09
Sep
Gear-Live_Black-sq

[Update x2: G Watch, Moto 360 Too] Samsung Gear Live Updated To Android Wear 4.4W.1 Build KGW42N: Here's What's New

Posted by in Android Wear, Gear Live, News

Update #1 9/6/14: It looks like at least some of those who've run out to buy the Moto 360 at retail are already seeing the KGW42N update. Charge your watch, set it up, and you should get the alert.

360

Thanks to reader Justin for the tip and the photo!

Update #2 9/9/14: The G Watch is now receiving 4.4W.1 as well, though the build number varies slightly (KGW42Q):

wm_IMG_20140909_183037

Thanks, Devin Arthur.

Google representatives promised a notable update to the Android Wear platform this week, and it looks like Samsung's only non-Tizen watch is first in line. The Gear Live is currently receiving an over-the-air update to Android Wear version 4.4W.1, which includes some much-needed adjustments to the watch interface for Google Maps Navigation and the built-in alarm function.

20140904_170406

The OTA update should be going out in batches, but if you've got a custom recovery on your watch or you want to sideload it via ADB (there's a sentence I never thought I'd write) you can download the update ZIP here.

So what does it do? Well, the biggest change is to navigation, which also requires the latest version of Google Maps installed on your phone. Now when initiating a turn-by-turn navigation session from the Gear Live, you're presented with any alternate destinations that Google might have come up with. So if I said "navigate to Best Buy," it would probably show the one ten minutes north as well as the one fifteen minutes south. Scroll through the list and tap to make your selection.

device-2014-09-05-171940 device-2014-09-05-172025

You can also select your preferred method of navigation when you start out, driving, biking, walking, or public transit. Again, just scroll down and select your method and the navigation function should kick in with the appropriate turn-by-turn directions.

device-2014-09-05-171705 device-2014-09-05-171804

Also, the 8.3 update for the Google Maps app now seems to vibrate the watch with each new turn, which should be handy if you're driving and don't have a cradle for your phone. But please remember not to look at your watch while your car is moving. That's bad, m'kay?

Lastly, Android Wear now has a pint-sized analog to the interface seen on your phone when setting a new alarm, instead of a one time only option. When setting a new alarm with an "OK Google" voice command, you can now select a recurring alarm for one or more days of the week. To initiate this, just tap "edit" after giving the voice command.

device-2014-09-05-174140 device-2014-09-05-174143 device-2014-09-05-174149

device-2014-09-05-174157 device-2014-09-05-174309 device-2014-09-05-174317

That's it. Expect the KGW42N build or its equivalent to go out to the LG G Watch soon, and possibly the new Moto 360 units as well (which are shipping and may be available at your local retailers). Future updates should add some cool new features like local Bluetooth music playback from your watch.

Thanks to Patrick Lackemacher and Shawn!

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Michael Crider
Michael is a native Texan and a former graphic designer. He's been covering technology in general and Android in particular since 2011. His interests include folk music, football, science fiction, and salsa verde, in no particular order.

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  • Carlos Rodríguez

    Interesting how it would be possible to use ADB/custom recoveries or even fastboot on the Moto 360 because it doesn't have and USB connection.

    Cheers!

    • http://www.facebook.com/danieltye88 Tungmeister

      It does have the pins on the board under the back cover though I believe. Modifying a USB cable would probably be required to use it I would imagine. Hopefully that'll all have been worked out by the time I can get one in the UK.

    • bL4Ck

      i think you can ADB over bluetooth

      • Tom Harman

        This is correct, adb over bluetooth just like the Gear Live and G Watch.

      • http://www.androidpolice.com/ Artem Russakovskii

        Which is a pain compared to regular adb. Bah.

        • sggodsell

          Debugging works flawlessly over Bluetooth. You can even use adb -s watchname shell. So you can open a shell to the watch. Its awesome.

          • http://www.androidpolice.com/ Artem Russakovskii

            Yeah, but it requires checking multiple checkboxes (if you don't want the constant notifications) and a forward, and it's a lot slower for transferring screenshots and data. Pain in the ass.

