Google’s big plans for wearables could include workouts from your TV

Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge

The company may already be working on the next steps for its Wearable plans, even though it hasn't launched its first wristwatch. According to a report, fitness trackers are going to be integrated into the television set as part of a push to strengthen its products. Is the Wear OS platform up for the challenge?

Protocol reports that the company laid out its plans at a closed door event. Real-time metrics such as heart rate and calories burned on the screen can be broadcasted by users of Wear OS. The plan includes better home controls. These efforts might take a while. Smart home efforts are expected to arrive the following year, but fitness plans won't show up until 2023. The creators of smart TVs and streaming gadgets have to create more powerful ones to allow all of this.

The company is working on increasing the number of wireless audio offers on the platform. Fast Pair will be added to the Pixel Buds so that they can be used with the Google TV device.

The plans look similar to what Apple has done with its fitness and smart home offerings. The real-time metrics displayed on the Apple TV, iPhone, or iPad can be used to take a video workout class. Users will be able to broadcast real-time metrics on non-Apple TVs with the launch of watchOS 9. The Apple TV 4K can be used to create a home theater setup. You can pair AirPods with Apple TVs for a long time.

It is easier for Apple to achieve its vision of gadgets that just work because it has a walled garden. There are slight differences between the various Apple Watch versions, but overall, you are getting a uniform fitness experience across all Apple devices. It would be great if the fitness tracker integration was only for the upcoming watch. If it is meant to be compatible with any Wear OS device, it will need to be created to work across different devices.

Wear OS 3 shows signs of the same fragmentation that stymied previous versions of the platform, even though it was persuaded by Google to create a unified platform. The Wear OS 3 will not be the same as the Wear OS powered by SAMSUNG on the GALAXY WATCH 4. The Montblanc Summit 3 has a stripped-down Wear OS 3, but those are not the same. The Summit 3 is compatible with both the iPad and the Apple TV. The Montblanc Summit 3 requires a companion app to control it's watches. There are three watches that run on different features. Theoretically, these differences shouldn't matter, but history tells us they will when it comes to the experience of an ecosystems

Image: Google

There is a double-edged sword when it comes tomentation. On the other hand, it gives more variety and it's the best way to live. Third-party support is something that could come in handy. It could be a huge strength for Wear OS in the future. It would be cool if Obé had a Google TV app that worked with Wear OS or a similar device. Apple doesn't have to pay for fitness content to be produced in-house.

It means that we need to work with third-party partners to make sure we have fun. The Wear OS system has several moving parts that need to work well to keep it going. Everything can be stopped by one weak link. Wear OS's troubles weren't solely the fault of the company. It was not possible for the platform to play on the same field as its competitors. Software was stagnant due to outdated hardware. It is a vicious cycle that is only beginning to break for the company.

Wear OS 3 is in its transition phase. There will be more growing pains because we don't know Wear OS 3's final shape. The Pixel watch is not out yet and the new chip is not available. Fossil hasn't dropped its first Wear OS 3 flagship lineup, while Fitbit has promised a premium Wear OS watch in the future. It is heartening to see that there are plans for the platform beyond thePixel Watch. The gamble may pay off.