Google announces big Android Wear update that brings support for interactive watch faces

Google has just announced a big update to the Android Wear platform that will make your wearable much more functional. The headline feature of this update is support for interactive watch faces, which will make it easy to change the watch face’s design, get more information or even launch a specific application with just a tap.

Developers will need to utilize the newly-announced Interactive Watch Face API to bring these new features to their applications. Once support has been added, devs can add additional information to their watch faces that can be revealed with just a single tap. For instance, with ustwo’s new Bits watch face (shown below), you’ll be able to choose whatever information you’d like to be displayed by simply tapping on the complication. If you want to see the weather, tap on the weather complication bubble, or if you’d like to just see the time, click on the clock bubble in the center.

There’s also a new Together watch face that will let you easily connect with someone else throughout the day. Once you’ve paired with your partner’s watch, you can share things like photos and emoji, as well as your activities (like if you’re working out, on the phone, or stuck in traffic).

Google says all Android Wear watches will get the update over the next few weeks, but no specific roll out information has been released yet. While you’re waiting for the update, feel free to check out the new Interactive Watch Faces page in the Play Store.

The last big feature coming in the update is the expansion of Google Translate to all Android Wear devices. Even if you don’t have Translate installed on your phone, you’ll still be able to use the service on your Wear device. To use it, just speak into your watch and the conversation will translate for you right before your eyes. Google elaborates:

Flip your wrist to show the translation to a friend. When they respond in their own language, flip your wrist back, and you’ll see in your language what they’ve just said. Google Translate will automatically recognize which of the two languages is being spoken, so once you tap to start the conversation, all you and your buddy need to do is keep talking naturally.

Quite frankly, we’re really happy to see Translate support making its way to the Wear platform. Are any of you excited for the new update? Let us know what you think!