Wear OS Smartwatches to Receive WhatsApp Integration

Following its initial tease at Google I/O, Meta has officially announced the rollout of WhatsApp for Wear OS smartwatches, starting today. This functionality is available specifically for Wear OS 3 smartwatches.

The WhatsApp app on Wear OS offers a range of features and functionalities. Users can initiate new conversations, respond to messages, and even handle calls directly from their smartwatch. They have the option to reply using voice messages, emojis, regular text, and quick replies. Additionally, for those with LTE-capable Wear OS 3 watches, responding to messages can be done without the need for a nearby phone.

The strategic timing and wide reach of this announcement play a crucial role. With the upcoming Samsung Unpacked event, where the highly anticipated Galaxy Watch 6 and possibly the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic will be revealed, it is expected that these new watches will be among the first to run Wear OS 4. By launching the Wear OS app for WhatsApp now, Meta can generate momentum leading into Unpacked while also appealing to its massive user base of 2.24 billion active users. Moreover, this move allows Meta to expand its wearable presence on an established platform, particularly since their own smartwatch plans were put on hold last year.

Furthermore, this development aligns with Google’s ongoing efforts to enhance the third-party app ecosystem of Wear OS. In addition to WhatsApp, Spotify plans to introduce new Tiles for its Wear OS app later this year, and Peloton recently launched its own Wear OS app. Ultimately, this integration proves to be mutually beneficial for all parties involved.