Google introduces Android Wear

Android Wear gives watch makers a version of Android built around notifications, cards, voice commands, and health information. The watch is meant to glance at a phone’s data rather than replace the phone.

Google’s approach leaves hardware to partners, creating room for different cases, screens and sensors. A developer preview lets software makers begin adapting notifications to a smaller display. That is a different task from simply shrinking a phone application.

The platform makes wearables a software category. The open question is whether a watch can provide enough value in a few seconds to justify another battery, another screen, and another device to carry.