The rise of wrist retail: Amazon comes to Android Wear smartwatches

 By 
Pete Pachal
 on 
The rise of wrist retail: Amazon comes to Android Wear smartwatches
Amazon just introduced new features in its Android app that enable shopping directly from Android Wear smartwatches like the Moto 360. Credit: Mashable, Christina Ascani

If you've ever dreamed of shopping from your wrist, now you can.

Amazon updated its Android app on Tuesday, introducing features that support Android Wear smartwatches.

[seealso slug="apple-watch-moto-360-gear-2-pebble-steel"]

Owners of Android Wear smartwatches such as the Moto 360 or LG G Watch R need only update the app on their smartphones. Once that's done, searching Amazon is as easy as speaking the two phrases, "OK, Google" (to launch voice commands) and "Start Amazon."

The screen then asks what you're looking for, and once again, you use your voice to search Amazon for whatever you want. A few cursory searches -- for toothbrushes, Doctor Who DVDs and smartwatches, for example -- proved the voice search to be dead-on accurate, and swiping through items works just fine.

Currently, there is no way to sort the results, and tapping on one brings merely shows the complete item title and the product's star rating. Images, however, are scaled nicely for the small screen and load instantly, plus items that qualify for Amazon Prime shipping are clearly marked.

Users can enable one-click shopping in the Android app to enable buying items directly from the watch without ever touching the phone itself. If that's too impulsive for your taste, the "Open on Phone" action will let you review your purchase in detail. You can also add items to your wish list right from the watch.

Presumably, a future update will allow delivery to your current location via drone, but baby steps.

BONUS: Android Wear review

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