What can Google Assistant do on Wear OS?
The Google Assistant is Google’s artificial intelligence-powered virtual assistant that allows you to use voice commands to get information, manage tasks, and control smart devices. Google Assistant is deeply integrated into Wear OS, Google’s smartwatch operating system, providing a convenient hands-free way to interact with your watch. With Google Assistant on your Wear OS watch, you can get quick answers to questions, set reminders and timers, check your schedule, control your smart home devices, get directions, play music, make calls or send messages, check the weather forecast, and more. The seamless integration between the Google Assistant and Wear OS enables an intuitive user experience where you can quickly access information and complete tasks through natural voice interactions.
Get Quick Answers
One of the most useful capabilities of the Google Assistant on Wear OS is the ability to get quick answers to questions (Source). You can ask Google Assistant questions and get definitions, translations between languages, math calculations, unit conversions, and more. Whether you need a simple fact, want to settle a debate, or need help with math homework, Google Assistant can provide the answer quickly without having to launch a web browser or app.
To get started, just say “OK Google” or press and hold the crown button, then ask your question naturally. For example, you could ask “How tall is Mount Everest?”, “What is the definition of photosynthesis?”, “How do you say hello in Spanish?”, or “What is the square root of 144?”. Google Assistant will immediately provide the answer using information from its Knowledge Graph database.
This ability to get instant answers hands-free makes Google Assistant extremely useful on Wear OS. You don’t have to take out your phone or type anything – just ask your watch and get the information you need.
Set Reminders and Timers
One of the most useful features of the Google Assistant on Wear OS is the ability to set reminders and timers hands-free using just your voice. To set a reminder, simply say “Okay Google, remind me to [task] at [time or location]” and the Assistant will create the reminder for you. For example, you could say “Remind me to take my medicine at 8am” or “Remind me to call Mom when I get home.” The reminder will then pop up on your smartwatch at the specified time or place.
You can also set timers hands-free by saying “Okay Google, set a timer for [duration].” The Assistant will start a countdown timer on your watch without you needing to touch the screen at all. This is great for timing activities while cooking, exercising, working, and more. Say “Set a timer for 5 minutes” or “Set a 10 minute timer” to get started.
According to users on Reddit (source), reminders created on Wear OS or Android devices should sync to your smartwatch automatically. However, some users report inconsistencies with reminders not popping up on their watch as expected. But in general, the hands-free reminder and timer features make the Google Assistant very convenient to use on Wear OS watches.
Check Your Calendar
One of the most useful capabilities of the Google Assistant on Wear OS is the ability to check and manage your Google Calendar right from your wrist. Users can easily review upcoming calendar events and details like location, notes, and attendees [1]. The Google Calendar app on Wear OS allows you to scroll through your schedule for the day or week ahead and tap into specific events to see more information [2].
In addition to viewing existing calendar events, the Google Assistant makes it simple to add new events by voice. You can say things like “Ok Google, add event to my calendar” or “Ok Google, schedule a meeting at 2pm tomorrow.” The Assistant will prompt you for the necessary details and automatically populate your calendar [3].
The Google Calendar integration also enables helpful notifications on your Wear OS device. You can get reminders about upcoming events and meetings so you never miss an important appointment. All your calendar information is readily available with just a glance at your wrist.
Control Your Smart Home
One of the most useful features of the Google Assistant on Wear OS is the ability to control your smart home devices hands-free using just your voice.Google Assistant is now available on certain wearable devices | Google With Google Assistant, you can turn lights on or off, adjust thermostats, lock doors, and more without needing to pull out your phone.
After connecting your smart home devices like smart lights, plugs, switches, thermostats, cameras, doorbells, and more to the Google Home app, you can control them via voice commands on your Wear OS watch.Google Home for Wear OS – Google Nest Help Just say a command like “Hey Google, turn on the living room lights” or “Hey Google, set the thermostat to 72 degrees.”
This hands-free smart home control makes tasks quicker and easier. With Google Assistant on your wrist, you don’t need to stop what you’re doing to pull out your phone. It’s convenient and helps simplify your interactions with compatible smart home gadgets.
