5 Features Wear OS Smartwatches Should Adopt From Apple Watch

Wear OS smartwatches have significantly advanced, although there remain several critical domains in which the Apple Watch maintains a superior position. It is hoped that Google may consider certain aspects for future Wear OS upgrades.

5. A Comprehensive Health Application

A primary issue persisting with Wear OS smartwatches, such as the Google Pixel Watch 3 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, is that each manufacturer employs its proprietary application to gather and provide health data.

For instance, although the Pixel Watch 3 is an excellent smartwatch, as noted in our review, Google's smartwatches continue to depend on the Fitbit application, whereas Samsung Galaxy watches utilize Samsung Health. There is no comprehensive health tracking application compatible with all Wear OS devices.

Conversely, Apple employs a singular Fitness application to display all data gathered from the Apple Watch. The main screen provides immediate access to data on steps taken, calories expended, distance traveled, and sleep quality. Wear OS necessitates the installation of the brand's partner application to access health data, as Google does not offer a universal solution.

4. Dynamic Adjustment of Workout Objectives

Most Wear OS smartwatches provide exceptional activity monitoring, accommodating various workout kinds and delivering extensive statistics. During the setup, you can establish objectives such as calories expended, daily steps, and hours spent standing. Once established, these parameters remain fixed. Adjustments cannot be made for a particular day, and missing a goal results in the forfeiture of your streak.

It is realistic to acknowledge that daily motivation for exercise may not be present. There are occasions when you may forgo a workout owing to professional obligations or recovery, yet still have pressure to complete that activity ring. I would appreciate the incorporation of customized daily objectives in Wear OS watches.

Apple unveiled customized goals in watchOS 11, allowing users to modify or stop their objectives to maintain their streaks, even if they are unable to fulfill them for any reason. It is a functionality I regularly utilize on my Apple Watch, which Wear OS has not yet replicated.

3. Walkie-Talkie Functionality

Although Wear OS devices have matched Apple in health tracking and essential functionality, it is now time to introduce entertaining elements. I would like the inclusion of a Walkie-Talkie feature on Wear OS, similar to that of Apple's.

This function, as indicated by its name, enables the transmission of instantaneous voice messages, akin to traditional walkie-talkies. It operates via the internet, enabling communication with any buddy possessing an Apple Watch, regardless of their location. While it may not be the most indispensable tool, it is enjoyable and unexpectedly useful in congested settings.

2. Enhanced Device Pairing Efficiency

Connecting a Wear OS smartwatch to your phone remains somewhat cumbersome. Indeed, the majority of recent models are compatible with Google Fast Pair, which displays a notification when the watch is in proximity; nonetheless, a comprehensive setup procedure is necessary. Frequently, it is necessary to download a proprietary application.

This is a domain in which Google ought to emulate Apple's approach. Apple provides a singular Watch application that manages all functionalities. Google ought to provide a cohesive Wear OS companion application compatible with all devices for fundamental configuration and synchronization, irrespective of the manufacturer. Brand-specific applications may provide additional functionalities; however, a fundamental application would significantly streamline processes.

1. Software updates must be more seamless.

One major issue Google needs to fix in Wear OS—and something Apple has nailed down—is software updates. Apple rolls out updates for its Apple Watches quite frequently, and all compatible models receive the update at the same time. You never have to wait. This exemplifies Apple's cohesive software strategy, highlighting the fragmentation issue seen in Android.

This is entirely different from the Wear OS ecosystem, where Samsung and Google smartwatches often get the latest versions of Wear OS first. From there, the updates is rolled out to other Wear OS devices in batches.

Updates can even take months to arrive on some devices. While Google has mostly resolved update fragmentation on Android smartphones, with brands now rolling out updates faster than ever, this is still something that needs fixing on Wear OS watches.

On the whole, Google has improved Wear OS to a level that's quite comparable to the Apple Watch. However, there are still a few things the Android smartwatch ecosystem lacks.

These features aren't deal-breakers for me, but there are a few features I won't buy a smartwatch without. Despite how far Wear OS has come, I still can't move on from my Apply Watch. Maybe one day, though.