Beginner's Guide to Android Wear 2.0

Smartwatches have been around for decades.  Of course, they have evolved over time.  The first digital watch which came out in 1972 was Pulsar manufactured by the Hamilton Watch Company (eventually Pulsar was acquired by Seiko).  In 1980’s, the first computer watch came out – Seiko Data 2000 watch.  Over the years, the watches evolved some more but we will skip those until we get to the modern smartwatches.  It was not until 2014, when both Apple & Google announced smartwatches.  Apple introduced the Apple Watch in 2015 while Google introduced Android Wear which would be a version of Android specifically designed for smartwatches and other wearables. 

Seiko Data 2000 Watch

I have never been interested in smartwatches as I could not see spending several hundred dollars for a small device that my $700+ smartphone can do.  It just made no sense to me.

Fast forward to today and you can find decent smartwatches for as low as $100.  Smartwatches have not gained the popularity that Android and Apple were hoping for.  This December, I missed a sale on the LG Watch Style where it was $100. Still managed to get one for $120.  At this price, I figured let me buy it and see if I was wrong all these years.

The LG Watch Style was the first watch that utilized Google’s Android Wear 2.0 which is their second version of Android Wear that I mentioned above. 

Features of Android Wear 2.0 (AW2)

1.  Standalone apps – no need to have phone tethered; uses Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or cellular connectivity
2.  Direct Play Store access – able to install apps directly on the watch
3.   Material Design – scrolling menu
4.   Complications – Watch faces allow one to view multiple information form different third-party apps on the watch face itsel
5.   Android Pay
6.   Messaging – different keyboards available including handwriting
7.   Google Fit – improvements including individual activity tracking within Fit
8.   Notifications – Changed to show notification cards as smaller icon including progress bar on the bottom of the watch
9.   Google Assistant

This article is not a review of the watch itself as there are plenty of great reviews out there.  I will just share some quick thoughts on the watch itself.  The LG Watch Style is a nice-looking watch.  It is thin compared to other Android Wear watches.  It uses an 18mm band which you may easily replace (many available on Amazon).  The included leather band is nice and fits fine even with my small wrists.  The watch has a dial on the right side which allows you to scroll through menus and pressing it will either turn on the watch or long-press will activate Google Assistant.  This watch does not include heart monitor, GPS, NFC (for Android Pay) or LTE.  This is not necessarily bad as it keeps the price low and also helps with battery life.  Also, Google has announced that this watch will be updated to the Wear version of Android 8.0 Oreo.  The original AW2 was built on Android 7.0 Nougat version.  Overall, I think this is a great watch if you can find it for $120 or so.  The original price that the Watch Style was released at was $249 which is steep.  If you have $120 burning in your pocket, I would say go for it. I would not say that an Android watch or even Apple watch is necessary.  You can definitely live without it.  I find it as more of “it’s a cool accessory that I don’t mind spending some money on.”

For those new to Android Wear, I put together various links to useful articles, recommended apps, tips and other information:

- Tips & Tricks - https://www.stuff.tv/features/how-masterandroid-wear-20

- Notable Android Wear apps & watch faces (Android Police, Part 1) - http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/07/19/37-new-notable-android-wear-apps-watch-faces-9116-71917/

- Notable Android Wear apps & watch faces (Android Police, Part 2) - http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/11/10/33-new-notable-android-wear-apps-watch-faces-last-2-months-90117-111017/

- Video of 10 analog Android Wear Watch Faces (AW2) 2017 - https://youtu.be/kJfCNarlaYs

The below is straight from Google’s website:

Get apps on your watch 

You can download a variety of apps from the Play Store on your watch. Some apps work with a matching app on the phone or tablet that's connected to your watch.

Note: Make sure your watch is connected to Wi-Fi or on LTE to search and download apps.

Apps you have on your phone

Apps on your phone don't automatically sync with your watch. To get apps from your phone onto your watch: 

1. If the screen is dim, press the power button to wake up your watch.
2. To see your list of apps, press the power button.
3. Scroll down and tap Play Store. You'll be signed in with the Google Account you used to set up your watch.
4. Scroll down and look for the "Apps on your phone" section.
5. To download the app, tap Install. 

New apps

1. If the screen is dim, press the power button to wake up your watch.
2. To go to your list of apps, press the power button again.
3. Scroll down and tap Play Store. You'll be signed in with the Google Account you used to set up your watch.
4. To search for an app, tap Search .

• To speak your search, tap the Microphone.
• To type your search, tap the Keyboard.

To download the app to your watch, tap Install.

Note: Apps can vary depending on what kind of phone or tablet is connected to your watch.

Remove apps

1. If the screen is dim, press the power button to wake up your watch.
2. To go to your list of apps, press the power button.
3. Scroll down and tap Play store .
4. Swipe down from the to of the screen and tap My Apps.
5. Tap the app you want to delete, then scroll to the bottom and tap Uninstall.

To see a list of all your apps, including preinstalled apps you can’t delete:

1. On your watch, swipe down from the top of the screen.
2. Tap Settings --> Apps.

With Android Wear 2.0, you should always install the apps using the Play Store on your watch.  Installing on your phone will not automatically install to your watch for most apps.

Other Tips:

•        Disable Wi-Fi when outside your house (no need to have the watch search for a network).
•        Disable “OK Google” detection unless you really use this feature.
•         Disable “Tilt to Wake” gesture feature. Watch may turn on by accident & drain battery.
•         Disable automatic brightness – use 3 or 4 as your brightness.

Some of my favorite watch face apps:

• Octane Watch Face
• Guardian Watch Face
• Weareal  Realistic Watch Face
• International - Watch Face

If you have any other tips or want to share some of your favorite watch faces, please let me know in the comments below.