Wear OS is an operating system extended from the Android platform that powers a new generation of wearable devices.
Wear OS (formally known as Wear OS by Google) extends the android platform to a new generation of wearable devices like SmartWatches (wrist watches) and SmartBands. Wear OS lets you create wearable experiences for your existing Android apps that can be used without taking your phone out of your pocket.
The operating system was first announced by Google in March 2014 as Android Wear. In 2018 it was rebranded to Wear OS by Google.
Google defines Wear OS as:
Small, powerful devices, worn on the body. Useful information when you need it most. Intelligent answers to spoken questions. Tools to help reach fitness goals. Your key to a multiscreen world.
Developers can build everything from a completely standalone application (i.e. no need for the wearable to be paired with a phone), to an extended phone experience on your wrist, to custom watch faces.
The operating system supports a wide range of features (some also available in Android, some exclusive to Wear OS), such as:
- Google Assistant
- Heart Rate Monitor
- GPS & Accelerometer
- Voice input
- Gesture controls
- Notifications from a paired phone (or the wearable itself)
- Complications API
Note: Google Glass has its own tag google-glass, although it's also a wearable device.
