Google's Wear OS version of Calendar now features M3 Expressive, Contacts, and Keep Tiles updates.
In a move to enhance the user experience on smartwatches, Google has introduced a major Material 3 overhaul for several of its apps on Wear OS. The revamped apps include Google Calendar, Google Phone, Google Messages, and Google Keep.
For Google Calendar, the redesign brings a cohesive and modern look with curved buttons and themed graphics. The next event tile now displays name and duration details in a rounded container, improving navigation and glanceability.
Regarding Google Phone, the M3 Expressive redesign offers a complete overhaul of the app interface. The bottom navigation bar has been simplified, combining Favorites and Recents into a "Home" tab and introducing a new "Keypad" tab. Contacts are now accessed via a navigation drawer, and both the Incoming and In-Call screens feature updated buttons with larger touch targets. Users can choose between Horizontal swipe or Single tap interactions.
For Google Messages, the redesign places conversation lists and message threads in rounded containers to enhance visual clarity and touch friendliness. The ‘plus’ menu is redesigned with options inside pill-shaped buttons, and other parts of the app receive the Material 3 Expressive treatment.
The "Contacts" button on the Google Contacts "Favorites" Tile on the Pixel Watch companion is expected to say "See all." Meanwhile, the "Contact" widget on Wear OS changes from a circle flanked by vertical pills to a larger avatar with call and messaging shortcuts to the right.
Google Keep's "Create note" Tile on Wear OS changes from a list to an oval (Note) and a rounded rectangle (List). The "Single note" Tile on Google Keep places the text in a container, and the "Create note" Tile now has "Browse" at the bottom.
The next tasks tile on Google Calendar for Wear OS now has a curved "More" button. Google Calendar is also rolling out M3 Expressive on Android phones and tablets, and the date appears just above the next event tile. Version 2025.30.x of Google Calendar for Wear OS is associated with these updates.
Lastly, Google Keep's "Contacts" Tile on the Pixel Watch companion is expected to switch from circles to pills. The "Gemini" app on Wear OS is also widely rolling out. These updates aim to deliver interfaces that "feel good" and "make sense," emphasizing colors, shapes, sizes, motion, and containment to optimize the smartwatch user experience.
[1] 9to5Google (2022). Google Calendar for Wear OS gets Material You redesign with rounded buttons and themed graphics. [online] Available at: https://9to5google.com/2022/03/28/google-calendar-wear-os-material-you-redesign/
[2] 9to5Google (2022). Google Phone for Wear OS is getting a Material 3 Expressive redesign. [online] Available at: https://9to5google.com/2022/03/28/google-phone-wear-os-material-3-expressive-redesign/
[3] 9to5Google (2022). Google Messages on Wear OS is getting a Material 3 Expressive redesign. [online] Available at: https://9to5google.com/2022/03/28/google-messages-wear-os-material-3-expressive-redesign/
[4] 9to5Google (2022). Google Calendar's M3 Expressive Tiles are now widely available on Wear OS. [online] Available at: https://9to5google.com/2022/03/28/google-calendar-m3-expressive-tiles-wear-os/
[5] 9to5Google (2022). The Google Contacts "Favorites" Tile on the Pixel Watch companion is expected to switch from circles to pills. [online] Available at: https://9to5google.com/2022/03/28/google-contacts-favorites-tile-pixel-watch-pills/
[6] 9to5Google (2022). Gemini on Wear OS is widely rolling out. [online] Available at: https://9to5google.com/2022/03/28/gemini-wear-os-wide-rollout/
Technology advancements are evident in Google's recent updates for its apps on Wear OS, as they undergo a significant Material 3 overhaul to improve user experience. This revamp is noticeable in Google Calendar, Google Phone, Google Messages, and Google Keep, each receiving unique design changes to better suit smartwatch interactions.
