Android Wear 2.0: Update guarantees iPhone users access to key apps including Uber and Strava

The latest version of Google's operating system for wearables has been announced

Android Wear 2.0 is currently exclusive to the brand new LG Watch Sport and LG Watch Style, but will roll out to older devices “soon”

Google has announced Android Wear 2.0, the latest version of the company’s operating system for wearables.

The software brings a number of new features and performance improvements, but one of the most significant is standalone apps.

Users will finally be able to search for apps and download them from Google Play directly on a smartwatch, rather than through a smartphone, as long as it's connected to the web via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or LTE.

This should dramatically improve the Android Wear experience for iPhone users, who can't access the Play store via iOS.

Google has confirmed that the following apps are in line for the standalone treatment:

• AccuWeather
• Android Pay
• Bring!
• Foursquare
• Google Fit
• Google Messenger
• Google Play Music
• Lifesum
• Robinhood
• Runkeeper
• Runtastic
• Strava
• Telegram
• Uber

Android Wear 2.0 has also been treated to a darker look, smaller card notifications, a wider range of fitness challenges and support for Android Pay and Google Assistant, which gives users greater control of their smartwatch through voice commands.

The software is currently exclusive to the brand new LG Watch Sport and LG Watch Style, but will roll out to a selection of older Android Wear devices “soon”.

Google says the following smartwatches will receive the Android Wear 2.0 update:

• ASUS ZenWatch 2 & 3

• Casio Smart Outdoor Watch

• Casio PRO TREK Smart

• Fossil Q Founder

• Fossil Q Marshal

• Fossil Q Wander

• Huawei Watch

• LG G Watch R

• LG Watch Urbane & 2nd Edition LTE

• Michael Kors Access Smartwatches

• ​Moto 360 2nd Gen

• Moto 360 for Women

• Moto 360 Sport

• New Balance RunIQ

• ​Nixon Mission

• Polar M600

• ​TAG Heuer Connected