Google's apparent decision to only offer a UI flip option (intended for left-handers) in new WearOS hardware has led to frustration among users and division among experts.
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Left-handed WearOS users have been asking Google for the feature since 2018, citing it as a more comfortable fit and less likely to accidentally press buttons. In January 2022, Google confirmed a fix, stating, “Our development team has implemented the feature you requested and it will be available on future new devices.”
The aforementioned implication that the feature won’t come to existing WearOS devices (i.e. smartwatches these users already own) has become a sore point. Users have expressed frustration at having to buy a new smartwatch, and experts aren’t sure whether the restriction is necessary at all.
Stephen Curry, CEO of digital signature service CocoSign, believes it's not impossible for Google to add the feature to existing hardware, but it could be tricky. "The UI flip would be difficult to implement efficiently via a patch or firmware update," Curry told Lifewire in an email. "This is because the watch needs to reverse the scrolling direction of the rotating crown when a user switches arms in order to achieve full usability on both arms."
