If you were expecting to see Android Wear 2.0 out in the wild this year, you will be disappointed as the OS will not be rolling out until 2017. This is because Google has just made the third Android wear 2.0 developer preview available and went ahead to reveal that this preview will be around till early 2017. This means that the final release will not happen until Google is happy with the developer preview and that will not happen until 2017.
In a statement, Google said, “We’ve decided to continue the preview program into early 2017, at which point the first watches will receive Android Wear 2.0.”
If you are a developer, you can enjoy Android Wear 2.0 right now as every other person waits for 2017. Between then and now, we may see another preview update roll out before the final release. At this point, Google has not said exactly when the final release will roll out in 2017 but am expecting to see it before Mobile World Congress 2017.
What’s New Right now?
The third Developer Preview that Google has just released brings a number of new features including Google Play support. With this, users will be able to download apps (both paid titles and beta tests) directly to your watch instead of queuing them of your phone. You will still not be able to browse as you would on your phone but you will be able to search for specific apps using your voice, keyboards or handwriting.
Users will not be required to install apps on both their phones and watches as Google says that you will be able to install one on your watch only. Developers will also have an option of offering a watch app in the first place without having to publish a phone version first.