All articles tagged with #wear os
Google reveals Wear OS 7’s Wear Widgets, renaming Tiles to Wear Widgets, introduces 2×1 and 2×2 layouts and a Remote Compose framework designed to reduce background activity for better battery life; early partners include Spotify, WhatsApp, Peloton, and Todoist, with backwards compatibility to Wear OS 4+, and plans to bring widgets to Android Auto and Samsung Galaxy Watches via Multi-Info Tiles.
Google, in partnership with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, is rolling out intelligent, AI-powered smart glasses that start as audio-first devices with Google Assistant and Gemini, enabling hands-free texting and photo capture, with plans for built-in displays and Wear OS integration to compete with Meta’s Ray-Bans while raising privacy considerations.
Google unveiled Wear OS 7 at I/O 2026, adding Gemini Intelligence integration, Wear Widgets for dynamic, customizable glanceable info, Live Updates on the watch face, a default workout tracker with built-in media controls, and a Remote Output Switcher, plus an AppFunctions API to enable Gemini-powered task automation. A Canary Emulator is available ahead of the full release later this year.
Google announced Wear OS 7 with up to 10% longer battery life for upgrades and new features including Gemini Intelligence, Wear OS widgets (replacing tiles), Live Updates, Enhanced System Media Controls (per-app auto-launch and audio routing), and Watch Face Format 5; a Wear OS 7 Canary emulator is available for developers ahead of a full release later this year.
Samsung will retire the Samsung Messages app in July 2026 across the US, prompting users to switch to Google Messages for SMS/MMS/RCS. Google Messages offers typing indicators, higher‑quality media, multi‑device access, and Gemini AI features, and Samsung provides instructions to migrate. To switch, download Google Messages and set it as the default SMS app; Android 11+ users are unaffected but are advised to migrate. Older Galaxy Watch (Tizen) users may lose full chat history, while Wear OS watches will retain full conversations. Exact July date isn’t specified, and emergency messaging remains available after deactivation.
Leaks suggest the OnePlus Watch 4 will run Wear OS with an LTPO AMOLED display and serve as a higher-end successor to the Watch 3. Mass production reportedly began in March 2026, with images showing Evergreen Titanium and Black finishes. It may be a re-branded Oppo Watch X3, and Android 9.0+ will be required. Oppo has priced the X3 at €379 in Europe, hinting at the Watch 4’s possible pricing. A global release is expected soon.
Amazon is discounting the GPS-only Pixel Watch 4 (41mm and 45mm) by $60, marking its deepest price cut since launch and bringing a Snapdragon W5 Gen 2-powered Wear OS smartwatch with a bright LTPO display and up to 48 hours of battery life closer to mainstream buyers.
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 9 moves from Exynos to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear Elite, promising faster performance, AI-powered health insights, longer battery life, and deeper Wear OS integration with Google, supported by advanced connectivity like 5G, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth 6.0, UWB, and GNSS for a more proactive, connected smartwatch experience.
Google has officially launched Androidify for Wear OS, allowing users to create personalized watch faces featuring AI-generated bugdroid avatars based on uploaded photos, adding a fun and customizable element to smartwatch personalization.
Google has launched the Find Hub app for Wear OS, allowing users to locate and manage their devices like phones, tablets, and headphones directly from their smartwatch, with features such as last seen info, battery status, maps, and device security options.
Google Weather on Wear OS devices, including the Pixel Watch and Galaxy Watch, experienced a bug causing the app to load indefinitely or fail to download weather data. Google has since fixed the issue server-side, restoring functionality, and users are advised to restart their watches if the problem persists.
Tag Heuer is abandoning Google's Wear OS in favor of its own Android-based OS to better support iPhone, launching the new Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E5 with a proprietary interface and 'Made-for-iPhone' certification, priced at $1,900.
TAG Heuer has launched the Connected Calibre E5 smartwatch, opting for a proprietary 'TAG Heuer OS' based on Android instead of Google's Wear OS, making it compatible with iPhones. The luxury smartwatch features premium materials, a sleek design, and various health and fitness tracking capabilities, with a price starting at $1,800. Despite some limitations in app responsiveness and features, it offers a high-end alternative for those seeking a stylish, functional smartwatch that can match their dress watches.
The Google Pixel Watch 4 offers notable upgrades like faster charging, longer battery life, an improved display, and on-device AI smart replies, making it a compelling choice for current Pixel Watch owners or Android users, but its relatively short battery life and high price may deter some. Consider your current watch's performance and your budget before upgrading.
The Google Pixel Watch 4 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 are top contenders in the Android smartwatch market, with the Pixel Watch 4 offering a sleek curved display, longer battery life, and advanced health tracking, while the Galaxy Watch 8 features a more rugged design, MIL-STD-810H durability, and comprehensive health capabilities including AI-powered coaching. Both watches run Wear OS and support extensive fitness and lifestyle features, but the Galaxy Watch 8 currently holds the title of best Android smartwatch due to its durability and health features, despite the Pixel Watch 4's superior design and battery life potential.