Latest news with #WearOS6
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Google Gemini AI gets major upgrades for foldables, Wear OS and mobile gaming
Google has just dropped a bombshell for Android users and it's one that could change the way you use your phone, smartwatch and even your games. Gemini AI now sees through your camera, talks to your apps, and lives on your wrist.(Unsplash) Unveiled at Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event, five new Gemini features are coming to Android 16 and Wear OS 6, signalling a significant shift in how AI will operate across devices. From foldables and smartwatches to mobile games and system apps, Gemini is being embedded into everyday interactions, not just in the background. Foldable phones just got smarter with Gemini Live Let's start with the Galaxy Z Flip 7. Gemini Live, Google's hands-free and real-time AI companion will now work directly from the cover screen of the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 7. That means users won't even need to unfold the device to access Gemini for quick tasks, instructions or conversational assistance. More impressively, Gemini is gaining camera awareness via Flex Mode. Open the phone halfway, activate the camera and Gemini will use visual input to understand what you're doing, offering context-aware help while cooking, assembling furniture or reviewing an outfit. Circle to search becomes conversational and contextual Circle to Search, originally designed to let users draw a circle around on-screen content and trigger a search, is getting a major upgrade. Gemini now powers the results through a conversational interface. Instead of just returning links, it will offer summaries, allow follow-up questions and help explore topics without leaving the current screen. In a surprise move, Google is extending this feature to mobile gaming. Players can now circle in-game elements like enemies, tools or puzzles, and Gemini will offer real-time tips, strategy suggestions, or walkthrough guidance tailored to their progress. Gemini starts talking to your native apps Google is also embedding Gemini into Samsung's default Calendar, Notes and Reminders apps. You can now ask Gemini to summarise your schedule, add reminders or extract key points from your notes, without needing to open or switch between apps. More third-party integrations are expected in future updates. Wear OS gets a smarter assistant Gemini is replacing Google Assistant on the Galaxy Watch8 series and other upcoming Wear OS 6 devices. It will offer more natural conversations, smarter notifications and better contextual responses, finally addressing one of Wear OS's long-standing weak points. Final word This rollout by Google isn't just an AI feature drop but a platform-level shift. With Gemini becoming visually aware, contextually embedded and cross-device fluent, Google is clearly repositioning Android to not only be smarter, but also meaningfully assistive.
Digital Trends
7 days ago
- Digital Trends
I tried the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series – they're sleek, but with a lot to prove
Trying out the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic is a tough gig – not in terms of it being a hardship to try out two high-end models, but that it's impossible to assess them with only 30 minutes' use. I can easily talk about the improved design and the fit of the straps etc, but the real changes are within the health ecosystem, and they'll need sustained testing to really understand if they're any good. Recommended Videos Because that's Samsung's 'thing' for these watches: these are meant to be holistic companions to your day to day life, giving you the kind of insights that could have a big effect (and understanding) on your health. The Watch 8 duo are the first to run the latest Wear OS 6 software, sitting underneath Samsung's One UI 8 Watch. With this, you're getting a slick user experience in a nicely-made design – you'll instantly feel that this is a well-made package. Let's talk about that design: the Watch 8 (coming in 40mm and 44mm sizes) is the basic, sportier model, with the rubberised strap (with the quick release 'Dynamic Lugs' system) to make it easier to try new bands with a snap. It uses a 'digital bezel' to spin through the screens, which means you slide your finger along the bottom of the screen to scroll through displays or lists at speed, with two physical buttons on the right-hand side. The Watch 8 Classic (only landing in 46mm size) was the device that everyone was more focused on in my briefing – interesting, as to my eye it wasn't as sleekly understated as the cheaper model. The 8 Classic comes with a (pleasingly soft) leather strap, and has a physical rotating bezel to allow you to move through the interface, rather than sliding your finger. This felt more cumbersome than the excellent digital version on the Watch 8, but equally having a physical method of interaction means you don't need to worry about wet fingers as much. Both of the Watch 8 models have this 'squircle' design (known as 'cushioned' according to Samsung), with a round display flanked by a square base with rounded edges. The effect feels premium and they sit nicely on the model is comfortable to wear – the Watch 8 Classic is heavier, but still doesn't feel like it's weighing the arm down (that said, I've used a Garmin Fenix 7X for a long while, and that's hardly lightweight…). Samsung has made a big deal about how it's 're-engineered' the Watch to allow it to be 11% tinner, but also spreading out the components to make it feel more balanced on the wrist, and I'd have to say this feels like a decent effort at achieving that goal. The screen on the Watch 8 duo has been pumped up by almost 50% for peak brightness, hitting 3000 nits at maximum. That's pretty