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From 9to5Google:

The Apple Watch was once again shown off at Apple’s “Spring Forward” event on Monday, and many have been left wondering how the device compares to the Android Wear devices currently on the market. Technology has surely evolved a bit since the G Watch was announced, but how much have things changed?

There are several differences between the two platforms, but one that has now been brought to light is the device’s physical dimensions. Looking at Apple’s renders and images makes the device look big, but comparing its actual dimensions to Android Wear devices does the opposite. It’s tiny compared to most of what’s available today.

Norm Chan on Twitter put together a couple 3D-printed Apple Watches and placed them next to his ZenWatch, and it’s a bit shocking to see how small the 38mm Apple Watch is in comparison. But let’s not stop with the ZenWatch; let’s see how all of the top Android Wear devices compare to the Apple Watch in physical size…

Here are the Apple Watch dimensions:

38 mm model: 38.6 x 33.3 x 10.5 mm

42 mm model: 42 x 35.9 x 10.5 mm

And here are some of the dimensions of popular Android Wear devices:

Asus ZenWatch: 51 x 39.9 x 7.9 ~ 9.4 mm

LG G Watch R: 53.6 x 46.4 x 9.7 mm

Moto 360: 46 x 46 x 11.5 mm

LG G Watch: 46.5 x 37.9 x 9.95 mm

Sony SmartWatch 3: 51 x 36 x 10 mm

Samsung Gear Live: 56.4 x 37.9 x 8.9 mm

Huawei Watch: 42 x 42 x 11.3 mm

As you can see, it looks like Apple managed to cram the innards of the Apple Watch into a much smaller case than its competitors—and this is especially the case with the 38mm model. The Apple Watch is thicker than all of the Android Wear devices we’ve listed here except the Moto 360, but not by all that much. The thinnest Andoid Wear device listed here, the Asus ZenWatch, is 2.6 mm thinner than Apple’s offering at its thinnest point—and only .9 mm thinner at its thickest. Other devices, like the LG G Watch R, are only .8 mm thinner than the Apple Watch.

As for the width and height comparison, the Apple Watch is definitely smaller. The “large” version of the Apple Watch, for example, is still 4mm shorter than the LG G Watch. Also, notably, the closest comparison in size seems to be the recently announced Huawei Watch, which is 42 mm in diameter and 11.3 mm thick.

For some perspective, here’s a comparison of the ZenWatch to a few of these other devices:

So the question that remains—and it will probably remain a mystery until we have our hands on real-life benchmarks—is how the Apple Watch will compare to Android Wear devices in battery life knowing that it’s so much smaller (specifically the 38mm model). Apple claims the device will get 18 hours on a single charge, and the smaller model will typically stay alive for a shorter amount of time. We’ll see how they fare in real-life use.

— Norm (@nchan) March 11, 2023

Updated with some GIFs via Reddit

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

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15 Best Android Wear Games

The concept of smart wearables isn’t something entirely new. For a long time, fitness trackers and smartwatches like the old Sony Ericsson LiveView have existed, and have enjoyed a niche market share with gadget aficionados who just have to have the latest and greatest, no matter how weird (at least in looks) the product is. With Android Wear, for the first time, smartwatches became a proper product category of their own, with standardization in features and interface and appearances that made the devices look more watch and less science fiction gadgetry. The platform is consistently gaining more traction with Android users, and with that, the Google Play Store also keeps piling up with newer apps that will run on your Android Wear smartwatch.

1. 2048

2048 took the world by storm as soon as it was released, and the game enjoyed massive success across every platform that it was released. The premise is pretty straightforward – you get a set of numbered tiles that you keep merging to get consistently higher numbers, and the objective is to merge similar tiles to achieve the (almost unattainable) 2048 tile. While the concept is simple, this puzzler can keep you occupied for hours on end, and with the Android Wear variant of the game, you can waste those hours away on your wrist in a neat 4×4 grid with swipe gestures. No more boredom at work or school!

Compatibility: Android 4.1 and up

Availability: 2048 (Free) – Google Play Store

2. Rubik’s Cube for Android Wear

Rubik’s cube has been widely acclaimed as one of the most challenging mathematical/logical puzzles out there, and there are a number of games that emulate the experience across iPhone and Android alike. With this app, you get a Rubik’s cube to play with on your Android Wear smart watch. Naturally, the small screen here poses a challenge, which Rubik’s cube for Android Wear addresses by providing pinch to zoom and swiping gestures. On the plus side, this app installs the same version of the game on your connected Android smartphone as well, providing the best of both worlds if you’re into puzzles like this.

