Google's smartwatch

 

The Pixel Watch is proof that Wear OS isn't bad.....

Google Watch

Google has also made sure the Pixel Watch integrates well within its own ecosystem. The Camera shutter controller is useful for remotely snapping some images with my Pixel 7 Pro, the Google Pixel Buds Pro connect immediately to the watch because they’re already paired with my phone, and some apps (like Google Maps and Citymapper) automatically transfer my navigation directions from my phone’s screen to the watch’s screen. Notification sounds also sync up pretty well between phone and watch. When I’m wearing the watch, it vibrates while the phone stays silent; when I’m not wearing it, the phone starts pinging instead.

In general, the experience seems solid, but that’s about it. There’s nothing new-new with Wear OS 3.5, and there hasn’t been anything really new with Wear OS for years now. While competitors like Samsung and Apple are busy adding features and improving the ecosystem integration between their smartwatches and phones, Google is giving us a robust foundation that lacks a million extra pieces.

On the ecosystem side, Google’s integrations feel like a one-step forward, two-steps back deal. There’s no cross-device unlocking for your Android phone or Chromebook with your watch. Do not disturb settings can’t be synchronized between phone and watch, nor the bedtime mode. You don’t get a friendly nudge to open the camera controller on your wrist when you launch the camera on your phone. Any Google Cast controls on your home’s smart speakers don’t show up on the watch for easy controls.

Finally, Google’s own Wear OS implementation is still pretty weak on the customization front. We should have more watch face styles and designs, more colors, and more app tiles. (I’d love to see one for reminders, a world clock, Citymapper, and Todoist for example.) I also need options to pin my most-used apps in the app list, and custom button shortcuts for quickly launching my favorite apps.