Android Wear strikes back at Apple Watch with rumoured Wi-Fi support

Android Wear

Just a few hours ago Cupertino revealed a bunch more details about its upcoming Apple Watch, including release date, prices, and a number of the apps we'll be able to play with.

Apple's watch has been looming over the wearables industry before it was even announced, but while Android Wear had a pretty lengthy head start it still lacks some of the things Cupertino is promising. One of those is Wi-Fi support.

However, according to a source in the know speaking to The Verge, that's about to change. Wi-Fi support is said to be coming in the next update, meaning you'll be able to stay online in many situations where a Bluetooth connection isn't available.

Many of the Android Wear watches already have Wi-Fi built in and ready to go, so they're just waiting for Google to hit the 'on' button.

Other features said to be coming in the update include gesture control - flick your wrist to scroll through notifications and Google Now cards - and a tweaked UI that gives you faster access to apps and contacts.

Now that the Apple Watch is set to drop into the market, we'll hopefully see Google start being a bit more proactive in improving Android Wear, which has seen a rather slow evolution until now.

Hugh Langley

Hugh Langley is the ex-News Editor of TechRadar. He had written for many magazines and websites including Business Insider, The Telegraph, IGN, Gizmodo, Entrepreneur Magazine, WIRED (UK), TrustedReviews, Business Insider Australia, Business Insider India, Business Insider Singapore, Wareable, The Ambient and more.


Hugh is now a correspondent at Business Insider covering Google and Alphabet, and has the unfortunate distinction of accidentally linking the TechRadar homepage to a rival publication.