Not long ago, we published a post in which we talked about users who had bought a smartwatch, they could hardly stop using it. They have interesting functions. The dependence generated by smartwatches It's no coincidence: they notify, measure health, allow for quick responses, and integrate with the phone. However, they need to take a step forward, and it may all depend on Android Wear (now Wear OS). The goal is for the watch to do more for itself without depending on the phone.
Remote controls only
When the first smart watches arrived, including some from Sony, even before Android Wear, like the Moto 360 and LG G Watch RThey all had the same features and functionality. And curiously, today, we're still exactly the same, with the same functionality, which is to act as a remote control. In principle that could be fine For many things, but there are still many more missing. Whether a smartwatch is autonomous doesn't depend primarily on whether it has mobile connectivity or not. In fact, many apps don't require that connectivity, as is the case, for example, with Spotify. All Premium users of this app, for example, are Premium users so they can listen to music offline. Couldn't a smartwatch be used to always carry music and listen to it with headphones or a Bluetooth speaker? It could, but it all depends on Google and Android Wear.
Currently, smartwatches are simply remote controls for activating different smartwatch functions. Saving a note, checking an email, or even replying to a message, playing the next song, or even searching for one to listen to, but ultimately, these are functions intended to execute a primary action on the smart device, which is the mobile phone. That's not what we want. The good news is that Wear OS has advanced: There are already apps that work without the phone being nearby, and services like offline music, calls from the watch (on models with LTE), and rich responses in messaging apps, reducing that “control” feeling and moving towards more autonomous use.
Own functions
We agree that a smartwatch can't run Real Racing 3, or that it can't allow us to reply to messages by typing on a keyboard like on a smartphone or tablet. That's true. But... with a Wi-Fi internet connection, why not allow us to do it? View a user's tweets without having to have a smartphone nearbyAnd we say all this specifically because of the renewed application that has been announced Spotify for Android Wear, and is coming soon. Good news? No. It does add some features, but it only leads us in the wrong direction. Before, we could only go to the next or previous song, or pause a song, from the watch. Now we can scroll through playlists, songs, and albums, and select more songs. But the ideal would be to be able to listen to music from the watch. After all, isn't that possible?
We have a processor, 4 GB of memory, and 512 MB of RAM. There's also Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. The RAM and processor are enough to run a single app that plays music. An app, moreover, that won't have many extra features. The 4 GB of memory should be enough. I use Spotify without any problems on a phone with 8 GB of memory, and I have offline music. Obviously, not all the music I want to listen to for the rest of my life, but just a few playlists that don't take up more than 1 GB. But a full playlist in normal quality on Spotify can take up between 200 and 300 MB, and that's more than enough space for a device that doesn't have the features of a mobile phone. Today many watches expand storage and allow you to download offline playlists from Spotify or YouTube Music directly to your watch, pairing Bluetooth headphones without touching your phone.
Why can't we listen to Spotify music on Android Wear? In part, it's because Google hasn't guided developers in the right direction, and perhaps because they haven't yet decided which path to follow, something very common within Google. Android Wear needs to take a step forward and become much more than an operating system for remote controls we wear on our wrist; it needs to bring versatility to the smartwatch. That step is already being taken: the Play Store directly on the watchNative WhatsApp that works even without a phone, Google Wallet for payments, on-screen Google Maps, and a context-aware AI assistant make the watch more useful on its own. Competition has pushed forward, and the Wear OS ecosystem has responded with better APIs, more autonomy, and consistent experiences across brands.
Why choose Wear OS
- Proactive Assistant: Reminders, helpful shortcuts, and contextual responses right from your wrist thanks to the Google Assistant and built-in AI.
- Health and sport: Tracking goals like Heart Rate and Steps, pulse, sleep, stress metrics, and dozens of sports modes with GPS.
- Music and media: controls playback and, on supported models, download offline lists to train without your cell phone.
- Productivity and payments: interactive notifications, voice responses, lists, reminders and NFC payments with Google Wallet.
- full customization: Thousands of watch faces and apps on Google Play, with complications and styles for every use.
Functions you can now do without taking out your phone
WhatsApp on the watch: Check chats, respond with voice/keyboard/swipe, listen to audio, and even make calls on models with connectivity.
AutomationWith Google Home, you can turn on lights, activate scenes, or control devices. Some advanced routines still rely on your phone, but basic control is fast and reliable.
Access control: Brands like HomyHub or Nuki allow you to open doors or garages from your watch, without looking for your phone.
Contactless payments: Built-in NFC and Google Wallet allow you to pay with compatible payment devices after the watch has been security-verified.
AI Assistant: Dictate messages, create reminders, check emails, or ask for directions, and AI displays key information on screen.
Featured models with Wear OS
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch Ultra: brilliant AMOLED displays, improved BioActive sensor, over a hundred sport modes, accurate GPS, and LTE versions. The Ultra adds extra resistance and enlarged battery.
OnePlus Watch 2, 2R, and Watch 3: Dual-processor architecture for long battery life, smooth performance with Snapdragon W5, Dual frequency GPS, NFC and premium designs with durability certifications.
OPPO Watch: elegant design with sapphire and alloy, very bright AMOLED, good battery life and complete sensors for health and sports, as well as NFC payments.
Google Pixel Watch (latest generations): deep integration with Fitbit, advanced frequency detection, exclusive watch faces, and a 4G LTE version; a polished Wear OS experience.
Fossil gen 6: Classic style with steel and standard straps, Snapdragon Wear 4100+ processor, SpO2 measurement, NFC and water resistance for everyday use.
TicWatch Atlas: Military-certified outdoor focus, sapphire, barometer, compass and essential mode for extended runtimes when durability is a priority. If you're looking for outdoor reliability, check out our guide to waterproof watches.
Xiaomi Watch 2 and 2 Pro: Competitive options with Wear OS, good screens, full connectivity, and eSIM versions depending on the market. Xiaomi also continues to boost its AIoT ecosystem and devices, as explained in the article about Xiaomi's new range.
What you should look for before buying
- Compatibility: Check that the watch works with your phone (Android or iOS) and what features are available on your platform.
- Battery: Evaluate your use. If you train daily or travel, look for models that exceed several days in normal use or have fast charging.
- Health and sensors: In addition to pulse, it assesses SpO2, ECG, multi-band GPS, altimeter, barometer and accuracy in metrics.
- Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, and NFC are common; consider LTE for cellular-free calling and contactless payments.
- Updates- Choose brands with good security support and recent versions of Wear OS to extend their lifespan.
Uncommon uses that make a difference
Browse and watch videos: Install a compatible browser and you can browse websites or play YouTube on your wrist, with Bluetooth headphones for audio.
ChatGPT on the wrist: With apps like WearGPT you can make voice queries and receive answers directly on the watch.
Record notes and meetings: Apps like Wear Audio Recorder let you capture audio with one tap and sync it later.
Control your PC with gestures: Tools like WowMouse turn your watch into a trackpad/mouse with basic gestures on Windows or macOS.
quick games: There are adapted titles (such as classic Pong games) that are ideal for waiting for the subway or taking short breaks.
Reply WhatsApp: With the official app, you can manage chats, listen to voice notes, and reply without your phone.
Integrated flashlight: Access from quick settings to illuminate just enough without disturbing, perfect at night or for searching for objects.
The role of the watch with Wear OS has gone from being a simple remote control to becoming a self-employed partner that pays, browses, responds to messages, guides your workouts, and controls your home. If you choose the right compatibility, battery, and sensors, and take advantage of the watch's app store, you'll have a well-rounded experience that reduces your dependence on your phone and increases the amount of time you can do from your wrist.
