Wear OS
Google surprises Pixel Watch users with Wear OS 4 update
Google has surprised Pixel Watch users by releasing Wear OS 4 with a bundle of new features and improvements, only a week after launching the 2022 model. The update also includes the October security patch.
Wear OS 4 update for Google Pixel Watch brings the ability to back up and restore your watch settings, data, and preferences to Google One. This way, you can easily switch between different watches or restore your watch if you need to reset it.
In addition, it integrates Google Calendar on your watch. You can access your calendar events, tasks, and reminders on your watch with Tiles and complications. The update also enhances your personal safety with features like Safety Check, Emergency Sharing, and Emergency Info. You can use these features to get help in case of an emergency by holding down the crown.
Furthermore, the major update also improves the accessibility and customization options on your watch. You can adjust the text size, sound balance, magnification, and TalkBack options on your watch for a better user experience.
Users can identify the latest update through the build version TWD4.2301005.002 The update will be rolled out gradually depending on your carrier and device.
Google has introduced the ‘School Time’ feature to Wear OS smartwatches through the latest Google Play Services v24.18 update. This new feature allows parents to control their child’s smartwatch usage during school hours.
According to Android Authority, parents can limit the apps their child can use and silence the device to prevent distractions with ‘School Time’. This new feature helps to manage children’s technology use in their daily lives.
The functionality of ‘School Time’ is similar to the ‘Schooltime’ feature on the Apple Watch, which also restricts app usage and enables DND (Do Not Disturb) mode during set times. However, it’s not clear whether Google’s version will include options for breaks or emergency calls like Apple’s does.
It is also yet to be confirmed whether all Wear OS smartwatches will support the ‘School Time’ feature, or if it will only be available on recent models. Nowadays, as smartwatches have become more common for children, features like ‘School Time’ are important to encourage the proper use of technology.
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Google Maps has updated its Wear OS Tile to enhance navigation for wearable device users. The fresh update introduces a direct shortcut to the map view to make it easier for users to access maps and transit information quickly.
With the new update, the Search button has been replaced with a Map button, allowing users to access the map view directly. This view not only shows locations but also serves as a simple compass, a feature not available on the Pixel Watch.
Previously, the Google Maps app Tile included a Search button that opened the app’s main feed and showed recent searches and nearby points of interest on Wear OS devices. But now, you can directly go to the map view.
Users can tap on locations for details and see transit stop schedules. To exit the map view, there’s a close button on the left side. This new change enhances the user experience on Wear OS devices, providing more efficient ways to navigate.
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Google’s upcoming developer conference, Google I/O 2024, is expected to introduce Wear OS 5. This new version is anticipated to bring significant improvements to the platform, focusing on user experience and app development.
Based on Android 14, Wear OS 5 will include a redesigned Watch Face Format. This format aims to optimize watch faces to make them more efficient and adaptable to various screen sizes. This is especially relevant as the market sees an increase in smartwatch dimensions, highlighted by rumors of a larger Pixel Watch 3 model.
For developers, Wear OS 5 is set to offer enhanced tools that simplify the process of creating apps for different watch sizes. While details are still forthcoming, the update hinted at in the I/O schedule suggests that Wear OS 5 will be a significant step forward in the evolution of Google’s wearable technology for a better smartwatch experience.
Aside from this, Google will soon release an OS-level upgrade to Android TV and Google TV to explore user experience improvements. Also, the integration of Compose for TV and Android Studio tools is ready to simplify the creation of visually appealing TV apps.
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