Google Releases Wear OS 5.1 Preview Based on Android 15

Google has launched a developer preview for Wear OS 5.1, the latest version of its smartwatch software, based on Android 15.

This marks an upgrade from previous Wear OS versions, which were built on Android 11, 13, and 14.

Key Features:

1. Credential Manager Support: This feature lets apps use a single system for managing logins, including passwords, passkeys, and options like “Sign in with Google.” It keeps user credentials synced across devices.
2. Watch Speaker Playback: Apps can now play audio directly through a smartwatch’s speaker. Currently, most devices like the Pixel Watch 3 require Bluetooth headphones for music playback.

While the feature isn’t widely supported yet, it could follow the example of Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch models, which allow music playback on built-in speakers.

Availability for Developers

Developers can test Wear OS 5.1 through an emulator in Android Studio. The preview version was released on November 19, 2024.

Known issues include occasional bugs with account setup, notifications, and exercise tracking.

Public Release Timeline

The general release date for Wear OS 5.1 is still unknown, but updates for the Pixel Watch series are expected to resume in March 2025, which might align with this launch.