Google plans to roll out a watch-to-watch messenger feature enabling Android Wear users to share photos, messages, and doodles to other Android Wear users. The feature is Google’s answer to Apple Watch’s Digital Touch, which allows users to send drawings, heartbeats, and tap patterns to other Apple Watch users.
Possible issue for Android Wear’s rumored feature
According to Phandroid’s Derek Ross, there is no word on whether the communication feature will remain tied to a single watch face or launch as a system application. It would be unintuitive if Android Wear watches required users to select the watch face just to send or receive messages.The rumored update may also include ‘interactive watch face’ support with improved gesture controls. Users will be able to use a single tap gesture to change the color of the watch face or to change displayed information.
G Watch R gets Wi-Fi
Another Android Wear update will benefit G Watch R owners as the update includes Wi-Fi functionality. The feature came with Android 5.1.1 but it did not include LG’s watches. Users will be able to get the update via over-the-air update soon. It was also reported Google sent developers a new SDK with plans for the update rollout. Phandroid also noted some of the information is old, and a few of the reported functions may not make it to the actual update. A source also reported Google initially planned to launch Android Wear on July 28th, before postponing it for a possible August release.
The Android Wear rumors come right after reports of Google losing the growing smartwatch market to Apple. Research firm Slice Intelligence shows that Google’s Android Wear is already losing out to Apple Watch. The Cupertino-based tech giant reportedly sold 957,000 watches within 24-hours after Apple Watch debuted. Google Watch sales only add up to 720,000. The reported sale numbers includes watches from top brands LG, Motorola, and Samsung.
