There are many reasons why Google’s Wear OS like a smartwatch platform is so frustrating. It lacks the advanced health features you see from other wearable manufacturers, nearly all available watches still rely on outdated chips, and historically Google hasn’t been the best at providing timely updates. Recent attempts to fix all that have been encouraging, but still beautiful minorHowever, an Android developer blog notes that third-party tiles are coming to Wear OS, and for once I’m excited about the possibilities.
Google introduced tiles back in 2019 in one of the more substantial updates to the Wear operating system platform. The wipecompetent widgets were long ago at the time, given that Samsung has been offering something similar for years. The only problem was you were limited to Google’s own tiles and they were common OK at best. It was a slightly better experience, but one that still lagged behind the competition.
Tiles open to third place partying is great on two levels. First, you can replace a Google tile for a better van your favorite app. Google Fit? No, thank you. Ideally, you would get a Strava tile or something less basic. Of course, that would depend on these companies paying attention to Wear OS again. This brings me to my second point: allowing developers to create their own tiles may encourage them to create for the Wear OS platform.
One of the few strengths Wear OS had over Samsung’s Tizen OS was a more robust app ecosystem. And then competing platforms started to ditch that lead. Spotify struck a standalone deal with Garmin and Samsung, but on Wear OS it remains a glorified remote. Hell, even Google puts Wear OS in second place when the one First, the YouTube Music app for the Apple Watch. That was in October, and here we are in March 2021 with no sign of a Wear OS version. W.hy shCan developers prioritize Wear OS if Google doesn’t?
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If custom Tiles sparks increased interest in Wear OS and Google is building that third-party ecosystem, tchicken Wear OS may have a fighting chance. W.We still haven’t seen how Wear OS will perform on a watch powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear 4100/4100 + SoC. Contrary to the offer from Apple and Samsung, Wear OS watches chug on old processorsAt the moment, only the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3 has the latest chip, and while Mobvoi watches are good, it’s not exactly the most high-profile smartwatch brand.
However, the jump from the 3100 chip – which is currently in most Wear OS watches – to the 4100 chip seems to be more substantial than the jump from the 2100 to the 3100. It promises 85% faster performance, 25% more battery power and better LTE connectivity – all of which could provide more creative experiences on your wrist.
Then there’s the fact that Google recently completed the Fitbit acquisition. While the two companies will operate separately – for now – we’ve already seen Google Assistant come to Fitbit watches. It’s not impossible for Fitbit’s know-how to make its way to Wear OS.
Perhaps this is why we’ve heard rumors that Samsung is considering omitting its own Tizen OS software for Wear OSIf there is even an ounce of it true, it would indicate that Google has actual plans for its most neglected platform. Samsung certainly wouldn’t just give up all the advanced health features it introduced with the Galaxy Watch 3 if Wear OS couldn’t support the transition. (Currently, Wear OS watches are the best way to track your heart rate. S.ome have a built-in GPS.)
Chances are that even with modified T.iles, developers will not participate because they think it is not worth it. Currently adjusted T.iles are in alpha testing through the Jetpacks tile library and Google said the new options will will be available to users later this spring when it rolls out[s] from the accompanying Wear OS platform update. “A lot of things have to go well, but for the first time in a long time it doesn’t feel like total doom and gloom for Wear OS.