Google yesterday confirmed the new Wear OS H-MR2 update that introduces improved performance and better battery life is starting to roll out. This is the same update that Google first detailed back in August.

Among the many new features, Wear OS’s improved performance is the most notable. Google claims Wear OS has been improved “from top to bottom,” allowing apps to launch up to 20% faster than before. That might not seem like a significant improvement, but poor performance has been one of the main complaints about Wear OS-powered smartwatches for some time, so it's nice to see Google address that problem via a software update.

“You’ll see changes to the device controls making it even easier to manage different watch modes and workouts,” Google also said. Furthermore, the Wear OS update introduces a simplified pairing process, improved support for LTE, and a handwashing timer in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A new Weather Tile design is also included in the update, making it easier to read information while on the go.

The update is currently rolling out to the Suunto 7 smartwatch with firmware version PXDZ.200824.005, with broader availability to come for other smartwatches in the coming months. In addition to bringing the new H-MR2 improvements, the update for the Suunto 7 also adds route navigation, a low power always-on sport display, a battery-saving GPS mode, and popular starting points in the Suunto app. Google told us last month that the new Wear OS update will be based on Android 11, but it doesn't seem like that's the case for the H-MR2 update on the Suunto 7.