With Pixel Watch rumored for this year, Google starts cleaning up Wear OS Play Store

4comments
With Pixel Watch rumored for this year, Google starts cleaning up Wear OS Play Store
It finally appears as though Google is going to release a Pixel Watch this year. Reportedly the timepiece could be powered by Google's own in-house designed chipset and sport a circular display. Pixel fans have been waiting a long time for such a device and it could be introduced during the fourth quarter alongside the Pixel 6 (and Pixel 6 XL?).

Since the Pixel Watch will undoubtedly have Wear OS installed (what, you were expecting Tizen?), Google appears to be cleaning up some things pertaining to the software to improve it before the new wearable becomes official. According to 9to5Google, over the last day or two there have been changes made to the Wear OS Play Store. The redesign highlights watchfaces and certain apps.

One big difference is the use of color for certain sections including featured watch faces and featured apps (which includes Apple's Shazam music discovery app). The menu now includes the user's Play Points which are awarded when a purchase is made through the Play Store. If enough points are collected, the user will get Play Store credit and discounts.

You might note that the URL for the Wear OS website includes the operating system's original moniker, Android Wear. In March 2018, Google launched the new Wear OS name. Don't forget that Google also closed early this year on its purchase of fitness tracker/smartwatch manufacturer Fitbit for $2.1 billion.

Interested in long battery life together with some smartwatch functionality? These are our top hybrid smartwatches for 2021.

Recommended Stories

Loading Comments...
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless