What is WatchOS?
WatchOS is a dedicated operating system created by Apple specifically for their series of smartwatches, known as Apple Watch. This advanced system allows users to fully utilize features known from iOS, such as conversations with Siri, activity monitoring, receiving notifications, and many other possibilities. Additionally, WatchOS opens the door to the App Store, where users can download applications specially optimized for operation on the small screen of the watch.
There are three main versions of Apple Watch available on the market: SE, Series, and Ultra. Each of these versions differs primarily in computing power, size, type of display, and available features.
In the latest models of Apple Watch, we can observe a number of advanced features, such as:
- Integrated navigation systems: Support for multiple satellite systems, such as GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou, providing precise location tracking.
- Blood oxygen sensor: Equipped with a sensor that allows for the measurement of blood oxygen concentration, which enables monitoring of the user’s health and physical activity.
- Electric heart rate sensor: Allows for the creation of electrocardiograms (EKG), which enables accurate monitoring of heart rhythm and detection of any abnormalities.
- Microphone and speaker: They provide the ability to make phone calls without having to reach for your smartphone.
- Apple Pay: Allows for easy payments using the watch, giving users convenient access to their payment cards.
- LTE/Wi-Fi connections: Provide access to the internet and the ability to connect to the network even when the user does not have their smartphone with them.
- Bluetooth technology: Facilitates pairing the watch with other devices, such as headphones or speakers, which increases versatility of use.
In addition to the mentioned features, Apple Watch also offers many other interesting options that make it an indispensable tool in both everyday life and physical activity.
what is wearos?
Wear OS is an operating system created by Google specifically for wearable devices, mainly smartwatches. This platform offers users functionalities similar to the Apple system. One of the key advantages of Wear OS is its integration with the Android system, which allows data synchronization between the smartphone and the watch, including the calendar, contacts, and applications.
It’s worth noting that, unlike WatchOS, Wear OS is available on devices from many brands, including Samsung and Xiaomi. This gives users a wider choice when it comes to the equipment that best suits their needs and preferences.
Most smartwatches on the market are characterized by a round dial shape, which gives them a more classic, typical watch look. It’s hard to list all the features offered by the range of watches with the Wear OS system. However, the features of Samsung’s flagship model – Galaxy Watch 6 will be presented below:
- NFC: Allows for convenient contactless payments without the need for a payment card or smartphone.
- Bluetooth: Enables the watch to connect to headphones, allowing for music listening or call handling without the need for a phone.
- Map: Provides the ability to use a map directly on the smartwatch, which is useful for navigation.
- LTE: Gives the ability to use the Internet even when the phone is out of range.
- Wide range of dedicated Wear OS applications: Opens up a wide spectrum of possibilities that can be tailored to individual needs and preferences.
- Sensors: The Galaxy Watch 6 is equipped with a range of advanced sensors, such as an accelerometer, barometer, EKG, gyroscope, geomagnetic sensor, infrared temperature sensor, and light sensor, which allows for precise monitoring of the user’s health and physical activity.
In addition to the mentioned features, there are many others that can be learned by delving into the specifications on the manufacturers’ websites.
so which system is better?
In this area, there are no clear winners, as functionality depends on the specific model. Especially in the case of the WearOS platform, we observe significant differentiation between watches from different manufacturers. The main differences between the two systems are:
- Device compatibility: The main difference between WatchOS and WearOS is device compatibility. WatchOS is only compatible with Apple devices, while Wear OS is compatible with both Android and iOS.
- Interface: Both watchOS and Wear OS have distinctive looks. Both operating systems use a card-based design, which makes it easy to quickly check what’s happening. In addition, both operating systems use a simple, gesture-based interface that makes navigating the device easy.
- Applications: Both watchOS and WearOS have their own built-in applications for activities, step counting, etc. They also have access to dedicated stores from which you can download an application available on one of these platforms.
- Device: WearOS works best on the system created by Google – Android, while WatchOS is only compatible with Apple devices.