Compatibility: Android 2.3.3 and up

Availability: Rubik’s Cube for Android Wear (Free) – Google Play Store

3. Math it!

It makes sense that most of the games playable on a wrist-wearable should be of the puzzle genre, and that is why you’ll find most of the titles in Google Play Store of that nature. Math it! is a title that will come in handy if you want to pump your brain for action with some quick fire mathematical questions. The game displays a number of mathematical equations on your wrist along side a possible answer, and you need to indicate whether it’s correct or not. As you progress, not only does your score keep accumulating but the equations get harder, too. This app, too, installs a full game on your phone as well.

Compatibility: Android 4.1 and up

Availability: Math it! (Free) – Google Play Store

4. GALAXIA (Android Wear)

This arcade title is like a marriage between Space Invaders and Galaxian, right on your Android Wear smart watch. Galaxia offers wrist control for a space ship that will fight against hordes of aliens and asteroids alike. Graphics are neat, and there is even a retro mode for those who enjoy this sort of thing. The title costs merely a dollar, so it’s worth the investment if retro games are your thing for your Android Wear smart watch.

Compatibility: Android 4.3 and up

Availability: GALAXIA (Paid) – Google Play Store

5. Sookie Says for Wear

Sookie says is a memory game that you’ll play on your smart watch. The concept of the game is really simple, with challenging game play. You have four colored boxes on the screen that will blink in a pattern, and you have to remember and replicate that sequence by tapping on the same boxes. As you progress, the sequences become longer and longer, and the challenge harder. Good fun if you want to sharpen your memory.

Compatibility: Android 4.2 and up

Availability: Sookie Says for Wear (Free) – Google Play Store

6. Space War (Android Wear)

Space Wars is your classing vertical-scrolling shoot-em-up game for Android Wear. The game features stellar graphics (for Android Wear of course) and puts you in control of a space ship that you can control to hit and destroy incoming enemies, either through wrist movement or tap control. Decent title if you want more than casual gaming on your smart watch.

Compatibility: Android 4.3 and up

Availability: Space War (Paid) – Google Play Store

7. Ball Escape – Android Wear

A simple game with a simple objective – prevent the ball from escaping the screen. You start off with a randomly moving ball in the center of the screen, just like gas molecules, and it would try to go off one of the screen edges. Tap the edge before the ball strikes to create a barrier, pushing it in the opposite direction. The game gets frantically faster as you progress, and you’d love this title through and through no matter what kind of games you like.

Compatibility: Android 2.3.3 and up

Availability: Ball Escape – Android Wear (Paid) – Google Play Store

8. Wear Droid

The first Android Wear game in this list that features 3D graphics. Wear Droid tells the story of a professor who creates droids and leaves them for you test for durability. This obstacle course title features progressive gameplay where you can unlock different kinds of robots as you move forward. This is one of those titles that you will want to have on your smart watch just so you can show off.

Compatibility: Android 4.0.3 and up

Availability: Wear Droid (Paid) – Google Play Store

9. Repulsion

Repulsion is an addictive finger-runner for Android Wear that can be truly frustrating in its gameplay. The objective is to pick the object with either the plus or minus sign, and navigate it through a twisting and turning path whilst avoiding the opposite sign. If you think it sounds easy, think again; the small screen of your smart watch will make you go nuts with this title.

Compatibility: Android 4.4 and up

Availability: Repulsion – Android Wear (Free) – Google Play Store

10. Wear Shooter for Moto 360

Don’t judge this game by its title, literally. While it says it’s for the Moto 360, it works fine on just about any Android Wear device, although it gets a weird landscape rotation on square devices. This title is a first person shooter for smart watches which, in my personal opinion, is a must-have title for showing off what these smart devices are capable of. The gameplay is simple and straightforward, and you move around by rotating your wrist, making control all the more challenging. Since it’s a free title, I strongly urge you to give it a shot.

