Google Wear OS Updates Are Now Rolling Out Yearly Like How Android Works

Google also vows to update older smartwatches.

Google vows Wear OS updates on a yearly basis like how mobile phones receive annual Android releases.

The search engine giant explained why it suddenly plans to dish out more Wear OS updates.

On top of that, Google also confirmed that it is gearing up to push new updates to older smartwatches before the year ends.

Google Wear OS
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA - MAY 08: Android smart watches are displayed at the Google I/O 2018 Conference at Shoreline Amphitheater on May 8, 2018 in Mountain View, California. Google's two day developer conference runs through Wednesday May 9. by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Google is Pushing Wear OS Updates Yearly

As per the latest report by 9to5 Google, the new Wear OS was made possible in partnership with the giant South Korean phone maker Samsung. It is worth noting that the debut of the first-ever Pixel Watch puts the shimmer of the spotlight on the wearable operating system.

And now, the folks behind Wear OS have vowed to release more frequent updates for it.

The Director of Product Management for Wear OS, Björn Kilburn, had a conversation with Wired, disclosing their plans for the wearable software.

In his interview with the online tech news site, the Product Management Director reveals that they plan to push more updates for the wearable OS. He says that the goal of the tech giant is actually to "release a new version of Wear generally every year."

In turn, Kilburn specifically points out that the plan of Google is similar to how its mobile OS, Android, is rolling out annually to millions of smartphone users.

But it remains to be seen if the tech behemoth is looking to release the Wear OS update, alongside new Android versions. What is only clear for now is that smartwatch users could also expect yearly refinements and feature drops every year.

According to a news story by Android Authority, the revelation of the Google exec goes against the tide of how the search giant handles its wearable platform. It now seems that the tech juggernaut is looking to focus more on its smartwatches.

Why is Wear OS Getting Yearly Updates?

Kilburn went on to explain in his interview why the tech giant suddenly wants to push for more Wear OS updates.

Google Wear OS Updates Are Now Rolling Out Yearly
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 08: A Google sign is seen next to a Samsung banner during CES 2019 at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 8, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 11 and features about 4,500 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to more than 180,000 attendees. by David Becker/Getty Images

(Photo : David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 08: A Google sign is seen next to a Samsung banner during CES 2019 at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 8, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 11 and features about 4,500 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to more than 180,000 attendees.

9to5 Google notes in its report that the motivation for a yearly release is to allow new Android features for both "watches and wearables" to roll out support right away.

Besides the yearly release of new versions, the Google exec also mentions that smartwatch users are getting their hands on "quarterly Wear updates to bring 'new experiences throughout the year."

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Written by Teejay Boris

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