continuously display.

You’ve probably noticed that the minimum brightness level hours in standby mode becomes exactly on the wrist. The fact is that with the latest update LG G Watch began to distinguish standby on the wrist and, say, on the table. Therefore, if you remove the watch at night and put it on the bedside table, their lights turned off completely – during which time they have worn only a few percent, rather than a few dozen, as if their brightness level was minimal.

Thus, we can talk about two days of battery life LG G Watch. By removing the clock with charging the morning of the first day, late in the evening of the second you get in the remainder of the order of ten percent of the battery capacity.

G Watch charged with a special docking station to which are attached by a magnet. Hours realize when they are charged, so at this time display on minimum brightness is enabled continuously, allowing intelligent hours and serve more as a bedside.

But the use of G Watch as an alarm clock, I did not. Like all smart watches, they are equipped with vibration is, the thrill of waking up with the help of which (judging by users) are incredibly nice. I also, as in the case of the shower, the idea of sleeping with a clock do not really like, so I wake up with a more conventional methods.

Our author, Anton Pozdnyakov question bothered rapid discharge of smart hours during the winter frosts. Asked? Answer! Subzero temperatures are not too affected (if at all affected) on the autonomy of LG G Watch. May protect from frost watch outerwear and warm hands. In general, whatever it was, I can say with certainty that the subzero temperature LG G Watch is not terrible.

Output

Should you buy the LG G Watch right now? Remember, whether you ordered HTC G1, Nexus One, or first-generation iPhone? Android Wear and devices under its control – a new milestone in the history of mobile devices. Those were once and smartphones running Android and iOS, but today we can not imagine their daily lives without them. As smart phones at the end of zero, smart watches is not without drawbacks, and the possibility of their not so great. However, this is the beginning of a long and interesting way, our beloved rivalry between Google and Apple. Although, who knows, maybe the leaders in this field will be very different company.

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The range of “smart” watches LG G Watch certainly turned out successful ( review of the first model is no longer even on our website). But now, according to The Verge, the Koreans began to work on the new device, but this time under the control of “eternal perspective” webOS (hopefully, Google was not offended that their Android Wear a little pushed aside).

Information about the new clock appeared on a special site for developers LG (now this section has been removed). On the teaser lit character Bean Bird, which did Koreans used in advertising “smart” TV on webOS. But now the emphasis is on a device that takes the form of hours (by the way, to order all the geeks, they are round).

At the time of formation of the market Smart Watch, when all the experimenting, trying to find “the very middle,” LG has demonstrated a good start. The decision to use as the operating system webOS may be the desire to reduce its dependence on the Corporation’s Good (Google), which has recently introduced new (not always favorable) rules for vendors. For example, in the line of “smart” watches Samsung already has a few devices running its own operating system – Tizen.

Now for the “smart” watches are no “right” of the operating system, as happened in the smartphone market, where the ball is ruled by Android and iOS. Therefore, Android Wear, and Tizen, webOS, and have the same chances of success. And to win the one who can attract more developers, because the software is always decides.

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Immediately (or almost simultaneously) with the opening of the conference Google I / O in San Francisco, LG G Watch has finally officially unveiled the final characteristics of its watches LG G Watch and announced the start of sales in 12 countries. Information about the platform Google Wear first appeared in March this year and was granted all these months metered, a teaspoon. So nothing new after today as plum , almost did not recognize.

News was the only information that after the 12 countries “lucky” clock “soon” will be available in 27 more countries, including Europe. And that means they can be bought with us. Anyway, in the “suitcase” deliveries. Surprise was the relative protection information hours class IP67, which means dust-proof mechanism and the ability to stay at a depth of one meter for half an hour.

Technical characteristics of the LG G Watch

Let me remind you the key features of hours: the complete absence of any key (only interesting as they are, in this case, turn on and off?), Voice control (yes, I must say cherished phrase «ok, Google») and gestures on the screen. Watches are powered by Google Wear and compatible (ura-ura!) with all smartphones running Android version 4.3 and higher. Inside worth Qualcomm Snapdragon processor 400, 1.65-inch screen with a resolution 280×280 points, the battery capacity of 400 mAh. Resources Memory – 512 MB of RAM and a 4GB drive. Weigh LG G Watch Watches 63 grams with dimensions 47h38x10 millimeters. And compatible with any watch straps width of 22 millimeters. Will be sold in two colors: black harsh (black titan) and “white on gold» (white gold). About the price we already wrote : in some countries they will cost 255 dollars (probably before taxes). Prices in different countries, as you well know, will be different.

