- Today's roundup includes Android game and app deals, as well as launch day deals for the new Wear OS 5 OnePlus Watch 3.
- There is a discount on the Galaxy S10+ and deals on Lenovo's Snapdragon X Plus IdeaPad 5x Copilot+ PC and the Surface Pro 11 Snapdragon X Elite Copilot+ PC.
- Popular app deals include Dead Cells, Lovecraft's Untold Stories, ELOH, Sentinels of the Multiverse, and more.
There are actual Wear OS games available in the Play Store that are optimized for limited storage and RAM, and do not require hacking or destroying battery life. These games include simple, classic games that can be enjoyed for a few minutes on your smartwatch. There are two main types of Wear OS games: single-tap games and swipe games. Some popular games include Single Tap Games, Cactus Run: Classic, Jump Drive: Get Away, and "2048 for smart watch." Additionally, there are mental training and relaxation games available, as well as kids' games. While many Wear OS games are low-quality, there is potential for better games in the future, especially with the upcoming new Snapdragon Wear chip.
- Google Keep is a versatile note-taking app that allows users to create categorized notes and bulleted lists, supports task delegation through shared notes, and is free to download from the Google Play Store.
- Google Tasks is Google's official to-do list app, known for its simplicity and integration with other Google services, allowing users to categorize tasks and is also free to install from the Google Play Store.
- Trello uses a kanban board format for task management, enabling users to move tasks along a timeline, and is free to install from the Google Play Store.
- Todoist is a popular to-do list app that offers features like task lists, project organization, reminders, and integrates with other applications, available for free on the Google Play Store.
- Tasks.org is an open-source to-do list app that focuses on simplicity, offers features like nested subtasks and location-based notifications, and is accessible for free from the Google Play Store, with a paid option for additional features.
Google has released the first developer preview of Wear OS 5.1, based on Android 15, for testing in the Android Studio emulator. Key features include audio playback through smartwatch speakers and the new Credential Manager API. The build number for this preview is AP4A.241205.004.F1. Known issues include difficulties in adding accounts during setup, notifications not opening corresponding apps until the screen is scrolled, and potential failures in initiating exercise sessions with Wear Health Services. The audio feature allows users to listen to music or podcasts from the smartwatch's speaker, while the Credential Manager API supports password management and synchronization across devices.
The Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra are at all-time low prices. The Ticwatch 5 Enduro Wear OS smartwatch has also seen a significant price drop. Amazon's All-new 4K 4-Series smart Fire TVs are available at reduced prices. Lenovo's Chromebook Duet 11 tablet is offered at a competitive rate. Notable app deals include SOULVARS (RPG), Psychofunk (rhythm and strategy), Traffix (traffic management simulation), and Siralim Ultimate (monster-catching adventure).
The Oppo Find X8 series introduces a significant change in the Android ecosystem by preloading the Fitbit application instead of the traditional Google apps. The Find X8 and X8 Pro are the first non-Google Android phones to include Fitbit in the standard "Google" app folder, replacing Google Fit, which has been the default fitness tracking application on Android devices. Google has deprecated the Fit API, indicating a strategic shift towards Fitbit as the primary fitness application, with developers required to migrate to Health Connect by June 30, 2025. A Google spokesperson confirmed that the Fitbit app is now available for Android OEMs to preload on their devices, enhancing health and wellness offerings. Despite the availability of the Fitbit app earlier in the year, it has taken until late 2024 for an Android OEM to officially ship devices with Fitbit as the default fitness tracking application.
The Wear OS platform has gained attention with advancements in devices like the Pixel Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch Ultra. The Recorder app in Wear OS 5 allows seamless audio note-taking that syncs with the Pixel 9 and generates transcripts, making it useful for capturing notes. Google Keep Notes is used for creating weekly to-do lists, allowing tasks to be checked off from the wrist. Despite a growing fondness for Wear OS applications, there are concerns about the platform's overall capabilities due to the small display and limitations of voice-to-text technology. There is hope that advancements in AI, particularly with Gemini AI, will improve the functionality of these applications.
Fitbit is becoming a default application on Android devices, starting with the Oppo Find X8 series, which replaces Google Fit as the primary fitness tracking app. This change reflects Google's strategy to integrate Fitbit into its ecosystem following its acquisition in 2019. Manufacturers can now include Fitbit in their default app packages, and the Find X8 series is the first to do so. Google has retired the Google Fit API, encouraging developers to transition to Health Connect by June 30, 2025. The shift raises questions about the future of Google Fit and its impact on user experience for those accustomed to it.
Snapseed is a free photo editing app with 29 tools and filters for enhancing images. AccuWeather provides minute-by-minute weather forecasts and extensive data on air quality and humidity. The Brave Private Web Browser prioritizes online privacy with a built-in firewall and VPN, blocking ads and trackers. Khan Academy offers free educational resources across various subjects, including videos and interactive exercises. Todoist is a task management app that allows users to create to-do lists, set reminders, and collaborate on projects.
