Fossil announced on Wednesday that Android Wear 2.0 is coming to three models of its smartwatch lineup via Twitter. The Fossil Q Founder, Q Marshal, and Q Wander will get the new software version starting this March 15.
The brand’s wearable products are the latest incursion into the world of tech, a sector that is increasingly gaining terrain on the fashion scene. Recently, Levi’s and Google unveiled a new smart jacket that supports OTA functions via touch gestures.
Android Wear is Google’s mobile OS variant for wearable devices, and it competes directly with watchOS by Apple and the Apple Watch. Manufacturers working with Wear include LG, Huawei, Motorola, and Asus.
Fashion designers get smart with Android Wear 2.0
Fossil’s Q Founder, Q Marshal, and Q Wander are not the only models that will get the new Android Wear update. Michael Kors smartwatches and a TAG Heuer device will also get the latest software version.
Android Wear 2.0 brings enhanced design features, support for in-device app installation, greater connectivity options, and more smart functions like Android Pay and Google Assistant.
Now, fashion designers will not only make watches beautiful on the outside but also on the inside with new watch faces created by Google. These new screen offerings will display less information in a more minimalist, customizable fascia.
@Fossil when will the Q Founder 2.0 be upgraded to #AndroidWear2 ?
— Warren Braswell (@SemperFiSig) March 14, 2017
Notifications will be more intuitive, as will be the smartwatches as a whole. New devices running on Android Wear 2.0 will automatically detect when people wearing it are working out and start tracking performance with apps like Google Fit.
Users won’t have to worry about carrying their smartphone around for connectivity, since new software versions will support LTE connections as well as Wi-Fi, NFC, and more.
Checking where you are on a map, sending a message, picking up a call, or receiving notifications will be easier than ever on Android Wear devices running on the latest update, including Fossil’s fashionable products.
The Michael Kors Access Bradshaw and Access Dylan Smartwatches will also get the update. The TAG Heuer Connected model costs more than $1,000 and will run on Android Wear 2.0.
Other products supporting Google’s software include the Huawei Watch, the Huawei Watch for Ladies, the Moto 360 for men and women, the Moto 360 Sport, the LG Watch Urbane (first and second generation), and the LG G Watch R.
Several older models won’t get the update, but tech giants are expected to release new smartwatches with this second coming of dedicated wearable OS by Google.
Source: Fossil via Twitter
