Friday, March 29, 2024

Android Wear to support gestures and new Always On apps

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Google IO 2015 android ware 3

Out of Google I/O 2015, Google has announced a few new features for Android Wear, including an Always On mode, gesture support, a new emoji recognizer and Launcher.

Android Wear is a rapidly growing platform, there are now 7 official watches in the market, with more than 4000 apps developed to make the most of your smartwatch.

Let’s look at those new features, starting with the Always On support. Always on is almost exactly what it says, allowing a new low power, black and white mode for many apps such as Maps navigation and Google Keep lists. Apps remain fully operational in color when you actively use them, but after a few seconds of non-use, the app jumps into the low power mode and keeps the directions or list items on screen.

Google IO 2015 android ware

Gesture support may be a sore spot for the new Aria Android Wear module that brings gesture support to your smartwatch. Android Wear itself will soon support flicking your wrist to scroll through your cards and more.

The new emoji recognizer allows users to hand draw not only your normal text characters through the keyboard, but now you can hand draw a martini glass, as in the Google I/O example, and it will match up your drawing to similar looking emoji on your keyboard.

Stay tuned for more coverage of Android Wear and features, as well as our ongoing coverage of Google I/O 2015.

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