Google just delivered these very helpful Wear OS 3 accessibility features

New color and sound modes are coming to the smartwatch platform
Wareable wear os google keep
Wareable is reader-powered. If you click through using links on the site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

Google has announced a couple of handy upgrades for Wear OS 3 users in need of some accessibility features.

As part of the company's springtime feature dump, the smartwatch platform has collected a couple of neat updates, with display color and sound modes getting more options. 

A new mono-audio mode, for example, will help users have the choice to turn off stereo sound in order to limit disorientation, while color correction and grayscale modes will land under the watch's display settings.

At least on the Google Pixel Watch, the latter joins the options to magnify text, receive TalkBack or turn on Real-Time Text (RTT).

That's not all, either. As part of a wider update to Google Keep, the company has also revealed in its February blog post that a pair of new watch face complications will be hitting Wear OS 3.

As with the Google Keep Tile, this allows users to instantly jump into note creation or their to-do list, with a tap from the watch face automatically opening voice input. 

It's the same basic functionality we've seen offered through the Tile, though now you won't have to swipe through to access it. 

There's no specific timeframe for when these new features will be arriving on the Android smartwatches, though Google has indicated a rollout will be happening soon.

And while, really, it only represents a small batch of upgrades, it does represent part of Google's more concerted effort to keep the platform rolling.

With Pixel Watch Fall Detection seemingly being prepared for a full rollout, as well, expect more over the coming weeks.


How we test



Conor Allison

By

Conor moved to Wareable Media Group in 2017, initially covering all the latest developments in smartwatches, fitness trackers, and VR. He made a name for himself writing about trying out translation earbuds on a first date and cycling with a wearable airbag, as well as covering the industry’s latest releases.

Following a stint as Reviews Editor at Pocket-lint, Conor returned to Wareable Media Group in 2022 as Editor-at-Large. Conor has become a wearables expert, and helps people get more from their wearable tech, via Wareable's considerable how-to-based guides. 

He has also contributed to British GQ, Wired, Metro, The Independent, and The Mirror. 


Related stories