At Google’s I/O developer conference, the tech giant announced the the new features, apps, and app experiences they are bringing to Wear OS, their smartwatch platform. This update, which will be made available later this year, will include improvements to both Google’s own first-party apps such as Gmail, Calendar, and Home, in addition to new and updated apps like WhatsApp, Peloton, and Spotify.
Google Home, specifically, will be gaining new smart home control abilities that will allow users to control door locks and other devices, such as smart light bulbs, with an additional layer of security in the form of two-factor authentications.
Gmail for Wear OS is being updated soon to make inbox triaging easier, and will allow users to view and reply to email from their wrist. In the same way, Google Calendar is being updated to offer more access to upcoming schedules, as well as added performance with tasks like RSVP, delete, and navigation.
Additionally, third-party apps are being enhanced as well with WhatsApp and Spotify earning a place in the Wear OS app ecosystem for the first time. WhatsApp for Wear OS will allow users to keep up with their conversations and securely send and receive messages on their wrist. Spotify app is being updated with a number of new improvements, such as music tiles and Spotify’s AI DJ. Peloton’s own app will be gaining support for tracking and features like the weekly workout progress.
These updates come two years after Google and Samsung partnered to unify their platforms. Google is continuing to develop new features and updates to improve their Wear OS smartwatch experience. With this update, they are aiming to enhance user experience and make Wear OS more useful and convenient.
