What you need to know
- Mobvoi has started its recruitment phase for its Wear OS 3 beta program.
- Eligible watches include the TicWatch Pro 3, TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra, and the TicWatch E3.
- Users must sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) and adhere to it throughout the duration of the program.
Mobvoi is beginning its initial beta program for the Wear OS 3 software after a severe delay. The company announced the program's beginning via a Tweet this morning, along with some guidelines. Before the logistics, Mobvoi provided the necessary application form for the beta. The Chinese company informs users that it will begin reaching out to accepted parties "within a week."
Before filling out the application, Mobvoi provided a short list of eligible devices, which is pretty much what we expected:
- TicWatch Pro 3 (GPS and LTE)
- TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra (GPS and LTE)
- TicWatch E3
The Wear OS 3 update beta testing recruitment is now openIf you are interested in participating, please complete the questionnaire: https://t.co/zbOcPDqBDO. We will reach out to the selected users within a week. We truly appreciate your continued support to our community🥰 pic.twitter.com/B0GaRpgQQXJune 30, 2023
If you are eligible, Mobvoi states that you will be required to sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) to join the beta. Users cannot send photos, videos, or logs to any social media platform, keeping all discussions confined to the test group. Furthermore, users must maintain a "high engagement" if they are participating in the program. It looks like Mobvoi will create a Slack group for users to communicate with each other and also with the developers working on the software.
If you're in the beta, updating to the most recently pushed OTA is ideal, and Mobvoi is also asking users to submit a bug report every time their device drops below 20% in battery life.
Bugs are commonplace in beta tests, leaving Mobvoi to state users may have to submit a video or "relevant log data" if they have experienced a critical issue. However, those that are proficient in the Android Debug Bridge tool will receive some added consideration when applying.
Mobvoi's Wear OS 3 update has faced a tiring delay, which the company addressed in May. The company explained in a tweeted letter to TicWatch owners that the delay was due to the use of proprietary hardware in the watches.
The company cited architectural upgrades and several performance debugging efforts were needed before applying Wear OS 3 to the previously listed eligible devices. A company representative also alluded to a potential Q3 2023 start for the program, which, considering accepted users will most likely hear something back in a week, is right on schedule (for once).
Meanwhile, the TicWatch Pro 5 recently received a new update with a number of enhancements and bug fixes, although Google Assistant is still missing from the smartwatch.
Mobvoi's TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra was a step up in many ways for the brand. The smartwatch not only provides an excellent battery life but great performance and a pleasantly durable exterior. The TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra is finally in line to receive Wear OS 3, further boosting its appeal.
