With the arrival of the Pixel Watch, Google is putting a lot of focus on its smartwatch operating system.
Finally, Google has committed to provide updates for Wear OS in a similar way to Android.
in an interview with wiredProduct Manager for Wear OS, Björn Kilburn, stated that Google’s goal is to “Release a new version of Wear usually every year in a similar way to mobile.”
This would mean that the company plans to release annual updates for Wear OS, as often as for phones.
This is a change from the way the company has treated Wear OS in the past. Until now, Google has been hesitant to support the smartwatch platform.
Kilburn explains that the motivation behind Google’s change in philosophy is related to mobile support. «If the new features added in Android are critical for watches […] So we have to find a way to get them to the clock.”
The Pixel Watch currently runs on Wear OS 3.5. While Google may now release updates every year, Kilburn’s remarks they do not clarify whether these updates would move from version 3.0 to 4.0 or whether moving from 3.0 to 3.5 would count as an annual update.
Additionally, Kilburn mentioned that devices running Wear OS 3 will require the manufacturer to send updates over the air. He also suggested that users check the manufacturer’s software update policy.
when asked about GoogleFit, Kilburn didn’t give a concrete answer about the app’s future. The app is not preloaded on Wear OS 3 as it was on Wear OS 2, but is available for download from the Google Play Store. Kilburn says it’s up to the Pixel and Fitbit team whether the Google Fit app appears in the Wear Play Store.
Finally, Kilburn confirmed that Wearable users with Snapdragon Wear 4100 and 4100 Plus will continue to receive the Wear OS 3 update later this year. However, you will need to restart your device.