You can download the Developer Preview if you have a Huawei Watch 2, but be warned that it is pretty buggy. You’ll find the necessary software and instructions here. (Also see: Google is working on a new Pixel Watch.)
When is the Android P Wear OS release date?
We’d expect to see the Wear OS update land at the same time as Android P, for which the final release is expected in mid- to late August.
How much will new Wear OS cost?
The updated Wear OS will be a free update, but there is no guarantee older models will be upgraded. Also see: How to update Android Wear
New features we would like to see in Wear OS
Battery life is a key feature in the upcoming Wear OS update, and one of the changes Google originally proposed – to turn off Wi-Fi when a watch is not connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth – has now been rolled back in the second Developer Preview. There’s also an enhanced battery saving mode. In an interview with Wareable Denis Troper, head of product at Wear OS, commented on the future of the platform. To summarise, it’s going to place more emphasis on health and fitness coaching and motivation, improve Google Assistant support on iOS, and enhance notifications with more control over the information you see. Thanks to the Developer Previews we also know that Wear OS will bring Android P features to your wrist. It includes a new default UI dark theme to enhance glanceability, limited background activity for apps when the watch is not being charged, and Bluetooth/Wi-Fi/cellular radio deactivation when it’s not being worn. Things we’d like to add to the list include:
Faster performanceImproved battery life and efficiencyBetter appsImproved iOS support in general, particularly with messagesCast supportAbility to unlock Windows and Mac PCs with a watch
Read next: Best smartwatches you can buy right now Marie is Editor in Chief of Tech Advisor and Macworld. A Journalism graduate from the London College of Printing, she’s worked in tech media for more than 17 years, managing our English language, French and Spanish consumer editorial teams and leading on content strategy through Foundry’s transition from print, to digital, to online - and beyond.
