Syncing Data Items

A DataItem defines the data interface that the system uses to synchronize data between handhelds and wearables. A DataItem generally consists of the following items:

• Payload - A byte array, which you can set with whatever data you wish, allowing you to do your own object serialization and deserialization. The size of the payload is limited to 100KB.
• Path - A unique string that must start with a forward slash (for instance, "/path/to/data")

You normally don't implement DataItem directly. Instead, you:

1. Create a PutDataRequest object, specifying a string path to uniquely identify the item.
2. Call setData() to set the payload.
3. Call DataApi.putDataItem() to request the system to create the data item.
4. When requesting data items, the system returns objects that properly implement the DataItem interface.

However, instead of working with raw bytes using setData(), we recommend you use a data map, which exposes a data item in an easy-to-use Bundle-like interface.

Sync Data with a Data Map

When possible, use the DataMap class, which lets you work with data items in the form of an Android Bundle, so object serialization and de-serialization is done for you, and you can manipulate data with key-value pairs.

To use a data map:

1. Create a PutDataMapRequest object, setting the path of the data item.

   Note: The path string is a unique identifier for the data item that allows you to access it from either side of the connection. The path must begin with a forward slash. If you're using hierarchical data in your app, you should create a path scheme that matches the structure of the data.

2. Call PutDataMapRequest.getDataMap() to obtain a data map that you can set values on.
3. Set any desired values for the data map using the put...() methods, such as putString().
4. Call PutDataMapRequest.asPutDataRequest() to obtain a PutDataRequest object.
5. Call DataApi.putDataItem() to request the system to create the data item.

   Note: If the handset and wearable devices are disconnected, the data is buffered and and synced when the connection is re-established.

The following example shows how to create a data map, set data on it, and create it:

PutDataMapRequest dataMap = PutDataMapRequest.create("/count");
dataMap.getDataMap().putInt(COUNT_KEY, count++);
PutDataRequest request = dataMap.asPutDataRequest();
PendingResult<DataApi.DataItemResult> pendingResult = Wearable.DataApi
        .putDataItem(mGoogleApiClient, request);

Listen for Data Item Events

If one side of the data layer connection changes a data item, you probably want to be notified of any changes on the other side of the connection. You can do this by implementing a listener for data item events.

For example, here's what a typical callback looks like to carry out certain actions when data changes.

@Override
public void onDataChanged(DataEventBuffer dataEvents) {
    for (DataEvent event : dataEvents) {
        if (event.getType() == DataEvent.TYPE_DELETED) {
            Log.d(TAG, "DataItem deleted: " + event.getDataItem().getUri());
        } else if (event.getType() == DataEvent.TYPE_CHANGED) {
             Log.d(TAG, "DataItem changed: " + event.getDataItem().getUri());
        }
    }
}

This is just a snippet that requires more implementation details. Learn about how to implement a full listener service or activity in Listening for Data Layer Events.