Google recently announced that it is already rolling out Wear OS 2.1 to smartwatches already running Android Wear 2.0. The latest version of the company’s operating system for wearables introduces new features, which include easier access to notifications, improved health coaching, and more personalized help from the Google Assistant. People can easily access these new functionalities using Wear OS 2.1’s swipe-based gesture navigation.
With Wear OS 2.1, people can swipe up on their smartwatches to see all their notifications, and they may respond to e-mails and other messages without leaving the notification stream using the new built-in smart reply feature. Meanwhile, users may swipe down on their wearables to access the Google Pay application, the Find My Phone functionality, and other useful features. On the other hand, people can open the improved Google Fit app by swiping left. This fitness app still permits users to start a new workout routine and track their progress towards their set fitness goals, although Google Fit app now comes with two new activity goals, which the search giant developed in collaboration with the American Heart Association and the World Health Organization. These new goals include the Heart Points, which is awarded everytime the user performs moderate or intense physical activities, and the Move Minutes, which is designed to motivate people to make small, healthy changes to their lifestyle.
The latest version of Wear OS also includes improvements to the Google Assistant. With Wear OS 2.1, the Google Assistant now offers personalized suggestions to smartwatch users, which people may see by swiping right on their wearables. The Google Assistant can provide a wide variety of information, which include weather forecasts, flight status, traffic reports, and meeting reminders, and it can also suggest new features that people may not have used before. Wear OS 2.1 builds on the features introduced by Android Wear 2.0, which the search giant launched in February 2017. Android Wear 2.0 included custom watch faces and a vertically-scrolling app drawer, and for smartwatches with NFC capabilities, it also introduced support for Google Pay. Android Wear 2.0 also allowed users to install Standalone Apps, which can be used without relying on the connection from a smartphone.
Busy day? Every minute matters. The new #WearOSbyGoogle design gives you a helping hand when you need it most, convenient access to your notifications, #GoogleFit, and more. Rolling out now: https://t.co/UldqISuWdHpic.twitter.com/dvGlhxQIQg
— Wear OS by Google (@WearOSbyGoogle) September 28, 2018