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Galaxy Watches could soon get a major UX change with a software update
Galaxy Watches could get a major UX change through a Wear OS update that adds a persistent system status bar.
Key points
- Google is adding a system status bar to Wear OS that stays visible at the top of the watch's circular display over app windows.
- Apps built with API 35+ and Compose for Wear OS 1.8.0-alpha02+ adapt automatically, and the status bar can be hidden for full-screen apps.
- The status bar is currently a developer preview, is not part of Wear OS 7.1, and has no timeline for Galaxy Watches.
Why it matters. Galaxy Watch users could see a visible interface change once the status bar arrives, but Google has not given a timeline for when it will reach devices.
Google has announced a system status bar for Wear OS that stays visible at the top of a smartwatch's circular display over app windows. The operating system will show the time and suppress custom in-app clocks, and the bar hides while users scroll and returns after two seconds of idle time. The feature is only a developer preview and is not part of Wear OS 7.1, and Google has set no timeline for Galaxy Watches.
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Galaxy Watches could soon get a major UX change with a software update
Galaxy Watches run the One UI Watch software, which is based on Wear OS. Most features introduced with newer versions of Wear OS reach Galaxy Watches through One UI Watch updates. Now, a major UI and UX change could be introduced to Galaxy Watches with the next Wear OS update. Google has announced (via 9To5Google) that it is adding a system status bar to Wear OS, and it will be persistently visible at the top of the smartwatch's circular display over app windows. This will make it similar to the status bar that shows the time and other system indicators on Android smartphones and tablets. The feature has been released as a preview for developers so they can see how their Wear OS apps look with the status bar. Apps using the latest tools (API 35+ and Compose for Wear OS 1.8.0-alpha02+) will automatically adapt to the new status bar. The operating system will take over the task of displaying the time, suppressing any custom in-app clocks. The status bar will automatically hide when the user scrolls through content and then reappear after two seconds of idle time. For apps that need a full-screen experience, the status bar can be hidden. It will automatically disappear when full-screen interactive components are active. Google has also announced Wear OS 7.1. It is scheduled for release in the future, but the system status bar won't be a part of that update. Google is currently jus.