Replace: A brand new rumor suggests Google is preparing to rename the Android Put on platform to simply ‘Put on OS’. It might imply we’ll see the Android Put on three.zero improve however with a very completely different title. This is why that may be a very smart move for the way forward for Android smartwatches.

Android Wear 2.0 landed in February 2017, so given that almost all issues within the cell world have a yearly cycle it’s possible you’ll suppose we’re overdue an announcement for Android Put on three.zero.

Google has stored phrase of its subsequent wearable improve very quiet as a result of little to nothing is but recognized and even rumored about it. A screenshot of beta code inside Android suggests Google could even choose to rename its wearable platform to simply Put on OS.

If that is set to be the case, we predict it might be to encourage extra individuals who personal iPhones to embrace Android Put on units on their wrists. 

Till the title change has been confirmed we’ll nonetheless check with it as Android Put on three.zero, however keep in mind the replace could also be known as one thing completely different when it launches. There’s loads of room for enchancment to Google’s wearable platform too, so we’ve provide you with a want checklist of what we wish from the following replace.

As and after we do begin listening to details about it you’ll discover all of that right here too, in our continually up to date information to Google’s subsequent wearable OS.

Reduce to the chase

• What’s it? The following model of Google’s smartwatch working system
• When is it out? Probably subsequent 12 months
• How a lot will it value? It will be free

Android Put on three.zero launch date

Guessing at Android Put on three.zero’s launch date isn’t so simple as some issues, as a result of Google has solely had two main Android Put on releases to date, and it didn’t persist with the standard yearly hole between them.

Android Put on’s authentic launch was again in June 2014, following a March 2014 announcement. We then noticed the sizeable Android Put on 1.1 replace land roughly a 12 months later in Might 2015, however after that there have been a number of smaller jumps earlier than Android Put on 2.zero arrived in February 2017.

As there haven’t been any new variations since then (not even a 2.1) it appears probably that some form of Android Put on replace will arrive earlier than too lengthy, however whether or not it will likely be an enormous soar to three.zero or a small soar to 2.1 is much less clear.

And both approach we are able to’t get overly particular about after we’ll hear about it. Inside the first six months of 2018 appears probably, and we would even be stored ready till Google I/O 2018 that begins on Might eight.

Android Put on three.zero information and rumors

There’s nothing to report but on Android Put on three.zero, which suggests we would see it later fairly than sooner. However as quickly as we hear something we’ll replace this text.

What we wish to see

We would not know something about Android Put on three.zero but, however we all know what we hope Google is engaged on. The next seven issues prime our checklist.

1. Extra apps

Whereas Android Put on doesn’t have the form of app drawback that plagued Home windows Cellphone, it may positively do with a wider choice, and doesn’t appear to have the identical form of assist as watchOS.

That’s not likely stunning, since Android Put on additionally isn’t as fashionable, nevertheless it’s a vicious circle – with out the apps it’s by no means prone to attain these ranges of recognition. So we’d prefer to see a wider choice with the launch of Android Put on three.zero. We don’t understand how Google will handle this, however we now have religion.

2. Higher effectivity

Two issues that plague many Android Put on units are weak battery life and middling efficiency. Quicker chipsets and greater batteries (if producers can discover a approach to squeeze them in) are the obvious options to that, however Google may in all probability assist at a software program stage.

If it could make Android Put on three.zero extra light-weight and environment friendly than earlier variations then we would have the ability to get noticeable velocity and life boosts on present .

three. Larger assist for iOS

Android Put on now works fairly nicely with iOS, however the expertise continues to be extra restricted than when you’ve got an Android telephone, as, for instance, notifications can’t be interacted with in as some ways, leaving you unable to answer WhatsApp messages and the like.

There’s additionally no iMessage assist, and whereas we are able to’t see that altering, as it might presumably require extra cooperation from Apple, we’d prefer to see Google work to get the core expertise as much as the identical requirements when paired with iOS as it’s with Android.

four. A smoother roll out

One of many downsides of Android on telephones is that new variations of the working system typically take a very long time to reach on handsets, in the event that they arrive in any respect. That’s partially all the way down to the heavy skins producers placed on their units, which means they must work quite a bit tougher to get the replace useful.

This must be much less of a difficulty on Android Put on, since whereas producers supply some gentle customization it’s broadly the identical throughout units, but Android Put on 2.zero nonetheless took a very long time to reach on some watches and plenty of older ones didn’t get it in any respect.

For Android Put on three.zero we wish each watch that at the moment has Android Put on 2.zero to get the replace (except there’s a cause it could’t) and for all of them to get it in a well timed vogue.

5. Allow you to use your watch as your password

In case you’ve obtained an Android Put on gadget you possibly can have your Android telephone or Chromebook mechanically unlock when linked to it, however the identical ability can’t be prolonged to a Home windows or Mac laptop.

Since we’d wager most individuals have one in all them this can be a massive omission, albeit an comprehensible one, since they’re not operating a Google working system. If in any respect doable although we’d like Android Put on three.zero to let your watch unlock non-Google units.

6. Forged content material

Google Forged is an effective way to get media out of your telephone to your TV or stereo, however the identical function doesn’t exist on Android Put on.

Arguably it might be much less helpful on a watch, however there are definitely instances when it might be useful to have the ability to solid music from our wearables to a Chromecast Audio.

7. Interface tweaks

With model 2.zero Google polished Android Put on’s interface, however there’s nonetheless work to be accomplished to make interacting with these tiny screens simpler.

We would like Android Put on three.zero to additional polish and refine the interface, however when it comes to particular enhancements we’d like to see a simple approach to get again to a exercise or name display from the house display.

On our telephones there’s a inexperienced bar on the prime for calls and the current apps menu for every part else and neither is greater than a faucet or swipe away, however on Android Put on navigation doesn’t really feel fairly so easy, and a single faucet – whether or not unintended or intentional – can go away you removed from the place you had been earlier than.