Fossil Gen 6 Smartwatches Get Wear OS 3 Update, No Assistant

Fossil’s Gen 6 smartwatches can start the update to Wear OS 3 starting October 17th. The update has been a long time coming and may even still prove disappointing for some as it’s missing a few things, most notably Google Assistant.

Fossil, in a lengthy Reddit post (via Android Police). First, the upgrade process is a bit more involved than a typical watch update. Fossil notes that the update isn’t automatic, instead requiring users to go into the watch settings (Settings > System > About > System updates) to update.

More importantly, the Wear OS 3 update resets the watch and wipes all data. Also, the update cannot be undone afterward, which might prove problematic if users run into problems. According to Fossil, the process requires the watch to be set up again, except this time using the Fossil Smartwatches app and not the old Google Wear OS app.

Fossil says the “entire process takes some time and patience” and recommends doing this while watching TV or doing some other activity and leaving the watch on the charger, as there will be some battery surging and “some sluggishness” after the update, while apps receive updates from Google Play.

Finally, it’s worth noting that the update is technically geared towards Wear OS 3.2, which Fossil says is the latest version available for watches with Qualcomm Snapdragon 4100 or 4100+ chips. However, Fossil does point out that users shouldn’t notice much difference from watches running a different version of Wear OS 3 (e.g. the Pixel Watch running Wear OS 3.5). There are some minor differences and some sports features and capabilities added by the manufacturer, but for the most part there doesn’t seem to be much of a difference between the 3.2 and 3.5.

What’s missing and what’s new

If that didn’t put you off, this might. Fossil also warns that some items will be missing after the Wear OS 3 update. First of all, Google Assistant isn’t available on “Qualcomm 4100-based watches,” which include Fossil’s Gen 6 line. Fossil said it’s heard that Google is “actively working” to bring Google Assistant to a number of devices, but the company hasn’t yet announced a timeline from Google. Meanwhile, Fossil is offering Amazon Alexa on the Gen 6, so users don’t have to go without a digital assistant.

Google Fit also won’t be on the Gen 6 after the Wear OS 3 update, although the app is still available. According to Fossil, this is because Fit hasn’t been updated to work with the latest Wear Health Services, which is why the company has opted not to preload Fit on Wear OS.

Finally, for iOS users, some Google apps will also be missing. This includes Google Wallet, although it may be supported in the future. Google Maps isn’t officially supported for iOS users either, but Fossil notes that once downloaded, the app seems to work fine.

Additionally, Fossil says the latest third-party apps developed for Wear OS 3 will work on its watches. Interestingly, Fossil also notes that “Fitbit appears to be only available on Pixel at the moment for other reasons,” suggesting that the Fitbit app could be available for other Wear OS devices.

Speaking of third-party apps, Fossil lists improved apps as one of the main features of the Wear OS 3 update. Other benefits include better health and wellness tracking thanks to the aforementioned Wear Health Services, which are more battery efficient than before. There’s a new UI that sounds very similar to the experience on Pixel Watch, although Fossil notes that it has more access to change than before. As mentioned, there is a new companion app for phones and many other tweaks and changes.

Ultimately, if you have a Fossil Gen 6 watch and are considering the Wear OS 3 update, it’s worth reading through the informative Reddit post. If you have any questions about the update, they will likely be answered in the post.

Source: Fossil (Reddit) Via: Android Police