First Android Wear 2.0 Smartwatches to Launch Early Next Year

[MacRumors]

The first Android Wear 2.0 smartwatches will launch in the first quarter of next year, according to Android Wear product manager Jeff Chang, who took part in an exclusive interview with The Verge.

The two new flagship models will not have Google or Pixel branding, but rather branding from the undisclosed company manufacturing them--so one of Asus, Huawei, LG, Motorola, or a few other brands.

Following the launch of the two new smartwatches, the Android Wear 2.0 update will be pushed out for some, but not all, existing Android Wear watches:

o Moto 360 Gen 2
o Moto 360 Sport
o LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE
o LG Watch Urbane
o LG G Watch R
o Polar M600
o Casio Smart Outdoor Watch
o Nixon Mission
o Tag Heuer Connectedo Fossil Q Wander
o Fossil Q Marshal
o Fossil Q Founder
o Michael Kors Access Bradshaw
o Michael Kors Access Dylan
o Huawei Watch
o Huawei Watch Ladies
o Asus ZenWatch 2
o Asus ZenWatch 3
Following the launch of Google's two flagship models, other vendors will release new Android Wear 2.0 smartwatches throughout 2017. The first Android 2.0 smartwatches are expected to be announced at CES in the first week of January. Other product unveilings will follow at the Baselworld trade show later in 2017.

The new Android Wear smartwatches will compete with the Apple Watch, which remains the best-selling smartwatch following the launch of new Series 2 models in September. Google also faces competition from Samsung, which runs its own Tizen software on its smartwatches rather than Android Wear.

Android Wear 2.0 will support native, standalone apps that do not require a paired smartphone to work, in addition to Android Pay and Google Assistant. The new version will also feature Apple Watch-like complications on watch faces and a Material Design makeover. The final developer preview will be released in January.

Article Link: First Android Wear 2.0 Smartwatches to Launch Early Next Year

 

[farewelwilliams]

Google also faces competition from Samsung, which runs its own Tizen software on its smartwatches rather than Android Wear.

Whatever competition that is....

 

[dumastudetto]

Android Wear is already a dead platform. I'm all in on Apple Watch, as are the devs.

 

[routine_analyst]

I bet after the first few models are released, there will be a blow out sale on the ones later released by Samsung.
I'll save for the Apple Watch Series 3.

 

[JPLC]

I'm waiting for 2.0 a very looong time but still exited to try it out!

 

[Rogifan]

And why should I care?

 

[Derekuda]

Yes! Android wear for the win! Call me when Apple finally designs a round Apple watch.

 

[thekeyring]

"Following the launch of the two new smartwatches, the Android Wear 2.0 update will be pushed out for some, but not all, existing Android Wear watches"

They had the chance to start again and ensure all products got updates and weren't fragmented. How?!

 

[dumastudetto]

Yes! Android wear for the win! Call me when Apple finally designs a round Apple watch.

Nobody wants a round Apple Watch. The current design is pure perfection.

 

[SAIRUS]

A power hungry young guy at Apple will copy some part of this, and Tim will praise him. Next year, young guy will possibly try recommending something else, and get another praise. Then their head will swell, and they leave to start their own company. Years later, they are a janitor, wondering what went wrong.

 

[satchmo]

Yes! Android wear for the win! Call me when Apple finally designs a round Apple watch.

Have Android watches fixed the flat tire issue yet? Serious question.

 

[A MacBook lover]

A power hungry young guy at Apple will copy some part of this, and Tim will praise him. Next year, young guy will possibly try recommending something else, and get another praise. Then their head will swell, and they leave to start their own company. Years later, they are a janitor, wondering what went wrong.

What?

 

[djcerla]

Wearables market will shape into iPod-like domination sooner than many think.

 

[SBlue1]

Nobody wants a round Apple Watch. The current design is pure perfection.

I would love a round Apple Watch. Not a nerdy square 80ies style Apple Watch. Apple should offer both versions.

 

[tomi03]

Nobody wants a round Apple Watch. The current design is pure perfection.

Don't think so...

 

[scm6079]

Will these actually work properly with iOS? I'll admit, the Samsung watches look nice to me, but are essentially worthless without a Samsung phone.

 

[sulpfiction]

Apple watch is going to be the sole (profitable) survivor after all is said and done in a few years. Android wear is failing miserably. And Tizen...On life support.

 

[44267547]

And why should I care?

You don't have to care. And you know what else you don't have To do, you don't have to input comments such as yours that contribute negativity into the thread, which, it so happens to you started a thread while back about the negativity on this site and how it's driving away forum members. Respectfully, Seems your a product of your own environment in some aspects. (And I'm not trying to single you out) Cheer up. It's The Holidays.

Back on topic: A round variant of the Apple Watch is unlikely, I would like the diversity for further options, but the design currently really works for me. If anything, I would really like to see a larger variant, say 44 or 46 MM, which would equate to a larger battery (One would think.)

@Derekuda and @dumastudetto, I see both your points and both directions seem fitting. I just hope the band configuration isn't changed where I lose all my bands.

 

[sulpfiction]

A power hungry young guy at Apple will copy some part of this, and Tim will praise him. Next year, young guy will possibly try recommending something else, and get another praise. Then their head will swell, and they leave to start their own company. Years later, they are a janitor, wondering what went wrong.

Janitor at their own company they started after leaving Apple? That could get awkward.

 

[grimgreybeard]

Nobody wants a round Apple Watch. The current design is pure perfection.

I want circular design, and I am not alone who don't like ugly square box on the wrist. That was the main reason why I still haven't even thought about purchase of Apple Watch.

 

[foxkoneko]

bring on more 'competition'
push apple a bit to make the apple 3 watch better

 

[sinsin07]

A power hungry young guy at Apple will copy some part of this, and Tim will praise him. Next year, young guy will possibly try recommending something else, and get another praise. Then their head will swell, and they leave to start their own company. Years later, they are a janitor, wondering what went wrong.

Interesting.
Is this something that happened to you or someone you know?

 

[cics]

Wearables on wirsts, like watches and sports bands, are for niches. I can see at least 2 of them: people into fitness and people into fashion & style.

I know lots of people who simply don't care about having apps on a small tiny display, nor a device to track steps or calories. In other words the market is small. Not only that, but if you consider Apple watch is for iPhone owners, while Android Wear for Android owners (I know - there's an iOS app it has lots of limitations).

So at the end, these devices are just complementary to each ecosystem and target specific niches. Why Google wants to push them so hard?

 

[surfingarbo]

Remember the crazy keynote from the Tag Heuer Connected launch? The cheese cutting etc? That guy was fantastic!

 

[cics]

Yes! Android wear for the win! Call me when Apple finally designs a round Apple watch.

I can't wait for it! Luckily, has already been patented by Apple so there's a chance it will become reality.