Google is testing out media playback straight from Android smartwatches’ built-in audio system in Wear OS 5.1, in keeping with Android developer launch notes noticed by Mishaal Rahman. That’s along with including assist for credential managers within the coming replace, which Google revealed is predicated on Android 15. (Wear OS 5, which rolled out earlier this month, is predicated on Android 14.)
Watch speaker playback will work for “units that assist media playback via the watch speaker,” Google writes, including that customers can choose the built-in speaker for apps that embrace the aptitude. It’s not clear which units that will imply.
Android smartwatches solely play media over Bluetooth proper now — one thing that was true of all Apple Watches till the Series 10 and Ultra 2. Pixel watch homeowners must wait a bit to get the aptitude, as Google stated earlier this month that the following Pixel Watch software program replace is coming in March subsequent 12 months, as famous by 9to5Google.
If you would swear you’ve listened to podcasts or music via your Pixel Watch previously, you is probably not fallacious. Users within the Pixel Watch subreddit declare they had been in a position to do it two years in the past. That gave the impression to be a bug that was later patched, which some had been a little bit miffed about, and you realize what? I get it. I don’t precisely pine for music from tinny smartwatch audio system, however I’d like to have the choice to take heed to podcasts from my wrist after I can’t discover my headphones.
