Android Wear 2.0 to touch down early next month

Back in October, a tip from Evan Blass revealed that new Android Wear 2.0 smart watches would be released early in 2017. That led us to believe that the Android Wear 2.0 update would arrive at the same time. Now, there is a more precise time frame for the update than "early in 2017." An email sent to Android Wear app developers from Google calls for Android Wear 2.0 to launch early next month.  The email also mentions that developers will need to take action if they want their app to appear in the upcoming on-watch Play Store.

Developers receiving the notice are using a legacy based APK that does not support the next build of Android Wear. In the note, Google tells these developers that if they fail to make the required changes, their apps will not appear in the on-watch Play Store. In the email, Google tells developers exactly what they need to do to have their apps work with Android Wear 2.0.

If you own an Android Wear powered timepiece, you probably want to know whether your smartwatch will receive the update. There are currently 18 models on a list of smartwatches due to receive Android Wear 2.0. The list includes:

• Huawei Watch
• Huawei Watch for ladies
• Moto 360 (2015)
• Moto 360 Sport
• LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE
• LG Watch Urbane
• LG G Watch R
• Polar M600
• Casio Smart Outdoor Watch
• Nixon Mission
• Tag Heuer Connected
• Asus ZenWatch 2
• Asus ZenWatch 3
• Fossil Q Wander
• Fossil Q Marshal
• Fossil Q Founder
• Michael Kors Access Bradshaw Smartwatch
• Michael Kors Access Dylan Smartwatch

If your watch is on this list, it should be updated to Android Wear 2.0 early next month.

With the update, users will be able to input letters using handwriting recognition, and play music without requiring the timepiece to get paired to a smartphone. New watchfaces will be offered with custom fields for information. Google Fit will be able to determine when you start running, and will turn on tracking features automatically. With the update will come the new on-watch Play Store.

source: AndroidPolice