First signs of Google Pixel Watch launch software emerge ^↺

It seems that Google may have taken a step closer to finishing Wear OS 3, even if it has not publicly told anyone about it. While Google is yet to release its new smartwatch OS to any of its partners, Wear OS 3 is available to try through an emulator. Strictly speaking, Samsung has based One UI Watch on Wear OS 3, but it looks more like Tizen OS than Google's operating system.

Unsurprisingly, Wear OS 3 resembles Android 12, or at least the Google Pixel interpretation of it. Google bases Wear OS 3 on Android 11 though, not Android 12. For reference, while Wear OS 2 runs on Android 9.0 Pie. According to Mishaal Rahman, the build pictured dates from November 17, so it is relatively recent.

Unfortunately, Google is no closer to releasing Wear OS 3 to existing devices. Earlier this year, the company confirmed that Snapdragon Wear 4100-based devices would receive the OS upgrade in summer 2022, well after the Pixel Watch's expected launch date. Still, do not expect to see vanilla Wear OS 3 debut until well into 2022.

Google has added a few new options within Wear OS, some ported from Tizen OS through One UI Watch. However, we cannot help but notice the amount of unused space that exists within the new OS. Google's reliance on wide pill-shaped boxes would suit the squircle watch face of the Oppo Watch, but not the TicWatch Pro 3 or Fossil Gen 6.

The same will be true of the Pixel Watch. Ultimately, we are looking at an early preview of what Google's first smartwatch will offer when it arrives. Supposedly, the Pixel Watch will run for over US$300, positioning it between the Fossil Gen 6 and Galaxy Watch4 Classic.

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