Android Wear is the operating system for Google's smartwatches. With each version, and after becoming fully integrated into the ecosystem under the name Wear OS, it has incorporated... improvements in design, performance, and intelligenceEven so, the platform still has room for improvementespecially in terms of autonomy and offering features that don't depend on the mobile phone, as happened with the first generation of watches with Android Wear.
An extension of the smartphone
The big problem with Android Wear smartwatches, just like with all other smartwatches, is that they're still the same as they were two years ago, a extension of our smartphoneThey have no autonomy whatsoever; they are incapable of surviving without relying on a smartphone, and that, two years later, hasn't changed. A problem.
On the other hand, they remain very useful as what they are: extensions of our smartphone. We'll greatly reduce the number of times we use our smartphone if we wear a smartwatch because... we will receive all our notifications and we can check them directly on our watch.
Apart from that, new features have been arriving related to the possibilities we have for managing mobile options from the watch, or for navigating the watch's menus easily, as with wrist gestures.
Calls on your watch
However, the biggest new feature that has arrived on Android Wear so far is... be able to make calls with the smartwatchYes, you'll connect via your mobile phone, which will have the mobile connection, but ultimately you won't need to use your smartphone; you'll simply need the smartwatch, as long as it has a microphone and speaker. They all have microphones, though not all have speakers. More and more will gradually include speakers.
However, there are still few new developments in the world of smartwatches. This means that users aren't expanding their interest in these watches, even though sales continue to gradually increase. Smartwatches They are nothing more than accessoriesand Casio WSD-F10And they are very expensive, increasingly so in fact.
A refreshed and more visual interface with Material 3 Expressive
The latest version of Wear OS has introduced a complete facelift with Material 3 Expressive: smoother animations, buttons that change shape when interacting, and a better adaptation to circular screensThe system makes better use of space with large, legible controls, and adds dynamic color in the Material You style so that the interface reflects the wallpaper and user preferences.
It's also noticeable in the haptic responsesWhen entering the PIN or pressing quick settings, a subtle pulse is felt, adding a natural feel. The lists curve to follow the edge of the watch face and create a depth effect which makes reading easy at a glance.
Notifications and tiles that group more information
Integrated Gemini: AI to do more without taking out your phone
The platform natively incorporates Gemini:Google's AI assistant understands natural requests and performs actions with your voice. You can ask it to send messages, search for information on the web, create reminders, or consult Gmail, Calendar, Google Home or YouTube Music, all from the wrist.
The biggest benefit is the independence of use in situations where using the phone is not advisable: sports, commuting, or work. compatible modelsGemini can handle basic tasks even if the mobile phone is not at hand.
Performance and battery life: small gains that make a difference
Another key focus is optimization. The system introduces internal improvements that reduce resource consumption and make the experience smoother. This can be achieved in real-world scenarios. up to 10% more autonomyDepending on the watch, the use of the always-on display, and the installed apps, it's not a definitive solution, but it is a step forward in one of the most sensitive points of any smartwatch.
New features for users and developers
Wear OS adds tools that improve everyday life and open up possibilities for apps:
- Grid app selectorIn addition to the classic list, the user can opt for a more visual grid to open applications faster.
- Multimedia outputThe system interface allows you to choose where to play the audio (clock, headphones, speakers) and displays more information about the content being played.
- Watch Face Format v2New options such as flavors (default settings), complications of goal progress, weighted elements y weather conditionsIn addition, there is a system data source for heart rate.
- Capture detectionPrivacy API that allows apps to react when a screenshot is taken.
- Health and sport (Health Services): advanced career metrics such as ground contact time, step length, vertical swing y vertical relationshipand objectives with bounce cancellation to maintain zones (e.g., heart rate zones) without unnecessary alerts.
For those coming from the first generations of Android Wear, the change is especially noticeable in the organization of informationVisual consistency and a more helpful AI that reduces taps and menus are key improvements. The essence of these watches remains to complement the smartphone, but each update brings the experience closer to something truly comfortable and practical for everyday use.
