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Exciting Updates in Wear OS 5.1 Developer Preview

Google is poised to introduce Wear OS 5.1, which is currently available in a developer preview. Although still in its testing phase, this latest iteration has already caught the attention of developers who have identified some intriguing new features and enhancements, sharing their discoveries with the broader tech community.

A major highlight of Wear OS 5.1 is its foundation on Android 15, marking a significant evolution since Wear OS 3, which operated on Android 11. This transition signifies Google’s strategy to synchronize its smartwatch software development with the most recent advancements in mobile operating systems, observed from the previous versions that migrated from Android 11 to 13 in Wear OS 4, and then to Android 14 with Wear OS 5.

One of the standout features introduced in this version is the capability of the watch to play audio directly through its built-in speaker. This is a function that recently debuted on the Apple Watch Series 10 and is already available on the Galaxy Watch 4, indicating a noteworthy shift towards enhancing user convenience. With this advancement, users will no longer be tethered to Bluetooth headphones, which often complicates the listening experience.

Further insights from this week’s announcement highlight Wear OS 5.1’s integration of passkey support, a contemporary alternative to traditional passwords. This feature was previously discussed during Google’s I/O 2024 event in May, emphasizing a push towards more secure and user-friendly sign-ins. Passkeys streamline access to apps and sites, significantly reducing the frustration of recalling complicated passwords.

The official release date for Wear OS 5.1 has yet to be disclosed. However, Google has indicated that the Pixel Watch will not receive an update until March, suggesting that a coordinated rollout of Wear OS 5.1 might occur around that timeframe.

These enhancements come as a promising sign for the future of Wear OS. The capability to use passkeys alone is set to improve the user experience considerably by alleviating the need to enter passwords on a small smartwatch screen. Although using the watch’s speaker for music might not appeal to everyone, the overall functionality improvements signal a step forward in the smartwatch landscape.

Source
www.phonearena.com