      • Franco Rossel

        I'm pretty sure you can't fastboot over Bluetooth though.

    • Brandon Smith

      The G Watch doesn't have a USB connection either; its dock does. Does the 360's dock have a USB connection?

      • ChrisM40

        The G watch still has a physical connection to that dock, its just pogo pins instead of a micro USB plug. The 360 has no physical connection to its dock.

      • Carlos Rodríguez

        Actually neither the Gear Live has an USB connector per se. The connection is using the charging cradle. But with the 360 the charging is wireless, so I don't think it's possible to use fastboot, let alone flash a custom recovery on the 360.

    • Mystery Man

      You enable debugging over bluetooth

  • Justin

    Confirming that the Moto360 has this build, it updated shortly after charging it fully.

    • emd2009

      how's the battery life?

      • Justin

        Took it off charge at roughly 8:30 this morning, it's now 5:10, and I'm at 72%. It seems to be lasting significantly longer than I expected it to.

        • http://www.androidpolice.com/ Artem Russakovskii

          Very light usage, I presume?

          • Justin

            I'm actually not sure how you could use this thing heavily yet. I'm actually looking for more stuff to do with it, but yeah I'd consider it light usage.

            12 and a half hours of light usage puts it at 62% right now.

          • cmbeid

            I assume you had Ambient mode disabled (as it is by default)?

          • Justin

            Yes, and I actually prefer it that way.

          • John

            I picked one up this morning from BestBuy, and I've been happy with the battery life. I charged it to 100% around 11am, and at 9pm it still had about 30% left - with moderate to very heavy usage. I suspect once I stop playing with it every 5 seconds, I'll get even more time out of the charge.

          • Ethan G

            I took mine off the charger at 5:20 this morning, slapped it on and hit the gym for an hour (it says I did about 3700 steps and I flipped through some music). Took it off for a shower (didn't charge it again) and have been wearing it all day.

            My daughter paused and played Tangled from it (via Plex) about twenty times in a couple back to back showings (she's 3 and loves the little things like starting and stopping videos) .

            Sent 18 voice text messages to my wife (apparently) and received about a dozen emails and a few Facebook notifications.

            At 7:07 pm right now I'm at 61%. I just got it yesterday so I'm trying everything I can think of to drain it. The jury is still out as it's still too early to tell, but I'm happy with the performance and battery life.

        • ddpacino

          Wow, really? And performance? The Ars Technica review had me second guess getting and thinking about the GWAR, but I've been swaying back to it the last few days. NOTHING beats the design of the 360. NOTHING!

          • Justin

            I'm what you'd consider a light user, I notice a touch of stutter, but overall I've been pleased with the performance.

          • ddpacino

            Thank you. My purchase is now back on for the 360! :) I'll deal with the minor hiccups over choosing a watch with a much worse design.

          • Justin

            If you get it from best buy, they have a 15 day return policy, so at the very least you can wait a few weeks and do a proper test drive for yourself.

      • Jose Romero

        Everyone wants to know about the battery life of the 360. Marques Brownlee is saying that it lasts noticeably more than the LG G Watch. This is the second time this is said. He said it went for most of the day and ended at 41%. He probably uses it a lot, too.
        https://plus.google.com/105555694224602845621/posts/T3ySTAjpyLe

        But others say it is bad so, :/ I'll just wait for more reviews. It's probably not as bad as some people are saying or only some watches are defective.

        • Ryan

          I'm not exactly a connoisseur of tech blogs but his stuff seems to always be well done and pretty through so if he says it lasts that long then I gotta go with his statement.

      • LewisSD

        form 100% at 7 am to 40% at about 5 pm with normal usage. It is definitely way better than the initial reports were saying.

    • Amrit Zoad

      I am intrigued only about one thing. Just tell me, Is the screenshot from MOTO 360 square/rectangle or round? According to my technical knowledge, it cannot be round. But still...

      • http://www.toysdiva.com Toys Samurai

        I don't have one to tell you the right answer, but an image can have black pixel around a circular screenshot.

        • IDontHaveItEither

          Or transparent pixel around a circular screenshot

  • ericdabbs

    How about Google improve the battery life on the Android Wear updates? All these features don't mean jack if it can't last long enough.

