Google rumoured to be launching Android Wear 2.0 early next year

We might be seeing another push from Google in the hardware space, if this latest leak is to be believed. Evan Blass a.k.a. @evleaks tweeted that Android Wear 2.0 is coming early next year. Blass included with the tweet a photo shared earlier by Android Police that are said to be the upcoming watches from Google designed around Google’s AI assistant. The watches are codenamed Angelfish and Swordfish and come with different specifications. No word at the moment, of course, if these are the watches coming. But we at least know we might be anticipating something.

Source: The Verge

Android Wear gets a touch of high fashion thanks to Michael Kors

There have been various representations of Android Wear devices but many have been lacking the fashion forward design and materials that watch aficionados and style-focused users are attracted to. This isn't surprising since many of the companies creating Google's Android Wear compatible devices are consumer technology or mobile companies, their sensibilities are an extension of smartphones and PCs.

Companies like Fossil and most recently, Michael Kors is changing all that. Michael Kors new Access Line is truly luxurious yet functional and add some pizzazz to what is feeling like a tired segment. The Android Wear Access watches start at CAD $420 and go up to CAD $475. They come in both dressy and sporty versions plus have a variety of fashionable faces but with all the useful complications and notification capabilities expected from Android Wear. The Access Line is available for sale online right now.

Source: Android Authority

Microsoft Outlook gets Android Wear watch face

Microsoft wants to make it easier for you to see your schedule and unread emails with its new Outlook for Android Wear watch face. You no longer have to rely on notifications from the Android Wear app but you can just raise your wrist to check your calendar and email as well as the time, of course. There are also different background and accent colors for you to choose from to make it somewhat your own. You can still interact with Outlook the same way you did with the Android smartphone app. You still have the options to respond to RSVP request, send replies from a pre-set list, and use voice dictation to compose a customized message.

Source: Microsoft | Via: SlashGear

Samsung isn’t giving up on Android Wear just yet

The first and only Android Wear-based Samsung smartwatch, the Gear Live.

While Samsung hasn’t released anything Android Wear-related in the past two years, that doesn’t mean we can assume they’re done with it. Because according to the South Korean tech giant, they aren’t just yet. A recent Fast Company report cited an unnamed Samsung executive claiming that they aren’t working on any Android Wear smartwatches and they don’t plan to release any new ones either. But Samsung refuted this claim saying they “disagree with Fast Company’s interpretation. Samsung has not made any announcement concerning Android Wear and we have not changed our commitment to any of our platforms.” Samsung didn’t exactly make a strong case for making one though. The company could change their minds eventually, especially since its own Tizen platform gives them more control and ground to work with.

Source: Engadget