Google announced a very sizable update last month, which is coming to all Android Wear watches. At the time of this post, it’s only available for the LG Watch Urbane because I am assuming Google is working out any bugs before they release it in full. The Watch Urbane comes with Android Wear 5.1.1 out of the box, but it received another update shortly after pairing.
I figured it would be a good idea to highlight (in the video below) the changes with 5.1.1 as they will operate the same on all watches. All new features, with the exception of Wi-Fi support, will be available on all Android Wear watches. So let’s get to it.
Unless you have bought a Watch Urbane, you probably won’t have a need to go through the set up process since you will be simply upgrading your OS. However there are slight differences in the initial setup. You need to connect your watch to the charger, and it doesn’t have anything to do with how much battery life is remaining on the watch. You also won’t be able to use the watch for at least 15 to 20 minutes as it goes through some sort of new syncing process. Once finalized, you get most of the same tutorial cards explaining Android Wear.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi sync is new and will be available on only select watches. We already know that the LG G Watch and G Watch R won’t support it. Wi-Fi is pretty easy to set up and you can have multiple networks. You will use your phone to type in your network password. Now you can still get notifications when you are away from your phone. Even when you leave it at home.
Installed Apps Notification
Now when you will get a notification on your watch when you have installed an app. You will also be given an opportunity to go through setting up the app if it’s required. This is so much nicer since we all know that it takes a little bit of time for apps to appear on the watch after installing them on the phone. No more wondering when the sync process has completed.
Gestures
You can now move your wrist to automatically swipe notification cards if your other hand is busy doing something else or is messy if you’re cooking. Just flick away fast and followed by flicking slowly back towards you to move forward. If you want to move backwards, it’s just a slow flick back followed by a fast flick forwards. It does take a little getting used to, and I am not sure how useful it will be.
Lock Screen
You can now set a pattern lock for when you watch is removed from your wrist. Once your watch is off your wrist for 5 or 10 minutes, it will lock and nobody will be able to access it without the pattern. You can even lock it manually if you want.
Draw Emojis
When sending a message via IM or Hangouts, you can now draw an emoji. It’s kind of cool, but very Apple like. Just simply draw whatever it is that you want and you will be given choices. For example, draw a heart, and you will be provided with various sized hearts with different colors to choose from. Just like gestures, it’s probably not something that you will use a lot.
I also highlight some of the new menus as you now have easy access to your favorite contacts as well as the most recently used apps.
Lastly, I show you the new LG Call app, which is strictly an LG app for the Watch Urbane and not part of the 5.1.1 update. The Call app gives you access to your call log as well as your most recently used contacts. You can even make a phone call, but you still have to use the phone to talk to someone. The watch cannot handle phone calls since it doesn’t have a speaker, nor is it supported with Android Wear.
Okay without further adieu, check out the video below and let us know what you think about Android Wear 5.1.1.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Come comment on this article: Android Wear 5.1.1 walkthrough on the LG Watch Urbane [Video]
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