Google Unveils Wear OS 7 With Gemini AI and New Media Controls for Select Watches Later in 2026
Updated
Updated · Boy Genius Report · May 26
Google Unveils Wear OS 7 With Gemini AI and New Media Controls for Select Watches Later in 2026
4 articles · Updated · Boy Genius Report · May 26
Wear OS 7 will bring on-device Gemini features to select smartwatches later this year, letting users handle tasks like ordering food, reusing an Uber route and turning spoken thoughts into polished text.
Google is also opening that AI to third-party apps through its AppFunctions API, enabling voice-driven actions that can chain requests across services such as email, playlists and shopping lists.
New workout tools aim to make Wear OS more attractive to fitness developers by bundling core functions including heart-rate monitoring and media controls; Google cited ASICS Runkeeper as an early partner.
Revamped system media controls add easier playback management and a Remote Output Switcher, allowing users to move audio between headphones, phones, TVs and speakers from the watch.
All of the announced features are in beta, but the update positions Wear OS 7 as a broader smartwatch software push while Apple Watch AI features in watchOS 26 still depend on a nearby iPhone.
Is Google's on-device AI the key to finally overtaking the Apple Watch?
With its new AI, is Google making current Android smartwatches obsolete?