Google is making significant progress towards the release of Wear OS 4, accompanied by the much-anticipated launch of the Pixel Watch, as indicated by recent developments.
Earlier today, Google inadvertently unveiled the presence of a TWD4.230609.006.B2 build specifically designed for the Pixel Watch. This version marks a notable upgrade from Android 11 and Wear OS 3.5, as it is based on the latest Android 13 platform.
To clarify, it should be noted that Google has not yet officially distributed Wear OS 4 to mainstream consumer devices through over-the-air (OTA) updates or image files. Rather, the currently discovered build is likely the initial preview edition intended for release as part of the Android Beta Program, which we reported on last week.
Regarding smartphones, enrolling your Pixel Watch device on the google.com/android/beta platform is expected to initiate the delivery of the Wear OS 4 beta OTA update. However, the sign-up process is not yet available, and it seems that Google unintentionally disclosed aspects of the preview too early, including the TWD4.230609.006.B2 build.
Although Google has not provided an exhaustive list of changes, some of the key enhancements accompanying Wear OS 4 have been revealed. These include the ability to seamlessly transfer data and settings between different watches, notable power optimizations, improved speech-to-text capabilities with faster response times, and several new health-related features. Additionally, users can anticipate the introduction of a Watch Face Format.
In addition, insights gained from exploring the Wear OS 4 emulator, which Google made available to app developers in May under the designation TWD3.230425.001.E2, suggest that Dynamic Color will be implemented for theme customization in Quick Settings and various buttons within applications.
While the exact scope of changes specific to the Pixel Watch and Wear OS 4 remains unclear at this time, Google’s ongoing developments indicate an exciting and highly anticipated upgrade for wearable enthusiasts.