Google today announced some new Wear OS features that we can expect from the next over-the-air update, which is expected to arrive this fall.
The focus here, says Google, is on fundamentals and that includes improved performance, for example, with speed improvements of up to 20% for app launch times, for example.
The company also said it will improve the pairing process and that we'll see UI improvements with "more intuitive controls for managing different watch modes and workouts." It's unclear exactly how it will look, as Google hasn't provided any details of the changes.
One feature Google has been talking about is a new hand-washing timer it is releasing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike Apple's automatic handwash timer in watchOS, Google's feature isn't hands-free and you have to tap a dedicated tile to activate it, which sadly makes users less likely to use it regularly (but you're already singing along. Happy Birthday twice while you are washing your hands anyway, right?).
Wear OS is also getting a new weather experience that will be easier to read on the go, provide an hourly forecast, and access to local weather alerts.
The Wear OS team notes that it also plans to bring "the best of Android 11" to wearables. For developers, this primarily means being able to use the latest Android development tools to build their Wear OS apps. It also remains to be seen what exactly this means for users.
While we're still waiting for Google to release their watch, the company noted today that a number of new watch OEMs have recently signed on to Wear OS, including Oppo, Suunto, and Xiaomi.
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