Now that Android 2.0 is official and ready to be rolled out to devices and for developers to update their apps with support, a handful have already let us know their plans. Strava and Runkeeper are both receiving updates today with 2.0 support, plus Polar is sharing information on the M600’s impending 2.0 update.
Polar expects to push the Android Wear 2.0 update to the M600 at some point this Spring. I know that seems like we have months to go, but I’d imagine they want to get it just right, since this is a serious training watch and all. Once it does show up, users will get access to the Google Play store on the watch, new indoor swimming metrics, Google Assistant, new watch faces, and improved battery life (up to 36 hours). The full details on the update can be found in the press release below.
For Strava, the big news is that you don’t necessarily need a phone connected in order to get Strava on your watch and recording your activities. You’ll need a phone handy to get Strava setup initially, but that’s it. As you know, Google Play now comes with Android Wear 2.0, so you can install Strava straight to a watch to track activities with GPS, then record and upload them all wirelessly.
As for Runkeeper, the idea is similar. With Runkeeper for Wear 2.0, you get a standalone GPS experience, plus higher display contrast, a new activity summary screen, and improvements that get rid of the accidental stops and pauses mid-run.
Grab the updates!
Play Links: Strava | Runkeeper
Polar Announces Polar M600 Android Wear™ 2.0 Update and New Swimming Metrics
KEMPELE, FINLAND – Feb. 9, 2017 – Polar, the leader in wearable sports technology, introduces Android Wear™ 2.0 compatibility and indoor swimming metrics to their Polar M600 smartwatch. Available soon, the latest Android Wear update enables both Android and iOS users to access the Google Play store via the watch, download apps and operate them directly on the Polar M600.
A sports watch at its core, Polar M600 now offers new indoor swimming metrics such as distance and pace, as well as strokes per minute and strokes per pool length. Polar M600’s latest metrics will even determine whether a swimmer is swimming freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke or butterfly.
Recently named an International CES 2017 Innovation Awards Honoree in the Fitness, Sports and Biotech product category, Polar M600 is built for serious training while also boasting a sleek design for a connected lifestyle. Polar M600 features Polar’s proprietary 6-LED optical heart rate technology and industry-leading heart rate algorithms. These advanced technologies deliver incredible accuracy, stability and reliability that distinguish Polar from every alternative on the market. Polar M600 also offers integrated GPS, 24/7 activity tracking and Polar Smart Coaching features.
With Android Wear 2.0, Polar M600 has Google Assistant** built-in. Users can access also customize watch faces, receive calendar notifications, read and reply to texts, scroll through social media feeds and access even more apps via Google Play™. The latest update also includes an improved user interface, a newly designed watch face and additional languages including Vietnamese, Turkish, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish and Danish.
The newest update will be available to all Polar M600 users this Spring. Polar M600 is available now in Charcoal Black and Powder White for $329.95. Interchangeable wristband accessories are available in Red, White, and Black for $29.95.
* Android, Android Wear, Google Play and other marks are trademarks of Google Inc.
**Google Assistant is not available in all languages
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Strava Available Now for Devices Powered by Android Wear 2.0
Athletes can record and upload activities on Strava via Wear 2.0 watches, untethered from their Android and iOS phones.
SAN FRANCISCO – February 9, 2017 – Strava, the social network for athletes, announces its Android Wear 2.0 app. Athletes can now take full advantage of an enhanced, untethered experience that includes built-in GPS and wireless connectivity, as well as the performance analysis Strava athletes desire such as time, distance, pace, laps and split times, and heart rate, all from their wrist.
“We welcome the highly anticipated release of Android Wear 2.0,” said Mateo A. Ortega, Head of Integration for Strava. “Wear 2.0’s standalone model is forward thinking and innovative, and pushes the limits of what we thought was possible. This platform introduces many features that benefit Strava athletes, such as the option to record and upload activities independent of their phone.”
Android Wear 2.0 smartwatches join more than 100 other GPS devices that work seamlessly with Strava. Athletes can install Strava for Android Wear 2.0 by visiting the Google Play store on their Wear device. The athlete only needs their iOS or Android phone for initial setup; they can then record and upload activities to Strava free of their mobile phone.
Strava makes it easy to connect and engage with other athletes. Download Strava for iOS or Android and upgrade to Strava Premium to access the latest features such as Beacon and Live Segments. To learn more about Strava, visit www.strava.com.
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This post was last modified on February 9, 2017 10:57 am