Google I/O 2026: Wear OS 7 launches with better battery life, Gemini AI and smarter features
Follow UsNew features include Live Updates, improved media controls and upgraded widgets.
Select smartwatches launching later in 2026 will support Gemini Intelligence.
Wear OS 7 rollout is expected later this year.
Google has announced Wear OS 7 at I/O 2026 developer conference. This is the new version of its smartwatch operating system, and it focuses on improving battery efficiency, adding smarter AI-powered features, and making the everyday smartwatch UI more accessible and personal. Google claims the Wear OS 7 can offer up to 10% better battery life than Wear OS 6. Select smartwatches arriving later this year will also receive Gemini Intelligence support for a more proactive and conversational AI experience.
SurveyWhat’s new on Wear OS 7
Gemini integration
Google says supported smartwatches will be able to handle more advanced voice commands and contextual assistance. For example, you could ask Gemini to start tracking a workout through compatible fitness apps or perform actions without you manually opening those apps or moving through menus.
App task automation
This means users will be able to trigger and monitor certain phone app actions directly from their watch. Google demonstrated an example where users could place and track a food delivery order from their smartwatch.
Redesigned widgets
These new widgets come in small and large layouts, similar to those seen on recent Android phones and tablets. The idea is to make important information easier to glance at from the wrist without opening full apps.
Live Updates
It will display real-time information from delivery apps, ride-hailing services, navigation apps or fitness tracking tools directly on the watch face or interface.
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Improved media controls
You can now choose which apps automatically show playback controls on the watch. There is also a new audio output switcher that allows you to move audio playback between connected devices like smartphones, earbuds and smartwatches, directly from the watch interface.
Standardised workout tracking experience
Google says this will help apps provide more consistent fitness tracking features, including heart rate monitoring and media controls during workouts. The company confirmed that ASICS Runkeeper will support the feature.
Watch face customisation
With Watch Face Format version 5, you get better text alignment, improved auto-sizing and more flexible customisation tools. These should help in having cleaner and more adaptive watch face designs.
All these features are aimed at improving day-to-day usability. The battery life improvement alone could make the update meaningful for existing Wear OS users. These smartwatches generally have lower battery endurance compared to a Garmin, RTOS or Apple watch.
Google is also expanding AI across all its platforms, it seems.
Wear OS 7 is expected to roll out later in 2026, although Google has not yet revealed a full list of supported smartwatches or exact release timelines. We shall keep you posted.
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