Thanks to Google, owners of Android smartwatches can now enjoy a feature that they have long desired: Google Wallet passes. Among its numerous announcements at MWC, Google said today that it is formally introducing to Wear OS passes that may be kept in your Google Wallet, including as boarding passes, event tickets, gym memberships, loyalty cards, and other passes. Wear OS is well behind the Apple Watch in this particular area, which has long since been updated.
While some users have sporadically reported seeing the feature pop up over the last month or so, Google is only now confirming its arrival. Any passes you’ve added to Google Wallet will show up with a QR code or barcode on your Wear OS watch with the update, and you can choose to hide whichever ones you don’t need at the moment. Google is also adding the ability to get detailed public transit directions on your watch so you don’t need to take out your phone to figure out where you’re going. You’ll be able to look up departure times from your wrist, and get step-by-step directions or a guided map view to your destination.
