: Fossil, Google Play Retailer
Put on OS Three is predicted to start out rolling out to eligible units in “mid to second half of 2022”, and whereas we anxiously await for smartwatches to obtain the replace, now we have new details about the most recent watches supporting devoted Companion purposes. Future smartwatches may help branded companion apps, enabling new customization options, performance, and extra.
Based on Google, Put on OS Three smartwatches aren’t suitable with the unique Put on OS software. It’s unclear why the brand new working system isn’t supported, and now we have no info on whether or not they’ll work in the long run. We don’t assume smartwatches can be supported any time quickly, as most producers have already created their very own model of the companion app, and different OEMs are at present engaged on one, together with Google itself (through 9to5Google).
Fossil is the most recent firm to develop such an software, and it says that the app will “help our WearOS watches getting the WearOS Three replace later this 12 months.” The corporate can also be stated to be working intently with Google to collaborate and ship the “absolute best consumer expertise.”
“A part of the circulate, options, operate, and extra in the brand new app are a bit influenced by assembly necessities for our complete portfolio of related watches. As a part of this, we’re working intently with Google designers to collectively ship the absolute best consumer expertise for all customers.”
A number of customers are at present complaining concerning the lack of options, and eliminated performance, and Fossil is having a troublesome time convincing customers. The brand new model 5.zero companion app was launched alongside the Fossil Gen 6 Hybrid final month, and the brand new customers seemingly dislike the brand new design and structure.
Will a devoted Companion assist Put on OS?
WearOS software by Google : Google
The usual Put on OS app was nice to show new customers how the watch labored, and it was additionally glorious for altering a couple of settings and watch faces, but it surely wasn’t used usually, and that made it an pointless app. Samsung, Mobvoi, and some different corporations have already created their Companion purposes, they usually seem to work nice. They let customers change each facet of their smartwatches, together with watch faces, settings, and different features that will not in any other case be obtainable in the standard WearOS software by Google.
The truth that even Google is reportedly engaged on a separate app to work alongside its upcoming Google Pixel Watch says lots, and it’ll probably grow to be the brand new norm, shifting ahead. It’s unclear what different options these companion apps would possibly supply, but it surely’s clear that it’ll assist tone down and enhance the consumer expertise in the long run. Firms will be capable to model these as companies, providing distinctive watch faces, options, well being measurement instruments, and extra, and there’s additionally a possible for a subscription service – letting customers entry extra information.
Whereas many would possibly dislike the considered these, I feel it’s a superb factor, and it lets corporations take extra management over their very own units. The expertise might be tailor-made higher; we’ve seen that this works surprisingly properly with Samsung smartwatches. If Samsung’s success is any indication, we’re hopeful that Fossil, and plenty of different corporations are taking notes, and developing with related methods.
Utilizing a single companion app may additionally cut back the muddle of Android purposes that customers typically want to make use of to get essentially the most out of their units. As an illustration, some customers might use the well being measurement instruments and integrations in the companion app, however others might select to make use of a third-party service. Having the choice to do each is great, and we hope to see it in the long run.
There are solely a handful of Put on OS 3-supported smartwatches in the marketplace at the moment. The checklist consists of the Samsung Galaxy Watch four and Galaxy Watch four Basic, the not too long ago introduced Montblanc Summit 3, and some different units from Mobvoi.
