- Masimo has announced collaborations with Google and Qualcomm to build a Wear OS reference platform.
- This reference platform will feature the Snapdragon W5 Plus Gen 1 processor and Masimo’s biosensors.
- OEMs can customize the physical appearance and user interface of the smartwatch.
Even though the number of smartwatch options has shrunk in recent years, Android phones still have plenty of great smartwatches to choose from. Google handles most of the smartwatch experience through Wear OS, but it’s up to the smartwatch OEM to handle fitness tracking from the ground up. If you’ve previously found the inconsistent health experiences on Wear OS watches annoying, Google and Qualcomm plan to fix this in collaboration with a surprising partner, Masimo.
Wear OS leaves health and fitness tracking features up to the smartwatch OEM. While this is great for giving us a variety of health tracking experiences across different price points, it also leaves the door open for cost-cutting. It is difficult for users to judge health and fitness tracking features effectively before purchasing. Unless you commission a study, it’s difficult to comment on the accuracy and efficacy of the data collected from various smartwatches. The companion app for different smartwatches is also expectedly different, and consumers who have jumped around will definitely find it confusing.