Android Wear 2.0, the next generation wearable platform from Google is now rumoured to launch on February 8. The second iteration of Android Wear was first showcased back in May 2016 at Google I/O. The official announcement was earlier tipped to take place on February 9 and now it seems to have been pushed by a day.
Google recently rolled out the final build of Android Wear 2.0 to developers. Now it seems the final version of Android Wear 2.0 and LG watch announcement will come on February 8. The news of the new date comes from Evan Blass, who originally tipped the February 9 launch date.
https://twitter.com/evleaks/status/827922948518473728
The biggest change coming to wearables with Android Wear 2.0 is a move away from dependence on smartphone. With Android Wear 2.0, developers can build standalone apps for the smartwatch and publish them directly to the Play Store. The new platform is also tipped to introduce support for Google Assistant and contactless payments with NFC and Android Pay.
LG will introduces the first wearables – LG Watch Sport and LG Watch Style – running Android Wear 2.0. The smartwatches are designed in a Nexus-style collaboration with Google for tighter control over software. The Watch Sport is tipped to sport a bigger display, rugged design and support both cellular radio and NFC. The Watch Style, on the other hand, is tipped to sport a smaller display, support for WiFi and Bluetooth connection. Both the watches will come with Google Assistant and a Apple Watch-like digital crown for navigation.
The operating system will first debut on these two watches and will be rolled out to supported wearables from later this year as an OTA update. The Watch Sport is tipped to be priced at $349 while Watch Style will be $100 cheaper at $249.