Wear OS 2.1 update adds new gestures, proactive Google Assistant

If you're rocking a Wear OS-powered smartwatch, you'll be happy to know that Google is now rolling out a major update that brings important new features and improvements to its wearable platform. Wear OS 2.1 adds new gestures, a new design that changes the way users navigate the OS, as well as proactive Google Assistant.

The latter will provide smartwatch users with proactive information in the same vein as Google Now cards, on top of what Google Assistant usually offers. The addition of four new gestures completely redesigns Wear OS navigation, here they are:

• Swipe right - Google “Proactive Assistant;”
• Swipe left - Google Fit;
• Swipe up - notifications;
• Swipe down - Quick Settings shortcuts.

The update is now rolling out to all smartwatches running Wear OS 2.0. The following smartwatch models aren't compatible with the update and won't get it: LG G Watch, Samsung Gear Live, Moto 360 (2014 Model), Sony Smartwatch 3, and Asus ZenWatch (First Gen).