Google Offers Early Preview of the Wear OS’s major update at I/O 2021

Google’s I/O event kicked off on 18th May 2021 and among many other announcements Google revealed the Android 11 based update for Wear OS used on Smartwatches and bands. The Wear OS emulator in the Android Studio showcases a preview of the upcoming Android 11 for smartwatches. This major update will first reach Fitbit and Tizen smartwatches in the upcoming months and will take some time before this new update is rolled out to older watches.

For developers using Android Studio Beta, the built-in emulator can be used to install the Wear OS preview and check the new developments and features. This new version update is built on Android 11 which has already been rolled on smartphones quite some time ago. The current version in update for mobile is Android 12 Beta 1 which has started rolling out on Google Pixel devices. However, the current version of Wear OS is known as System Version H and is built on Android 9, which means that smartwatch users will skip Android 10 and jump to Android 11.

The all-new Wear OS home screen has an astonishing look and requires a swipe upwards to open the notifications. The notifications menu is redesigned and each notification can be styled as per the user’s discretion. If you swipe downward then you will see the quick settings options. Other functions and tools can be accessed by swiping left or right. The app list has been revamped and a recent app feature has been added.

The quick settings section now includes a Battery Saver feature which gives a reddish look when activated. The settings app also mentions the Wear OS name as System Version I which means it succeeds the previous System Version H. The preview build mentions the June 5, 2021, Android Security patch and proves that the new Wear OS update will be on the same lines as the preview.

However, a complete preview of the new Wear OS has not been released and this preview is just a teaser showcasing only a few features as to what to expect. There will be much more that has not been included in this preview as it is still under development.