Google's smartwatch platform Wear OS has reportedly been having serious problems for months, but apparently few people have noticed: since November, the "Hey, Google" voice command has not worked for some users. [Not surprisingly, this Wear OS issue was first reported by DroidLife. The site found a Reddit thread that got going this week when users complained to Google's customer support.

According to the original support complaint filed on November 9, 2020, the "Hey Google" voice detection did not work with the Wear OS update. To use the best Google Assistant commands, users had to manually activate the AI Butler.

"In the current version of Wear OS, voice detection of the command words "ok google" does not work. Instead, users must manually activate the Google Assistant, which severely deprives the watch of utility while lacking a mandatory and advertised feature," the user wrote in a complaint.

They did not specify which Wear OS smartwatch model they own, but one can assume that the issue affected all devices running the wearable platform. DroidLife reported that the TicWatch Pro 3's "Hey Google " reportedly failed to detect voice, noting that this smartwatch is one of the latest smartwatches to run Google's software.

When The Verge reached out to Google for comment, they said they are currently working on a fix. Of course, they have not explained why or how the issue was not investigated after the initial complaint.

Earlier this week I wrote an article defending Wear OS. Well, sort of. I explained how Samsung's intervention to save Wear OS was a smart move. If anything, this new evidence of negligence proves why Google would want to partner with the Galaxy Watch maker. Of course, Samsung simultaneously argues that ditching Tizen for Wear OS would be a huge mistake.

Google does not update Wear OS as frequently as, say, Apple's watchOS platform. But a new version should appear in 2021, perhaps along with the long-rumored Pixel Watch. The company did not provide a timeline on a fix for "Hey Google" voice detection, but if your Wear OS smartwatch or app offers the update, you should do so promptly. Hopefully, this feature may come back online.