The Uber app is now available on Android Wear 2.0 smartwatches, as revealed by the app’s listing on the Google Play Store. Given how Android Wear 2.0 apps work directly on compatible wearables, you’ll now be able to use Uber even if you don’t have a phone nearby. All of the core functionality of the Android Uber app is also supported by the Android Wear 2.0 version of the ride-hailing service. Therefore, you can now request rides, use shortcuts to select your favorite destinations, and check on the progress of your driver directly from your smartwatch running Android Wear 2.0. First screenshots of the app can be seen in the gallery below.
The Android Wear version of Uber was originally announced at Google’s I/O 2015, meaning it’s been almost two years since the ride-hailing company promised to release a standalone version of its service for wearables. However, despite the fact that users have been waiting for this app for quite a while, Uber is still the first service of its kind to debut an Android Wear 2.0 app. The company’s competitor Lyft previously had a companion app for Android Wear devices but has recently stopped offering it and is presumably also working on a standalone version of the service for wearables running the latest iteration of Google’s operating system.
The Android Wear 2.0 version of Uber started rolling out on Tuesday and should already be available for download from the Google Play Store worldwide. Naturally, you’ll need a compatible smartwatch to use it, so your current options are relatively limited seeing how Android Wear 2.0 is currently only available on the LG Watch Style and the LG Watch Sport. However, the latest major iteration of Google’s operating system for wearables will also roll out to a number of older devices in the near future, including the Moto 360 Sport, Fossil Q Wander, ASUS ZenWatch 3, and the Huawei Watch. Given that state of affairs, it’ll probably be a while before the popularity of Uber’s Android Wear 2.0 app can be judged seeing how most users still don’t have access to it. On the bright side, by the time Android Wear 2.0 rolls out to more devices, the platform will likely feature a lot more standalone apps than it does now.
