Wear OS introduces visual changes to some tiles with new Wear Widgets. Google says some third-party apps are already ready to add compatible widgets, which is good news for both the Pixel Watch and the Galaxy Watch.
Wear Widgets come in two sizes: 2×2 (large) and 2×1 (small). They bear a striking resemblance to Android widgets, and that’s by design. Between Android devices and Wear OS, widgets now share a common design construction, which will allow developers to make widgets more readily available for the Pixel Watch.
Google is transitioning full-screen tiles to widgets in Wear OS. That change will mean that Samsung’s Galaxy Watches will be able to work off the same widgets and incorporate them into its tile stack system.
The Galaxy Watch 8 series debuted a new tile design in the Wear OS 6/One UI Watch 8 hybrid it runs. The system allows for multiple info and tool cards to be stacked in pages next to the main watch face. The move, as a whole, is one to make development much easier.
Google claims widgets will be “flexible and dynamic,” though only two sizes have been detailed, with very little to go on in terms of fluid use. We’ll likely have to wait until Wear OS 7 is available to see what Wear Widgets will bring in place of Tiles.
When Wear OS 7 launches, Google says several apps have already begun transitioning tiles into widgets. The list includes Spotify, WhatsApp, Peloton, and Todoist.
More on Wear OS:
- Google announces Wear OS 7 with Live Updates, widgets, more
- OnePlus Watch 4 officially brings Wear OS 6 in a titanium body, mysterious launch plans [Gallery]
- Google releases Wear OS 6.1 based on Android 16 QPR2
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