Google’s Wear OS 7 update focuses on battery life and AI

Google has officially announced Wear OS 7 and the update goes well beyond visual tweaks. The company is promising better battery life, new AI-powered experiences and a fresh push to make smartwatch apps feel more connected to the wider Android ecosystem.

For users, the headline feature may actually be battery efficiency. Google says watches upgrading from Wear OS 6 to Wear OS 7 should see average battery gains of up to 10%. That might not sound huge on paper, but smartwatch battery improvements tend to arrive in small steps rather than giant leaps. A modest gain can still mean getting through an extra workout, a long travel day or another night of sleep tracking without reaching for the charger.

Google is also preparing to bring Gemini to selected watches launching later this year. The company says the assistant will offer more proactive and personalised help directly from the wrist. That wording leaves plenty open to interpretation, but it is clear Google wants Gemini to become a core part of the Wear OS experience.

Wear OS is becoming more connected to Android

One of the more interesting changes is the introduction of Wear Widgets. Google is effectively aligning smartwatch widgets with the rest of Android, allowing developers to build more flexible and dynamic interfaces that work across devices.

Until now, Wear OS Tiles have handled quick-glance information on watches. Those are staying around for now, but Google is clearly steering developers toward the new widget system. The idea seems simple enough. Developers can build experiences that feel more consistent between phones and watches while reducing duplicate work.

Wear OS 7 also introduces Live Updates. These are designed to surface real-time information directly on the watch, whether that is a food delivery update, navigation progress or another ongoing task.

Gemini is starting to shape the smartwatch experience

Google also confirmed deeper support for Gemini through something called AppFunctions. This allows apps to connect directly with AI agents and assistants so users can perform actions using natural voice commands.

The example Google provided was starting a run in Samsung Health simply by telling Gemini what to do. That may sound straightforward, but it points toward a larger shift in how smartwatch software works. Instead of tapping through menus on tiny screens, Google wants users to interact conversationally.

There is also mention of automated app tasks arriving later. Google says users will eventually be able to trigger certain phone app actions directly from the watch with little or no developer work required. One example mentioned placing a DoorDash order from the wrist.

Fitness tracking is getting more standardised

Google is also trying to make life easier for fitness app developers. Wear OS 7 introduces a new Wear Workout Tracker experience that includes built-in heart rate monitoring, media controls and standard workout features.

The company says this should reduce development effort while ensuring a more consistent experience across apps. ASICS Runkeeper is already working with Google on the feature.

Enhanced media controls are also arriving in Wear OS 7. Users will be able to manage media auto-launch settings per app and switch audio outputs directly from the watch while media is playing on a phone.

Developers are getting a major toolkit refresh

Much of Google’s announcement focused on developer tools. Wear OS 7 introduces updates to Compose for Wear OS, Tiles, Protolayout libraries and Watch Face Format 5.

For most buyers, these changes will stay invisible. But they shape how apps and watch faces evolve over the next couple of years. Google appears focused on making development faster and more unified across Android devices.