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Navigating Android on your wrist
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When you receive your Android Wear watch, you’re bound to be eager to get it up and running as fast as possible. So for now, while you wait for the shipment notification, familiarize yourself with the setup process.
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In all honesty, the setup process is very simple. You’ll need to download the official Android Wear app and any updates available in the Play Store.
An update to Google Play Services is required before your device will be able to talk to your watch, but that should automatically download in the background without you doing anything. Both the Android Wear app and the Play Services update will be made available before the full launch on July 7.
After installing the Android Wear app, you’ll be prompted to turn on your watch and pair it with your device. The Gear Live has a power button on the side, making it easy to power up. The G Watch , however, lacks a physical button of any sort, so you’ll need to connect it to the charger to turn it on.
Screenshots by Jason Cipriani/CNET
Your watch will display a unique device number, which you’ll need to select on your Android smartphone or tablet as the watch you’d like to connect to. Finally, after pairing, you’ll be asked to grant Android Wear permission to access your device notifications.
Once notification access is granted, you’re all set up. Any notifications your phone receives will also be displayed on your watch, along with any timely Google Now cards and activity progress.
There’s plenty more to learn about Android Wear, and we’ll be doing our best to make sure you have a solid understanding before your watch arrives. Keep checking back for more Android Wear coverage. In the meantime, here’s how to check if your Android device can work with Android Wear.
