Google Gemini AI has been rolled out to the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 series and is expanding to older Galaxy Watch models, but only for devices running the latest One UI 8 Watch interface on Wear OS 4 or newer. The app is available for download on older watches, though it currently doesn't replace the older Google Assistant on devices with earlier software versions. Samsung is gradually updating its Galaxy Watch series with One UI 8 Watch beta, including the Galaxy Watch5 and Watch5 Pro, with plans for the Galaxy Watch6 and Watch7.
Google Calendar has launched a simple Apple Watch app that displays a week's worth of events and tasks with color-coded cards, offering quick views and complications, but does not support event creation from the watch. The app is part of Google's expanding smartwatch offerings and is available with the latest iPhone app update.
Google is testing media playback directly from the built-in speakers of Android smartwatches in the upcoming Wear OS 5.1 update, which is based on Android 15. This feature will allow users to play music and podcasts without Bluetooth, provided their device supports it. The update also includes support for credential managers. However, Pixel Watch users will have to wait until March next year for this capability, as the next software update is scheduled for then.
OnePlus is set to launch the OnePlus Watch 3 internationally alongside the OnePlus 13 and 13R smartphones. The Watch 3 is expected to run on Google's Wear OS, similar to its predecessors, the Watch 2 and 2R, which were released earlier this year. While details about the Watch 3's features are still under wraps, its release is anticipated to coincide with the global launch of the OnePlus 13 series.
Google has announced that the latest update for the Pixel Watch series, including models 1, 2, and 3, will be the last until March 2025. The November update resumes the Wear OS 5 rollout for earlier models and provides a security patch for the Pixel Watch 3. Google has not disclosed the reason for the delay in updates, leading to speculation about potential issues with Wear OS 5 or alignment with the Android 16 schedule. Users are advised to enjoy the current update as no further updates will be available for the next few months.
Google has resumed the rollout of the Wear OS 5 update for the Pixel Watch series, including the Pixel Watch 1, 2, and 3, after pausing due to issues that caused devices to brick or display blank screens. The November update, confirmed by Google and scheduled by Verizon, includes security patches and fixes for various bugs, such as watch face loading issues and Bluetooth connection problems. The update is identified by build number AW2A.241105.012.
OnePlus has revealed its new smartwatch, the Watch 2, boasting up to 100 hours of battery life in Smart mode and set to be launched at MWC 2024. The watch features a stainless steel chassis, sapphire crystal watch face, and comes in Black Steel and Radiant Steel colorways. It is expected to run on WearOS, departing from its predecessor's RTOS. OnePlus aims to redefine the concept of a flagship smartwatch and transition into an "ecosystem builder."
Google's wearable tech, the Pixel Watch and Pixel Buds Pro, received significant updates in 2023. The Pixel Buds Pro now feature spatial audio with head tracking, a 5-band EQ, and Bluetooth Super Wideband when paired with Pixel 8 devices, among other improvements. Google also introduced a web app for Chromebook users to manage their Pixel Buds Pro settings. The Pixel Watch's updates included Fall Detection, SpO2 tracking, and advanced health features surpassing the Fitbit Sense 2. Both devices saw app enhancements, with notable updates to Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Maps, and YouTube Music for Wear OS. Despite aggressive holiday discounts on the Pixel Buds Pro, recent software updates suggest Google is still invested in the current hardware, potentially hinting at a different market segment for future headphones.
The Pixel Watch will soon be able to synchronize with Android phones, including the Pixel 7 and Pixel 6a, for features like Do Not Disturb and Bedtime Mode. This will prevent the watch from ringing during meetings or disturbing sleep. The feature will be optional and available through Settings in the next Pixel Feature Drop expected in September 2023.
Google has announced new features for Android-based smartphones, tablets, and WearOS smartwatches, including a new reading experience for the Google Play Books & Audiobooks app, three new widgets, Spotify for WearOS, more public transportation support in Google Wallet, Google Keep for WearOS, new themed emoji mixes in Emoji Kitchen, and a dark web report feature for Google Accounts in the U.S. These features will be introduced throughout the year within regular updates.
Meta is discontinuing its Messenger app for Apple Watch on May 31, but users can still receive notifications on their watch. The move is unclear, but Messenger joins other platforms that have sunsetted their Apple Watch apps. Meanwhile, WhatsApp is working on a native WearOS app, and users can now link their smartwatch to the beta version of the app. Meta has also been testing the ability for users to access their Messenger inbox within the Facebook app, reversing a decision made in 2016.
A recent leak reveals that the TicWatch Pro 5, the next WearOS-powered smartwatch from Mobvoi, will feature a 1.43-inch OLED display, Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chipset, up to 2GB of RAM, 32GB of onboard storage, and a 611mAh battery with fast charging support. It will also have a rotating crown, interchangeable bands, and a MIL-STD-810H military-grade rating. The smartwatch will come with Wear OS 3 and a host of health features, including 24-hour oxygen saturation monitoring and the ability to get five-vital health metrics in around 90 seconds. The launch date is yet to be determined.
