The news that Google has finally implemented functionality for solo turn-by-turn navigation while using its Maps app will be welcomed by owners of smartwatches running Wear OS. For Wear OS-powered smartwatches from any brand, providing they meet a few basic specifications, the feature that had been promised for several months is finally accessible. Previously, Wear OS-powered smartwatches could provide turn-by-turn navigation, but it did so via relaying data from the associated smartphone. It is now possible to leave the smartphone behind thanks to the most recent upgrade.
On your Wear OS-powered smartwatch, standalone turn-by-turn navigation is only possible under certain circumstances, according to Google. Having a smartwatch that supports LTE or cellular connectivity is a prerequisite. This necessitates the use of a functional LTE plan. To use the handover feature (from smartphone to watch), the watch must also be paired with an Android phone. Users can start turn-by-turn navigation when connected to Wi-Fi networks, according to Google’s support documents.
The rest largely happens automatically if the smartwatch satisfies the aforementioned standards. Turn-by-turn directions can be started from the watch, whether it is paired with a smartphone or used alone. If you only want to utilize navigation on your watch, you can off “Mirror on the Phone” by navigating to Settings>Mirroring.
Users must first open Maps on the watch before entering their destination using speech recognition or the keyboard. They must then decide on a mode of transportation and determine their ETA. then press “Start” to start the journey. When a user connects their Wear OS device with an iOS smartphone, watch-based navigation is also available. Google confirmed support for offline turn-by-turn navigation during Samsung’s most recent Unpacked presentation, when the company also unveiled its Galaxy Watch 5 series. The Google Wear OS platform powers the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro versions.
A recent revelation claims that Google has also been developing an offline Find My Device service. Google’s Find My Device service now employs an internet-based monitoring system, but rivals like Samsung and Apple have already developed an offline service that connects with other products of the same brand via Bluetooth, among other things, to communicate the location of a lost or stolen item.
