Android Wear passes 5 million downloads

(Image Credit: iStockPhoto/maislam)

Android Wear hasn't taken off as much as Google would have liked at this stage – hence the company doesn't share exact sales – but the platform now seems to be growing much faster if downloads of its companion app provide any indication.

Back in March last year, the Android Wear app passed the one million downloads mark. As of yesterday, Google switched over the...

By Ryan Daws, 13 September 2016, 0 comments. Categories: Android, Google, Smartwatches.

Research: Wearable payments expected to hit $100bn by 2018

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Many of us are expected to utilise our wearables for payments by 2018, if projections by Juniper Research are correct. The research firm expects contactless payments through wearable devices to reach $95 billion annually by 2018, up from less than $35 billion last year.  

Apple’s entry into NFC gave the industry a much needed boost, and could well be seen as...

By Ryan Daws, 11 April 2016, 0 comments. Categories: Android, Devices, NFC, Payments, Research, Smartwatches.

Vuzix rolls out SDK for M300 Smart Glasses to foster app development

Picture credit: Vuzix/YouTube

In order to foster the development and testing of apps among developers, Vuzix has begun delivering Alpha copies of its SDK for the M300 Smart Glasses, slated for launch in the summer of 2016.

The development and testing will be undertaken utilising the Android emulator configured as an M300 device. The new SDK will be delivered in stages and include frequent updates as they become available in the spring of 2016.

The Vuzix M300 Smart Glasses provide a “hands free”...

By Wearable Tech, 04 April 2016, 0 comments. Categories: Android, Apps, Developers.

Kaspersky beefs up Android security to include wearables

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Kaspersky Lab has introduced a new version of its Internet Security for Android product to also facilitate management of protection through Android Wear devices, as well as improving performance speed and protection quality.

The new version allows a user’s smartwatch to show notifications from Kaspersky Internet Security for Android when it is installed on a paired smartphone or tablet. A user can also remotely give commands to the product on the watch by pressing keys on the...

By Wearable Tech, 18 March 2016, 0 comments. Categories: Android, Privacy, Security.

Ford develops wearable and app to boost efficiency at manufacturing plants

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In order to improve the accuracy of quality checks and to boost efficiency at its manufacturing plants, Ford has developed a wearable and an Android app. This innovation at the automaker began at its plant in Valencia, Spain, and the technology will now be rolled out to other plants.

Prior to the launch of the technology in Valencia, workers made use of a paper-based system that that involved walking to and fro for more than one kilometre on a daily basis to refer information on...

By Wearable Tech, 12 February 2016, 0 comments. Categories: Android, Apps, Case Studies.

Google releases Android Wear API 23 SDK for Marshmallow

(Image Credit: iStockPhoto/maislam)

Developers are now able to start optimising their apps for an upcoming Android Wear update to ’Marshmallow’ thanks to Google's release of the API 23 SDK. The latest SDK allows developers to improve the experience for users, as well as offer better privacy. 

Android Wear, like its mobile counterpart, is available in various forms. When developing apps for...

By Ryan Daws, 19 November 2015, 0 comments. Categories: Android, Developers, Google, Smartwatches.

Fossil is the next fashion brand to adopt Android Wear - debuts four new wearables

(Image Credit: Fossil)

Watches should be stylish, but few smartwatch manufacturers know how to combine fashion with technology due to a lack of experience. Traditional watchmakers are looking to fill that void and deliver an iconic timepiece which pays homage to decades of history – and Fossil is next up to lend their expertise. 

The watch manufacturer has announced four new smart wearables ahead of the holiday season – one of which is an interesting Android Wear...

By Ryan Daws, 21 October 2015, 0 comments. Categories: Android, Devices, Fitness, iOS, Smartwatches.

Review: Hands-on with the Huawei Watch

You can look at the specs and features of a wearable device, but little gives you a sense of how it feels and performs day-to-day without using it. In this article, I'll go over my personal experience after spending a week using the Huawei Watch and exploring some of its unique features. 

Earlier in the week I posted a review of the design of the Huawei Watch, which is superb. In this article...

By Ryan Daws, 16 October 2015, 0 comments. Categories: Android, Applications, Apps, Devices, Fitness, Health Monitoring, iOS, Smartwatches.

Review: Huawei Watch honours the classic timepiece

For such a beloved item with a long history of tradition, smartwatch manufacturers have an uphill struggle to convince mechanical watch owners to make the switch. However, there's a strong argument to be made that Huawei's debut watch is the first to pay true homage to decades of classic timepieces and it could be enough to entice a few more wrists over to a new digital lifestyle.

Buyers of high-end watches like Rolex or Cartier will know the premium experience starts with the packaging. Most...

By Ryan Daws, 09 October 2015, 0 comments. Categories: Android, Devices, Google, Smartwatches.