Google brings Gemini to Wear OS watches, adds AI Mode to Circle to Search

In a significant update revealed on Wednesday, Google has officially announced the rollout of its Gemini AI to Wear OS smartwatches. This launch comes nearly two months after a teaser was shared back in May. Alongside this, Google is enhancing its Circle to Search feature by embedding its AI Mode for a more intuitive search experience, especially catering to gaming queries. Gemini will be available on Wear OS watches from leading brands such as Pixel, Samsung, OPPO, OnePlus, and Xiaomi, specifically those running Wear OS 4 and above. Users will soon be able to interact with Gemini by saying, "Hey Google," pressing and holding the side button on their watch, or tapping the Gemini app icon directly on the watch display. This new AI assistant is designed to assist users in practical scenarios, such as asking, “For how long should I roast sliced vegetables, and at what temperature?” when their hands are busy cooking, or simply checking, “Do I need an umbrella today?” before heading out. Moreover, Gemini can help manage tasks across various applications, enabling users to request summaries of emails or add events to their calendars seamlessly. The update also emphasizes memory features, allowing users to instruct Gemini to remember details like, "I parked on level 4, spot 27" or to set reminders such as, "Remind me to go grocery shopping after work." Additionally, the enhanced Circle to Search functionality aims to simplify information retrieval. This feature, initially launched last year, permits users to initiate searches by circling or highlighting items on their screens. With the integration of AI Mode, users will now benefit from advanced reasoning capabilities to tackle complicated topics and ask follow-up questions without needing to switch applications. When a search begins through Circle to Search, an AI Overview will appear to guide the user. By scrolling down, they can tap on “dive deeper with AI Mode” to explore further details about their visual inquiries. This feature is now also accessible in Google Lens via the Google app on both Android and iOS platforms, with availability in the U.S. and India. For mobile gamers, Google has introduced Circle to Search capabilities that allow players to identify characters or discover winning strategies within games. The company is also enhancing the formatting of AI Overviews, ensuring that responses are clearer and more visually engaging. Lastly, Google announced an exclusive offer for Pixel 9 Pro owners: a complimentary one-year subscription to Google AI Pro, which includes access to Veo 3, a tool that allows users to describe ideas and generate short videos with natural audio.