Thanks to a new Android Wear 2.0 operating system update a select few smart watches are getting improved functionality this week, with more devices joining in over the next few months (read about it over at Engadget.com or TheVerge.com.) One of the big draws for tech happy riders like us is more autonomous capability from the small devices. Cyclists and runners alike will be able to track & upload the activities directly to Strava without having to get out their mobile phones. For now Wear 2.0 is only available on the LG Watch Style, with the Watch Sport coming tomorrow, but Strava is ready and this clean and simple operation will make it to other devices like the Polar M600 this spring.
Independent of their Android and iOS phones, Strava users with these smart watches can record & upload their activities. The biggest boost there is probably the improved battery life, but also just eliminating the added steps of going through your phone. Strava has been an early adopter of Android Wear 2.0, while it was still in beta, so is one of the first full-featured apps to take advantage of the new built-in GPS tracking and wireless connectivity.
You of course get the same real-time performance overview that Strava athletes are used to, including: ride time, distance, pace, laps & splits, and heart rate – all from the wrist.
You can get the new app on your device by going to the Google Play store directly from the Wear 2.0 device. You’ll need an iOS or Android device for the initial setup and device+Strava authorization, then everything will go direct from the smart watch.