Compatibility: Android 2.3 and up

Availability: Wear Shooter for Moto 360 (Free) – Google Play Store

11. Bow Man Android Wear

A simple archery game for Android Wear which pits you against a computer opponent that you need to defeat to move to the next levels. The graphics are simple, and there’s nothing to write home about there. The gameplay is engaging, though, and will keep you playing as long as your smart watch’s battery lasts.

Compatibility: Android 4.0 and up

Availability: Bow Man Android Wear (Free) – Google Play Store

12. Swirl Attack – Android Wear

Remember those old arcade games that required catching stuff falling from the sky? Swirl Attack mimics that experience on your Android Wear smart watch, with touch based control of a 360-rotating circle that attracts balls of different colors, and you need to catch them at the right angle of the circle. If the description sounds confusing, the gameplay will puzzle you even further, because like similar games of the puzzle genre, this title, too, becomes progressively more difficult.

Compatibility: Android 2.3.3 and up

Availability: Swirl Attack – Android Wear (Paid) – Google Play Store

13. Flopsy Droid

OK, so who isn’t familiar with the frustrating, agonizing, and virally-popular Flappy Bird? This game is a knock off of the addictive title on your Android Wear, where you need to navigate a Google Droid through pipes. What makes Flopsy Droid even more frustrating than the actual Flappy Bird is the small screen that you have to play with, which makes judging the upcoming pipes more difficult. Take it for a spin, and be careful not to smash your smart watch’s screen in annoyance.

Compatibility: Android 4.3 and up

Availability: Flopsy Droid (Free) – Google Play Store

14. Save the Troops – Android Wear

Another “catch-em-all” genre game, where paratroopers are falling from the sky and you get to catch them in your boat before they fell in the river and meet their demise. Controls are both tap and orientation based, and if you like you use your smart watch for more futuristic outlook when gaming, motion-based control is a better choice for this title. This game also features in-app purchases to unlock content, and has pleasing graphics that are neither stellar nor really cartoonish. Since the title is free, it’s probably worth checking out for yourself.

Compatibility: Android 2.3 and up

Availability: Save The Troops – Android Wear (Free) – Google Play Store

15. Wear Rider

Wear Rider will satiate the speed buff inside you with its high-speed traffic-dodging gameplay. This game is basically an endless runner where you navigate a bike through traffic while avoiding collisions. Different stunts give you more score, and, as you’d have come to expect by now, the gameplay will become more and more difficult as you move forth. This free title works well on any Android Wear smart watch, and is worth trying out.

Compatibility: Android 4.4 and up

Availability: Wear Rider – Android Wear (Free) – Google Play Store

How To Customize Workouts On Apple Watch

Times when you are sweating it out, Apple Watch Workout app shows related metrics like your heart rate, the distance, the calories you have burnt, and more. Depending on your specific goal, you can display them on the screen or remove the ones that are less important. The watchOS offers you the needed flexibility to take complete control over the metrics. Let’s personalize them!

How to Customize Workouts Metrics for Apple Watch

How to Show a Metric in Workouts for Apple Watch

As of now, watchOS lets you show up to five metrics at a time. You can show or hide them depending on your needs. To get it done, you will have to take the help of your paired iPhone.

Step #1. Launch the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.

Step #2. Tap on My Watch tab → Scroll down and tap on Workout → Workout View.

Now, you need to tap on the workout you wish to customize.

Step #3. Tap on Edit at top right corner of the screen.

Step #4. Next, tap the Add button next to the metric which you wish to include → Finally, tap on Done.

From now onwards, the metrics will show up on the screen when you choose that specific type of workout.

How to Hide/Remove a Metric in Workouts for Apple Watch

No longer want any metric to display on the screen during a workout? You can easily hide it.

Step #1. Open Apple Watch app on your iPhone → My Watch tab → Workout → Workout View.

Step #2. Tap on the workout you wish to customize → Tap on Edit at top right corner of the screen.

Step #3. Next, tap on the Remove button next to the metric you wish to hide. Tap on Remove.

Step #4. Tap on Done.

You can switch between multiple and single metric. While the former lets you display up to five elements at a time, the latter allows you to show only one item at a time.

If you want to keep things simple, you can choose to show only one element at a time. But if you wish to display more than one crucial thing, multiple metrics would be the way to go.

How to Switch Between Multiple and Single Metric in Workouts for Apple Watch

Step #1. Open Apple Watch app on your iPhone.

