A Samsung Android-based smartwatch in the works?

The Gear Live was Samsung's last Android-based smartwatch released in 2014 (Source: Samsung)

Samsung's last Android-based smartwatch, the Gear Live, was released back in 2014. From then on, the company has relied on its Linux-based Tizen operating system to power its smartwatches. But a new tweet from Ice universe hints at the company releasing an Android-based smartwatch to replace Tizen. The renowned Samsung leaker didn't mention Google's Wear OS, so it could mean that Samsung is releasing a smartwatch using a customized Android OS. 

According to a Galaxy Club report, Samsung is reportedly working on two wearables with model numbers SM-R86x and SM-R87x, which might be the Galaxy Watch Active 3 or 4 series. It isn't clear if these will have Android as their operating system.

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OnePlus, Google are working together to 'improve' Wear OS

OnePlus CEO Pete Lau recently confirmed in an interview that the company is working with Google to improve the Wear OS platform. Lau also said that OnePlus is working on a smartwatch, although he didn't say whether the wearable will run on Wear OS or not. Google is said to be on board to work on the Wear OS software as well as how the operating system interacts with Android phones and Android TV. Lau didn't address the fitness features that Wear OS needs to improve on. But with Google's pending acquisition of Fitbit, we expect to see developments in the health and fitness space.

It won't be the first time Google is working with an OEM to develop its software. Google has done so in the past with NVIDIA. The companies collaborated to make substantial changes to the Android TV Oreo update before updating NVIDIA's Shield TV series.

Source: 9to5Google

Weather app Dark Sky on Android is no more

If you're an Android user and a fan of the highly localized weather app Dark Sky, we have bad news for you. You may or may not have heard that Apple acquired the company back in March. And now, Apple has shut down its Android and Wear OS apps as promised. The company extended Dark Sky's availability on Android for an extra month, after initial plans of shuttering it on July 1. Those with subscriptions should be cancelled already, and the developers promise a "full refund" to its Android subscribers. 

The website is still live, but we don't know how long that will be. But embedded material doesn't seem to be an option anymore. Any third-party apps that use Dark Sky's data have until the end of 2021 to transition to other services.

Source: Apple Insider + Engadget

Wear OS will now remind you to wash your hands

Now more than ever, it's necessary to wash your hands frequently. And if you need a reminder, Google is here to help. The Clock application on Wear OS will now send periodic alerts reminding you to wash your hands. When you open the alarm, a timer for 40 seconds will be started along with a reminder to use soap for handwashing. When you're done, the app will let you know that another alert will come in another three hours. If you can do without the reminder, then head to its notification channel. Hold down the notification to disable it. The feature comes with v5.4.0 update of Wear OS, so check your Wear OS's Play Store to see if you have it. 

Source: Android Police