Android Wear Update Brings Visual Improvements and Accessibility Improvements

A new update to the Android Wear app is rolling out in the Play Store today, bringing some visual improvements as well as improvements for accessibility users.  The update to the app is version 2.7.0.180439970 which will then have build 2.8.0.181612071 to send to your Wear watch.  Once you get the new app update, you’ll need to also perform an update on your watch itself.  You should have a notification that there is a new update to the Android Wear app on the watch itself.

As for what is new, there are improved typefaces and fonts in this build.  The aim of these is to improve glanceability (i.e. readability) when you glance at your watch.  Also, the base theme for your watch’s menu will appear noticeably darker.  This is likely a part of the effort to improve glanceability.

For those who use Accessibility features in Android Wear, this is a big update for you too.  Improvement to overall accessibility features are improved in this update, specifically around Talkback.

Do keep in mind that this is not a complete firmware update so if your watch is still running Android Nougat (like my Ticwatch E), you will still be on Nougat.  This is an app update only.

 

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