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Much is already known to us about the future of smart watch from LG named G Watch. They will be managed by the operating system Android Wear, will be watertight. Users will be offered a choice of several colors. But after a video clip with these clocks continue to be welcome and new rumors behind which can only follow. If you believe the new information, LG G will acquire the SIM-card.

Known resource Android Authority, citing information from RBMen, they allegedly received from some “source”, reports that one of the versions will be equipped with G Watch SIM-card.

According to this “source”, some G Watch able to use SIM-cards for correspondence, data, and perhaps even to make calls. This means that G Watch will not depend on the smartphone to the same extent as it is typical of modern smart hours.

“Source” also notes that the SIM-card will be built into the body smart hours without further opportunities to remove or change it. This means that the version of the SIM-G Watch is tied to a particular service provider. For most users this will not be significant challenge, says columnist Robert Triggs Android Authority.

But that’s not all the information. According to the same “source”, RBMen, G Watch will be available not only in retail stores, but also in the Google Play Store. And maybe, Google will create a special shop for all products based on Android Wear. Information about which operators will provide their services bundled with the upcoming hours, yet.

Resource History of Watches and Clocks dedicated to much to the path length in the Goals, which were made hours before his current state.

More or less massively clock present in a person’s life is only 600 years old, but in fact their story began much earlier. First man-hours appeared about 3,500 years before Christ in Egypt. They represented a vertical obelisks near temples.

These tall stone pillars cast shadows, which pointed to the fact that hour. But the idea was developed further in Babylon. Egyptian scientists have perfected its use and accuracy. It was the ancient Egyptians discovered the summer and winter solstices and divided the day into hours. Strictly speaking, the Egyptian civilization was created by the very basis of the calendar that we use today.

More sophisticated water clocks were created by the famous Chinese inventor Su Sung in the 11th century BC. The first mechanical clock was made by the German locksmith Peter Hoenlein in 1510. In most modern watches use quartz crystals, allowing generate pulses lasting exactly one second.

First water alarm clock were created outstanding Greek philosopher Plato and inventor. Originally watches were intended mainly for clergy, but in the 18th and 19th centuries have been producing watches for the railroad, where the accuracy of the time is extremely important.

Pocket watches from the 16th century to the early 20th century, considered one of the key attributes of the classic male wardrobe. History of pocket watches began in the 15th and 16th centuries. Technology has reached a point where it became possible to use the clock spring and eliminated the need for massive weighing problem. This invention was made by Peter Hoenlein, which has been discussed above. However, the first pocket watches were not exactly pocket, representing a suspension-decoration.

Early models of pocket watches were round, often yaytsepodobnoy form. But in the 1550s they found a form that is known today. The first pocket watch was missing glass, making them more vulnerable.

In 1675, pocket watches became finally fit in a pocket and not be worn as a pendant. This fashion was founded by the English King Charles II and distributed them throughout Europe and North America. Appeared glass and pocket watches have become the subject of attention of designers and innovators. However, in such miniaturized hours produced before the 1750s and was a major drawback: they are often “lost” a few hours a day. That, of course, made them not too useful accessory rather just decoration.

But the connection between the two arms two wheels clockwork changed the situation: steel watches “lose” a day just a minute or two. There was a minute hand, which was previously absent. This technology has become the standard after 1820. But first watch made of standardized parts, saw the light only in 1857.

In the 1910s, pocket watches have become out of fashion and were replaced by a wristwatch. They still remain a classic masculine accessory. Although more and more people prefer to hand your phone rubs watchbands.

It took five and a half millennia to a stone pillar of the conventional clock turned into a full-fledged computer. Smart watches are relatively new, but they have too have their story. Smart watches based on Android Wear have five advantages .

How do you think we need to watch with a built-in SIM-card? Does it make more successful LG G Watch? Or hours should work exclusively in close conjunction with the phone and not seek to become a standalone device?

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