Back in 2014, before the Apple Watch was born, Google had already laid the groundwork in the smart wearable field with the official launch of the new smart platform Android Wear, making a bold entry into the wearable device computing market. In the following two years, more and more Android Wear smartwatches gradually entered our vision, and Google’s Android operating system has become the dominant player in the smartwatch market, with more than 19 models from 12 brands released to date. Below, we will briefly introduce the development history of this large smartwatch family.
On March 19, 2014, Google first announced the Android Wear operating system designed for smartwatches. Although there had been rumors for a long time about Google’s entry into the smartwatch market, the details were shrouded in mystery. While everyone was eagerly anticipating Apple’s iWatch, Google made a significant move at the 2014 I/O conference by officially releasing the Android Wear operating system.
◤First Generation Smartwatches◢
After Google launched the full version of the Android Wear SDK at the “I/O 2014” conference, the first batch of Android Wear smartwatches also made their debut. These three Android Wear smartwatches were the Motorola Moto 360, Samsung Gear Live, and LG G Watch. Asus and Sony quickly followed up with their own smartwatches, and Android Wear began to gradually enter everyone’s sight.
LG G Watch
(July 2014)
Just one month after the release of the Android Wear operating system, the LG G Watch smartwatch was launched, which is also the first Android Wear smartwatch we saw. Its square appearance resembles a super small LG phone, giving a prototype-like feel, but at that time, this product was used by Google as a reference model for Android Wear in many promotions.
Samsung Gear Live
(July 2014)
Samsung’s first Android Wear smartwatch, the Samsung Gear Live, was launched almost simultaneously with the LG G Watch. Its biggest feature is the heart rate sensor, which can monitor the wearer’s heartbeat. Besides that, both have the same configuration and functions, reflecting the high uniformity and lack of differentiation in the first generation of Android Wear systems.
Moto 360
(September 2014)
Motorola’s Moto 360 is the first smartwatch to feature a round dial, and its exquisite design easily stands out among a pile of large square watches. If you can overlook that black bottom that drives perfectionists crazy, the Moto 360 indeed has many highlights. Therefore, although the Moto 360 was the last to market among the three Android Wear models launched by Google, it was the most attention-grabbing watch at that time, especially today when round smartwatches are in vogue, the Moto 360’s design is very avant-garde and fashionable.
Asus ZenWatch
(November 2014)
After the aforementioned three watches took the lead, Asus also launched its own Android Wear smartwatch, the Asus ZenWatch, which was delayed until the end of the year. Although it was much later than its competitors, this also gave Asus more time to refine the product’s appearance. It must be said that the emergence of the Asus ZenWatch was also eye-catching, with a brushed stainless steel case, a slightly curved rectangular display surrounded by a brass-colored bezel, and a stitched leather strap. It should be considered the most aesthetically pleasing square smartwatch at that time.
Sony SmartWatch 3
(October 2014)
For Sony, which is known for its stylish appearance, the Sony SmartWatch 3 may not look like a very cool product. The square display paired with a silicone strap gives it a very sporty design. This is because the Sony SmartWatch 3 is the first Android Wear smartwatch designed for fitness enthusiasts, and it was also the only Android Wear with a built-in GPS chip at that time.
◤Second Generation Smartwatches◢
After the rapid iteration and upgrade of Android Wear smartwatches, brands such as LG, Asus, and Motorola have launched second and even third generation products, and the aesthetics of smartwatches have also significantly improved.
LG G Watch R
(September 2014)
As LG’s first round smartwatch, the G Watch R made a strong impression upon its release. Compared to the previously released G Watch, it is closer to the traditional watch shape, with a black steel case, traditional scale bezel, and a full round screen. It also does not have the black edge at the bottom of the Moto 360, and its size and weight are lighter than the Moto 360, making it very attractive and a strong competitor to the Moto 360.
LG Watch Urbane
(April 2015)
The LG Watch Urbane can be seen as a re-shelled version of the LG G Watch R, as the two products have no differences in core hardware configuration except for their appearance. The gold or silver metal appearance paired with a hand-stitched leather strap makes it very exquisite. Compared to the LG G Watch R, its thickness has also been reduced, giving it a stylish and elegant look that is more in line with business people’s style. However, the LG Watch Urbane is not intended to replace the G Watch R; it simply provides more options for consumers pursuing fashion and luxury.
