For two days straight, Ibukun was going on and on about nomophobia (the fear of being away from your smartphone). Yesterday, he suggested ways you can curb your smartphone addiction. So, imagine my joy when I read on the Android blog that Google will now add cellular connectivity to its Android Wear. Ibukun’s rants weren’t for nothing.
Android Wear is Google’s operating software for smartwatches and wearables. Google explains that adding cellular connectivity to the OS means wearables will be able to connect with mobile grids to make and take calls, send and receive SMS, search for stuff on Google, track your fitness, and run some apps. This move, according to Jon Russell of Techcrunch, “could reduce a user’s dependence on their phone.”
Now, you don’t have to be with your phone all the time. Well, technically the watch becomes your phone, but I’m sure you catch my drift. Some of the basic tasks you do on your phone, can now be done on wearables running on Android Wear. You can go for runs, go shopping, or have a family day out without your phone. But if you do more complex tasks on your phone, then I doubt this feature can help you.
Google revealed that the first watch that will carry this update is the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE. The watch is only available for AT&T and Verizon customers in US right now but will be shipped out to international customers “within the coming months.”
“Supported features for the watch may vary,” so customers should “please check with [their] carrier,” Google said.
