Some Wear OS units are nonetheless launching on model 3.5 of the OS, however Google is now asserting Wear OS 5, coming later this 12 months. It’s based mostly on Android 14, and the primary Wear OS 5 developer preview is now out. As all the time with developer previews, notice that this is not meant to be used by shoppers, however builders, because the title clearly states. It’s unclear if a public beta will arrive or not earlier than the complete launch.
With Wear OS 5, Google is specializing in persevering with to enhance battery life, the principle ache level for any smartwatch operating its platform. Wear OS 5 additionally brings efficiency enhancements in comparison with model 4, with exercise monitoring being extra environment friendly – the corporate notes that monitoring a marathon will eat 20% much less energy than on Wear OS 4.
The Watch Face Format launched in Wear OS 4 will get a brand new iteration, which ought to make it even simpler for builders to create watch faces for the platform.
The watch faces created with the Watch Face Format are extra energy environment friendly than others, and this now helps objective progress and weighted components complication sorts. Developers are additionally now in a position to have climate knowledge as a supply in Watch Face Format.
Starting in early 2025, all new watch faces revealed on Google Play should use the Watch Face Format, whereas current faces that use different libraries will be capable to obtain updates with out transitioning to the brand new format.
With Wear OS 5, Google is releasing new tips on how you can construct responsive UIs for various watch show sizes, and it is also introducing adaptive layouts and parts.
It would not appear to be there are any new options in Wear OS 5, at the least not but, however Google’s deal with bettering battery life is undoubtedly commendable.