Android Wear gets support for Wi-Fi and drawn emoticons

Google has announced a second major update to the Android Wear platform. New include control via wrist movements, the addition of Wi-Fi functionality and drawing emojis. In addition, the interface has been overhauled.

By adding Wi-Fi functionality, Android Wear watches can also communicate with the internet when there’s no phone nearby, Google reports. To do this, the watch connects directly to the internet, rather than through the paired phone. Incidentally, many Android Wear watches don’t support WiFi, but now that the operating system does, there’s a good chance that watches with support for wireless internet will follow.

The interface has also been overhauled. Users can, among other things, draw emojis on the screen, after which Android Wear tries to make a beating emoticon. That way, users can respond to messages with emoticons from their phone. In addition, starting apps has become easier; this is now possible without a voice command or navigating to well-hidden menus. By swiping to the left, an overview of installed apps is shown.

Google also adds support for gestures, where a user can click to the next ‘map’ on the screen by tilting their arm. In this way, a watch can be operated with one hand, which is useful, for example, if a user is behind the wheel.

Finally, developers can enable always on functionality. The app continues to run, even if a user no longer uses the watch for some time. Until now, only the default built-in time could keep the screen ‘awake’. The new functionality is useful for navigation and fitness apps, among other things.

The LG Watch Urbane gets the software update first; other watches will follow in the coming weeks.