Wear OS

You have probably heard of complaints and criticisms regarding the development pace of Wear OS, or rather the lack of it. Some feel that it doesn't get as much love from Google and that Wear OS seems to exist only so that Google would have something to show for in the wearable market. Google hasn't exactly abandoned it, as shown by the arrival of its Gboard virtual keyboard on Wear OS. Unfortunately, it also reveals exactly how long it took to make that happen.

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OnePlus Watch is a bit of a latecomer to the party but it did eventually arrive. The smartwatch is entering a very competitive space where users demand good hardware with the assurance of a seamless software experience. Of course, accuracy of all the fancy health and fitness tracking is a must, if a smartwatch has to resonate with the users.

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The Google Pixel Watch appears to have leaked at last. The look of the watch, along with some basic details about the device's release date and abilities, have appeared in a report today before official launch. The device will likely launch with a circular touchscreen display, several casing options, and a bunch of different watch bands with different colors.

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The weather is starting to heat up and summer will be coming up soon. In addition to being cooped up inside most of the time due to the pandemic, that will most likely be an invitation and temptation for some people to go out and about, sometimes going to beaches even. During those times, another enemy of health rears its ugly head but Google is pushing out a new Wear OS update that will at least warn you about those harmful ultraviolet rays even before you step out the door.

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Over the years smartwatches have evolved into intelligent gadgets capable of taking control of our lifestyle for better health, thanks to their accurate fitness tracking features. Another dimension that’s been added in today’s smartwatches is the ability to track progress for hardcore outdoor activities and intense sports regimes - along with the ability to train, coach or plan adventure-centric activities - via smart app modes.

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OnePlus fans are probably excited for the company's first smartwatch (not its first wearable, mind) coming in just a few days alongside its early 2021 flagship. However, OnePlus's own CEO may have poured some cold water on that enthusiasm, at least depending on their expectations and opinions about smartwatch operating systems. Unlike what it has done with smartphones and its smart TV and more in line with the OnePlus Band, the company has decided to craft its own smartwatch OS mostly for the sake of battery life.

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Although it is present on a wide variety of smartwatches from an equally wide variety of brands, Wear OS still seems to have less traction and a weaker hold on the smartwatch market. Some point to the slow adoption of up-to-date hardware, like the most recent Snapdragon Wear 4100 chipset, while others blame the seemingly slow-paced development of Wear OS itself. There's also the disappointing lack of support for third-party experiences, something that Google will finally be addressing this year with third-party Tiles.

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Samsung didn't announce a new smartwatch when it unpacked the Galaxy S21 series last January but that wasn't at all surprising nor disappointing. Samsung usually launches its wearables in the third quarter of the year, along with the Galaxy Note series of that year. 2021, however, seems to be a year of big changes for Samsung, especially in its release cadence. According to a new tip, the Galaxy Watch 4 might be announced in the next few months, including a somewhat unexpected Galaxy Watch Active 4.

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There was quite a buzz recently about Motorola launching three new smartwatches this year after being absent in that market for so long. Granted, it is more likely to be made by a different manufacturer that simply licensed the Moto trademark but, for buyers, the distinction is unlikely to make a difference. That, however, might not actually be the end of the story as there might be a possibility that Motorola (or licensee eBuyNow) may have a fourth one in the works with a rather tempting spec.

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Smartwatches are rather curious little gadgets that are like miniaturized and watered-down versions of our smartwatches. For better or worse, that means that smartwatches can't really use the same interaction conventions and UIs that are almost second nature on smartphones. While touch screens and buttons are always an option, Google has been pushing for more hands-free controls on Wear OS using Google Assistant. Unfortunately, an important part of the process has been broken for months before the company committed to working on a fix.

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Samsung was actually the first manufacturer to come out with an Android-based smartwatch even before there was Android Wear, now Wear OS by Google. It used a modified version of Android that, unfortunately, meant Samsung had to do things its own way yet again. Eventually, it decided to just ditch Android altogether, aside from at least one model, and created its own experience around Tizen OS. Now, however, a single rumor has users taking sides on whether Samsung switching to Wear OS is a good thing or not.

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Wear OS by Google, formerly Android Wear, also by Google, still leaves some things to be desired but no one can deny how it opened up the smartwatch market to more players. While it ironically seems to have pushed away smartphone makers, it invited traditional watchmakers to the party. That includes ones that make super-expensive luxury watches like Hublot who is bringing a Bing Bang e Premier League edition to fans of football or, as it is known in the US and some parts of the world, soccer.

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