It has been virtually two years because the final main model of Put on OS was launched. Google and Samsung took to the stage at Google I/O 2021, sharing the overhauled design, together with the shock announcement that future Samsung wearables could be adopting the platform.
Since then, we’ve seen two iterations of Put on OS on Samsung smartwatches, the Pixel Watch was lastly launched, and some different smartwatches have been launched with Put on OS 3 in tow. Nevertheless, two years later, there are nonetheless some issues which might be lacking from the platform, and we’re going to try options Google might add with Put on OS 4.
Customizable Fast Settings
Not solely are the perfect Android smartwatches designed to be an extension of your smartphone, however they need to additionally present fast and easy accessibility to issues with no need to succeed in in your cellphone. That is the place the Fast Settings panel comes into play, however for one cause or one other, Put on OS 3 doesn’t (natively) assist you to rearrange the totally different tiles.
In some instances, akin to Samsung’s One UI Watch, you’ve got the flexibility to customise the totally different toggles which might be out there. However the identical cannot be mentioned for Google’s personal Pixel Watch, which provides you a bunch of Fast Settings buttons, with out letting you determine what’s proven. This looks like an oversight, and the discharge of Put on OS 4 could be the proper time so as to add this performance.
Fitbit integration for everybody
Even earlier than the Pixel Watch was formally introduced, the presumption was that Google could be leveraging its acquisition of Fitbit again in 2019. This got here to fruition following the discharge of the Pixel Watch, as all your well being and health information is dealt with and saved by the Fitbit app in your cellphone.
Nevertheless, with Put on OS 3, Google has put a lot of the omen on the totally different smartwatch makers on the subject of your well being and health information. For instance, the Galaxy Watch 4 and 5 depend on Samsung Well being, whereas the Fossil Gen 6 Wellness Version makes use of Fossil’s personal Wellness app. That is to not say that both Samsung Well being or the Fossil Wellness app is not succesful, however we’re large followers of uniformity.
So it might be good to have Put on OS 4 smartwatches take pleasure in the identical expertise, no matter what wearable you’re utilizing. Accessing and customizing your Put on OS 3 smartwatch is now dealt with by a number of apps, with one being designed for customizing the system, and the opposite for well being. On the very least, it might be good to have the entire well being information synced with a single app, particularly in case you determine to go swap from the Galaxy Watch to the Pixel Watch or a Fossil wearable.
Backup and restore performance
In late 2022, it was found that Google was engaged on a greater methodology for backing up and restoring your smartwatch. Very similar to the flexibility to customise the Fast Settings panel, not implementing a correct backup system for Put on OS looks like one other oversight.
Because it at the moment stands, you do not even have the choice to again up something in your smartwatch. As a substitute, which means that each time it’s a must to restore your Put on OS system, arrange a brand new one, or pair your current smartwatch with a brand new cellphone, all your settings are gone. It is a tedious course of, and a quite irritating one, to say the least.
Not a lot has been shared in regard to a brand new backup and restore function for Put on OS 4. However the latest experiences counsel it’s going to assist you to again up issues akin to app information, system settings, and “Watch faces and tiles.”
The flexibility to change between gadgets with out resetting
That is the primary of two “lengthy shot” options we need to see, however we’re nonetheless retaining our fingers crossed. As somebody who commonly switches between telephones, is a slog to need to reset the watch, cope with the pairing course of, after which return and customise the watch to my liking. In fact, a correct backup and restore system would alleviate among the complications.
Nevertheless, if Google wished to implement one thing like this, all it might have to do is to seek the advice of the Fitbit group. That is one thing that has been out there on the perfect Fitbit wearables for years, as you simply have to signal into your account. Then, you’ll be able to entry the system from throughout the Fitbit app after which can “transfer it over” by altering the Bluetooth connection.
Assist for built-in biometrics
It seems as if Google is gearing as much as revamp its Good Lock performance throughout Android, ChromeOS, and Put on OS. Prolong Unlock is Google’s deliberate revamp of Good Lock permitting you to maintain your cellphone unlocked so long as it’s linked to your smartwatch. That is nice in your smartphone, however what if the following model of the Pixel Watch included an embedded fingerprint scanner on the facet?
This is not a brand new thought by any means, because the performance was proven off all the way in which again in 2016. However that instance was clearly a prototype and by no means made it to the plenty. Embedding a fingerprint scanner could be fairly helpful for issues akin to utilizing Google Pockets or Samsung Pay to make cellular funds. And as proven within the video above, it might even supply one other means for interacting with the Put on OS interface with out really touching the display screen.
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