Wear OS and traditional Android share a common origin, but targeting wrist-based wearables brings unique constraints and capabilities. From new input paradigms to UI adaptations for round displays, Wear OS evolves with its own versioning built atop specific Android releases. This article explores programmatic differences, Wear OS to Android version mapping, and how to build for circular screens. 1. Summary of Key Differences Between Wear OS and Mobile Android Wear OS redefines Android's core tenets to fit wrist-first interactions. Key areas of divergence include: UI Surfaces : Adds Tiles, Complications, and Watch Faces beyond traditional Activities and Fragments. Input : Integrates rotary input, swipe gestures, and physical buttons. Power Management : Prioritizes always-on, glanceable UI and deep-sleep modes. App Packaging : Supports standalone or companion apps tailored for wearables. Sensor APIs : Provides high-frequency Health Services APIs for fitne...
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