Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Four new watch faces offer more customization while playful animation makes its way to your step challenge.
- A new knock-knock gesture will now launch users’ preset app or feature.
- Fall detection adds enhanced sensitivity and an SOS emergency contact contingency plan.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is a heavy hitter in the world of wearables. For one, it remains the only smartwatch running the new Wear OS 3, basically strong holding its place as the best smartwatch for anyone without an iPhone. But even with its title already secure, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 keeps improving. The device’s latest software update brings new features and more fun to wearers’ wrists, plus a bit of safety.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 review
Fresh new Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 clock faces
The latest update includes four new watch faces and adds more customization options to a few existing watch faces. The new faces include a basic dashboard, one info-packed option focusing on health and fitness, a weather center clock face, and a face featuring live Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3-inspired wallpapers. All four of the new faces can be tweaked to users’ preferences.
Additionally, a few old favorites also get an upgrade. Users can now mix and match up to four complications on the Animals watch face and set the focus that works best, be it counting steps, reading texts, or just the basics; time and date. Meanwhile, on the My Photo+ watch face, users can now set a GIF rather than just a static photo.
Perhaps the most fun clock face-related update is a new animated bear making his home on the Steps Challenge clock face. Donning a sports hoodie and sneakers, the bear stretches out, celebrates wins, and laments losses. This playful feature may not be for everyone, but he’s undeniably fun.
Gesture control you can set yourself
In addition to fun with new faces, the update also brings users new functions. Galaxy Watch 4 users can already answer and reject phone calls without lifting a finger. The latest software update offers a new gesture control that adds even more convenience to the device. With a simple knock-knock motion (no follow-up joke necessary), users can now open a pre-selected app or access a favorite feature. Based on your preferences, you can knock to create a reminder, open your music app, or access a workout.
With this customizable gesture control, Samsung lets you choose what action is most important to have available even when your hands are full. If it’s fitness you value, you’ll also love to hear that Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 users can now access a free two-month trial of the popular fitness app Strava.
Fall detection and precaution
On the safety front, the latest update adds a new sensitivity option to detect falls even if the wearer isn’t moving. This enhancement to fall detection piggybacks on the basic safety feature first introduced to the Samsung smartwatch line in 2020. Now, instead of only protecting you while you work out, the smartwatch can look out for users and loved ones around the clock. Additionally, should someone wearing their Galaxy Watch 4 take a fall, a new SOS notification will automatically alert up to four pre-selected contacts.
Overall, it is positive to see the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 roll out some new updates. So far, we’ve mostly seen vague stability and reliability fixes and minor changes. Of course, we’re still patiently waiting for Google Assistant. In the meantime, we’ll take an animated bear, SOS assistance, and finger-free access.
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