Google tests Wear OS status bar, excluding stable 7.1

Google is testing an Android-style status bar for Wear OS apps in a developer emulator, but the feature will not be part of the stable Wear OS 7.1 release, according to the company’s developer materials. The bar appears across the top of the watch display, over open app windows, and is designed to show the time and system indicators. Google says a consistent position and clock style will make the display uniform across apps. In the current preview, a placeholder star appears instead of the final system indicators. The feature is available only in a Canary emulator for early testing and feedback. Google has not announced which later Wear OS release will include it or when it will reach consumer watches. The preview is not confirmation that the feature is shipping on devices. Google’s developer guidance says apps targeting API level 35 or higher and using Compose for Wear OS 1.8.0-alpha02 or later can opt in automatically through standard app components. Developers can also opt in explicitly. When active, the system bar replaces an app-drawn clock, avoiding two time displays on screen. The bar is designed to hide while users scroll and return after about two seconds of...