Lollipop update for Android Wear might be coming tomorrow

On the phone and tablet side some devices have already been updated to run Android 5.0 Lollipop, the latest version of Google’s OS. But the company’s Android Wear platform has not yet made the jump. That could all change tomorrow.

A new rumor says that’s when the update to Android 5.0.1 Lollipop for Android Wear will start rolling out.

Opera Mini is the first web browser for Samsung Gear S

The Tizen-based Samsung Gear S now has its very own full web browser thanks to Opera.

The Opera Mini will allow you to browse the internet on your wrists and has the familiar features – mobile compression that shrinks pages to as little as 10% of their original size and speed dial with your recent pages.

Moto 360 gets its first ad, which focuses on its design

Now that the Moto 360, its first smartwatch running Android Wear, is already available, Motorola has started the ad campaign for it. The first one-minute ad for the Moto 360 was released earlier today, and it seems to be all about design.

Or specifically, the design of the smartwatch itself, of course. The theme is something along the lines of – “it’s time for a modern timepiece”.

Moto 360 display seemingly having image retention issue

The semi-circular LCD on the Moto 360 seems to be having a problem with image retention. A couple of users have reported their Moto 360 continues to show the circular charging bar on the screen even after you stop charging.

Google Glass and Apple Watch: Intrusive vs non-intrusive wearables

Wearable tech is back at the forefront with the release of the Apple Watch. Apple’s entrant is sure to help 

the sector overall, with expectations of tens if not hundreds of millions of devices to ship annually from Apple 

and others by the end of the decade.

This success does not come without its share of questions, however.

Apple Watch could prove more of a distraction for drivers than smartphones

Apple Watch is off to a rather shaky start, as some folks (like us) feel it isn't as smart looking or svelte as we 

were expecting, and others don't believe it has enough functionality, and doesn't do anything different from 

existing smartwatches.

And now the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is putting the boot in – on all smartwatches, mind, 

although the organisation's press release highlights Apple's – and the risks of using such a gadget while 

driving.

Apple Watch home screen now available for Android Wear

If you like what Apple has done with the design of the home screen for its upcoming watch, but you already own an Android Wear smartwatch, this might be for you. It turns out that someone has already copied the home screen of the Apple Watch, with all those circular icons, and made it available for Android Wear devices.

There is one huge, albeit probably not unexpected caveat though: this is just a watchface. Hence, the icons don’t do anything, you can’t tap them to enter apps or the likes.

Future Apple Watch models will reportedly pack more built-in sensors

Despite the fact that the Apple Watch is yet to arrive, rumors about its successor already began circulating. According to a report by Reuters, future iterations of the wearable device will pack more sensors.

Citing people familiar with Apple’s plans, the report reveals that future iterations of the device will offer richer health features. Apple Watch is currently set to measure activity via the iPhone’s Wi-Fi and GPS.

HTC smartwatch allegedly not canceled, due early 2015

HTC hasn’t actually stopped working on a smartwatch of its own, according to the omniscient “people familiar with the matter”. This report comes to contradict a rumor from last week, which said that the Taiwanese company had given up on the idea of creating its own smartwatch.

The speculation back then was that this had something to do with the company’s effort lacking any ‘wow’ factor when compared to its prospective competitors.

Apple Watch gets parodied on video

After yesterday’s big Apple event, the company’s two new iPhones promptly got mocked, in different ways, by both HTC and Samsung. While the former focused on the design similarities between the iPhone 6 and its very own One (M8), Samsung rightly took a stab at the iPhone 6 Plus and its phablet form factor (that was made mainstream by the original Galaxy Note, let’s not forget). And now, the Apple Watch is in the spotlight

Motorola Moto 360 with metal band on pre-order on Verizon

The Motorola Moto 360 smartwatch sold out soon after it was released. If you wanted a metal wrist band you were out of luck even if you got to the store in time – Motorola released the phone with a choice of two leather bands saying it will make it available with a metal band later on.

Now however, Verizon has put the metal strap version on pre-order for $300 with a choice of Black and White (more like silver) colors.

Apple iWatch will reportedly run optimized apps from a dedicated store

According to a new report, the upcoming Apple iWatch will run optimized third-party apps. The latter will be available from a dedicated section in the App Store.

Apple has allegedly seeded its dedicated SDK for wearable devices to high profile app developers. We are likely to see third-party apps demoed on Cupertino’s smartwatch during the September 9 launch event.

Google details Android Wear updates for the rest of the year

Today Google has posted an official list of features it will add to the Android Wear platform before 2014 ends. The company has also confirmed once again that all smartwatches running Android Wear will get the updates as soon as these are going to be ready.

This is no surprise, as Google is pretty much in charge of the update process for Android Wear devices, looking to avoid the fragmentation situation that’s persistent in its smartphone and tablet operating system.

HTC won’t make a smartwatch after all, rumor says

According to the ever-present “sources familiar with the matter”, HTC has decided to give up on the idea of creating its very own smartwatch.

In an age in which seemingly every Android smartphone maker has branched out into this new wearable category (undoubtedly helped by the existence of the Android Wear platform), this might sound like an odd decision.

Asus announces new ZenWatch wearable

The latest from ASUS out of IFA 2014 includes its first smartwatch powered by Android Wear, the ZenWatch.

The ZenWatch, produced in partnership with Google, features a curved glass design and a case that designed to follow the contours of your wrist, alongside a premium leather strap.

InWatch and Meizu team up to offer the $65 InWatch Pi MX edition

The Meizu MX4 went official hours ago, but that’s not the only piece of tech the company revealed today. The company also announced a smartwatch from InWatch to complement its latest smartphone.

The two companies have teamed up to reveal the InWatch Pi MX4 Edition.

The Swarovski for Samsung collection claims Gear S

The latest fashion victim of the “Swarovski for Samsung” collection is the Samsung Gear S smartwatch.

The watch’s strap will be covered with Swarovski cut crystals that will complement the curved design of the Tizen-based smartwatch.

Swatch plans to unveil own smartwatch next summer

Swatch has plans for its own smartwatches to compete with the likes of Samsung and Apple, and is happy to 

go it alone in the wearables market, although the company hasn't ruled out collaboration with another firm.

Any Swatch wearable effort, though, is likely to be a watch with smart features, with the emphasis on the 

watch and style factor more than the tech chops.

Nike+ Running app for Samsung Gear S gets announced

Samsung and Nike have announced today that they’re partnering up to bring the Nike+ Running app to the Samsung Gear S smartwatch.

Nokia HERE Maps to provide free, offline navigation to Samsung Galaxy smartphones

Samsung and Nokia have announced that HERE Maps are arriving in beta form on Android, free for Galaxy phones. HERE comes with voice-guided navigation capabilities and will work offline too, something which Google Maps doesn’t allow.