bright. It helps in use as well. When viewing the Watch duo, they were always legible in bright light, and even the glare from the overhead spotlights wasn't too heavily in the way when trying to photograph the devices. A focus on health There's only so much I could learn from trying the watches in this test environment, as they need long-term use to test out the more advanced health features. What I've been looking for, for years, is a watch / phone combination that can actually take all the data points on me – sleep, stress, nutrition etc – and combine them into a genuinely useful view of what I need to do. Samsung is promising to do just that with these models. Sleep tracking has been enhanced and embedded more deeply within the system, meaning that when you wake up you should get a better insight into how you're doing, as well as using AI to help learn your sleep patterns and guide you into more productive slumber. That data can be combined with things like vascular load, which checks how hard your heart is working, and also the antioxidant index, where you place your thumb on the back of the watch to see how high your intake and retention of these are. The thing is, we've seen things like this before: data points that are interesting, but in isolation feel pretty useless. Only being able to combine them with things like the enhanced running coach will we see whether Samsung has achieved the ultimate goal of creating a wearable that can react daily to give you a decent training regime. Currently, on most smartwatches, if you set a goal of running a marathon with the coach, it just works out the sessions you should be doing to improve fitness, with a nod to things like sleep patterns or underlying body stress… but it's rudimentary at best. What it should do is work out the sessions you need, but also make sure that as you progress, your form, health, energy and sleep are all checked regularly and the plan adapted to ensure you're training correctly for you. While all these features were unavailable to test when I got to try the Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic out, they're the things that matter the most. Having Gemini on your wrist is fine, but until AI becomes a true (and trustworthy) companion, it's not an exciting addition. The Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic feel central to Samsung's plan to really lean into health, showing you the insights that day to day living can't give you. Whether these work well enough to instantly make the Watch 8 an indispensable part of your life remains to be seen – but these new smartwatches feel like a good start.
Bloomberg
7 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Samsung Unveils Redesigned Smartwatches With Google's AI Built In
Samsung Electronics Co. upgraded its line of smartwatches, its latest attempt to stand out in a crowded consumer electronics category dominated by Apple Inc. The devices — the $350 Galaxy Watch 8 and the $500 Galaxy Watch 8 Classic — are among the first gadgets to hit the market with Google's Wear OS 6 operating system, which has the search giant's Gemini AI chatbot built in. The assistant can be summoned by voice or by using a button on the watch. The new hardware is available for preorder Wednesday and begins shipping on July 25.
Android Authority
7 days ago
- Android Authority
The Galaxy Watch 8 series is here, and this is the model I'd buy
Samsung's latest wearables have officially landed, sporting a unified look and smarter software. As expected, the launch doesn't reinvent the proverbial wheel, but this year, it does reshape it. The Galaxy Watch 8, Watch 8 Classic, and a subtly updated Galaxy Watch Ultra all adopt a cushiony squircle case design. They also introduce a refined One UI 8 Watch experience built on Wear OS 6, leaving shoppers to choose between the sleeker base model, the fan-favorite rotating bezel on the Classic, or the rugged ambition of the Ultra. For me, it's a close call between practicality and personality, and the bezel might just win again. Which new Samsung Galaxy Watch would you buy? 0 votes Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 NaN % Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic NaN % Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (refreshed) NaN % None NaN % New to the stable This year, Samsung's wearables have gone all in on the squircle. The cushion-shaped case introduced with the Galaxy Watch Ultra is now standard across the Watch 8 lineup, bringing a more cohesive visual identity. I've already voiced my skepticism around the shape, so I won't harp, but yeah, it was a choice. All three watches also feature an updated dynamic lug system, which Samsung claims should provide more comfort as well as accuracy. The Galaxy Watch 8 is now 11% thinner than last year's model, with a peak display brightness of 3,000 nits, and still comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes in Silver or Graphite. The Watch 8 Classic, meanwhile, is back in a single 46mm case (Black or White) and brings with it the beloved rotating bezel, which is still the most satisfying way to interact with a smartwatch UI. It also borrows the Quick Button from the Ultra, offering faster access to workouts or custom actions. C. Scott Brown / Android Authority Finally, the Galaxy Watch Ultra returns with some light touch-ups, namely a new Titanium Blue colorway, and a bump in storage to match the 64GB found on the 8 Classic. It remains the most rugged and feature-dense option in the lineup, with a large display, long battery life, 10ATM water resistance, dual-frequency GPS, and serious outdoor chops. At $649, though, it's a pricey pick if you don't need all the extras. All three models ship with One UI 8 Watch based on Wear OS 6, and the user experience is identical no matter which