Google released a giant update to Android Wear about a month ago, which just started rolling out to all Wear devices last Tuesday. Among many other notable features like gesture support and a more refined contacts/app menu, the update to Android Wear 5.1.1 also brings Wi-Fi support. This allows your Wear device to receive notifications as long as your phone and watch are both connected to a Wi-Fi network. The problem is, the only watches with built-in Wi-Fi support are the LG Watch Urbane, Motorola Moto 360, Sony Smartwatch 3 and Samsung Gear Live. We’ll soon be able to add one more device to that list, according to LG.
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In an official statement issued to Android World, LG is working on a maintenance update that brings Wi-Fi support to the G Watch R that will be released sometime in Q3. From LG:
The original LG G Watch was not designed with Wi-Fi in mind and will not have this capability even after the Android Wear update. LG G Watch R will require a maintenance release after the patch update to Android Wear-access Wi-Fi networks. LG engineers are preparing the patch now for availability in the third quarter.
This is certainly great news for folks who own a G Watch R, but it’s still unfortunate that LG didn’t include Wi-Fi support earlier. We’ll be sure to let you know when we hear more about the new update.