Android Wear smartwatches get WiFi support; also now let you draw and send emojis

New Delhi: Google has updated its operating system for Android wearables with features that include WiFi support and emoji capabilities.

The WiFi capability will be available on the LG Watch Urbane, Moto 360, Sony Smartwatch 3, and Samsung Gear Live.

The emoji support lets you draw emojis on your smartwatch screen. You can respond to texts, instant messages, or emails with this feature. The watch will recognize the emoji you drew and send it via whichever messaging app you’re using.

Google notes in its product forum the other six features in the updated Android Wear OS. These include:

1. Always-on screen, always-on apps: Google has expanded its always-on screen feature to apps, so they can stay visible as long as the wearer needs them, instead of disappearing when you drop your arm.

2.New launcher and wrist gestures: With a simple swipe to the left can let you access your apps and contacts. The updated Android Wear now also responds to specific navigation gestures so you can scroll between cards with a simple flick of the wrist. Learn more with our YouTube video.

3. Heads-up notifications: This basically means if you are using an app and a notification is received on another app, it will simply appear on-screen without disturbing your existing task on the previous app.

4. Switching watches made easier: The Android Wear companion app now lets you pair your phone with more than one watch at a time.

5. Change your font size: A minute but important feature, you can now adjust the font size on the smartwatch through a tweak in settings.

6. Lock your watch’s screen: Another important addition, this feature allows you to have your watch screen automatically locked the minute you take it off your wrist. If enabled, the watch will then ask for your specific swipe pattern to unlock.

These new features are available when you have the latest version of the Android Wear app on your synced device.