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Smart watches powered by Wear OS 2 are approaching a shift. Reports from the 9to5Google portal indicate that Google Assistant support is about to end for these devices. An element found in the Wear OS by Google companion app, which handles syncing between a phone and a watch, points to the upcoming discontinuation of the voice assistant feature.

The message is clear: Google Assistant on these watches will be retired soon. Users may be encouraged to upgrade to a newer watch that supports Google Assistant and runs Wear OS 3 or later. Without the assistant on the wrist, daily tasks could become more manual. Setting timers, alarms, reminders, managing smart home devices, asking weather questions, and getting quick answers could require alternative methods or a newer device.

A substantial portion of the smartwatch market relies on Wear OS 2, with many devices dating from 2020 and 2021. As the ecosystem evolves, newer Wear OS releases have introduced enhanced performance, smoother interactions, and expanded app ecosystems. The current landscape shows Wear OS 3, 3.5, and 4 operating on top of Android 11 and 13, while Wear OS 2 versions generally run on Android 8 and 9. This divergence creates a clear path for users to migrate to modern hardware and software to preserve voice assistant functionality and other features.

Industry observers have noted a broader trend toward renewed hardware refresh cycles. Apple, for example, has been rumored to introduce a redesigned anniversary watch in the near term. While this note originates from industry chatter and speculation, it underscores the competitive pressure that pushes wearables toward ongoing innovation and better user experiences. [Citation: 9to5Google]