Wear OS is an operating system for smartwatches and other wearable devices developed by Google. This system is based on Android, but is fully optimized for small screens, which allows the smooth use of the best apps for smartwatches, among many other features.
From your smartwatch with Wear OS you can answer phone calls and share your location via GPS.
Wear OS was launched in 2014 under the name Android Wear. However, the company changed that name in the year 2018 to the current Wear OS. The reason behind this modification has to do with the fact that since then Wear OS became compatible with Apple smartwatches.
Like most Google products, Wear OS has been receiving updates and improvements over the years. Especially, in crucial aspects such as security, in addition to, of course, the inclusion of new features.
How Wear OS works
To start using Wear OS you need a smartwatch that has it installed. This system allows you to control your smartwatch from your mobile, which is why you will also need a smartphone running Android 6.0 or higher, or iOS 10.0 and above. Obviously, the smartwatch connects to the phone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
Once you pair your smartwatch with your phone, synchronization of notifications, data and preferences takes place. Wear OS is controlled by touch gestures, wrist movements, by voice or by pressing the physical buttons on the device. By swiping your finger across the screen you can access different options and menus. For example, the notification history, app drawer or quick settings.
Wear OS is available on a wide variety of smartwatches from different manufacturers such as Casio, Fossil, Samsung, Tag Heuer, Montblanc, Mobvoi, among many others. In addition, Google offers a version of its Pixel phones in the form of a smartwatch, the Pixel Watch, which, logically, runs Wear OS.
Main functions and advantages of Wear OS
– Support for Google Assistant and voice commands.
– Access to a wide variety of instant messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram, as well as SMS apps such as Google Messages.
– Depending on the hardware, you can listen to music on streaming services such as Spotify.
– It offers the ability to manage apps from the Google ecosystem such as Maps and Google Fit, as well as make contactless payments via Google Pay.
– It has battery saving mode and, in some watches, an ambient mode that displays the time in black and white when you are not using it.
– Allows you to install games such as Sudoku, Infinity Loop, Galaxy, Snake, PetQuest, Circle Pong and many, many more.
– Wear OS serves to control devices for smart homes.
