Glide’s video messaging on Android Wear looks amazing, but it’s really hard to get

By Andy Boxall February 5, 2016

Video chat app Glide is one of the first to make use of a major feature in the latest version of Android Wear. It has added video messaging and dictation to your smartwatch, meaning you can have (albeit one-sided) real-time video conversations from your wrist, without having to bother with your phone. It looks great, but annoyingly, it’s really hard to get right now.

Glide is already a well-known messaging app on its own, enabling you to record and send short video messages to friends, instead of tapping out an SMS or making a call. It’s easy to respond with your own video, or by using emoji. There’s never been any typing involved with Glide’s app, and that’s what makes it perfect for smartwatches.

Well, almost perfect. While you can watch received video messages from friends on your watch, you can’t send them back unless you grab your phone, because of course, Android Wear watches don’t have cameras. Instead, it’s an emoji or a voice-only message in response, if you’re intent on only using your smartwatch.

It still looks great though, and there’s something very sci-fi cool about seeing video playing on a watch. Unfortunately, there’s another restriction on who will get to fully use Glide’s new app too. So you can actually hear what’s said in the video, your smartwatch needs to have a built-in speaker, and that’s a bit of a rarity. If the watch on your wrist isn’t the Huawei Watch or the Asus ZenWatch 2, then you’re out of luck.

However, this will change in the future as more watches are released with tiny speakers. On any other Android Wear watches, the app still works, but audio will come from your phone’s speaker. The final hurdle in getting Glide’s video messaging feature is that you also need the latest version of Android Wear on your watch, but at least that’s on its way very soon. Once it’s onboard, fire up the updated Glide app and give the feature a try.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Senior Mobile Writer

Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…

Mobile

Google is finally rolling out RCS support to Android Messages in the U.S.

Pixel phone with five icon at the bottom of the display.

RCS is finally here -- at least for Android users. Google has announced it is rolling out RCS as Android's primary texting platform to anyone who uses the Android Messages app.

RCS is a pretty big deal for Google and largely seen as Google's way to compete better with Apple's iMessage. That's because it's essentially a next-generation texting platform, enabling features found on iMessage, like read receipts, better group message support, better multimedia support, and more.

Mobile

Fitbit recalls Ionic smartwatch after several burn reports

best walmart deals on apple watch garmin and fitbit ionic smartwatch adidas edition ice gray silver

Fitbit Ionic smartwatch users need to stop using their devices right now. The company has recalled its Ionic wearable after over 150 reports of the watch’s lithium-ion battery overheating, and 78 reports of burn injuries to the users. It will offer a refund of $299 to the Fitbit Ionic smartwatch users who return the device.

Fitbit has received at least 115 reports in the United States and over 50 reports internationally about the Ionic smartwatch's battery overheating. It is recalling the device as there are two reports of third-degree burns and four reports of second-degree burns out of the 78 total burn injuries report.

Deals

Razer Anzu smart glasses deal knocks $140 off the price tag

The Razer Anzu smart glasses placed on top of an open book.

While smartwatch deals have slowly claimed their place in the mainstream, smart glasses haven't turned out to be as popular. Gaming-focused brand Razer, however, is trying to renew interest in smart glasses with the Razer Anzu, which you can currently purchase from Best Buy at $140 off. If you'd like to give them a try, they're available for just $60, less than half their original price of $200.

There have been failures like the Google Glass and Snap Spectacles, and hopeful attempts like Oppo's Air Glass and Apple's secretive project, but the Razer Anzu smart glasses take a different spin on the wearable device by designing them for indoors. While they come with polarized sunglass lenses, their clear lenses are more useful with their blue light filter, which protects your eyes from screen glare to prevent discomfort even after hours of playing video games or working from home. The smart glasses, which also have a built-in omnidirectional microphone and speakers, may also be more comfortable to wear for an extended period of time compared to headsets and headphones. You'll enjoy smooth, stutter-free sound with the Razer Anzu's low latency audio with a 60ms Bluetooth connection.