Samsung's Galaxy Watch 4 Will Soon Gain Access to Google Assistant
Samsung's Galaxy Watch 4, a significant leap in Android smartwatches, sparked excitement due to its collaboration between Samsung and Google, aiming to enhance Google's watch software platform. However, despite being the best Android watch, it missed out on a prominent Android feature: Google Assistant. Samsung recently announced that this gap would be filled soon.
The last Samsung device to offer direct Google access on your wrist was the Samsung Gear Live back in 2014, running on Google's Android Wear platform and featuring a rectangular watch face. Post this, Samsung opted for its Tizen software and Bixby assistant for its watches. But, in a twist, Samsung announced its return to Android Wear, now known as Wear OS 3, last year. However, Google Assistant was absent, leaving watch users dependent on Bixby. Unfortunately, Samsung hasn't provided a specific timeline for the introduction of Google Assistant, only mentioning a release in "the coming months."
Google Assistant will coexist with Bixby's digital assistant, and users may likely switch between the two, resembling how you can switch between Samsung's keyboard app and Gboard's.
Additionally, the Galaxy Watch 4 will support Android app installations directly from the smartphone. Currently, Wear OS apps are downloaded through the watch interface. Unfortunately, there's no backup system for these apps on Samsung watches, so I hope to back them up using the Wear app on my smartphone.
Upcoming Features for Galaxy Watch 4
A glimpse of the upcoming watch bands for the Galaxy Watch 4. Image: Samsung
Although Google Assistant may still be a few months away on the Galaxy Watch 4 or Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, watch users can anticipate a software update this week packed with new features, such as new body composition features, advanced interval training, and a new sleep coaching program, along with new watch faces and straps.
The body composition update provides more comprehensive insights, powered by Chris Hemsworth's Centr, ensuring personalized workouts for all fitness levels. Galaxy Watch 4 users will receive a 30-day free trial of the app.
If you're a runner or a cyclist, you can now set interval targets during training using the Galaxy Watch 4. You can customize duration, distance, and sets. The watch can also guide you through custom intensity training sessions, promising an impactful and targeted workout every time.
Struggling with sleep? The Galaxy Watch 4's new sleep coaching program may offer assistance. It makes suggestions based on sleep data and integrates with SmartThings-connected smart bulbs to turn them off at bedtime.
The sleep program categorizes your sleeping habits into eight "sleep symbol animals," ranging from a "contented lion" to an "exhausted shark." There's even a "night owl" category for those with late-night activities.
Since I haven't found appealing third-party watch straps for my Galaxy Watch 4, Samsung is offering new strap colors, including burgundy and cream, both of which I believe would complement the rose gold variant I wear daily. Samsung is also launching a fabric band for active users and a link bracelet for fashion enthusiasts. New watch faces will accompany these new aesthetics, available later this month.
Lastly, if you've managed to switch to YouTube Music after Google Play Music's shutdown, you'll soon be able to stream music over wifi or LTE to your Galaxy Watch 4 without requiring your smartphone. This feature will be rolled out soon through an additional update.
The software update will be available through the Galaxy Wearable app on February 9—the same day we'll learn about Samsung's new flagship phones.
In the future, users of the Galaxy Watch 4 can expect to utilize both Google Assistant and Bixby's digital assistant, enabling seamless switching between the two, much like choosing between Samsung's keyboard app and Gboard's.
The upcoming software update for the Galaxy Watch 4, scheduled for release on February 9, will not only introduce new watch faces and straps but also enhance its features with advanced interval training, a new sleep coaching program, and body composition insights, all of which will be beneficial for fitness and sleep tracking.
