Does Android Wear still exist?
Android Wear was first announced by Google in 2014 as a smartwatch operating system based on Android and designed to run on wearable devices like smartwatches and fitness trackers. The goal of Android Wear was to extend the Android platform to wearables and create a consistent experience across different devices. Some of the key features included Google Now integration, notification syncing with Android phones, and an “always on” display to quickly glance at information.
When Android Wear first launched, it saw modest success and captured a small share of the smartwatch market, which was dominated by the Apple Watch. Early Android Wear watches like the Moto 360 and LG G Watch received positive reviews. However, according to Counterpoint Research, Android Wear only held a 3-5% market share in the early years. Google struggled to get manufacturers to adopt the platform compared to watchOS and Samsung’s Tizen OS.
Google’s Shifting Priorities
In recent years, Google has appeared to shift its priorities away from Android Wear in order to focus more on other hardware products like the Pixel phone line, Google Home smart speakers, and Chromecast streaming devices.
After Android Wear’s initial launch in 2014, Google released frequent updates and added significant new features like standalone functionality, improved fitness tracking capabilities, and better iOS compatibility. However, the pace of innovation seemed to slow down after 2017. At the same time, Google was pouring more resources into expanding its Pixel phones, Google Home speakers, and Chromecast streaming devices into global markets.
Some technology industry observers have speculated that Google was losing interest in Android Wear given its laser focus on those other hardware products. With less emphasis from Google recently, Android Wear has arguably struggled to keep pace with the Apple Watch and other smartwatch platforms in terms of market share and app support.
The Android Wear Rebrand
In early 2018, Google rebranded Android Wear as Wear OS. This rebranding was an attempt to broaden compatibility beyond just Android phones. By removing ‘Android’ from the name, Google hoped to attract iPhone users as well. The implication was that Wear OS would work seamlessly with both Android and iOS devices.
The rebranding also signified a shift in Google’s smartwatch strategy. Android Wear struggled against the Apple Watch in its early days. The Wear OS rebrand suggested Google was making a renewed commitment to compete in the smartwatch market across platforms, not just Android.
Major Updates
Wear OS has received several major software updates since its release in 2014, adding new features and improving functionality. <1>As per Google, it rebranded Android Wear to Wear OS in March 2018 and updated the OS to be compatible with more wearable devices.
The latest major update to Wear OS was version 4.0, which was unveiled in 2022. It is based on Android 13 and brings improved performance, longer battery life, and streamlined navigation. <2>Wear OS 4 offers a refreshed UI with larger Tiles, scrollable notifications, and improved contact ID and voice calling support. According to Android Police, Wear OS 4 also includes an on-device handwriting keyboard, updated Google Wallet and Google Assistant, and deeper health tracking.
Prior to Wear OS 4, Android Wear 2.0 launched in 2017 with a standalone app model, rotatable UI, improved notifications, customizable watch faces, Google Assistant support, and fitness improvements. This helped bridge the gap between Android phones and wearables in terms of features and functionality.
Overall, the major Wear OS updates over the years have steadily enhanced the smartwatch experience for users, making the platform faster, more intuitive, and more integrated with the wider Android ecosystem.
<1>https://blog.google/products/wear-os/wear-os-update-google-io-2023/
<2>https://www.androidpolice.com/wear-os-4/
Adapter Hardware Launches
Since 2018, a handful of flagship smartwatch launches have helped keep Wear OS relevant. In 2018, LG released the Watch W7 that featured mechanical watch hands for a hybrid experience. Then in 2019, the company unveiled the Watch GT that included sleep tracking, fitness features, and a durable long battery life. Reviews praised the overall design but felt it fell short on third-party app support.
Louis Vuitton also launched a 2019 model of its Tambour Horizon watch that included expanded NFC capabilities for payments on Wear OS. In reviews, the watch scored high marks for the attractive design and customization options, but lower for the price and limited availability. However more affordable options exist too. In 2020, Mobvoi’s TicWatch Pro 3 was unveiled with better battery life and performance updates to Wear OS that earned largely positive reviews.
Declining App Support
App developer support for Wear OS has steadily declined over the past several years. According to one Reddit thread, the number of apps supporting Wear OS decreased significantly after 2018. Many popular apps like Uber, Spotify, and Google’s own YouTube app no longer support the platform.
