Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic are undoubtedly two of the best smartwatches around – especially in the Wear OS area – and now they are receiving a new update that focuses on health and well -being and personalization, with Google Assistant in the background.
Samsung Galaxy Watch4 and Watch4 Classic: the news of the update
The new update targeting the two wearables was announced by Samsung Electronics earlier today and aims to help users reach their health and wellness goals – through new enhancements such as advanced interval training (designed for any cyclist). or runner), the new sleep coaching program and new insights into body composition – and customize your user experience to suit your style thanks to the new dials available and the new collection of straps.
Janghyun Yoon, Executive Vice President and Head of Software Platform of the Mobile eXperience Business of Samsung Electronics, spoke in these terms about the new features:
We understand the growing needs of smartwatch users and with these needs in mind, with our latest update, we are committed to guiding Galaxy Watch4 series users on their own unique wellness journeys. We are thrilled to continue this commitment as part of our broader initiative to redefine holistic wellness through advanced experiences and new innovations.
Galaxy Watch4 wants to motivate users to move
With the latest update, Samsung introduces tools that help users keep tabs on the progress made by learning more about body composition – insights will be provided on Samsung Health by Centr, a digital fitness program curated by Chris Hemsworth which promises to help users improve their health, fitness and mindset. Samsung specifies that the insights provided by Centr will only be available in English at launch.
Galaxy Watch4 owners will be able to benefit from a 30-day free trial period (” This offer is valid for all users who sign up for Centr through Samsung Health on Centr.com. This offer is only available for new Centr customers and does not apply to existing Centr members. Centr service is available worldwide.
All subscriptions offer the first 30 days of free and unlimited access to Centr. Subscriptions are billed at the end of the 30-day free trial and they renew automatically at the end of each subscription. You can cancel the automatic renewal at any time “).
The new advanced interval training for runners and cyclists, on the other hand, is suitable and open to everyone and allows you to preset the duration, distance and number of repetitions of the training. Once this is done, the smartwatch will then guide the user through the training session.
The manufacturer does not fail to mention the collaborations with important apps such as Adidas Running and Strava. Speaking of health, Samsung places emphasis on how the Galaxy Watch4 allows heart health to be monitored through blood pressure (BP) and electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements using a combination of BioActive Sensor and the Samsung Health Monitor app.
Coaching program for better sleep
Speaking of health and wellness, the new Samsung Galaxy Watch4 sleep coaching program aims to help users improve their sleeping habits. How it works is explained quickly: by tracking sleep patterns for a week and completing two surveys, the program assigns one of the eight symbol animals (representing the user’s sleep type). Later, the user is guided through a four- or five-week coaching program that includes goals, checklists, sleep-related articles, meditation guides, and regular reports. All this also fulfills motivational purposes.
In addition to this, the ecosystem factor is leveraged for an advanced function (which « Requires the latest versions of Samsung Clock mobile app v. 12.1.10.5, Samsung SmartThings mobile app v. 1.7.59.23 and SmartThings Framework mobile app v1. 4.1 »): Galaxy Watch4 recognizes when the user is sleeping and automatically turns off the lights controlled by Samsung SmartThings.
Google Assistant, YouTube Music and app installation
When announcing this news, Samsung recalled that in the next few months Google Assistant will finally arrive on the Galaxy Watch4, which will allow users to choose it as an alternative to Bixby.
In this regard, Google shared information on the new experience of using Assistant for Wear OS, including a graphic makeover. Launching the assistant using the “Hey Google” command, the new “ Hi, how can I help? ”Visible in the following GIF.
Big G also spoke of improved response times, limiting himself to reporting that this new version will be available for the Galaxy Watch4 directly on Google Play. The older version works through the Google app that is missing on Samsung’s smartwatches, so it seems like another route has been chosen. Google has not provided guidance on launching this new version for other Wear OS devices.
Thanks to the presence of Wear OS, the two Samsung smartwatches offer access to a vast catalog of apps, including YouTube Music. The current version of the app has the big limitation of being able to play only music downloaded locally through the app itself, but Samsung has already confirmed that with an upcoming update (of which unfortunately the release times are not known) YouTube Music will allow you to listen streaming music via Wi-Fi or LTE on the Galaxy Watch4. Pending confirmation from Google, it can be assumed that this will also apply to the other Wear OS smartwatches.
Speaking of apps, Samsung also announced that, with the latest version of the Google Play Store, one-touch installation of “favorite smartphone applications” will be supported during the initial setup of the Galaxy Watch4 (tips will be shown for apps installed on your smartphone).
Availability and how to update the Samsung Galaxy Watch4
The new update will be available starting tomorrow, February 9, 2022, the day of the Galaxy Unpacked 2022 (here’s how to follow it with us ). To install it, you need to open the Galaxy Wearable app, enter the Software Update section and then click on Download and install.
More customization with the new straps
Finally, Samsung has announced that from the end of February it will be possible to further customize the Galaxy Watch4 and Galaxy Watch4 Classic with the new straps, such as those in burgundy and cream colors, those in fabric and link bracelets.