Skip to main content

Wear OS

1,462 'Wear OS' stories March 2014 - October 2018
See All Stories

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.

Wear OS 2.1: A better smartwatch experience is a swipe away [Video]

Avatar for Damien Wilde Oct 3 2018 - 7:39 am PT
0 Comments

We’re mere days away from Google’s big hardware announcements and with the potential Pixel Watch likely not making an appearance, the launch of the latest version of Wear OS might just ease a few woes. This update is available on a wide array of smartwatches and will roll out fully over the coming weeks. Wear OS 2.1 introduces more clear and concise swipe gestures for more intuitive navigation and watch app management.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Hands on: New chip & redesigned Wear OS bring together Google’s new smartwatch UX [Gallery]

Avatar for Abner Li Sep 10 2018 - 1:46 pm PT
0 Comments
Wear OS hands on

At IFA 2018 last month, Google announced a big redesign for Wear OS. And moving forward, watches launching with Qualcomm’s just-announced Snapdragon Wear 3100 will feature the new look. At the chipmaker’s event today, we had our first chance to use a reference device running the new chip and the redesigned Wear OS to see Google’s new smartwatch OS up close. Together, they give us a good glimpse at the next generation of Wear OS devices.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 tidbits: Future battery life updates, ‘Project Stamina,’ Wear OS, more

Avatar for Ben Schoon Sep 10 2018 - 1:31 pm PT
0 Comments
wear 3100

After months of anticipation, Qualcomm finally made its new Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset official, and it’s a huge deal for the Wear OS world — mostly because it’s been years since the last chip. We’ve already covered Qualcomm’s big announcement, but there are a few tidbits you might have missed, so let’s take a look at a few smaller, but important details.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Fossil Group, Montblanc, & Louis Vuitton will launch first Wear OS watches w/ Snapdragon Wear 3100

Avatar for Abner Li Sep 10 2018 - 9:11 am PT
0 Comments

Qualcomm’s next wearable processor is set to power the upcoming generation of Wear OS smartwatches. In addition to detailing specs, performance, and new features this morning, the chipmaker announced that Fossil Group, Montblanc, and Louis Vuitton will launch the first Snapdragon Wear 3100 devices.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Google reportedly developing a fitness and health ‘Coach’ for Wear OS

Avatar for Abner Li Aug 15 2018 - 10:23 am PT
0 Comments

Wear OS is due for a big update this fall, starting with a new chip from Qualcomm and a “lead smartwatch” that could possibly be a Google-made Pixel Watch. On the software side, there is a developer preview of Android P for Wear OS, but not much else has been rumored. However, a new report today suggests that Google is working on a health and fitness “Coach” for wearables.


Expand
Expanding
Close