Google, what do you think about Wear OS?

I hate it, is that so?

Wear OS, a smartwatch platform provided by Google. What is Google's position on Wear OS? You haven't put much effort into it at all. Rather, it seems to be almost neglected. It's clear that the spotlight isn't shining, but even so, it seems that the neglect is terrible. Eventually, we're in a complicated situation where even Wear OS users find it inconvenient to install apps ...

In 2017, Google changed the Wear OS specifications when users download third-party apps on their smartwatches. It has become a policy to launch a smartwatch version of the app store from the mechanism that bundled the smartphone app and the smartphone app. This was introduced with the purpose of not having to rely on smartphones as much as possible for the functions on smartphones, but the conventional method (bundle type) was also left as an option. So, I was able to check the installed apps from the Google Play Store (on Apps on Your Phone).

However, last month Google notified developers of this specification change. It is said that as of March 10th, the conventional method will no longer be available. I changed the contents of the APK for non-smart users, so I decided to eliminate the specifications. Many users may be confused by the change in the method, but the real problem is that as a result of the change, apps installed by the previous method can no longer be displayed on the Google Play Store. Besides, if you can't find it in the smartwatch version of the app store ...

The smartwatch version of the app store isn't bad, the problem is its usability. For example, I don't want to have a hard time finding apps that I know definitely have Wear OS versions, such as Uber and Google Maps. Typing is very difficult on a small dial. If you need one or two apps, you can still put up with it, but then the meaning of introducing a smartphone will be halved. It would be easy if I could select and install the app I wanted to put on my watch from my smartphone. Wouldn't it be a terrible interface for smartwatch users to handle everything with just the wrist? Or is it too unfriendly?

The inconvenience of Wear OS is still there. For example, if you buy a new smartphone. The big problem is that if you try to link your Wear OS watch, you may have to reset it to factory defaults. Some users are urgently saying that the Dexcom G6 app was used to manage glucose levels, but Pixel 5 made it impossible to link monitoring. Of course, there seems to be a way to do it, but the problem is difficult for many users who are not familiar with gadgets, and there is no choice but to make it in a crying shipping state.

Not only Google but also the app developer side needs to take measures by updating in response to the specification change notification. Yes, but Google even thought a little more about the platform's usability for end users. In the first place, Google itself prioritizes Apple Watch over Wear OS, so it's not like you should be motivated by Wear OS developers. Even the trigger of my own "Hey Google" was left unattended due to a problem ... It is impossible for developers to do their best to update apps. I'm not motivated.

So, Google, what do you think of Wear OS?

If you want to make a wish now, it's Samsung's Tizen, which should be a rival. There are rumors that Samsung's smartwatch will come back to Wear OS, so I wonder if that will work positively. I just hope that the support of popular terminals will increase the motivation of Wear OS.

What do you really think about Wear OS, including this situation where you have to get your rivals to hit your ass?

Source: Androidpolice, 9to5Google