Put on OS 3.5 is the largest replace for Put on OS smartwatches but. In partnership with Samsung, it affords quicker app load occasions, health monitoring powered by Fitbit’s know-how, a redesigned interface, and extra.

Its debut was introduced alongside the Pixel 7 and seven Professional at Google’s occasion in October 2022, the place the Pixel Watch was showcased.

It’s an vital improve that might breathe new life into the working system – if shoppers and smartwatch makers embrace it.

Under you’ll discover full particulars of the whole lot Put on OS 3.5 affords, together with data on when, the place, and how one can get it.

Lower to the chase

• What’s it? The newest model of Google’s smartwatch working system
• When is it out? Now – first for the Pixel Watch, after which different wearables
• How a lot does it value? It is free

Put on OS Three launch date

Put on OS Three was introduced at Google’s I/O developer convention in Might 2021, and first turned accessible in August 2021.

At Google’s occasion in October 2022, Put on OS 3.5 was introduced alongside the Pixel Watch, showcasing options from Match Bit that allows much more health options than beforehand provided.

Put on OS Three compatibility

Regardless of being accessible since 2021, there are at the moment only a few smartwatches that truly run Put on OS 3. The truth is, on the time of writing you possibly can solely get it on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Four Traditional, and the – very costly – Montblanc Summit 3.

No beforehand accessible smartwatches have but obtained a software program replace to Put on OS 3, however some will do; with the Fossil Gen 6, Michael Kors Gen 6, Skagen Falster Gen 6, Razer X Fossil Gen 6, TicWatch Professional 3, TicWatch Professional Three Extremely, and TicWatch E3 all theoretically getting up to date earlier than the top of 2022.

Among the present crop of the most effective smartwatches might nicely get up to date as nicely, however no different units have been confirmed but.

We’re additionally anticipating new smartwatches to launch working Put on OS Three earlier than too lengthy, together with the Google Pixel Watch and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 line.

Word that to make use of a Put on OS Three watch you additionally want a appropriate working system in your cellphone. In concept it really works with each iOS and Android, however on the time of writing solely the Montblanc Summit Three contains iOS help – the Galaxy Watch Four line doesn’t, and neither the Pixel Watch nor the Galaxy Watch 5 line are anticipated to.

Put on OS Three options

There’s loads to see in Put on OS 3.5, however it’s value noting that not each function will likely be accessible on each watch. Notably, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Four line runs One UI Watch on prime of Put on OS, which modifications the look and a few elements of the consumer interface.

Under, you’ll discover a rundown of inventory Put on OS 3.5 options – performance you possibly can anticipate finding on the Pixel Watch, and another Put on OS 3.5 wearable that hasn’t been extensively personalized, like Samsung’s present Galaxy Watch collection, the place you possibly can anticipate finding extra variation.

Sooner and longer lasting

Google first partnered with Samsung to construct Put on OS 3.5 (opens in new tab), and the result’s a mixture of Put on OS 2 and Samsung’s Tizen-based wearable working system; with some new options dropped in for good measure.

Key enhancements which have come from this collaboration embody app load occasions which can be as much as 30% quicker (than Put on OS 2) and improved battery life. That latter enchancment makes it extra viable to do issues like run the guts fee monitor all day or observe your sleep with no need a cost very first thing within the morning, each morning.

An upgraded interface

Put on OS Three additionally brings about interface modifications, with Google specializing in making it faster and simpler to function your wearable. No one needs to spend ages swiping by menus on a watch’s comparatively small show, so there’s a concentrate on shortcuts and gesture controls; together with the flexibility to make use of Tiles (mainly, mini widgets) to customise your watch’s house display screen carousel in additional methods than earlier than.

You’ll even have fast entry to sensible house controls in Google Dwelling and be capable of rapidly change between in-use apps with a brand new process switcher.

A personalized overlay

Simply as Android smartphone producers can add a customized interface on prime of inventory Android, smartwatch makers can now pull the same trick with Put on OS, so the platform received’t essentially look or behave identically on each smartwatch.

This could give consumers extra selection and extra alternative to search out an interface and options that they actually love.

One UI Watch, discovered on the Galaxy Watch Four line, is an early instance of this; it affords a lot of Samsung apps and providers along with Google’s, and attracts extra parallels with the design of Samsung’s smartphone interface.

New and improved Google apps

Google took this chance to revamp and enhance Google Assistant and Google Maps, in addition to including help for extra international locations in Google Pay (quickly to get replaced by the return of Google Pockets) and bringing YouTube Music to your wrist.

Health powered by Fitbit

Since Google now owns Fitbit it’s no shock that a few of the latter firm’s experience has made it into Put on OS 3. This contains options like on-wrist aim celebrations and numerous instruments for monitoring your well being progress all through the day.

Precise health monitoring capabilities will rely on the {hardware} your smartwatch affords – most however not all embody GPS and coronary heart fee displays, for instance – after which there are much less widespread function,s like ECGs and blood oxygen displays.

Higher third-party apps

Google can be pushing for higher third-party app help in a couple of methods. For one, the corporate is making it simpler for builders to construct nice apps within the first place; with instruments like a brand new Tiles API and a watch face design editor.

On prime of that, Google can be aiming to reward builders for high-quality apps – and penalize low-effort ones – by adjusting their search rating within the Play Retailer.

Google has pointers for what good Put on OS apps ought to do, similar to ensuring they’re formatted for each sq. and round screens, having clear and simple to learn textual content, and making the app perform with no smartphone or pill.

All of the core smartwatch stuff you’d count on

Above, we’ve detailed methods wherein Put on OS 3.5 deviates from and improves on Put on OS 2 however it additionally retains all of the core performance of that earlier platform, similar to notifications, timers, alarms, and extra.