Microsoft has introduced an Android Wear client for its Outlook mailing platform. With this, users can now sync their email accounts via the Outlook app on smartphones, and get a wider roll of email notifications on Android Wear-powered smartwatches. Users can also reply to emails via preset custom texts or voice-based responses, instead of using Android Wear’s restricted preset replies.
The Outlook client brings more versatility and better ability to Android Wear, adding the power of the Outlook platform to smartwatches. Android Wear accounts for about 15% of the smartwatch industry as of now, and although it is not an extensive industry, there is wide prospect for growth. We have a number of decent, Android Wear-powered smartwatches like the Moto 360 2nd Gen., Asus Zenwatch 2, LG Watch Urbane and the recently-launched Huawei Watch. While the Asus Zenwatch 2 is aimed at value-conscious buyers, the likes of Huawei Watch looks to take on the premium segment of watch buyers. Apple has held fort in the smartwatch segment, with the Apple Watch.
Samsung’s offering in this segment is the Gear S2, a Tizen-powered device with a rotating bezel to scroll through options on the watch. It is still early days for smartwatches, but with more app support and versatility heading towards Android Wear and other watch platforms, we may soon be looking at a booming industry of tiny screen computers doubling up as wrist accessories.