During last month’s I/O developer conference, Google announced that it had partnered with a South Korean giant to develop a “unified platform” that combined “the best of Wear OS and Tizen.” This will be the biggest upgrade in years for Google’s Wear OS.
The operating system will be internally called Wear OS 3.0, and Google announced that the update would bring a new design, new health and fitness features, new apps, and a lot more to the platform. Earlier, we reported that Fitbit, which is owned by Google, will adapt to the new platform it will be developing.
Even Samsung will be building smartwatches that will sport the newly updated platform; however, though we know that Samsung and Fitbit, who now collaborate, will be improved upon the new platform. But, there is still a doubt as to which route other brands will take.
For now, we only know that Fossil has announced that its smartwatches will not be receiving the updated software. Other brands are yet to comment on the fact of providing the new update for their smartwatches. Qualcomm also confirmed that the Snapdragon Wear 3100 and Snapdragon Wear 4100/4100+ platforms are “capable” of supporting Wear OS 3.0.
We’re combining the best of @wearosbygoogle and @SamsungMobile Tizen into a unified wearable platform. ⌚ Apps will start faster, battery life will be longer and you'll have more choice than ever before, from devices to apps and watch faces. #GoogleIO pic.twitter.com/vj2aYZD81x
— Google (@Google) May 18, 2021
“We are working with Google on bringing Wear OS 3.0 to Snapdragon Wear 4100+ and 4100 platforms. Snapdragon Wear 3100, 4100+ and 4100 platforms are capable of supporting Wear OS 3.0, but we are not discussing any specifics at this time.”
For now, we still have no idea as to when the new update will arrive for Smartwatches. Google is yet to confirm whether its new Wear OS update will roll out to existing smartwatches. It only stated that it “will have more updates to share on timelines once the new version launches later this year.”
Mobvoi, which is Google’s OEM partner earlier reported that the company’s TicWatch Pro 3 GPS will receive an update to Wear OS 3.0. “Mobvoi is a close partner of Google and has even received investment from them, but there hasn’t been any official confirmation on any update timings from Google as of yet.”
Google however has its own set of comments for its operating system and the OEM’s decision to adapt to it.
