Google announces wearable OS Android Wear
Technology firm collaborating with host of manufacturers and chip makers, with first products expected this year
  
Google has officially announced a version of its Android operating software designed specifically for wearable technology dubbed Android Wear.
The technology firm has collaborated with consumer electronics manufacturers ASUS, HTC, LG, Motorola and Samsung; chip manufacturers Broadcom, Imagination, Intel, Mediatek and Qualcomm as well as several fashion brands in the project, with the first devices set for release later this year.
The first device is widely expected to be LGâs G smartwatch which is expected to directly rival Samsungâs Galaxy Gear.
Samsung is set to launch the Gear with its own rival to the Android Wear operating system, OS Tizen.
A preview software development kit for Android Wear will be made available by Google for Android developers later this week, allowing mobile developers to have the first tranche of apps ready for when the first devices hit the shelves.
Google has developed an entirely new user interface for Android Wear, focusing on bringing information to the screen  using voice commands or gesture controls.
Multi-screen control has also been enabled, allowing a smartwatch to issue commands and control apps on connected devices, building on the software it produced during the development of its Chromecast device.
Apps that enable online gambling are prohibited from the Google Play Store, however operators such as Betfair and Paddy Power have launched marketing apps promising to calculate odds and deliver live scores and sporting updates, features which Android Wear will allow for.