Apple may have been nervous when Google announced that it would integrate its own smartwatch platform, Wear OS, with Samsung's Tizen to establish a single operating system. watchOS software on the Apple Watch is the only not necessarily the superior wearable interface, but it is arguably the best.

However, the new Wear OS (which will be called simply "Wear," according to Google's announcement article) seems ready to take on watchOS with the help of its former foe. not only will Wear inherit future Galaxy Watch users, but thanks to a $2.1 billion acquisition completed earlier this year will borrow some of Fitbit's tools thanks to a $2.1 billion acquisition.

We still don't know when the first Wear OS smartwatch will launch, but we do know that it will likely be Samsung's Galaxy Watch 4. Meanwhile, watchOS 8, a refreshed version of watchOS, will be announced soon and will eventually be included in the Apple Watch 7.

So how will this Wear OS vs. watchOS showdown play out once both software updates begin? Based on what we know so far, let's compare their compatibility options, fitness features, app collections, etc.

According to a 9to5Google report, it is unclear if existing Wear OS watches will be compatible with the new version of Wear. However, it appears that Wear will not be offered to existing Galaxy Watch users. In other words, users with Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 or earlier models will continue to have Tizen as before. According to Samsung, support for the Tizen OS is planned for "at least three years."

Instead, we know that Wear will be included in future smartwatches as well as the upcoming Galaxy Watch; Google has confirmed that future Fitbit smartwatches will run the Wear OS, as will the upcoming TicWatch, Fossil and other third-party wearable models will also benefit from the new system.

What is less certain is whether Wear will continue to offer iOS support; Tizen/Samsung's Wear apps felt basically useless on the iPhone, but Google Wear OS apps, especially Maps and Calendar If you use Google's other services, they were not terrible. But of course, you get the best functionality when you combine a Wear OS smartwatch with one of the best Android phones.

As for watchOS 8 compatibility, we know that it only works with the Apple Watch. It remains to be seen if Apple will provide update support for the Apple Watch 3, even though it still sells the 3-year-old Apple Watch. watchOS 8 compatibility may be limited to Apple Watch 4 or later.

Wear OS and watchOS have distinctive looks. Whereas Google's software uses circular app tiles for navigation, the Apple Watch's rectangular dock card provides quick access to favorite apps.

When it comes to watch faces, Wear OS has little to offer and has released few new options over the years. On the other hand, each update of watchOS provides more customization tools and fresh faces. In addition to complications for third-party apps, users can customize the colors and fonts of their favorite faces.

Trying to catch up, Google and Samsung are promising a more sophisticated mix of watch face styles; according to Wired, Samsung is planning to introduce a watch face design tool to the Wear, although it may be a Galaxy Watch owner-only feature. Wired reports that Samsung plans to introduce a watch face design tool to the Wear, although it may be a feature exclusive to Galaxy Watch owners.

Health features that address both physical and mental health can make or break a smartwatch. Advanced health metrics and tracking features have made Fitbit a force to be reckoned with.

And with the completion of the Fitbit acquisition as of this year, Google is poised to reap the rewards of the multi-billion dollar deal: select Fitbit features will be integrated with Wear, and health and fitness metrics will be visible on compatible smartwatches. Users will also be able to track their daily health status and earn rewards.

It seems certain that Fitbit and Google Wear will ultimately be one and the same. Google teased that Fitbit's premium smartwatch would be made with Wear OS in the future and promised ambient integration with the larger Google ecosystem. It is unclear what will happen to Samsung Health as a result, but it was never our favorite fitness platform anyway.

The Apple Watch is as capable a health tool as ever, although watchOS 7 added Dance (and later other fitness initiatives were also added), watchOS 8 will offer further upgrades. We expect improvements and additions to the workout app, including more tools for getting in shape and different ways to track exercise.

One thing the watchOS software has over other smartwatches is the number of compatible apps. Most popular iOS app developers offer watchOS versions with information and features relevant to what users want to wear on their wrists.

The assortment of apps available for Wear OS, Tizen, and Fitbit pales in comparison. Google seems intent on encouraging more app developers to participate and catch up. In the future, any developer will be able to create Wear OS Tiles. This means that users will soon see smartwatch versions of their favorite third-party apps as well as Google's native apps.

That said, Google's app suite is a big selling point for Wear. The company said the updated software launch will feature Google Maps turn-by-turn directions as well as expand Google Pay support in 26 new countries. Also, YouTube Music will be on Wear, Google Assistant should be the butler of your wrist, and say goodbye to Bixby, the company said, and hello to Google Maps, which will be available on Wear in the next few months.

watchOS 8 will likely bring some improvements to Apple's Siri, which is not necessarily the most intelligent assistant, but is familiar to iPhone users. There are rumors that Siri will be supported when the Apple Watch is not connected to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

Hopefully Wear won't mess this up. As someone who has dreaded testing Wear OS watches in the past, I am optimistic that Samsung and Google's push will pay off. The question is whether they have evaporated enough of the underlying software flaws to improve the famously buggy user experience.

Right now, watchOS 8 doesn't have much appeal. Despite the new features it introduces, it will probably look and operate much the same as the current Apple Watch software. Sleep tracking was the centerpiece feature last year, a tool that most smartwatches already offer.

Is Apple's "slow and steady" approach still the way to victory, we will find out when both watchOS 8 and the first Google Wear smartwatch are announced later this year.