I tested the new Gemini app on my Galaxy Watch 8, and it’s close to excellent

My weekly column delves into the evolving landscape of Wear OS, highlighting the latest developments, updates, and noteworthy applications. Recently, Gemini has begun its phased rollout on Android watches equipped with Wear OS 4 and above. My Galaxy Watch 8, running One UI 8 Watch, has been a testing ground since day one, allowing me to compare the Gemini experience with the previous Google Assistant and its mobile counterpart.

Gemini on Wear OS is a noticeable upgrade over Assistant

Gemini stands out with its ability to recognize natural language commands more fluidly, offering tailored responses from Google’s Search LLM rather than generic summaries. This integration allows for seamless interactions with Google and Samsung applications, enabling users to create Google Calendar reminders or YouTube Music playlists through simple voice commands.

For instance, while exploring the Galaxy Watch 8’s antioxidant index—designed to measure carotenoids in fruits and vegetables—I posed a question about which foods are richest in these beneficial compounds. The Google Assistant merely referenced a Mayo Clinic article, reiterating that “fruits, vegetables, and whole grains” contain carotenoids. In contrast, Gemini provided specific examples and even facilitated the creation of a Google Keep shopping list with the suggested items.

Moreover, Gemini excels at delivering concise answers to spontaneous inquiries, such as a quick overview of “the history of carrier pigeons in 30 seconds.” While I often prefer to bypass the AI-generated summaries for full articles on my laptop, Gemini’s responses are well-suited for quick insights on the go.

When I inquired about the critical reception of a recent Superman movie, Google Assistant offered a brief summary from Rotten Tomatoes, whereas Gemini provided a more nuanced analysis, detailing both the strengths and weaknesses highlighted by reviewers.

Importantly, when I asked Gemini for showtimes at my local theater, it efficiently pulled data from both Search and Maps, subsequently creating a Google Calendar entry for a specific showing and sending an invite to my fiancée. While Google Assistant can handle individual tasks, it lacks the multitasking capability that Gemini demonstrates.

Gemini allows Galaxy Watch users to select default applications for tasks such as reminders or messaging. Once these preferences are set, the assistant operates with remarkable speed, enabling me to create reminders, summarize emails, and even search for nearby Italian restaurants—all before generating walking directions.

While Google Assistant does offer some integration with Google apps, Gemini enhances the user experience with its seamless functionality, minimizing instances of misunderstanding or unfulfilled requests.

How Gemini on Wear OS can get even better

Despite its polished performance, Gemini on Wear OS has room for improvement. My concerns about battery consumption were alleviated after a full afternoon of use, where the assistant’s always-listening feature consumed only about 20% of my Galaxy Watch 8 Classic’s battery. This indicates that even with heavy usage, the watch can last over a day on a single charge.

However, there are areas where Gemini could enhance its functionality. Occasionally, it misinterprets commands or makes illogical leaps, which is not uncommon for large language models. To streamline my interactions, I’ve started appending “in 30 seconds” to my queries, as Gemini’s lengthy responses can be cumbersome when I’m on the move. While tapping the display allows me to silence the AI for reading, a focus on brevity would be beneficial.

Additionally, a “View on phone” button at the bottom of Gemini’s replies would facilitate transitions to mobile, as the mobile version often provides relevant hyperlinks that the Wear OS version tends to overlook. Although Gemini is dynamic, there are moments when retrieving my phone becomes more efficient.

Furthermore, unlike the conversational Gemini Live, the Wear OS version sometimes struggles to recognize when I’ve finished speaking, interrupting mid-command or halfway through a message. A bit more patience from the AI would enhance the user experience.

Lastly, if Google were to support the new One UI 8 Watch Tile format for its applications, a scrolling Gemini Tile displaying recent commands would be a welcome addition, allowing users to easily continue where they left off.

Overall, the transition from Assistant to Gemini represents a significant improvement. With continued optimization in future updates, Gemini has the potential to become an indispensable tool for Wear OS users.

AppWizard
I tested the new Gemini app on my Galaxy Watch 8, and it's close to excellent