In a bid to get a foothold in the wearable computer market even ahead of Apple’s (AAPL) much anticipated entry, Google (GOOG) has unveiled Android Wear, a version of its popular Android operating system specially adapted for wearable devices.
The early launch of Android Wear could give Google a jump on Apple in partnering with app developers to produce software for future devices. It will also allow manufacturers to launch Android-based wristwatches before Apple brings its own much-rumored iWatch to market, the New York Times notes.
Here are 5 things to know about Android Wear:
- LG’s G Watch and Motorola’s Moto 360 will be among the first smartwatches to run Android Wear.
- Google says that other Android Wear-running smartwatches are under development by Samsung, HTC and Asus.
- Users can use voice commands, preceded by saying “O.K. Google” to control Android Wear devices.
- Google released Android Wear to app developers this week.
- Android Wear features the Google Now virtual voice assistant.
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