Get Directions
One of the most useful capabilities of the Google Assistant on Wear OS is getting directions right from your wrist (Google Support). You can ask the Assistant for walking, driving, or public transit directions to any location. It will provide step-by-step navigation using Google Maps, making it easy to get where you need to go without having to pull out your phone.
For example, you can say “Hey Google, give me directions to the nearest coffee shop” or “Navigate home”. The Assistant will start navigation instantly with voice-guided, turn-by-turn directions. You’ll see the directions right on your Wear OS watch display. This makes the Google Assistant an essential travel companion when you’re walking or driving anywhere unfamiliar.
Play Music and Media
One of the most useful features of Google Assistant on Wear OS is the ability to control music and media playback directly from your watch. You can use voice commands or tap controls to play, pause, skip tracks, adjust volume, and more for services like Spotify, YouTube Music, Pandora, and podcast apps. This allows you to listen to music, radio, podcasts, and audiobooks without needing to take out your phone.
To start playback, just say “Hey Google, play some music” or “Hey Google, play my driving playlist on Spotify.” You can then pause, skip, adjust volume, and more using voice commands like “Hey Google, turn it up” or “Hey Google, next song.” Tap controls are also available by swiping down from the watch face and tapping the media playback card.
This integration of Google Assistant with media services makes it easy to enjoy audio entertainment directly from your Wear OS watch, whether you’re working out, commuting, or going for a walk. You get quick access to your favorite music and podcasts without the need to handle your phone.
Source: https://support.google.com/wearos/answer/6056824?hl=en
Make Calls and Send Messages
One of the most useful features of Google Assistant on Wear OS is the ability to place calls and send text messages using just your voice. This allows you to easily communicate with friends and family without needing to pull out your phone.
To place a call, simply say “Ok Google” or long press the Assistant button, then say “Call” followed by the contact name. Google Assistant will place the call using your connected phone. You can have a conversation using the watch’s speaker and microphone.
To send a text message, use the same activation command followed by “Send a text to” and the contact name. You can then speak your message. Google Assistant will transcribe your message and send it as an SMS or through your chosen messaging app.
This hands-free calling and messaging is extremely convenient when you are on the go or your phone is out of reach. However, some users have reported issues getting it to work consistently, especially when paired with iPhones[1]. But when configured properly, it’s one of the best features of Wear OS.
Check the Weather
One of the most useful capabilities of Google Assistant on Wear OS is the ability to quickly check the current weather and forecast using just your voice (Google Support). Simply say “Hey Google, what’s the weather?” and your smartwatch will immediately display the current temperature, weather conditions, high/low temps, chance of rain, wind speed, humidity, UV index, and more. Google Assistant provides hyperlocal weather based on your precise location using your paired phone’s GPS.
You can also ask for a weather forecast for upcoming days or the week ahead. Say something like “Hey Google, what’s the weather this weekend?” to get a detailed forecast. The information is conveniently glanceable on your watch face, without needing to take out your phone. If you want weather in Celsius instead of Fahrenheit, you can change the temperature unit setting under Languages & Region in the Wear OS app (Google Support).
In October 2022, Google also launched a dedicated Weather app for Wear OS, offering at-a-glance access to forecasts as well as complications for watch faces (Android Police). With Google Assistant and the Weather app, getting timely weather info is incredibly quick and hands-free on your Wear OS smartwatch.
Other Features
Google Assistant on Wear OS has several additional handy capabilities beyond the basic functions like getting information, controlling your smart home, and messaging. Here are some of the other features available:
- Take notes – You can speak to your Assistant to create notes, view your existing notes, and add to them. This allows you to easily capture thoughts on the go.
- Make lists – Create todo lists, shopping lists, or any other kinds of lists simply by telling your Assistant. You can then review, edit, and check off items.
- Get translations – Ask Assistant to translate words and phrases into many different languages. This is useful for travel or communicating with others.
- Identify music – Assistant can listen to music playing around you and tell you the name of the song and artist. A handy tool for music lovers.
- Get fun responses – Try asking your Assistant silly or absurd questions. It will often respond with a joke, easter egg, or entertaining comment.
With Google Assistant on your Wear OS smartwatch, you have a powerful digital helper ready to handle all kinds of daily tasks and requests right from your wrist. The capabilities go far beyond just checking the time or your calendar.