Google Integrates Gemini into Wear OS Watches, Enhances AI Capabilities of Circle to Search
Google announced on Wednesday that its Gemini AI assistant will soon launch on Wear OS smartwatches after nearly two months of preparation. The tech giant had previously hinted at this expansion in May, simultaneously enhancing its Circle to Search feature by integrating AI capabilities directly into search experiences and adding support for gaming-related queries.
The Gemini AI will be deployed on Pixel, Samsung, OPPO, OnePlus and Xiaomi watches running Wear OS 4+ within the coming weeks. This rollout forms part of Google's strategic plan to replace Google Assistant with Gemini across all its devices and platforms.
Users can activate Gemini through three methods: saying "Hey Google," pressing the watch's side button, or tapping the Gemini app icon on the watch face. The wearable AI proves particularly useful in scenarios like cooking with dirty hands - users might ask "How long should sliced vegetables roast and at what temperature?" - or while leaving home - "Will I need an umbrella today?"
Multi-tasking capabilities extend across applications, enabling commands such as "Summarize the last email from Emily" or "Add my son's next five baseball games to my calendar." The AI also supports contextual memory functions, allowing users to say "Remember I parked at floor 4, spot 27" or set reminders like "Remind me to buy groceries after work."
Regarding the enhanced Circle to Search feature, Google explains it simplifies information exploration. Previously requiring users to circle, highlight, doodle or click on on-screen content to initiate searches, the updated version now offers advanced AI-driven reasoning for complex topics without app switching. After initiating a search, an AI overview appears at the bottom of results that enables deeper exploration through follow-up questions and visual search features.
The AI mode in Google Lens is now more accessible via the Google app on Android and iOS devices, with availability currently limited to the US and India. Gaming applications have also expanded, allowing users to identify new characters or find winning strategies during gameplay.
Google has improved the AI overview format, emphasizing better readability and structured presentation of key information with enhanced visual elements. As a final announcement, Pixel 9 Pro users now receive one year of free Google AI Pro subscription, including access to Veo 3 which generates short videos with natural audio from textual descriptions.