Uber announced that it was developing an app for Android Wear back at the Google I/O 2015 but since then the company didn’t really say anything about this app. Uber didn’t get proper support for Android Wear so it couldn’t offer much beyond the normal notifications support. It was not possible to request a ride to check the driver’s progress on the smartwatch but that changes today. Almost two years after it first promised to release this app, the Uber for Android Wear official app has finally been released today.
Bear in mind that Uber has released this app for Android Wear 2.0. If you own one of LG’s new smartwatches then you’re golden, if not, you’ll have to wait until this firmware update arrives on your wearable device. If you own a smartwatch that won’t be upgraded to Android Wear 2.0, I’m afraid you’ll have to spend some money on a more recent smartwatch.
The Uber for Android Wear app is a standalone app meaning that it can be installed on the smartwatch itself and doesn’t need a companion app on the smartphone. Users will be able to request rides without needing a phone, check prices and ETAs, choose from bookmarked locations, and check the driver’s progress as they’re waiting for their car to arrive.
Those who are interested in hailing rides from their Android Wear smartwatch can now download the Uber for Android Wear app from the Play Store.
