Wear OS: Next-generation Google Assistant is not a resounding success on the Samsung Galaxy Watch4 series
Earlier this week, Samsung debuted the long-awaited of Google Assistant for Wear OS, glimpses of which Wear OS 3 emulators have shown over the last few months. Currently restricted to the Galaxy Watch4 series, the next-generation Google Assistant promises to be more interactive than the version on Wear OS 2 smartwatches, while also delivering richer search results. Unfortunately, the improved functionality comes with some drawbacks.
For example, even Google is aware that the 'Hey Google' wake word affects battery life, as it warns people as much during the set-up process. According to The Verge, the Galaxy Watch4 Classic drains battery significantly more quickly with 'Hey Google' enabled, with its unit dropping to 80% charge after just two hours of use. Although the website enabled the smartwatch's always-on-display (AOD) during its test, an Apple Watch Series 7 unit maintained 92% charge by the end of the same test.
Also, 9to5Google demonstrates that Google's claims of the new Google Assistant being faster than previous versions is inaccurate. As the video below demonstrates, the Galaxy Watch4 often matches the TicWatch Pro 3 at interpreting Google Assistant commands, despite relying on supposedly quicker software.
Seemingly, the new Google Assistant takes just as long as its predecessor to deliver search results or execute commands, albeit while providing more detailed responses. Overall, it appears that Google has a way to go with optimising this version of Google Assistant, which may be one of the reasons that the Pixel Watch is not arriving until the autumn.
Purchase the Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Classic (42 mm/Bluetooth) on Amazon
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