Gemini AI Lands on Wear OS Watches, Boosts Circle to Search with AI Mode

Google has rolled out its Gemini AI to Wear OS watches, marking a significant expansion of its assistant capabilities, while also enhancing Circle to Search with a new AI Mode. Starting today, July 9, 2025, Gemini is available on watches from Pixel, Samsung, OPPO, OnePlus, and Xiaomi running Wear OS 4 or later, with the rollout extending over the coming weeks. Users can engage hands-free with commands like “Hey Google” or a side button press, asking for recipe tips, setting reminders, summarizing emails, or managing calendars—ideal for scenarios like cooking or workouts. Meanwhile, Circle to Search now includes AI Mode, enabling deeper exploration with follow-up questions and richer results, including gaming-related searches, while AI Overviews gain visual improvements for better readability. AI Mode also extends to Google Lens via the Google app on Android and iOS in the US and India. While the establishment might hail this as a leap in wearable AI, the phased rollout and reliance on internet connectivity raise questions about accessibility and reliability—let’s dive in.

Gemini on Your Wrist

Gemini leverages the same advanced AI models as its phone version, offering natural language responses for tasks like “Roast sliced vegetables at what temperature?” or “Add my son’s baseball games to my calendar.” It integrates with apps, allowing cross-platform actions, and can remember details like parking spots or grocery reminders. The rollout targets Wear OS 4+ devices, with Wear OS 6 enhancing brand-specific app support, though it requires an internet connection—via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or LTE—raising concerns for offline users. The establishment might tout this as a seamless upgrade, but the weeks-long rollout and initial absence on older devices like some TicWatches suggest uneven adoption, potentially leaving users with inconsistent experiences depending on hardware.

Circle to Search Enhancements

The AI Mode in Circle to Search, launched last year, now lets users circle, tap, or scribble on-screen items to trigger searches, with AI Overviews providing summaries and a “dive deeper” option for complex topics—think identifying game characters or strategizing mid-match. Google Lens on Android and iOS in the US and India also gains this capability, broadening its utility. The establishment frames this as a productivity boost, but the focus on visual and gaming enhancements might overlook practical limits—internet dependency and the need for precise circling could frustrate users in low-connectivity areas or during fast-paced play. The visual overhaul is welcome, yet its impact hinges on real-world testing beyond Google’s controlled demos.

Implications and Caution

This could transform Wear OS into a more intelligent companion, challenging Apple Watch’s dominance with proactive AI, especially for Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 series, which ships with Gemini out of the box. The establishment might see it as a competitive edge, but the phased rollout—spanning weeks—and reliance on newer OS versions exclude older devices, potentially fragmenting the user base. Posts found on X show excitement about the feature, with some praising its potential, though sentiment remains inconclusive without widespread use. Battery life concerns, given AI’s processing demands, and offline limitations also linger, unaddressed in early reports.

Approach with caution. If you own a compatible Wear OS 4+ watch, expect Gemini soon—try it for hands-free tasks, but ensure a stable connection. Monitor battery impact and wait for the full rollout to assess consistency across brands. The AI Mode upgrade is promising for search, but test it in varied contexts to gauge its practicality. Stay tuned as real-world feedback emerges over the next few weeks.