Second Generation Moto 360
(September 2015)
The Moto 360 can be considered the aesthetic representative of Android Wear. Whether it’s the first generation or the second generation Moto 360, the design is unforgettable. The second generation Moto 360 offers two dial size versions and three different strap specifications to meet the preferences of more users. In addition, the second generation Moto 360 also supports MotoMaker personalized customization service, allowing users to freely combine straps, bezels, decorations, and colors to create their own Moto 360, making this personalized service truly irresistible.
Asus ZenWatch 2
(September 2015)
The appearance of the Asus ZenWatch 2 basically continues the design of the previous generation, featuring a square dial, and offers two size versions for male and female users. Additionally, ZenWatch 2 provides users with various choices regarding dial size, strap color, and material. Asus also collaborated with Swarovski to customize a leather strap embedded with crystals.
◤The Era of Round Dials◢
As the Android Wear lineup continues to grow, the appearance of smartwatches has become increasingly aligned with people’s aesthetics, transitioning from square dials to round dials becoming mainstream, with a significant improvement in aesthetics. Moreover, smartwatches are no longer just toys for tech companies; many traditional watchmakers are beginning to seek a change in mindset. Although the road ahead for smartwatches is long, it is essential for traditional watchmakers to upgrade their product structures. As smartwatches gain more popularity among the public, we believe we will see more traditional watchmakers enter this field.
Huawei Watch
(September 2015)
The Huawei Watch launched by Huawei caused quite a stir in the industry, with its exquisite appearance and aesthetic design being outstanding even as a traditional watch. Coupled with features such as offline payment via Alipay, WeChat, and heart rate monitoring, it can be considered a dark horse in Android Wear, combining fashion and technology, and was even hailed by overseas media as “the most beautiful smartwatch,” captivating many consumers.
Tag Heuer Connected
(November 2015)
The birth of the Tag Heuer Connected marks the first marriage between the traditional Swiss watch industry and Silicon Valley technology. Experienced Swiss watchmakers know how to inherit Tag Heuer’s watchmaking skills, allowing the watch to maintain a luxurious quality while being smart. Although it does not have the “Swiss-made” label like Tag Heuer’s mechanical watches, it undoubtedly represents a model of watchmaking craftsmanship in the Android Wear family.
Fossil Q Founder
(November 2015)
The Q Founder from the fashion brand Fossil is clearly designed with elegance in mind, featuring a stainless steel body paired with leather or steel straps. However, the similar black edge as the Moto 360 appears somewhat discordant, and the watch is slightly large, which may not be suitable for female users. Although the Fossil Q Founder has high aesthetic value, it must be said that its functionality still lags behind other smartwatches, and its battery life is not very good.
Moto 360 Sport
(December 2015)
The Moto 360 Sport is the sports version of the second generation Moto 360, and as the name suggests, this smartwatch is designed specifically for fitness enthusiasts. It features a built-in GPS module, heart rate monitor, and music player, allowing it to be used independently during exercise, and it is the second Android Wear smartwatch to support GPS connectivity after the Sony SmartWatch 3.
Casio Smart Outdoor Watch
(January 2016)
The first Android Wear smartwatch from Casio, the WSD-F10, continues the design language and product philosophy of the G-Shock sports watch, positioning itself as an outdoor smartwatch. Therefore, many outdoor factors were considered in the watch’s design, such as passing the US MIL-STD-810G military standard certification and having a 50-meter water resistance capability. Overall, the WSD-F10 appears to be more sporty than the Huawei Watch and Moto 360.
Fossil Q Wander and Fossil Q Marshal
(March 2016)
The Q Wander and Q Marshal are two smartwatches newly launched by Fossil this year. Both maintain the design style of the Q Founder and are equipped with the updated Android Wear operating system, supporting wireless charging and phone call features from the watch. The main difference is that the Q Wander targets female users, while the Q Marshal is aimed at male consumers.
The Mission by Nixon
(March 2016)
Unlike most other Android Wear watches, Nixon focuses on a professional niche. Their Android Wear smartwatch, Mission, is highly specialized and mainly targets snowboarding and surfing enthusiasts, with a waterproof depth of up to 100 meters, making it one of the best waterproof smartwatches available.
Michael Kors Access
(March 2016)
The American affordable luxury brand Michael Kors has also crossed over into smartwatches. The Michael Kors Access is MK’s first smartwatch series, with two Android Wear models targeting male and female users respectively. The gold diamond-studded version is specifically designed for female users, while the black sports version is designed for male users. MK also launched leather and silicone straps and specially designed watch face interfaces for both models.
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