This probably comes as no surprise to anyone. As Google more than likely didn’t want to drop the name that’s been associated with its wearables platform for years at this point. While the name for this new unified Wear OS platform isn’t really new itself, it is different enough that people should know the difference. So long as it’s referred to as Wear OS 3 in any marketing and on any packaging. Or in other places where the name is placed to draw attention to the product.
The new Wear OS name is just the old name, because why change what isn’t broke
Google really has no need to change the name from Wear OS to something else entirely. Sure, the new platform is a unified platform that was designed in partnership with Samsung. But at its core, Wear OS is still Wear OS. So Google likely didn’t feel the need to change the name. One could argue that a completely new name would give the software a fresh new face. Which wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing. Wear OS has had a love/hate relationship with users for about as long as it’s been around. The platform is certainly functional, but even Google finally acknowledged that battery life and performance needed significant improvements. So it set out to create a new unified platform with Samsung. The company who, arguably, makes the best smartwatch platform outside of Apple’s Watch OS. A new name would help people understand that there are many changes and improvements to Google and Samsung’s new unified software. But, for continuity’s sake, keeping the same name and just updating the version number makes more sense. In addition, keeping the Wear OS branding means simply doesn’t have to come up with new branding. Which would take time, research, and money to complete. So ultimately Google probably spends less money this way too.
