Wear OS 5 – the newest working system (OS) for Android-based wearables corresponding to smartwatches – has begun rolling out to Google Pixel Watch 2 and older fashions. First unveiled on the Google I/O 2024 developer convention in May, the replace brings enhancements to the Watch Face Format in partnership with Samsung, a grid-based app launcher, and recording performance to Pixel smartwatches. It additionally bundles system enhancements and fixes for vital safety vulnerabilities.
WearOS 5 Update for Pixel Smartwatches
In a weblog post, Google introduced that its Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Watch, working on Wear OS 4 and three.5, respectively, will obtain the September 2024 software program over-the-air (OTA) replace which is able to embody an improve to Wear OS 5. Its rollout is going down in a phased method and can proceed over the following week, relying on the service and system. Once it turns into obtainable, customers will obtain a notification on their smartwatch, recommending they improve to the newest obtainable software program.
Google says the Wear OS 5 replace for the Pixel Watch 2 comes with the mannequin quantity AW2A.240903.005.A1, whereas that for the Pixel Watch has AW2A.240903.005.A2. Following the replace, the smartwatches will get “new options”. While it didn’t delve into precisely what options could be obtainable, it did point out the grid-view launcher, improved digicam controls and Pixel Recorder performance coming to Google’s older smartwatches. Thus, customers will be capable of take a look at their apps in a brand new grid-based format – an addition to the list-based format which was beforehand the one choice obtainable.
Additionally, the September 2024 software program replace may even embody efficiency updates and bug fixes, and the main points of the latter can be found on Google’s Pixel Watch Security Bulletin page.
Wear OS 5 replace for Android-based smartwatches additionally stops assist for watch faces developed with out utilizing the Watch Face Format (WFF) on the Google Play Store. Only watch faces which meet Google’s high quality and efficiency requirements will probably be accessible on smartwatches working the brand new firmware. This change is in lieu of WFF’s introduction which Google unveiled in 2023 in partnership with Samsung.