Step #2. Tap on My Watch tab → Workout → Workout View.

Step #3. Now, you have two options:

Multiple Metric

Single Metric

Select any of the preferred options as per your need.

Then, quit the settings.

watchOS also lets you perfectly reorder the elements you want to show on display. For instance, you can make the heart rate appear at the top followed by active calories. Read on…

How to Reorder Metrics in Workouts for Apple Watch

Step #1. Open Apple Watch app on your iPhone → My Watch tab → Workout → Workout View.

Step #2. Tap on the workout → Tap on Edit located at the top right corner of the screen.

Step #3. Now, you need to tap and hold the reorder button next to the metric you wish to move.

Then, you have to drag the metric at your preferred location → Tap on Done.

Did you know that you could also view metrics just for your running? If you want to speed up your game or wish to improve it, you should definitely give it a shot!

How to View Metrics Just for Running in Workouts for Apple Watch

The Workout app comes with “Pace Alert” allows you to select the desired pace for your run. And whenever you go ahead or fall behind the set target, the Apple Watch will alert you.

Step #1. Open Workout app on your Apple Watch.

Step #2. Now, scroll down tap on the three dots next to Outdoor Run.

Step #3. Next, tap Average Pace Alert and then set your pace.

You can choose between Average or Rolling.

While the former signifies the average pace for the kilometers, the latter implies your one-kilometer pace.

Select any of the two options based on your goal. And then kick-start your run in top gear!

How to Specify Your Activity Type in Workout App on Apple Watch

The Workout app on your Apple Watch has some pre-set activities, which include Walking, Running, Cycling, Elliptical, Rower, Stair Stepper, HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training), Hiking, Yoga, Swimming, and Wheelchair. It is but natural that Apple cannot add every activity to the Workout app.

However, the smartwatch allows you to specify your activity type in the Workout app.

Step #1. Open the Workout app on Apple Watch.

Step #2. Scroll the list of activities and tap on ‘Other.’

Now start your activity; make sure you perform your special activity for a long time – at least for 15 minutes.

Step #3. When you finish your activity, close the workout; swipe the watch screen right and tap on End button.

Step #4. Now, tap on Name Workout on the summary screen.

Step #5. Tap on the fitting activity name from the list of activities presented in alphabetical order.

Step #6. Once you feed the activity, scroll down and tap on the Done button.

Now your new activity will be included in the list of Workout options on your Apple Watch. Moreover, this newly created category will also be available in the Activity app on your iPhone.

So what is your specialized activity you wish to include in the Workout interface?

That’s pretty much it!

Wrapping up

Apple Watch continues to be favorites for fitness and health-conscious people. The latest iteration of Apple Watch Series 4 has come up with some great features like Fall Detection, ECG Report, and more.

They have added more riches to the already impressive profile of the watch.

You might want to catch up with these posts as well:

Author Profile

Dhvanesh

The founder of iGeeksBlog, Dhvanesh, is an Apple aficionado, who cannot stand even a slight innuendo about Apple products. He dons the cap of editor-in-chief to make sure that articles match the quality standard before they are published.

How To Play Music On Apple Watch

Things to know before playing music on Apple Watch:

Apple Watch’s built-in speaker doesn’t play music.

Your Apple Watch must be connected to a Bluetooth earphone or speaker.

You must have an active Apple Music subscription and Apple Music Voice Plan to play music via Music app and Siri, respectively.

Apple Watch is not just a normal time-telling wearable; it’s a gadget that comes with a plethora of features that enrich your life. Among its various functions is the ability to play and control tracks directly from your wrist. Interesting, right? Without further ado, let us find out how you can play music on Apple Watch.

There are various ways to play songs on Apple Watch. However, you need to have your paired iPhone nearby to listen to and control music.

How to play songs from Apple Watch

Open the Music app on your Apple Watch.

Select Listen Now and utilize the Digital Crown to navigate through the available music options.

Use Siri to play music on Apple Watch

Wake up your Apple Watch by tapping on the screen or raising your wrist.

Invoke Siri by either pressing and holding the Digital Crown or saying, “Hey Siri.”

Once Siri is activated, you can command Siri something like:

“Play more songs from this album.”

“Play my workout playlist.”

“Play Apple Music Country.”

“Play cool jazz.”

