Call it an Apple win but Android Wear 5.1 may just change that in the wearable market. Recent numbers coming forward are not too promising for Google. Just last month, unofficial sales estimates for the Apple Watch - as Apple may not be too keen on divulging its real numbers - reveal that the smartwatch has gathered at least a million units in sales. And that's just for a few weeks in the market.
The stark reality, however, show that Google's Android Wear platform shipped 720,000 units in 2014. Not bad. However, it certainly pales in comparison to Apple Watch numbers.
With Android Wear 5.1 already brought forward a few weeks back, and its myriad features being unrolled, Google may yet have the upper hand. In a market that has been lionized by the Cupertino-based tech giant.
First stop, the always-on display. Say goodbye to annoying revert-to-the-clock screen after leaving your Android smartwatch alone for a few seconds. Now, the always-on display capabilities are extended to third-party apps so information is left on the screen even in low-power, black-and-white mode.
"With the new always-on feature, we can bring this hands-free experience to the next level," details Benedikt Lehnert, Wunderlist chief design officer. "Simply select your grocery list and have it visible the entire time you're shopping. No need to constantly touch the screen or move your wrist, so you can focus on juggling all the goodies you want to buy."
But that's just for starters. Google goes smartwatch apps friendly. Where the apps launcher seem to be hidden from view, just a simple tap on the main screen and voila, you get the launcher waiting to do your bidding. Move over actionable notifications.
That should translate to easier navigation for Android smartwatches. "Just by virtue of removing the number of taps to get to the app list, that helps a lot," exclaims Aaron Sarazan, Android development lead for Level Money app.
And what would an update be without upgrading voice support? This time around Android Wear 5.1 gives you more control than just a handful of generic commands. Enter the novel "Custom Voice Actions" and you can give more specific commands. Classic example: bring up showtimes on Flixster, command Google to play NPR.
This should make a lot of Android Wearable fans smiling from ear to ear. And more.
Google is looking at iOS and how many of its adapters, the iPhone users more specifically, are "rich kids" - younger and more affluent. Reportedly, Android Wear support is reaching out to iOS. Not yet but by the looks of it, pretty soon.
For skeptics and techie-unbelievers, note that Google Now - that Google feature which many find creep at times for being too up close - is already available for iOS. Seems Android Wear 5.1 update is changing the game.
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