'Wear OS,' the operating system created by Google that is used in countless smartwatches today has had one lingering issue since its inception seven years ago. This is the operating system's inaccessibility to left-handed wearers. Now, in 2022, Google has updated this operating system to 'Wear OS 3,' which will allow for a rotatable screen similar to mobile devices.
With this rotatable screen, the image will be able to flip upside-down and lock in this position. This means that left-handed wearers no longer have to either bite the bullet and wear a smartwatch on their right arm or struggle to view the screen when wearing the watch on their left arm.
One caveat to this upgrade, though, is that Google has only announced this feature as a part of its newest smartwatches. There is still uncertainty surrounding whether this will be available for existing smartwatch owners, though this implementation would save many consumers a great deal of money.
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What's Driving This Trend
- Left-handed Wearable Technology
- Technology companies can design innovative wearable devices that cater to left-handed users.
- Flexibility in Wearable Screen Orientation
- Technological innovation in wearable screens can allow for increased accessibility for different users, such as left-handed individuals.
- Operating System Accessibility
- Companies can focus on developing operating systems that cater to the needs of all users, including left-handed individuals.
Who This Affects Most
- Wearable Technology
- Companies in the wearable technology industry can design and produce smartwatches and other wearable devices that cater to left-handed individuals.
- Mobile Device Manufacturing
- Mobile device manufacturers can implement flexible screen orientation technology in their products to increase accessibility for left-handed users.
- Software Development
- Companies in the software development industry can create operating systems that are more inclusive and accessible for left-handed individuals.
