Fossil Group confirms Alexa app rollout on Gen 6 smartwatches, more features to come

ByDerrek Leepublished

Alexa makes its way to Wear OS on Fossil and Skagen smartwatches.

Edit 3/15/22 1:45 PM ET: Fossil confirms rollout, Alexa only available on Gen 6 smartwatches.

What you need to know

When the Skagen Falster Gen 6 was launched, Fossil Group teased the availability of Alexa on its smartwatches. The app has technically been there, but it has remained unusable — until now. Users noticed last week (via 9to5Google) that the Alexa app is now active and available for use on some of the best Wear OS watches from Fossil Group, and the company has now confirmed its rollout.

Once you open the app, you're taken through the initial setup process, which includes giving the app certain permissions, such as making and managing phone calls. Once you connect your smartwatch via the Alexa app on the best Android phones, you'll be free to use the app on your smartwatch.

Functionality is pretty simple. There's no always-listening functionality here, so you'll have to bear with one-tap access. Still, you'll be able to ask Alexa to play music, provide the weather forecast, control smart home devices, dial your phone in case you may need help locating it, and more.

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While there's no always-listening capability for the Alexa app, the setup process prompts you to set Alexa as a hardware button shortcut for quick access. However, for those that are satisfied with their current shortcut setup, there's also a basic Alexa tile that should suffice. Fossil Group says that it "looks forward to expanding the functionality of both the Tile and App," although did not go into detail on its plans.

Bringing Alexa to Wear OS means that now users can access more than one smart assistant from their Wear OS watches, in case Google Assistant isn't their cup of tea. The Galaxy Watch 4 uses Bixby but will include Google Assistant via a future update.

The Alexa app should be available on newer smartwatches from Fossil Group, including the Skagen Falster Gen 6 and Michael Kors Gen 6 smartwatch. Unfortunately, Fossil's announcement notes that the app is only available on Fossil Groups Gen 6 smartwatches, so it doesn't sound like it will be available on older watches.

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Skagen Falster Gen 6 $295

The Skagen Falster Gen 6 is one of the best Wear OS smartwatches you can buy. It has a fast Snapdragon processor that runs Wear OS smoothly, and it has a minimal yet stylish design that will look great on any wrist.

View DealDerrek LeeDerrek is a long-time Nokia and LG fanboy who loves astronomy, videography, and sci-fi movies. When he's not working, he's most likely working out or smoldering at the camera.TopicsSmartwatchWear OsAmazon AlexaFossilSkagenAndroid Central Newsletter

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