At this week’s Android Show, Google not only unveiled its refreshed Material 3 Expressive interface but also dropped a bombshell: its new generative AI, Gemini, is headed to Wear OS smartwatches. That means advanced voice-driven tasks, deeper context awareness, and hands-free convenience—all from your wrist. And it’s not just Pixel Watch users who will benefit. Samsung quickly chimed in to confirm that its popular Galaxy Watch lineup will get Gemini support, too.
Unleashing Gemini on Wear OS
During the presentation, Google explained that Gemini will effectively replace Google Assistant on Wear OS devices. Instead of the usual “Hey Google” commands, you’ll be able to summon smarter AI-driven responses that tap into your personal data—like past emails, calendar appointments, or even grocery lists—right from your wrist. Imagine asking, “What time is my meeting tomorrow?” and getting details pulled straight from your inbox without ever touching your phone.
But this isn’t just about quick info retrieval. Gemini can carry on multi-step conversations, brainstorm ideas, or draft text messages—all in a more intuitive and conversational way than ever before. Google emphasized that this upgrade will arrive on all Wear OS watches, not just its Pixel models. That opens up a whole new world of AI-powered wristwear for users of Fossil, TicWatch, Mobvoi, Xiaomi, and now Samsung.
Samsung Confirms Gemini Support on Galaxy Watch
Samsung wasted no time riding the wave of excitement. In an official statement shortly after Google’s keynote, the Korean tech giant confirmed that the next software update for the Galaxy Watch series will integrate Gemini. According to Samsung, this upgrade will keep you productive on the move by letting you handle complex voice commands while keeping your hands free—think hands-free replies to emails or asking for walking directions without fumbling for your phone.
Beyond just answering simple questions, Gemini on Galaxy Watch will also deliver personalized suggestions. Picture this: you pinch the side of your watch and say, “What’s my plan for the day?” and it outlines your schedule, highlights urgent emails, and even reminds you to hit the gym. Samsung assures users that the experience will feel seamless, bridging the gap between deep AI capabilities and everyday wearable functionality.
Expanding AI Across Galaxy Devices
Samsung’s announcement didn’t stop with watches. The company also teased that Galaxy Buds 3 will gain voice-activated access to Gemini. With a simple long-press or voice prompt, you’ll be able to get AI-driven summaries, translations, and more, straight through your earbuds. This means you could be jogging in the park, ask for a quick translation of a foreign phrase, and have the answer whispered instantly in your ear.
It’s clear Samsung is doubling down on cohesive device ecosystems. From your wrist to your ears, the promise of Gemini is to deliver a unified AI assistant experience. Whether you’re on a call, listening to music, or swiping through notifications, you’ll have a powerful AI sidekick helping you navigate daily life with minimal fuss.
What’s Next for Smartwatch AI
Samsung hasn’t revealed an exact timeline for the rollout, but historical patterns suggest a rollout could begin this spring. Typically, Samsung pushes beta firmware updates for its watches in the spring, previews its next Galaxy Watch hardware in the summer, and then rolls out the full update in the fall. If that pattern holds, we could be interacting with Gemini on a Galaxy Watch before year’s end.
Of course, Samsung won’t be the only player in this space for long. Google confirmed all Wear OS partners will eventually receive the update, meaning brands like OnePlus, Mobvoi, Fossil, and Xiaomi will also connect their wearables to Gemini. As generative AI becomes more prevalent, expect rapid iteration on features like proactive alerts, health insights powered by AI, and advanced third-party integrations. The smartwatch race is officially heating up—and with Gemini in the mix, our wrists are about to get a whole lot smarter.
