Hidden code reveals that Tizen could be replaced by Wear OS on 2021 Samsung watches

Last month, tipster Ice Universe said that Samsung would replace its home-grown Tizen operating system with Wear OS on its new smartwatches due out during the second quarter. According to Mr. Universe, the new timepieces will be called the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 4; this means that Sammy will be skipping the Watch Active 3 name.

The latest rumor from Max Weinbach (via DroidLife) reveals information that he found buried in the latest version of the Galaxy Wear app related to two Wear OS powered models. The Galaxy Wear app contained references to a new plugin codenamed "water." Within the references to "water," Weinbach discovered two other codenames: "fresh" and "wise." Those two names are said to each represent one of the new watches that Samsung could release between April and June.

So where does any of this mention Wear OS? Glad you asked. All of the aforementioned reference were accompanied by something that says "newos." It's not that hard to crack the code as "newos" obviously stands for: "new os" or new operating system. It is possible but highly doubtful that Samsung is talking about a different OS than Wear OS. Another codename discovered by Weinbach, "merlot," could possibly be code for the name of the chipset that will power the new wearables.

Google reportedly was working with OnePlus to improve Wear OS and while Tizen was good enough to help Samsung remain lodged in second place among smartwatch manufacturers last year behind Apple, there is a huge difference in the market share belonging to Samsung and the latter. Tizen doesn't bring the same number of apps to the table as Wear OS does which could be the main reason for a change if indeed one is made. More apps could mean more demand for the new Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch Active 4.