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Wear OS

1,462 'Wear OS' stories March 2014 - July 2020
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Wear OS is Google's wearable platform which is designed to run on watches. It's based on a modified version of Android, designed by Google, and used on many third-party smartwatches.

Wear OS is Google’s wearable platform which is designed to run on watches. It’s based on a modified version of Android, designed by Google, and used on smartwatches such as Pixel Watch, Galaxy Watch, and more.

The platform was first introduced in 2014 as “Android Wear,” before being modified until it became “Wear OS” in 2018.

As you’d expect, Wear OS is designed to be an extension of your smartphone. Notifications are mirrored to your wrist while condensed apps can be installed, both with their own independent functionality or as an extension of the smartphone app.

Where Wear OS was once found across a variety of smartwatch brands, the market has condensed in recent years. Names such as Fossil, Mobvoi, and others faded away in favor of first-party smartwatches from Google and Samsung, as other names in Android such as OnePlus, Oppo, Xiaomi, and more.

A few key Wear OS smartwatches include:

Google’s Pixel Watch is the poster child of Wear OS, with a heavy focus on Fitbit features and Gemini integration.

Pixel Watch 4
Galaxy Watch 8 Classic

You can read the latest news about the platform and its apps below.

Google all but confirms Android 11 for Wear OS, reiterates interest in wearables

Avatar for Abner Li Jul 9 2020 - 4:46 pm PT
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Android 11 Wear OS

The most important form factor Android operates on is phones, and yearly updates reflect that focus. Following the launch of Beta 2, Google today hosted an Android 11 AMA where they received a number of questions about other platforms. In talking about Wear OS, the company all but confirmed that Android 11 will be the next major wearable update.

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[Update: Already available] Wear OS 2.37 prepares new tile for hand washing timer

Avatar for Kyle Bradshaw Jun 1 2020 - 11:51 am PT
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While some areas are beginning to re-open, COVID-19 continues to be a major concern around the world today. One of the best ways to fight the spread of diseases of all kinds is to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. With the latest update to Wear OS, it appears Google is preparing a new tile with a timer to help you wash your hands thoroughly.


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Android 11 Wear OS

[Update: Always present] ‘Google Smartwatch’ appended to full Wear OS brand name

Avatar for Abner Li Apr 29 2020 - 7:00 am PT
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In March 2018, Google rebranded “Android Wear” to “Wear OS,” with the next biggest change since then being the planned acquisition of Fitbit. Curiously, the company has now quietly renamed its wearable platform to “Wear OS by Google Smartwatch.”

[Update: The “smartwatch” descriptor has always been present in the app name on store listings. In the Android Wear days, it was appended as “- Smartwatch.” We apologize for this error.]


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