The official Android Wear 2.0 developer preview is already available, and iPhone owners will be able to get into it as well, according to online reports. This integration is an unprecedented move for the Google-owned platform.
Apple users will be able to pair two different smartwatches with the Android Wear 2.0 system.
The Huawei Watch or the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition. They will also have the opportunity to upload individually-made smartwatch apps to the Play Store.
At a time in which wearable sales are declining, Google’s move towards iOS integration might signify an effort to lure a wider marketing net. However, people seem to be consistently losing interest in smartwatches no matter who sells them.
iOS enthusiasts can get apps from Android smartwatches with AW 2.0
Android Wear 2.0 allows iOS users to install apps straight from the Play Store, something that only Android phone owners could do with the previous version.
This update means the Apple Watch could face intense competition from Android wearables regarding software availability. Google, nonetheless, will have to improve their app roster with this new feature if it wants to lead the market.
The Android Developers blog released a short article detailing the steps required for developers to activate this option on their apps. Android Wear 2.0 will come out officially two weeks from now, on February 9.
The Huawei Watch and LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition
Developers interested in getting into the new Android Wear preview can do so through two these two select smartwatch models. The first one starts at approximately $370 on Amazon and the second has a retail price of $500.
The Huawei Watch sports the same processor as its LG counterpart, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400, and contains 512MB of RAM while the LG has 768MB. The latter also comes with a larger battery and LTE connectivity.
An interesting turn of the Android smartwatch market
Google is currently struggling to compete with the appeal the Samsung’s Gear 2 and the Gear 3 wearables have. The 2.0 update brings them closer, as direct Play Store downloads are something the Korean company cannot match.
Android Wear 2.0 also brings some improvements to fitness trackers, a new virtual keyboard, and the user interface. Paired with their high-quality hardware and competitive prices, they are emerging as a suitable alternative to best-selling wearables.
LG also plans to release two new smartwatch models that will be compatible with Android Wear 2.0, the Watch Sport and Watch Style, which will come out along with the new software on February 9.
Source: Android Developers
