Android Wear update adds local music playback, standalone GPS
Google on Thursday announced an update to the Android Wear platform which adds in two noteworthy features. Smartwatches powered by Android Wear will now be able work more independently of smartphones thanks to internal GPS reporting capabilities. Apps such as MyTracks can now track runs and activities without requiring a connected device.
Whether you’re training for a marathon or you just ride your bike on weekends, Android Wear is great for tracking things like route, distance and speed. Starting today Wear supports watches with GPS sensors, so you can enjoy these features regardless of where your phone’s at.
The same goes for music, now, as the update allows for storing music on watches. Playback your tracks directly from your wrist to a set of Bluetooth headphones and keep that phone tucked away safely.