Android Wear’s “Together” feature will be shutting down in the near future, as the most recent update that has started rolling out to devices as of earlier this morning mentions that Google will be pulling the feature offline beginning next month on September 30th. Today’s earlier update revolved around the security patch with the latest security fixes, so it was not Android Wear 2.0 like some users were surely hoping for, although if you’re a user with an Android Wear device who has already received the software update to their watch you are likely already aware of this particular fact.
Google states that although Together will no longer be a part of the Android Wear operating system, they have used community feedback from Android Wear users on the feature to make Android Wear 2.0 “the best way to stay connected with the people you care about most.” Even with the feature gone users will have no cause for concern as Google notes that Together’s “best features” will be integrated into Android Wear 2.0 directly, so it’s quite likely that all of the parts that users found most important will be sticking around for renewed life as part of the software, which is a really good thing for those who enjoyed Together.
If you’re unfamiliar with Together, it was a particular watchface that could be used for the device that carried along some functionality with it. It allowed two people, friends, loved ones, family etc., to use the Together watch face in partnership and share various things across the two devices, such as pictures, stickers, sketches, and more. Google doesn’t mention any details about the release date of Android Wear 2.0, but it is unlikely that they’ll launch the next version of Android Wear the day they pull Together off line, so those who were using it will most likely and unfortunately have to live without some of Together’s features until Google has ensured that Android Wear 2.0 is ready for public consumption. It will be a sad day for some users who won’t have access to Together or Android Wear 2.0, but perhaps Google will have something in store for those users to soften the blow a little bit.