Google has a reputation for updating and iterating on their software platforms quite quickly. With the launch of Android 5.1 yesterday, attention is now turning to Android Wear, which hasn’t seen a major update since December when Google added support for Watch Faces and new display modes. But the next update for Android Wear could see new support for Gestures and Wi-Fi according to a new report.
The new report originates from The Verge, where Dieter Bohn has quoted ‘a source knowledgeable with Android Wear’s product road map’ who has advised that the upcoming update will activate the dormant Wi-Fi support which a number of Android Wear devices have been found to have in hardware teardowns. The Wi-Fi support would mean that Android Wear would continue to deliver notifications and Google Now cards when your Bluetooth connection becomes unavailable.
Finer, and more intuitive gesture support will also be on the way, with a new wrist flick gesture coming to allow users to scroll through their Android Wear notifications without touching the device.
Small UI tweaks to allow for easier access to Contacts and applications installed on Android Wear will also be included in the update. While third party applications like Android Wear Mini Launcher exist, the native experience of using voice commands or scrolling through menus isn’t what most people call intuitive.
It’s a timely leak given that the Apple Watch has been getting a fair bit of attention. Google first updated Android Wear in September when they added support for GPS, Google Play Music storage and playback, as well as the ability to pair Bluetooth headsets. The next update came three months later for Android Wear watch faces, and now three months on from that, it seems likely an update is coming soon.
We’ll hopefully see something in the coming weeks, so keep your eyes peeled for updates on your wrist as well as on that device in your pocket.
