Samsung Galaxy Watch 4: My favorite (and least favorite) Wear OS features

(Prototype credit: Hereafter)

The Samsung Milky way Lookout iv'southward fundamental feature is its new software, a unified version of Google's Wear Os called Article of clothing OS three.

Unlike the Tizen-powered Milky way watches of the past, the Galaxy Lookout man 4 series is outfitted with a suite of Google programs. Equally much as the Apple Sentry is made for iOS folks, Samsung'due south latest device is looking to get the premier smartwatch for all Android users.

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By folding into Tizen into Wear Os, Samsung and Google took a major step in merging the marketplace of smartwatch platforms. Similar to how smartphone companies can customize Android to amend fit their brand, Wear OS allows augmentation for wearable makers. That's why I'thousand finding the Galaxy Picket 4 maintains familiar aspects of Tizen, while supporting greater Samsung ecosystem integration thank you to One UI Watch.

Getting to know Clothing OS on the Galaxy Scout 4 is a fresh experience, even if it's technically a reintroduction. Some features are great correct out of the gate, improving what was already one of the best smartwatches you could buy.

Others aren't equally impressive, at least in my testing and then far. Hither are my favorite and least favorite Habiliment OS features on the Galaxy Scout 4.

Great Google Maps app

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Wear OS features - Google Maps — (Image credit: Future)

Google Maps on the Samsung Galaxy Spotter 4 is a revelation. As someone who relies on Google Maps to get everywhere, it's been a drag dealing with a fickle Apple Sentinel version of the app. But now, when I kickoff a route from my Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, it automatically launches on my wrist with turn-by-plow directions.

When I'grand on foot or driving my automobile, my Galaxy Watch 4 will buzz when it'southward time for the next step. Since information technology's more interesting (and safer) to walk looking up, I appreciated the cues.

Keyboard for messages

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Wear OS features - Messages and keyboard — (Paradigm credit: Future)

The Samsung Galaxy Sentry 3 had a T9 keyboard, which I relied for texting more ofttimes than I thought I would. I know, typing on such a pocket-sized screen sounds ridiculous, but I appreciated the power to send messages in cases when I couldn't use talk to text or didn't want to draw my letters. It's 1 of the features I wished Apple would copy in watchOS 8.

Just it didn't, giving Google's software a leg up in the ongoing Wear Os vs. watchOS face-off. When you send messages on Wear OS, you take the option to type them out using the T9 keyboard. All you have to practice is click on a number, and the respective messages announced in a popular-upward for you to cull from.

No Google Assistant... withal

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Wear OS features - Google Assistant — (Image credit: Future)

Now we're onto the not-and so-great stuff about Clothing OS on the Milky way Watch 4. The Samsung Milky way Watch iv is missing a killer feature at launch: Google Banana. Samsung confirmed to Android Central that Google Banana is not on the Galaxy Watch four series yet. Plain the assistant volition make it to the new smartwatches eventually, but no give-and-take on when that might be. For now, I'yard stuck talking to Bixby.

With Google's vocalisation butler built into the Galaxy Watch four, users would gain access to the best Google Assistant commands, including control of the best Google Home compatible devices in your smart home and all the other perks that come with knowing how to utilize Google Assistant. Can Bixby practice all that? I think non.

One thing I'll note hither is the Galaxy Watch isn't launching until August 27. That gives some jerk room for updates before the greater population gets a new smartwatch on their wrist.

No battery life improvement

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Wear OS - battery life — (Prototype credit: Future)

I'm non necessarily disappointed about the Samsung Galaxy Sentry 4's battery life. I'thousand simply dislocated. During Google I/O, Wear OS developers promised the new software would bring better battery life efficiency to smartwatches running the unified platform.

Instead, the Milky way Sentinel iv's battery life might be slightly worse than the Milky way Sentinel 3'due south. In the starting time few days of testing, the smartwatch has lasted about 20 hours before needing a accuse. That'southward with the always-on brandish enabled, overnight claret oxygen readings and activity tracking, though. Certain, I might be challenging the battery life, but those are all Galaxy Watch 4 features the average person would want to utilize.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 with Wear Bone outlook

I need to spend more time with Habiliment OS on the Milky way Watch 4. Getting to know a new software requires many hours of testing, especially in real-globe applications. I volition say my short time toying with the Samsung Galaxy Spotter four's software is the all-time experience I've ever had using Google'south wearable platform, though.

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Kate Kozuch is a senior author at Tom's Guide roofing wearables, TVs and everything smart-domicile related. When she's not in cyborg fashion, you tin can find her on an do bike or channeling her inner celebrity chef. She and her robot regular army will rule the globe ane day, simply until then, reach her at kate.kozuch@futurenet.com.