Wear OS 7 drops today with Live Updates, Gemini, and more

Summary

Google launched Wear OS 7 on June 16, pushing out the update to compatible Pixel Watch devices with new key features, functional improvements, and more personalized help.

The launch of Wear OS 7 is upon us as Google officially announces the arrival of its smartwatch platform’s latest update, bringing in a handful of functional changes improvements that users will have to look forward to. Google officially launched the update on June 16, and has confirmed that it will be rolling out to compatible Pixel Watch devices starting on that date.

That means there is a good chance that your watch may not receive it right away. For example, Google is likely to start with its most recent offering, the Pixel Watch 4. If you’re still using an older Pixel Watch model and it is compatible, it might land a bit later in the day or later in the week. Google doesn’t explicitly say this, but it’s something to keep in mind since it has confirmed which devices are compatible. We do know that it’s coming to the Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Watch 2, though. As Verizon recently listed a support page for the latter.

The update includes things like Live Updates and improved battery life, both of which are part of the update starting today. Not all the improvements are available immediately, however.

The Wear OS 7 launch will not initially include Gemini Intelligence

One of the features coming with Wear OS 7 will be Gemini Intelligence. However, this won’t be available right away, and will instead be coming later this Summer, Google says. Once it does arrive, users will notice improvements to personalized help, including things like navigating tasks straight from your wrist. This will be a function that’s part of multi-step app automation. So for example, you could have Gemini on Pixel Watch order you food, turn on the lights, and change the temperature on your smart thermostat in anticipation of you arriving home from work, all through different apps in one smooth automated motion.

Another function coming later this year will be improved functionality between your watch and connected devices like smart eyewear or headphones.

The two big things available immediately are the improved battery life, and the Live Updates. Battery life on Wear OS has been one of the bigger drawbacks for many for a large part of the lifespan of this software, dating all the way back to when it was called Android Wear. Over the years, it has gotten a lot better. Truly starting with the release of Wear OS 4. Since then Google has steadily improved it more and more. This time, Google says battery life is 10% better compared to Wear OS 6.

As for Live Updates, this is a way to track real-time information. Once again let’s say you’re ordering some food. The Live Updates feature will now let you track the info about its arrival in real-time. It can also give you real-time alerts about sports scores for tracked teams.