What is Android Wear? Release date, smartwatches & features

Google's Android Wear was announced in March as a version of Android for wearable technology such as smartwatches. Then, during Google I/O on 25 June, Google gave us a further insight into Android Wear, and announced that smartwatches running the new software will be available to pre-order from today. Here, we explain what Android Wear is, and bring you a list of which companies will be making Android Wear watches. Plus, we've got some release date news for LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live, and rumours to bring you for several of the upcoming Android Wear smartwatches so you'll know how long is left to wait. Read: The 8 best smartwatches 2014: list of the best smartwatches you can buy right now

What is Android Wear?

Android Wear is a new version of Google's mobile operating system that 'extends Android to wearables' starting with smartwatches. If you keep up to date with technology you'll know that some smartwatches on the market already run on Android, namely the Sony Smartwatch 2 and Samsung Galaxy Gear. However, those just used adapted versions of the operating system, while Android Wear is Google's mobile operating system specially redesigned for wearables.

"Most of us are rarely without our smartphones in hand. These powerful supercomputers keep us connected to the world and the people we love. But we're only at the beginning; we've barely scratched the surface of what's possible with mobile technology. That's why we're so excited about wearables - they understand the context of the world around you, and you can interact with them simply and efficiently, with just a glance or a spoken word," said Google in a blog post.

Ahead of its Google I/O 2014 event, which kicked off with a keynote on 25 June, Google released a new video called 'And Introduction to Android Wear' for a better insight into the software, which you can watch below. Google I/O 2014 live video stream and blog

Android Wear features: What can Android Wear smartwatches do?

Google says that smartwatches with Android Wear (which can be either square or round, as Android Wear supports both shapes) is all about providing information when you need it (the average user apparently looks at their smartphone a whopping 125 times a day), and allowing you to use voice control to get things done hands-free. 

It will be able to give users useful information when they need it most. This includes emails and text messages, but also the latest posts and updates from your favourite social apps, chats from your preferred messaging apps, notifications and more.

When you don't need it, you'll be able to swipe down on the display to activate a do-not-disturb mode.

It'll also give give straight answers to spoken questions, using the now familiar "Ok Google" trigger. You can ask how many calories are in an avocado, what time your flight leaves, the score of the latest World Cup match. You can also say "Ok Google" to get things done, like call a taxi, send a text, write a note, make a reservation at a restaurant, set an alarm. 

You'll be able to monitor your health and fitness using an Android Wear smartwatch, too, as some models will include heart-rate monitors and pedometers. You'll be encouraged to hit your exercise goals through reminders and fitness summaries, and you'll be able to use your favourite fitness apps to get real-time speed, distance and time information on your wrist, whether you're running, cycling or walking.

When you install an app on your Android smartphone from the Google Play Store, it'll be automatically stored on your Android Wear smartwatch.

Google has also said that you'll be able to access and control other devices using an Android Wear device. "Just say "Ok Google" to fire up a music playlist on your phone, or cast your favourite movie to your TV," says Google. "There are a lot of possibilities here so we're eager to see what developers build."

It's pretty standard, but you'll be able to use an Android Wear smartwatch to control the music you're listening to on your Android phone as well. "The watch will act as your key in a multiscreen world," says Google.

Google also used its I/O keynote to announce Android TV, which you'll be able to control using an Android Wear remote.

See the video below for a closer look at what Android Wear looks like.

Android Wear release date and price

The first two Android Wear smartwatches will be the LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live (see below), both of which will are available now starting at £159. Read: LG G Watch vs Motorola Moto 360 vs Samsung Gear Live: Android Wear smartwatch comparison review.

Motorola's Android Wear smartwatch, the Moto 360, will be on sale 'this summer,' and there are bound to be more to come this year, as Google is making the SDK for the software available today.

If you're a developer, then you can download the full SDK of Android Wear from Google. This means you can start tailoring existing app notifications for Android Wear and create your own custom apps to work with the wearables.

During the Google I/O keynote, Google demoed the Eat24 app for Android Wear, which lets users order their favourite pizza from their favourite takeout restaurant within 20 seconds, requiring just a couple of taps on the watch.

How can I get an Android Wear smartwatch?

Google Android Wear smartwatches are available to order from the Google Play Store, and  other UK retailers such as Amazon, Mobile Fun and Clove.

Who will be making Android Wear smartwatches?

As we've mentioned, the first two smartwatches with Android Wear will come from LG and Samsung, they are called the LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live. They'll be followed by the Motorola Moto 360 in the summer. However, Google is also working with other partners including HTC, Asus, and also fashion brand Fossil, so expect some interesting new smartwatches from those companies later this year.

In addition, Google is partnering with chip makers Broadcom, Imagination, Intel, Mediatek and Qualcomm.

Android Wear: LG G Watch

LG has confirmed that it is one of Google's 'lead partners' for Android Wear and the LG G Watch is one of the first Android Wear devices to launch.

"The opportunity to work with Google on LG G Watch was the perfect chance for LG to really pull out all stops in both design and engineering," said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG Mobile.

"With the LG G Watch, LG is continuing the milestones we've set in wearables following in the foot-steps of the world’s first 3G Touch Watch Phone in 2009 and the Prada Link in 2008. We're confident that a well-designed device has the potential to take the smart wearable market by storm."

Android Wear: Samsung Gear Live

The Samsung Android Wear watch was confirmed during Google's I/O keynote on 25 June, and is available to buy now at £10 more than the G Watch, £169. The news wasn't surprising, though, as just hours before the keynote, an internal source leaked the Gear Live specificationm to a Spanish site.

You can find out more about the Samsung Gear Live Android Wear watch here.

The new smartwatch adds to Samsung's three other wrist-worn devices, the Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo and Gear Fit, but those run the Samsung's own Tizen operating system rather than Android. It does seem like one too many smartwatches from Samsung now though, don't you think?

Android Wear: Motorola Moto 360

The Moto 360 is Motorola's Android Wear smartwatch. "It's time for a watch that looks and feels great and gives you the information you need, when you need it." said Motorola. After announcing that both the LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live smartwatches would be available to pre-order on 25 June, it was disappointing to hear that the Moto 360 release date is still "some time this summer."

As you can see from the image, the Moto 360 looks like a regular wristwatch with its circular design and display. Motorola said that alerts and notifications will be subtle and users can check email, who's calling, what time your next meeting is or social posts with 'just a twist of the wrist'.

"The wristwatch has been through several evolutions since it first became a popular fashion accessory more than a 100 years ago. From mechanical to electronic movements, analog to digital faces, the wristwatch has been reinvented several times over, but the basic design has endured for a century because of its elegance and usefulness ‘at a glance.’ Our vision for Moto 360 was to celebrate that history as we reimagined the wristwatch for the future." said Motorola in a blog post.

Like the LG G Watch, there are no specifications for the Moto 360 so we'll let you know more details when they are available. Visit our Moto 360 release date, price, features and specs article for more.

Android Wear: Google Gem smartwatch

LG is also said to be behind a second Android Wear watch dubbed Google Gem, though it wasn't unveiled at Google I/O this week. LG is already a manufacturing partner of Google's – the companies have worked together to release the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 smartphones.

Find out more about the rumoured Google Gem here.

Android Wear: HTC One Wear

Rumours also say that HTC is planning to release a smartwatch called the One Wear in August or September, also running Android Wear. Apparently this smartwatch will have a round design similar to Motorola's Moto 360 smartwatch, and will be available in polycarbonate and metal models.

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