    • LewisSD

      How long is your device lasting? and What device are you using???

  • Dorian Prieto

    Okay people, has anyone else had trouble getting turn by turn navigation cards to pop up on the watch itself while your walking? I've seen videos of it working but for the life of me i cant get it to work on mine. If anyone can help me out with this ill love you forever.

    I have the gear live and everything is up to date.

    • Dorian

      Just kidding, by default google maps is the only thing set by default to not show up on your watch. If anyone else is as slow as me just go into your android wear app on your phone and go to setting then go to "mute app notifications" and uncheck google maps. why google decided to have the coolest feature muted by default is beyond me.
      I hope this helps

  • http://www.androidpolice.com/ Artem Russakovskii

    G Watch too now.

    • Carlos Rodríguez

      Little bit offtopic about the update, but the 360 actually has pogo pins for USB connection. In the iFixIt teardown they showed that removing the FCC sticker, revealed the pogo pins. So, you could technically unlock the bootloader and install CWM on that thing if you want.

      Cheers!

      • http://www.androidpolice.com/ Artem Russakovskii

        But what do the pogo pins connect to? I'm only getting my 360 tomorrow, so I've no idea.

        • Carlos Rodríguez

          Well, by pasting an FCC sticker it means is not for user manipulation. My guess is someone would make a connector by modifying an USB cable.

          I honestly don't think Motorola would release an actual cradle like on the G Watch or the Gear Live.

    • gumbald

      Has a flashable zip appeared yet?

  • ThatBabyAintMine

    I like how big the buttons are on Wear, unlike the tiny icons Apple expects us to press with extreme accuracy...

  • Justin Marquis

    Go to Settings-> About then tap build number 5 times to enable developer options

  • Sruly J

    I don't need a wristwatch per se, but I have the money (if I get it on Amazon).
    Since all the watches will have Android Wear mostly uncustomized, it's making my decision harder, and i already have a hard time making decisions in general.
    I like the 360, but I read that the G watch has a better battery.
    I've read all articles here relating to each one, but since the 360 isn't in consumers hands, I dunno what to do. I guess I'll wait to hear more, but in the meantime, anyone have anything relevant to say about the G watch/ moto 360?

    • LewisSD

      Yes. Stop thinking so much, live a little and go get the 360. Battery for me has lasted well over what I need in one day which is all anyone really needs. If a smart watch battery lasted two days most people would still charge it every night anyways! I say just get the watch you think looks best in your opinion!

      • Sruly J

        True. It's a battle between looks and battery life with regards to Android Wear watches.
        What's the diameter of the 360? 1.6", or 1.8"?

        • LewisSD

          Not sure. Just google it though if you need to know. I will say that I do not have big wrists by any means bu the 360 looks normal and fits just fine.

          • Sruly J

            Ok. That helps a little.
            And I did, that's why I asked. I had seen it listed as 1.5", 1.6", & 1.8"

          • LewisSD

            Oh my bad I did not realize that. It is exactly 1.6" from side of the glass to the other.

  • MJ

    Can someone tell me if Android Wear is currently using the Dalvik or ART runtime?

    • http://twitter.com/yo2boy_ yo2boy

      Should be Dalvik as it runs "4.4"W

      • MJ

        I would think so but trying to confirm that... The reason is if have the ART runtime to look forward to with the Moto 360 yet then maybe better performance and battery life for it down the road. This would make it a buy again for me...

  • osikiri

    The update brought 3 new watch faces on LG G Watch.

    • http://halljake.com Jake Hall

      Thanks for that, didn't even think to check there. Already adopted classic for now, but I'd like to try out sporty later.

  • someone755

    So you're telling me that watches require app updates to come via OTA?
    Am I the only one confused here?

  • https://twitter.com/Daniel_aka_WMR2 Daniel Marcinkowski

    Is there any way to get this update without waiting? LG G Watch user here

  • Tom Harman

    has anyone else noticed the weather card not showing anything when it's in the sorta hidden mode, until you swipe up to see weather then it shows, having this issue on my G watch.

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