This year’s launch of the new Wear OS 3 shows that Google (and Samsung) take smartwatches seriously.
Another question is whether developers will be so excited. now google published updated guidelines for Raise the “quality bar” for apps on the platform.
Guidelines cover how apps look, how they handle notifications, and even how they appear in the Google Play Store.
The goal is provide users with a more reliable and intuitive experience in the apps they install on their smartwatch.
Google emphasizes that building apps for Wear OS is different from building apps for phones or tablets, and you want developers to put extra effort into making their apps look and work as they should.
One of the points raised by Google in its updated guidelines refers to the interface used by the applications: must have a suitable format for rectangular and circular screens, and should have large, clear text that is easy to read at first glance.
Wherever possible, applications should run independently on Wear OS, per the guidelines. For the best user experience, no part of the app (including the setup process) should call the features of a smartphone or tablet.
Updated guidelines are an acknowledgment that third-party applications and their quality are also important.