What you’ll want to know
- Google has reportedly began testing a Put on OS 5.1 replace on the Pixel Watch 2 based mostly on Android 15.
- A rumored insider acknowledged that the construct ID numbers for the software program modified from “AW2A” to “AP4A,” strengthening the idea.
- Google has seemingly dedicated to annual Put on OS replace cycles as the corporate launched OS 4 in 2023 and has introduced OS 5 this yr.
Google was noticed testing a brand new construct of Put on OS that supposedly runs off the subsequent main Android model.
The existence of a check construct was reported to Android Authority by a rumored “insider,” stating Google has began creating a Put on OS 5.1 replace. It was acknowledged that the brand new construct swapped out its preliminary lettering, choosing “AP4A” as a substitute of Put on OS 5’s “AW2A” quantity.
This new Put on OS 5.1 construct is reportedly based mostly on Android 15, a idea seemingly bolstered by the shift in construct ID quantity. Put on OS 5, by comparability, remains to be on Android 14.
Extra importantly, the unknown insider mentioned that Google was testing the upcoming software program on the Pixel Watch 2 internally. The corporate’s Put on OS software program has at all times lagged behind the present Android software program — and was by no means so constant. Put on OS 4 debuted in August 2023 and with Put on OS 5 arriving first on the Galaxy Watch 7, evidently Google hit its stride.
With that in thoughts, there’s uncertainty about whether or not or not Google will preserve the replace as “Put on OS 5.1” or if it is simply testing Put on OS 6 early. Mishaal Rahman writing for the publication states that the specifics of the 5.1 replace are unknown. Nonetheless, if Google had been to replace its “APIs or app-facing system behaviors,” that might warrant a serious quantity improve.
We have a toss-up relating to when Google might launch the Pixel Watch 3 because it has but to tease it. The corporate is gearing up for an earlier {hardware} occasion on August 13, so we’ll see when the gadget will launch. Google’s Pixel Watch 3 is anticipated to reach sporting Put on OS 5, which was mentioned to come back “later this yr” throughout its developer preview in Might.
Whereas we await the “inventory” model of Put on OS 5, Google beforehand clued us into just a few of its key upgrades. When working default settings, Google acknowledged the software program will make the most of 20% much less energy when in comparison with final yr’s model.
Moreover, Android Well being will ship improved working knowledge and targets alongside Well being Join upgrades. One other crucial side of the bottom Put on OS 5 software program is that it runs off final yr’s Android 14. With Google seemingly extra dedicated to annual Put on OS launch cycles, maybe this 5.1 replace is a testomony to that. We’re nonetheless ready for the secure launch of Android 15, so perhaps the corporate’s seeking to sync up these launches.
