Google has updated Android Wear with support for interactive watch faces that makes it easier for users to stay connected all the time. These watch faces lets you change its design, reveal more information, or even launch a specific app with just a tap.
Developers can now write watch face apps with customized layouts and buttons that reveal information and trigger new activities. The update will let developers fully customize the main interface of Android Wear. Prior to the update, developers could only make static watch faces. The interactive watch face API is now open to all developers looking to build their own apps.
Google has shared some of the interactive watch faces like Bits, Together and Under Armour. First up, Bits shows an array of information such as steps, weather, calendar, missed calls, etc.with one single tap. Next up is Together, this watch face links with a contact and lets you share emojis and photos. Finally, Under Armour is for users who regularly check their fitness stats. It allows you to see info like your step count, calories burned and distance traveled.
In addition to interactive watch faces, Android Wear is also being updated with Google Translate that now supports 44 languages. It works with the built-in microphone on the watch. Users simply have to speak into the watch, flip their wrist and then they will be shown the translation. Google Translate will automatically detect the language and Google will likely add more languages soon. Google says the update will come to all Android Wear devices as an over the air update in coming weeks. The latest update comes a month after it was reported that Android Wear is getting watch to watch sharing feature, interactive watch faces and more. Android Wear was updated to version 5.1.1 in May.