Google recently made a controversial decision to kill the Slides companion app for Wear OS. This move has left many Wear OS users frustrated and disappointed, wondering why Google would make such a decision.
For those who don’t know, the Slides app allowed users to control their Google Slide presentations from their Wear OS devices, such as smartwatches. It was a convenient feature, especially for professionals who frequently make presentations. However, as of 2021, the Slides app is no longer available for Wear OS.
In this article, we’ll examine why Google killed the Slides companion app for Wear OS and what it means for Wear OS users.
Why Did Google Kill the Slides Companion App for Wear OS?
Google didn’t provide a specific reason for discontinuing the Slides app for Wear OS. However, it’s speculated that the low usage of the app could be a contributing factor.
Wear OS has faced scrutiny over the years due to its lack of updates and limited app ecosystem. Google stated in 2019 that it was committed to improving Wear OS. However, it seems that the effort is taking longer than expected.
Given the limited resources that Google is dedicating to Wear OS, it’s possible that the Slides app was simply not a priority. Google may have decided to allocate more resources to other projects to improve Wear OS.
What Does This Mean for Wear OS Users?
For Wear OS users who frequently make presentations using Google Slides, the loss of the Slides companion app is a significant blow. It means that users will have to rely on their smartphones or tablets to control their Google Slide presentations.
While this may not be a big deal for some users, it does limit the functionality of Wear OS for business professionals. Wear OS is marketed towards professionals, and the discontinuation of the Slides app is a step backwards in fulfilling that promise.
The Future of Wear OS
The discontinuation of the Slides companion app is only a small part of the broader concerns surrounding Wear OS. The platform has been criticized for its lack of updates, limited app ecosystem, and unreliable performance.
Google needs to prioritize its efforts on Wear OS to make it a credible competitor to the likes of Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch. With a renewed focus and investment in Wear OS, it can become a vital player in the smartwatch game.
One solution could be to partner with app developers to create more apps specifically designed for Wear OS. This would increase the app ecosystem on the platform and make it more appealing to users.
Additionally, improving the performance and battery life of Wear OS devices would also be a significant step forward. Users want a smartwatch that can last all day without needing to charge and Wear OS devices have been criticized for their poor battery life.
Conclusion
The decision to discontinue the Slides companion app for Wear OS is a minor setback for the platform. However, it highlights the broader concerns surrounding Wear OS, including its lack of updates, limited app ecosystem, and unreliable performance.
Google needs to allocate more resources to Wear OS to make it a viable competitor in the smartwatch market. Partnering with app developers to create more apps, improving performance and battery life, and investing in overall updates and improvements for the platform would all be significant steps forward.
Only time will tell if Google is committed to making these changes to Wear OS. For now, it’s clear that Wear OS users will have to rely on external devices to control their Google Slide presentations.