Wear OS Weekly

A weekly column that will focus on the state of Wear OS, from new developments and updates to the latest apps and features we want to highlight.
Latest about Wearables Weekly

Fans of the Ray-Ban Meta glasses should be excited about the Android XR glasses
By Michael L Hicks published
Wearables Weekly Having tested Google's prototype AI glasses and reviewed multiple pairs of Ray-Ban and Oakley glasses, I already see plenty of similarities and differences.

First 12 things to do with your new Google Pixel Watch 4
By Michael L Hicks published
Wearables Weekly This Pixel Watch 4 beginner's guide will break down the new Wear OS tricks, fitness AI tools, safety settings, and more to activate on your new smartwatch.

If I weren't a smartwatch hoarder, I'd buy these Black Friday deals
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Wearables Weekly My closet is filled to bursting with smartwatches, but if I were robbed and needed to start over, these are the Black Friday smartwatch deals I'd genuinely buy.

Google Pixel Watch 4 battery test: GPS, streaming, cellular, and more
By Michael L Hicks published
Wearables Weekly I tested Pixel Watch 4 battery use for GPS, calling, streaming over Wi-Fi or LTE, and other tools, to help you decide whether you need the 41mm or 45mm.

After years of close calls, Google’s Pixel Watch 4 finally feels like the smartwatch we’ve been waiting for
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS Weekly The Google Pixel Watch 4 feels like the end of a journey from a design and UI perspective, but it's only the beginning for Gemini and Fitbit.

Pixel Watch 4 repairability puts Apple, Garmin, and Samsung on notice
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS Weekly The Pixel Watch 4's 100-page repair guide isn't for the faint of heart, but every other major smartwatch brand needs to emulate Google here.

Wear OS 6 is one of the best parts of the Pixel Watch 4
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS Weekly The Pixel Watch 4 has the best version of Wear OS yet, but Google should take inspiration from Samsung for both Tiles and long-term software support.

Meta AI on Ray-Bans vs. Gemini on Android watches: The pros and cons
By Michael L Hicks published
Versus Your Android watch and Meta AI glasses are designed to become your primary AI solution — but with very different perks and downsides.

Hypertension alerts on Apple Watch just put every smartwatch rival on notice
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS Weekly Every smartwatch brand wants to "save lives" and get people healthier. By detecting hypertension, Apple is making a major statement.

Wear OS 6: One UI 8 Watch, Material 3 Expressive, Gemini, & more
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Future of Wear OS Wear OS 6 may be Google and Samsung's most significant upgrade to Android watches since OS 3. Here are the highlights and the watches due to receive it.

Custom watch faces for the Galaxy Watch 8 and Pixel Watch 4 are fantastic — Here's where to find them
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS Weekly Wear OS 6 added custom watch faces, and apps like Facer, WatchMaker, and Pujie have hundreds of thousands available.

Why Google's AI health coach might not attract traditional Fitbit users
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS Weekly You can use an old Fitbit watch or tracker with the new Fitbit personal health coach, but the best perks still require a Pixel Watch.

Exclusive: I interviewed the Pixel Watch 4's product manager about its cutting-edge dual-frequency GPS
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS Weekly Using new Qualcomm hardware and satellites designed for airplanes, the Pixel Watch 4 will finally deliver accurate workout data (in theory).

First 10 things to do with your new Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 or Watch 8 Classic
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS Weekly From activating the newest One UI 8 Watch features to customizing your Tiles and activating dev options, here's where to start with your new Watch 8.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is a tough sell with vintage perks
By Michael L Hicks published
Bold swing Plenty of long-time Galaxy Watch fans wrote off the Watch 8 Classic as soon as they saw it. They should give it a second look.

The best Android smartwatch today is $100 off. This is why you should and shouldn't wait to buy it
By Michael L Hicks published
Deceptive deal? The Galaxy Watch 7 is cheaper and better than its Android watch rivals at 33% off, but some would-be buyers should wait for the Galaxy Watch 8.

Will last-gen Galaxy and Pixel Watches die this year...and should they?
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS Weekly Samsung and Google promise four and three years of updates, but it's always been unclear what happens with the final update. We're about to find out.

WatchOS 26 and Wear OS 6 take different approaches to the same problems
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS Weekly From stolen tricks to cool (and terrible) ideas, watchOS 26 is an interesting foil to what Wear OS 6 and One UI 8 Watch will offer.
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