What you want to know
- Forward of Google I/O subsequent month, Google revealed a preliminary schedule for developer classes.
- A type of classes is a preview for Put on OS 5, and it serves as the primary official affirmation from Google {that a} Put on OS improve is coming this 12 months.
- The outline for the “Constructing for the way forward for Put on OS” session features a few early particulars about what the improve will carry.
Google I/O 2024 is rapidly coming to the forefront, because the occasion will begin in a number of weeks and should carry new {hardware} and software program bulletins from Google. The corporate gave us our first actual thought of what to anticipate when it launched a preliminary I/O 2024 schedule on Thursday, April 25. That schedule consists of an early affirmation {that a} Put on OS improve is coming quickly.
There are 4 fundamental classes for occasions at Google I/O this 12 months: cell, net, ML/AI, and cloud. One of many cell classes is titled “Constructing for the way forward for Put on OS,” and it explicitly lists Put on OS 5 — the unreleased model of Put on OS beforehand anticipated to return this 12 months — as its focus. Again in January, references to Put on OS 5 had been noticed in an Android 14 construct, hinting that an improve was on the horizon.
Nonetheless, there was no official affirmation from Google that Put on OS 5 could be launched within the close to future. Whereas we count on to listen to about upcoming Android updates at Google I/O, Put on OS upgrades are sometimes launched on a staggered and inconsistent schedule. That is why Google’s announcement has extra significance than a typical Google I/O software program announcement and bodes properly for the way forward for Google’s wearable ecosystem.
What we learn about Put on OS 5 to this point
Surprisingly, Google gave a little bit bit away about Put on OS 5 within the description for its preview session. “On this discuss, we’ll uncover the brand new options of Put on OS 5,” Google says. “This consists of advances within the Watch Face Format, and learn how to design and construct for the rising vary of system sizes.”
The Watch Face Format was launched a few 12 months in the past alongside Put on OS 4, and Google explains that it “can be utilized to construct watch faces instantly, or it may be built-in into creation instruments, permitting designers to create watch faces with out having to jot down any executable code.” It shifted a lot of the burden of making a customized watch face — similar to optimization, updates, and bug fixes — off of particular person builders and onto the Put on OS platform. Moreover, it added a constant UI for enhancing watch faces throughout first and third-party choices.
This offers watch face designers numerous methods to customise their choices, and pairs properly with the Watch Face Studio from Samsung, which can be utilized to create XML-formatted watch faces within the Watch Face Format.
So, Google’s discuss updating the Watch Face Format in Put on OS 5 may carry new options and choices to your favourite watch faces. There is likely to be new methods to point out problems, adapt a watch face’s look situationally, or add new design instruments. That is all simply hypothesis, however Google clearly has new tips out there within the up to date Watch Face Format that shall be showcased at I/O 2024.
The one factor we do know for certain is that the Watch Face Format, or watch face design software program, shall be up to date to assist builders construct for various smartwatch sizes. Google says as a lot within the description for the Put on OS 5 showcase, and it is not precisely shocking. Rumors are swirling that Google will lastly add a brand new, bigger Pixel Watch measurement later this 12 months within the Pixel Watch 3 sequence. It solely is sensible that it desires to ensure Put on OS watch faces will look nice on all Pixel Watch fashions.
We have come a good distance since Google’s neglect of Put on OS
Overlook particular options — it is a huge achievement that we’re getting a Put on OS 5 improve this 12 months in any respect. Put on OS gadgets are firmly hitting their stride, with Samsung releasing glorious Galaxy Watch fashions and Google becoming a member of in with the Pixel Watch over a 12 months in the past. In that context, it is simple to neglect how feeble the complete Put on OS platform was just some years in the past.
Wanting again at Google’s Put on OS boards, you’ll find numerous examples of early Put on OS customers describing the unsure way forward for the platform and points that had gone unresolved for months or years. One submit from 2020 requested, “Is Google abandoning Put on OS?” and obtained assist from different Put on OS customers earlier than it was locked and replies had been disabled. The problem cited within the submit? Google had developed a YouTube Music app for watchOS, however not Put on OS. It is an ideal microcosm of the issues that plagued the darkish days of Put on OS.
Now, it is rebounding, and Put on OS 5’s launch this 12 months will be the begin of a constant annual launch schedule for Google for main model updates. That will put it on par with Apple’s watchOS launch schedule and could be nice information for Put on OS customers. The {hardware} out there in Put on OS watches is kind of good in 2024, due to chips just like the Snapdragon W5 Plus Gen 1, however the software program nonetheless lags behind Apple Watch fashions in some ways. Now, with Google seemingly going all-in on Put on OS with its accomplice Samsung, which may be altering for good.
