Table of Contents
Abstract
- Google unveiled Put on OS 5 that includes notable battery enhancements, further watch face issues, and extra health information sorts.
- Put on OS 5.1, primarily based on Android 15, is being examined on the Pixel Watch 2, indicating a serious shift in Google’s Put on OS launch technique.
- Potential decoupling of Put on OS model from underlying Android model might result in improved API consistency in upcoming releases.
Google unveiled Put on OS 5 at its annual developer convention in Might 2024. The brand new launch guarantees to convey notable battery enhancements. Primarily based on Android 14, Put on OS 5 additionally provides help for extra watch face issues and offers health apps with entry to extra information sorts. Google’s Put on OS launch cycle has been inconsistent, with the corporate sometimes basing the newest construct on a year-old model of Android. Nevertheless it appears the corporate is likely to be able to shake issues up for good.
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What’s Put on OS? A information to the smartwatch working system
Google’s smartwatch working system is price taking a more in-depth look
In a report for Android Authority, Android professional Mishaal Rahman claims Google is testing Put on OS 5.1 internally on the Pixel Watch 2. This shouldn’t be a giant deal in itself, besides that this Put on OS launch is predicated on Android 15.
Google has solely launched one Put on OS level replace thus far — Put on OS 3.5 in October 2022 — packing some minor new options and modifications. Moreover, all Put on OS variations have been primarily based on a year-old Android launch. So, if the corporate is engaged on Put on OS 5.1 with an underlying Android improve primarily based on an OS model that is not even out to the general public, it factors to a major shift in its technique.
Rahman speculates that Google may need lastly “decoupled the underlying Android model from the Put on OS model.” Apparently, the corporate has been engaged on this for fairly a while now, making certain a single most important growth department. If that’s the case, Google might base upcoming Put on OS releases on the newest Android construct in beta testing for improved API consistency.
Google might all the time change Put on OS 5.1’s identify to Put on OS 6 earlier than its public launch. The corporate sometimes makes such choices primarily based on the brand new options and an API degree bump.
Pixel Watch 3’s debut will give a greater concept of Put on OS 5 enhancements
Proper now, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Extremely are the one smartwatches in the marketplace operating Put on OS 5. Nevertheless, since they run One UI Watch 6.0 pores and skin on high, it masks lots of the OS’s underlying enhancements. We must always get a greater concept of the modifications and enhancements in Put on OS 5 as quickly as subsequent week when Google unveils the Pixel Watch 3 lineup.