model you buy. The new Now Bar makes multitasking smoother, while stackable tiles and a refreshed apps folder help cut down on menu digging and endless swiping. All three models ship with One UI 8 Watch based on Wear OS 6. Samsung's health features also see meaningful updates this year. Sleep coaching now includes bedtime recommendations and passive heart rate tracking (after three nights of baseline data). A new Antioxidant Index gives a five-second reading of carotenoid levels, meant to inform dietary choices. Runners get a more intelligent coaching suite with real-time feedback and personalized training plans. Notably, in an era where others are locking features behind subscriptions, the whole platform is still free. The devices all launch with Gemini preloaded out of the box. Which one would I buy? Hadlee Simons / Android Authority The real question is which watch fits your wrist and your priorities. The Galaxy Watch Ultra is undeniably capable, with the largest battery, most durability, and outdoor-focused features like a siren, triathlon mode, and functional threshold power for cyclists. But it's also large, expensive, and this year, light on changes. Unless you need its rugged toolkit, it's hard to justify the price bump over the others. Honestly, I'd be tempted to snag last year's model at a discount. That leaves the Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic. The standard Watch 8 is thin, light, and comes in a size that better fits smaller wrists. I do wish it stayed circular, but the overall aesthetic is clean and modern. For a minimalist daily wearable, it's more than capable. I'd choose the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic for the most distinctive experience Samsung offers. Yet, the Classic wins my heart again. The rotating bezel remains unmatched for navigating Wear OS without smudging the display, and the added Quick Button now onboard only solidifies the device's user-friendly build. Yes, it's bigger and more expensive, but it's the one I'd wear every day. It's also the one that best separates itself from other Wear OS options, like the Google Pixel lineup. If you value simplicity and a smaller size, the base model is the smarter buy. If you want the most complete, distinctive experience Samsung offers this year, go with the Classic.
Android Authority
7 days ago
- Android Authority
Google's powerful Gemini assistant is finally coming to the Pixel Watch and Wear OS
TL;DR Google is finally rolling out its Gemini assistant to Wear OS smartwatches, with the new Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series being the first to get it. The wearable version supports voice interactions, like answering complex questions and creating tasks, offering a more advanced experience than Google Assistant. Gemini will also come to existing smartwatches from brands like Xiaomi and OnePlus via an update that will likely replace the current Google Assistant app. When Google unveiled its Gemini assistant at the end of 2023, it was clear that the older Google Assistant's days were numbered. With Google staking its future on the success of its new AI, it was only a matter of time. While the company quickly brought Gemini to phones and computers, it held off on a smartwatch rollout until the experience was properly optimized. That wait is now over. At Google I/O in May, the company announced Gemini for Wear OS, and starting today, it's finally rolling out to supported smartwatches, with the new Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series getting first dibs. Due to smaller displays and a lack of cameras, smartwatches won't get the full Gemini experience (with Gemini Live) found on phones and PCs, but they will support the most crucial voice interactions. You can ask Gemini nearly any question, and it will pull a detailed answer from its knowledge base or the web. This is especially useful for getting quick answers when your hands are full, like when you're cooking and need advice on adjusting a recipe without having to wash up to pull out your phone. While Google Assistant can also handle general questions, it often requires you to phrase them in a specific way and can struggle with more complex queries. Gemini, built on a more advanced large language model (LLM), has a superior understanding of natural language and can answer a much broader range of questions. This should make it a more reliable and time-saving tool on your wrist. Gemini can also tap into your favorite Google and third-party apps, allowing you to create notes, tasks, reminders, calendar events, and more, all from your watch. You can ask it to send a message to a friend to apologize for being late, summarize the email a work colleague just sent you, add some events you just heard about to your calendar, look up the address for your upcoming dentist appointment, and so much more. Google says Gemini is beginning to roll out to smartwatches running Wear OS 4 and later, which includes models from Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus, OPPO, and Xiaomi. Although the latest Wear OS 6 release isn't required, Google says the update enables Gemini to integrate with your watch brand's apps. This is because Wear OS 6 is based on Android 16, which includes the new App Functions API that allows digital assistants like Gemini to tap into functionality exposed by third-party apps. Currently, only Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8 series runs Wear OS 6, and the new watches will ship with Gemini out of the box. Other devices will receive it through a software update, which we assume will replace the existing Google Assistant app via the Google Play Store. Are you excited to try Gemini on your Wear OS smartwatch? Let us know in the comments below! Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
