Google said on 9 July that it has started deploying its Gemini generative-AI assistant to Wear OS smartwatches, replacing Google Assistant. The roll-out, which will reach Pixel Watch as well as Samsung, OnePlus, Oppo, Xiaomi and other devices running Wear OS 4 or later "over the coming weeks," lets users summon Gemini with the familiar “Hey Google” hot-word, a side-button press or a watch-face icon. The assistant supports conversational queries, multi-step tasks and access to Gmail, Calendar, YouTube Music and other Google services directly from the wrist. At its Galaxy Unpacked event in New York the same day, Samsung introduced the Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic—priced from about US$350 and US$500, respectively—making them the first wearables to ship with Gemini pre-installed. Running Wear OS 6 and Samsung’s One UI 8 Watch interface, the devices are 11% thinner than last year’s model, add brighter 3,000-nit displays, larger batteries and a dual-frequency GPS chip, and debut health features such as an AI-derived “energy score,” vascular-stress tracking and an antioxidant index. Both companies say the upgraded software will allow users to compose messages, obtain navigation, set reminders and control workouts without pulling out a phone—part of Google’s broader effort to migrate its ecosystem from Assistant to Gemini and Samsung’s push to stand out in a crowded wearables market dominated by Apple. The Galaxy Watch 8 line is available for preorder now and will begin global shipments on 25 July, while existing Wear OS watches will receive the Gemini update in stages.