We already know that Google has decided to hold off rolling out Android Wear 2.0 until early 2017, so it's decided to give us another preview of what we can expect when it finally drops.
With the arrival of the fourth developer version of Wear 2.0 this week, we have our first look at one of the biggest new features, standalone apps. These are the apps you can install on Wear watches and don't require having a companion app on your smartphone. This is going to be a really big deal for anyone that's using Android Wear with an iPhone.
Read this: The best Android Wear watches to own
Google has shown how three new standalone apps will operate. The first is from video messenger app Glide, which uses the new Wear Complications API, to live broadcast directly from the app and launch directly into conversations.
The new FourSquare app will apparently make it easier to find the best places to eat, drink and explore while food logging app Lifesum will let you track water and meals straight from your Android Wear smartwatch.
Along with the introduction of standalone apps, the fourth developer edition has also added access to more new Wear 2.0 features including the ability for devs to offer in-app billing so you can authorise purchases with a four-digit PIN number. It's also the first time we get to see the swipe-to-dismiss gesture in action.
If you need a reminder, Google's upcoming software update will also introduce a standalone Play Store, Apple Watch-style complications, and improvements in the messaging, notification and fitness departments.
It's fair to say that there's a lot riding on the introduction of Wear 2.0 to prove that Google is on track with its smartwatch platform. Especially after Wear partner Motorola decided to step away from smartwatches.
Source: Android Developers Blog
How we test
By Michael Sawh
Michael Sawh has been covering the wearable tech industry since the very first Fitbit landed back in 2011. Previously the resident wearable tech expert at Trusted Reviews, he also marshaled the features section of T3.com.
He also regularly contributed to T3 magazine when they needed someone to talk about fitness trackers, running watches, headphones, tablets, and phones.
Michael writes for GQ, Wired, Coach Mag, Metro, MSN, BBC Focus, Stuff, TechRadar and has made several appearances on the BBC Travel Show to talk all things tech.
Michael is a lover of all things sports and fitness-tech related, clocking up over 15 marathons and has put in serious hours in the pool all in the name of testing every fitness wearable going. Expect to see him with a minimum of two wearables at any given time.