In a significant development for wearable technology enthusiasts, Google has unveiled the first developer preview of Wear OS 5.1, a software update grounded in Android 15. This latest iteration is now available for testing within the Android Studio emulator, allowing developers to explore its capabilities on a virtual Wear OS device.
What you need to know
- The next version of Wear OS, called Wear OS 5.1, is now available for testing as a developer preview.
- The Android 15-based software update can be manually tested within the Android Studio emulator in a virtual Wear OS device.
- Although it’s still early, new features include the ability to play audio out of smartwatch speakers and access the new Credential Manager API.
Among the early highlights of Wear OS 5.1 are two notable features: the ability to play audio through smartwatch speakers and the introduction of the Credential Manager API. The build number for this initial preview release is AP4A.241205.004.F1. Developers are encouraged to begin testing their applications with this version to adapt to the behavioral changes introduced by Android 15. However, it is important to note that some Android 15 features, such as Private Spaces and predictive back animations, will not be included in Wear OS 5.1.
As with any early software release, there are known issues that developers should be aware of:
- The emulator may not consistently allow users to add an account during the setup process after a device reset.
- Notifications may not open the corresponding app until the user scrolls the screen.
- Wear Health Services might occasionally fail to initiate an exercise session.
The audio playback feature allows users to listen to music or podcasts directly from their smartwatch’s built-in speaker, albeit at a lower volume and quality. This enhancement could provide a convenient alternative for users looking to enjoy audio content on the go, provided that both the smartwatch hardware and the respective app support this functionality in Wear OS 5.1.
Additionally, the new Credential Manager API, already familiar to Android users, will facilitate seamless password management, including auto-sign-in capabilities after a backup restoration. This feature will manage passwords, passkeys, and support Sign in with Google, enabling synchronization of credentials across both Wear OS 5.1 and Android 15 devices.
While Wear OS 5 is currently based on Android 14, the designation of Wear OS 5.1 suggests an effort by Google to align the updates of Wear OS with Android. Alternatively, it may indicate that this year’s Wear OS update is a minor enhancement rather than a complete overhaul. With Android 16 Developer Preview 1 already on the horizon, the timing of this Wear OS update aligns well with ongoing advancements in the Android ecosystem.
