Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
Android Wear OS and User Interface (UI)
The Android Wear operating system uses Bluetooth to connect to a handheld device, which
needs to run Android version 4.3 or higher. Once connected and paired with an Android
smartphone or tablet, the Android Wear shows information or alerts, including apps like:
Gmail
Google Calendar
Android phone notifications and calls
Text messages
Conversely, Android Wear can also send commands to other Android devices it is
connected to.
An Android wearable device might include the following features:
Customizable Themes
Changeable Bands
Simple Interaction
Personalized Fitness Manager
One of the greatest features of Android Wear is the vocal (voice) commands. You can
actually execute tasks or retrieve information on your Android Wear just by giving a
vocal command. All you need to do is to say, “Okay Google,” and then say the command
that you need.
You can also give vocal commands to your Android Wear to execute tasks on the Android
smartphone or tablet it is connected to.
Using the vocal commands you might, for instance, execute the following tasks:
Launch an app on the paired smartphone or tablet
: For instance, “Open
Gmail”
Take notes
: For example, “Take a note, buy bread and milk”
Get simultaneous answers to generic questions
: For example, “What is
the capital of Italy?”
Send emails and texts
: For instance, “Send Massimo Nardone an email,”
and then dictate the email text
The Android Wear operating system is very different from what is normally used on
smartphones and tablets. This mainly because Android Wear needs a user interface. Google
had to develop a new OS and user interface for Android Wear. The interface has two main
components: the Context Stream and the Cue Card.
