Google today formally introduced its effort to port Android to wearables.
The company announced Android Wear, a version of the Android operating system that will start with watches and eventually move on to other form factors. Google’s immediate vision for wearables – and watches in particular – include some basic functions. Google believes smart wearables should provide useful information when the wearer needs it, such as posts, social network updates, and messaging notifications.
Google thinks wearables should be able to answer questions, such as “OK Google.” Google’s Android-based wearables will include Google Now, its voice-based assistant, for performing searches and issuing commands. Android Wear will give people a better way to monitor their health and fitness, such as help with exercise goals and provide fitness summaries. Last, Google sees wearables as the key to a multiscreen world.
Android Wear will let users access and control other devices – music players, phones, TVs – through Google Now. Developers interested in Project Android Wear can sign up to participate in a preview. Developers will be able to customize their app notifications for watches powered by Android Wear, for example.
Google said that more resources, including APIs, will be available to developers soon. Google also noted that it is working with Asus, HTC, LG, Motorola, and Samsung to create Android Wear-based watches, which should arrive later this year.
