Anticipation Builds for Google I/O 2024 and Potential Wear OS 5 Innovations
As the tech community gears up for Google I/O 2024, set to commence this Tuesday, there’s a palpable buzz around the expected announcement of Wear OS 5. Previous iterations of Google’s developer conference have brought significant updates to the Wear OS ecosystem, including a comprehensive overhaul with Wear OS 3 in 2021, the unveiling of the Pixel Watch in 2022, and a sneak peek at Wear OS 4 in 2023. After a relatively routine update last year, enthusiasts are hopeful for a resurgence of excitement, particularly with a much-needed enhancement to the platform’s fitness capabilities.
On the agenda is a session titled “Building for the Future of Wear OS,” which may shed light on the new Hybrid Interface aimed at extending battery life for Wear OS watches. There’s also speculation about the integration of Wear OS watches into the new Find My network, which could significantly bolster the platform’s utility.
With a likely emphasis on AI at this year’s conference, we may witness the introduction of Gemini to Pixel and Galaxy Watches. Additionally, there’s a chance that attendees will catch a glimpse of the Pixel Watch 3, though its market debut is expected later in the fall.
Despite these potential developments, there remains a critical need for a comprehensive fitness solution to replace the sunsetting Google Fit. The Wear OS team faces the challenge of presenting a viable alternative, whether that be Fitbit or another platform, to fill the void.
The impending shutdown of the Google Fit API in favor of “Android Health” marks a shift towards a more integrated health data ecosystem. The new API, designed to work alongside Health Connect, promises seamless data transfer between apps and the potential for future tracking of advanced health metrics.
While this sounds promising, it also highlights the absence of a neutral, all-encompassing fitness app. Most fitness apps today are designed to lock users into their ecosystem and often come with subscription fees. The Google Fit app, while still operational, seems to be on borrowed time as Google pivots its focus to Fitbit. Samsung Health remains the most comprehensive free alternative, but it’s exclusive to Samsung smartwatches.
Health and fitness apps are increasingly becoming a key differentiator for Wear OS watches, as evidenced by the Pixel Watch’s appeal. However, this creates a fragmented experience across the Wear OS brand, with each non-Samsung/Google watch offering proprietary apps that often fall short of the features found in dedicated fitness watches.
OnePlus’ first Wear OS watch faced health sampling issues, and Fossil has exited the Wear OS space altogether, unable to compete with its subpar Wellness app. This fragmentation raises doubts about the ability of third-party brands to break out of their niches without more support from Google.
To address these concerns, a simple yet impactful announcement at Google I/O would be the extension of Fitbit to all Wear OS watches with the release of Wear OS 5. This could be achieved through the Play Store or as a default option, similar to the choice between Bixby or Google Assistant on a Galaxy Watch.
While this would standardize the Wear OS experience, it’s important to remember that smartwatches can still stand out through design, displays, UI, and other features. Moreover, integrating Fitbit across the platform could elevate the brand’s profile among Android users. Google could even incentivize partners like Mobvoi or OnePlus by sharing profits from any Fitbit subscriptions purchased on their watches post-trial.
Another potential move by Google could involve rebranding “Android Health” as a standalone app akin to Google Fit, offering basic goals and coaching for free. This would serve as a bridge between Wear OS watches and users’ preferred fitness apps.
Looking ahead, Google might introduce “Gemini Coach AI,” leveraging health data to provide personalized recommendations on sleep, training, and recovery. If this isn’t exclusive to Fitbit and Pixel Watches, it would necessitate a unified fitness experience for Wear OS.
As Google I/O 2024 approaches, the tech world eagerly awaits to see if a fitness surprise is in store. The direction Google takes with Wear OS and fitness could have significant implications for the platform’s future and its relationship with Android watch consumers.
