Google will be releasing a major software upgrade to its Android Wear watches. That upgrade is just days before Apple is set to release its Apple Watch, USA Today reports.

Google hopes that the software upgrade will take some focus off of Apple's upcoming Apple Watch which comes out Friday.

The updates to the software will allow Android Wear users to interact with their devices more without their phones near them. This means that if a user leaves their phone behind, more features will be usable with the watch.

Android Wear watches already allow users to listen to listen to music from their devices without having their phone near them. They could also use some fitness tracking software without the phone.

Now, with the updates made to the software, Android Wear watches will be able to connect to Wi-Fi without having a phone near them. This means that the watch will have its own data connection as long as their is a Wi-Fi signal offered. That could come in handy at coffee shops and places that offer free Wi-Fi.

The new software update will also come with a new hands-free feature that will let users flick their wrists outward in order to move onto the "next card" when they are reading something. Flicking inward will send them to the previous card they are reading.

An always-on feature will be added with the new software update as well. This means that users will be able to glance down at their watches without activating their watches or pressing any buttons. They will be able to see alerts in black-and-white mode to preserve battery. Once an app is engaged, it will revert back to color.

Some of Google's own apps will be the first to use the always-on features. Google Maps and Google Keep (note-taking app) will be capable of staying on while the watch is in sleep mode. That means users will be able to get directions or view their shopping lists just by glancing down at their wrists.

The LG Watch Urbane which comes out Friday will be the first to receive the software update. Other Android Wear watches will soon receive the updates as well.

For the full list of updates and more information, read the Google blog post about the update.

What do you think of the new features for Google Wear watches? Leave us a comment below and let us know.