Android Wearable Introduction

In March 2014, Google officially announced they were branching out into the world of wearable mobile handsets with the unveiling of Android Wear, a new version of the Android operating system designed specifically for wearable devices.

In the first part, you'll get all the background information and best practices you need, ready to start developing for the wearable platform in the second part.

1. What is Android Wear?

The Android Wear operating system uses Bluetooth to connect to handheld device(s) running Android 4.3 or higher. Once this connection is made, the wearable channels information and updates from the paired smartphone and/or tablet, and conveniently displays them on the user's wrist. These updates include things like Google Now cards, Gmail, Google Calendar, and phone notifications, such as incoming calls and text messages.

But, Android Wear is more than just a convenient way to receive smartphone and tablet notifications. Android Wear can also execute tasks on the paired smartphone or tablet. For example, you can use your Android Wear device to play, pause, and skip music tracks on your handheld.

Another big part of the Android Wear experience are vocal commands. Vocal commands allow you to retrieve information as well as execute tasks on the wearable and on the paired handheld device(s). When the user wants to issue a vocal command, all they need to say is "Okay, Google", followed by their command.

Tasks that Android Wear users can already complete using voice alone, include:

• Sending texts, instant messages, and emails ("send Jessica Thornsby a text message," and then dictating your message).
• Getting answers to those important questions in life, such as “will it rain this afternoon?” and “Where’s the nearest pub?”
• Getting directions (“Give me directions to Tamper Coffee on West Street.”) The directions appear via Google Maps on the paired handheld device and as cards on the wearable. The Android Wear device also vibrates when it's time for you to make a turn.
• Setting yourself reminders to trigger either at a certain time or when Android Wear detects you're at a specific location (“remind me to clean the rabbits out when I get home.”)
• Taking notes using Google Keep ("take a note, we need more milk.")
• Launching an app on the paired handheld ("Open Facebook.")

Although this connection means your wearable app can utilize lots of information and functionality from the paired handheld device, the downside is that you'll usually need to develop two versions of your app, one that runs on the wearable and one that runs on the handheld.