ALL NEW ANDROID WEAR UPDATE (5.1.1)
Welcome back readers!
Android 5.1.1 for Android Wear brings always-on screen apps, WiFi support, gestures for scrolling through your notifications with the twist of your wrist, easier access to apps and contacts, and the ability to draw emoji’s and send them to people.
Of course there will also be a variety of performance enhancements but here are the 4 main parts of this update.
Always On Display: You see, keeping apps open on the Android Wear could be a pain. Sometimes, you could be browsing the web and poof, your screen you close. Sadly, this would lead to 2 issues. One, anything you were doing inside the application would be lost. Two, you would have to find and reopen the app. Fortunately, this issue is resolved in 5.1.1. Certain apps can be set to always stay on (example: MAPS) and the watch itself no has a mode that lets it stay on at all times.
The Wrist Flick: You can now flick your wrist to go through notifications. Easy as that. No more swiping using your other hand. Eventually, gestures will play a crucial role in Android Wear.
Interacting with contacts is easier than ever before. There is a section in Google Now that allows you to send messages and now, EMOJI’S, directly to your favorite people.
WiFi and GPS are taken to the next level. You will no longer need a phone to use yours watches built in GPS. There is also off line music support. Finally, any watch that has a WiFi receiver will be able to connect to WiFI networks directly instead of via phone. Sadly, if you are using a LG G Watch, G Watch R, and Asus ZenWatch; you’re out of luck.
Overall, the new update is basically released as a warning to the Apple Watch. With so many 3rd party developers and a play store full of Apps. Android Wear still holds the advantage. Now, with this update, Android Wear once again catches up to Apple (We really don't know what to call the Apple Watch Operating System).
