Wear OS 3 was announced in May 2021 during Google’s I/O developer conference, and it initially became available in August 2021.
Wear OS 3.5 was launched alongside the Pixel Watch at Google’s presentation in October 2022, featuring Fit Bit capabilities that enable significantly more fitness functions than previously available.
Wear OS 3 features
There’s a lot to look at in Wear OS 3.5, but remember that not every feature will be accessible on every watch.
Notably, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 series uses One UI Watch on top of Wear OS, which modifies the look and functionality of the user interface.
Below is a list of stock Wear OS 3.5 features – functionality you can expect to see on the Pixel Watch and any other Wear OS 3.5 wearable that hasn’t been heavily altered, such as Samsung’s current Galaxy Watch series, which has more variation.
Also Read: Google Pixel Watch Design, Pricing, Features, and More!
Google applications have been updated and upgraded.
Google used this opportunity to remodel and improve Google Assistant and Google Maps, add additional countries’ support to Google Pay (which will soon be superseded by the return of Google Wallet) and bring YouTube Music to your wrist.
It faster and Lasts Longer
Google initially worked with Samsung to create Wear OS 3.5, a combination of Wear OS 2 and Samsung’s Tizen-based wearable operating system, with a few extra features thrown in for good measure.
This collaboration has resulted in app load speeds up to 30% quicker (than Wear OS 2) and enhanced battery life. That last enhancement allows you to use the heart rate monitor all day or track your sleep without needing to charge it first thing in the morning.
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Fitbit Fitness Technology
Since Google now owns Fitbit, it’s not surprising that some of the latter’s knowledge has made its way into Wear OS 3. This includes options for tracking your health progress throughout the day, such as on-wrist goal celebrations.
A customized overlay
Just as Android smartphone makers may build a custom interface on top of standard Android, wristwatch producers can now do the same with Wear OS. Thus the platform will not necessarily appear or perform the same on every smartwatch.
This should give consumers options and opportunities to pick an interface and features they genuinely enjoy.
One UI Watch, available on the Galaxy Watch 4 series, is an early example; it includes a variety of Samsung applications and services in addition to Google’s and draws more similarities with the design of Samsung’s smartphone interface.
Exact fitness monitoring capabilities may vary depending on your wristwatch technology – most, but not all, contain GPS and heart rate monitors, for example. Then there are less common features, such as ECGs and blood oxygen monitors.
Everything you’d expect from a smartwatch.
Wear OS 3.5 differs from and improves on Wear OS 2, but it still keeps all of the prior platform’s essential functions, including notifications, timers, alarms, and more.
