Google is discontinuing Google Maps and Keep on older Wear OS smartwatches

Several useful apps from Google are no longer supported on older versions of Wear OS, formerly Android Wear. It concerns the applications Google Maps and Google Keep. It is striking that the support is no longer continued.

Wear OS 2 without Google Maps and Keep

Google is quietly making changes to support for older versions of Wear OS. The former Android Wear is now at version 3, but there are still plenty of smartwatches that run on version 2, such as the Oppo Watch and Fossil Gen 6. These smartwatches no longer receive support for two Google apps. It concerns support for the Google Maps map service and the Google Keep note-taking app. Because support ends, it is no longer possible to download these apps on the smartwatch. If you still have them on your smartwatch, it is wise not to reset the smartwatch; something that is necessary if you switch to another device.

Google seems to want to focus on smartwatches with Wear OS 3. This version of the smartwatch platform can be found on the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 5, for example. The Pixel Watch, which is not available in the Netherlands, also runs on the latest version of Wear OS. Nevertheless, it is striking that relatively old watches already lack functionality such as Google Maps.