There are a few reasons app developers seem to be losing interest in Wear OS. The relatively small user base makes supporting the platform costly compared to the potential reward. Smartwatches also present unique interface challenges compared to phones. The limited screen real estate and input methods constrain app design and functionality.
However, the platform saw signs of a slight resurgence in 2022. Annual smartwatch sales were up 30% in September 2022, likely due to the popularity of the new Galaxy Watch 5 series. More users could reinvigorate developer interest going forward.
The Rise of Alternative Platforms
As Wear OS has struggled, Apple Watch has grown tremendously and cemented itself as the market leader. According to Smartwatch market leader Apple dominates, but not in China, “The Apple Watch maintained its dominance of the market, with a 36.1% market share”. Wear OS meanwhile only achieved a 3.9% market share in Q1 2021 according to Global Smartwatch Market: Apple 34%, Huawei 8%.
Other platforms like Fitbit, Garmin, and Samsung’s Tizen-based watches have also taken substantial market share away from Wear OS. According to the Forbes article cited above, Fitbit had a 4.2% market share in Q1 2021 while Garmin reached 5.1%. And Samsung achieved 7.7% market share with its line of smartwatches running Tizen.
The steep competition from the Apple Watch and other rival platforms has made it incredibly difficult for Wear OS to gain traction. Despite early promise, it has become a niche player in the growing smartwatch market due to these strong alternatives that appeal to consumers in different ways.
Google’s Renewed Commitment
In 2021, Google strongly reaffirmed its commitment to wearables with a renewed focus on its Wear OS platform (now called Wear after the brand refresh). At the Google I/O event, Google and Samsung announced that they would be combining Samsung’s Tizen wearable OS with Wear to create a unified platform. This brought hope that more manufacturers would support Wear watches moving forward.
Google highlighted several key improvements planned for Wear, including faster app start times, extended battery life, and a focus on health/fitness tracking features. They also committed to providing support for Wear 2 watches to update to the new unified Wear platform. This showed that rather than abandoning past smartwatch efforts, Google aimed to slowly improve the platform over time.
In October 2022, Google and Qualcomm also announced a partnership focused on new Qualcomm Snapdragon chips purpose-built for smartwatches on Wear OS. These new chips based on RISC-V architecture promise more power efficiency and better performance. This signals that major players are investing in Wear’s future.
With Google’s renewed vision for wearables, the Wear unification with Samsung, and new silicon coming, there’s cautious optimism that Wear could see resurgence as an appealing smartwatch ecosystem for both consumers and developers going forward.
The Verdict
After years of stagnation and rumors of its demise, the verdict on Wear OS is that while the platform certainly struggled, reports of its death were premature. Google has refocused efforts on Wear OS, pushing out a major update in 2021, attracting new hardware partners like Samsung, and pledging improved smartwatch support.
However, there are still challenges ahead. App support and developer engagement lag behind Apple Watch. And it remains unclear if Google will maintain focus and deliver on promises of renewed commitment to the Wear OS ecosystem.
So in summary, Wear OS is down but not out. With the right moves by Google and hardware partners, it still has potential to thrive. But the smartwatch market is becoming more competitive every year. If Wear OS fails to gain traction, its future viability will quickly fade.
The Future of Wearables
The wearable technology market is expected to continue growing and evolving in the coming years. Even as dedicated smartwatch platforms like Wear OS face challenges, innovation in novel form factors and applications continues.
Companies are exploring smart rings, smart glasses, smart clothing, and more as potential new wearable devices. For example, according to Forbes Business Council, smart rings like Motiv and Oura provide fitness tracking in a discreet form factor (source). Augmented reality smart glasses are also gaining traction for applications in healthcare, industry, and everyday life.
Wearable medical devices are a major area of predicted growth and innovation. The ability to continuously monitor vital signs through sensors in clothing or on the skin could aid diagnostics and chronic disease management. For example, diabetic glucose monitoring smart contact lenses are being developed by companies like Google Verily (source).
In summary, while the future of smartwatches specifically remains uncertain, wearable technology overall is expected to continue advancing and finding new applications that enhance health, productivity, connectivity, and daily life.