It’s been virtually a yr since Google introduced Put on OS 3 at Google IO 2021. And in that point, the brand new platform has made its approach to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, with different eligible units anticipated to “roll out the replace beginning in mid to second half of 2022”.
Put on OS 3 on the Galaxy Watch 4 marked an enormous step ahead for Google’s Put on OS. However although the Galaxy Watch 4 has acquired loads of plaudits, there are nonetheless loads of alternatives for Google to enhance upon what it is already completed.
With rumors swirling of a doable Google Pixel watch within the pipeline, Put on OS shall be its basis, which suggests we might even see each seem at Google IO 2022 in Might. And if Google needs to be a severe challenger within the smartwatch house, there are some things we expect it ought to do to make Put on OS pretty much as good as doable.
Google Assistant
One of the apparent omissions from the Galaxy Watch 4 is Google Assistant. It’s possible that Samsung made the choice to stay with its personal digital assistant, Bixby. Though a put up from Verizon (noticed by 9to5Google) about an upcoming system replace recommended that Google Assistant help is on its approach to that watch, this has been contradicted by Google.
We’d totally count on Google Assistant to make its manner onto Put on OS 3 at some stage although, particularly on units that don’t have a Bixby equal obtainable. However we actually wish to see this arriving sooner relatively than later.
Simply as importantly, we hope to see Google Assistant using the identical on-device processing that is provided on Pixel telephones. Whereas this does rely to an extent on the {hardware} that’s supporting it, on-device processing signifies that Google Assistant is quicker, and doesn’t essentially want an web connection always to finish duties. This, in flip, might make it much less power-hungry.
Improved Battery
Battery life stays one of many single largest issues that smartwatch customers need to deal with. An Apple Watch Sequence 7, for instance, affords “as much as” 18 hours of battery between costs. For those who’re fortunate, on some units you might be able to go greater than a day between costs. Nevertheless it’s not possible you’ll be capable of handle greater than two days, particularly if you wish to use your watch to its full potential.
That is why we actually wish to see Put on OS being as environment friendly as doable and lengthening that battery life. Optimized software program can go a protracted approach to extending the battery on a smartwatch. And getting over the two-day mark between costs, at the least, can be an enormous enhance.
Higher iPhone Compatibility
It’s necessary to acknowledge that Google has made strides on this space. It was once that iPhone customers couldn’t even dream of utilizing a non-Apple watch with their iPhone. However since 2018, when Android Put on turned Put on OS, the expertise has been considerably improved.
Whereas it is a lot, a lot better than it was once, it is nonetheless removed from excellent. A fast look on the app retailer reveals a ranking of 1.9 out of 5 for the Put on OS app. Generally cited points embrace the app simply not working, or disconnecting after which refusing to reconnect. There are additionally complaints of Put on OS watch batteries draining quicker than they need to when paired with an iPhone.
Maybe we shouldn’t be stunned to search out friction when a Google gadget is attempting to work together with an Apple gadget. However on condition that these are actually basically mature applied sciences, we must be seeing higher than this.
The times of producers trapping folks of their ecosystem must be over. And customers ought to be capable of put on no matter smartwatch they need, with out immediately going through points utilizing it.
We’re hoping that Put on OS 3 will make huge strides on this space.
Fitbit Integration
One space the place Apple has been manner out in entrance of just about everybody has been in health monitoring. However on condition that Google accomplished the acquisition of Fitbit over a yr in the past, we’d hope that it is discovered a approach to totally combine all that experience into Put on OS.
Simply take into account all of the issues that WatchOS can help: Sleep, coronary heart fee, ECG, handwashing, cardio health, and fall detection. The Galaxy Watch can help blood strain monitoring. The Fitbit Cost 5 can scan for Electrodermal exercise to observe stress ranges, pores and skin temperature, respiratory fee, and blood oxygen ranges. It’s even doable to trace your menstrual cycle.
The purpose is, there is a wealth of well being monitoring options that Put on OS wants to supply if it needs to be seen as a viable competitor to what’s already on the market. And if a (Google-owned) Fitbit can provide these options, absolutely there’s no cause for them to be uncared for on Put on OS?
Simpler Backup and Restore Performance
One of many single largest criticisms of Put on OS has been how clunky it’s if you wish to arrange your watch on a brand new gadget. It isn’t all the time the case {that a} consumer has completely synchronized altering their handset concurrently they get a brand new wearable. One usually lasts longer than the opposite. And, as we all know, accidents occur.
Often, if you wish to pair your Put on OS watch with a brand new gadget, it’s good to manufacturing facility reset it. This implies you’ll have to spend time adjusting all of your settings, customizing your apps, and selecting your watch faces. That is gradual, laborious, and much more work than it must be.
The Verizon put up we referenced earlier reveals how this problem shall be addressed on the Galaxy Watch 4 Basic. Utilizing Samsung Sensible Swap, watch homeowners will be capable of again up and restore their watch settings earlier than pairing it with a brand new telephone.
However this must be a characteristic of Put on OS, whatever the watch you are carrying or the telephone you are utilizing.
Hopefully, Google will tell us what Put on OS 3 has in retailer for us at Google IO 2022. And we’ll see what number of of those options, if any, have been carried out.
