Google has released Wear OS 7 for Pixel Watch smartwatches, just about a month after debuting the new operating system at Google I/O in May.
The roll out for eligible Pixel Watch devices delivers live updates for surfacing real-time information at a glance, cool co-operation features for Google’s smart glasses and the ability control media playing on companion devices. There’s also extended battery life for currently-available watches.
Let’s start with those Live Updates, which will showcase the progress of activities like your food delivery or the progress you’re making on your workout. They’re available at a glance and you can tap to delve in for more information.
The remote feature for Google’s “intelligent eyewear” (i.e. smart glasses) coming this autumn also sounds really useful. If you take a photo with the glasses, for instance you can see a preview show up on the watch face.
It’s also possible to control the media playing on a range of devices. You can easily select the audio output from headphones, to smartphone, to Nest speaker to the living room television. You can also control playback.
The efficiency gains, which come from “deep, system-level power optimisations” to glean 10% more battery life from their device.
Finally, Google is also bringing Gemini Intelligence to the wrist for select Pixel Watch models later this year. That’ll include a Create My Widget feature.
In a blog post, Google says: “With Gemini Intelligence, your watch becomes more uniquely yours through Create My Widget, which lets you build custom dashboards using natural language. And with multi-step app automation, Gemini navigates tasks directly from your watch, whether it’s reserving a front-row bike for your spin class or ordering your usual from your favourite restaurant.
“Gemini’s new Neural Expressive design language also arrives on the wrist, alongside Personal Intelligence, which references your Google apps — including Gmail and Search — and your chat history to connect dots and provide suggestions that are uniquely helpful to you.”
While Pixel devices have first dibs on the update, it’s likely that Wear OS 7 will quickly make it to Samsung’s Galaxy Watch series of devices, which also run on Wear OS. The company is likely to unveil new models this July.
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