Google has rebranded Android Wear to Wear OS
Google’s Android Wear will be known as Wear OS from now on. A week ahead of Baselworld, the tech giant has changed the name of its smartwatch operating system.
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Google has opted for the rebranding exercise to better reflect the fact that one out of every three new Android Wear owners use an iPhone. The company feels that the new name better reflects the people who wear their watches. There is a new slogan as well – “Make every minute matter”.
“We’re announcing a new name that better reflects our technology, vision, and most important of all — the people who wear our watches. We’re now Wear OS by Google, a wearables operating system for everyone,” said Google’s Dennis Tropper.
The Android Wear brand was introduced in 2014. Announced at Google I/O 2016, version 2.0 was launched early last year.
Google says existing smartwatches will automatically be updated with the new name over the coming days and weeks. The list of compatible devices is quite extensive.
It includes the Casio PRO TREK Smart WSD-F20, Casio WSD-F10 Smart Outdoor Watch, Diesel Full Guard, Emporio Armani Connected, Fossil Q Control, Fossil Q Explorist, Fossil Q Founder 2.0, Fossil Q Marshal, Fossil Q Venture, Fossil Q Wander, Guess Connect, Gc Connect, Huawei Watch 2 (both cellular & non-cellular versions), Hugo BOSS BOSS Touch, Kate Spade Scallop, LG Watch Sport, LG Watch Style, Louis Vuitton Tambour, Misfit Vapor, Michael Kors Access Bradshaw, Michael Kors Access Dylan, Michael Kors Access Grayson, Michael Kors Sofie, Montblanc Summit, Movado Connect, Mobvoi Ticwatch S & E, Nixon Mission, Polar M600, Skagen Falster Smartwatch, TAG Heuer Connected Modular 41, TAG Heuer Connected Modular 45, Tommy Hilfiger 24/7 You and ZTE Quartz.
It seems Google’s smartwatch platform is not dead just yet. Let’s hope this change breathes some much needed life into the operating system and is the first of many updates to come. The news arrives just two months before Google I/O, the company’s annual developer conference.
For more information, check out Google’s blog announcement.
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