“Play more like this.”

The song you requested will immediately begin playing on your connected device.

Note: You must have an active Apple Music membership in order to use Siri to play music on your Apple Watch.

How to control music on iPhone from Apple Watch

Launch the Music app on your Apple Watch.

Choose one from the options provided:

Playlists

Artists

Albums

Songs

Note: Your iPhone’s speakers will be used to play the song, but you can control the playback from Apple Watch.

How to play music on Apple Watch without iPhone

Launch the Music app on your Apple Watch.

Choose one from the options provided below:

Playlists

Artists

Albums

Songs

Made For You

Third-party apps to play music on Apple Watch

Aside from the previously indicated methods, you can also adopt an alternative approach, such as utilizing a third-party music app with your Apple Watch. These apps are designed to enhance your overall music experience and provide a diverse range of features and functionalities.

FAQs

How can I improve the battery life of my Apple Watch while playing music?

There are several options you can consider to enhance the battery life of your Apple Watch when listening to music. You can decrease the volume or check our article on how to improve your Apple Watch battery life.

How much storage space does my Apple Watch have for music?

The storage space available on your Apple Watch for music varies depending on the model you have. However, the most recent Apple Watch Ultra has a 32 GB storage capacity.

Can I use my Apple Watch to listen to podcasts?

Yes, you can use your Apple Watch to listen to podcasts. Additionally, you can use the Podcasts app to search for and play your favorite podcasts.

That’s it!

Author Profile

Bhaskar

Bhaskar is a member of the iGB family and enjoys experimenting with words and rhythms. He also has a knack for web and app development. If not writing, you may find him on strings or engaging in sports. And by evening, his quotes will be appearing on your Instagram feeds.

How To Track Sleep On Apple Watch

With watchOS 9, Apple introduced an improved sleep tracking feature to offer comprehensive and much more useful insights on the Apple Watch. You can track sleep on your Apple Watch, and know how much time you spent in REM, Core, and Deep Sleep stages. Moreover, the sleep tracking on Applpe Watch lets you analyze this data along with your heart rate and respiratory data for deeper insights. In this guide, we will exlpain how to set up Apple sleep tracking and track sleep data on Apple Watch and iPhone. So, let’s get going!

Note: The steps mentioned in this guide are applicable to all iPhone and Apple Watch models running iOS 16 & watchOS 9, respectively.

How to Enable Apple Sleep Tracking on iPhone

Before you can monitor sleep on your Apple Watch, you need to enable sleep tracking and set a schedule. You can do this on both, your Apple Watch or iPhone.

Step 1: Enable Sleep Schedule

1. Open the Health app.

3. Scroll down a little and tap Sleep.

4. If you’re tracking sleep on Apple Watch for the first time, you will need to tap Get Started and set a sleep goal before adding a schedule.

5. Under Your Schedule, tap Sleep Schedule.

6. If the Sleep Schedule is off, turn it on.

Step 2: Add & Customize Sleep Schedule

2. By default, your sleep schedule is enabled for all days of the week. If you want to disable Apple Watch sleep tracker for some days (like weekends), tap the blue circles under Days Active tab.

3. Drag the end of the sleep block to set the Bedtime and Wake Up time.

4. Now, scroll down to see Alarm Options. To set an alarm, turn the slider on for Alarm.

5. You can also choose the sound or vibration type, adjust the volume, and enable Snooze.

7. Follow the same steps to add a schedule for other days.

8. You can also set up sleep on your iPhone with additional details like adjusting the Sleep Goal (the amount of time you want to sleep) and Wind Down (when you want to enable Sleep Focus before your bedtime).

How to Enable Sleep Tracking on Apple Watch

You can enable sleep tracking directly from your Apple Watch itself. Here are the steps for it.

Step 1: Set a Sleep Schedule

1. Open the Sleep app on your Apple Watch. Scroll down and tap Next.

5. Now, tap Set Your First Schedule.

6. Under Active On, choose the days you want to set a schedule for tracking sleep on your Apple Watch. By default, all days are selected.

Step 2: Set Bedtime, Wake Up time, and Alarm

1. Now, tap Wake Up and set your preferred wake-up time. Rotate the Digital Crown to adjust the hours and minutes. Tap the checkmark to proceed.

2. The Apple Watch Sleep app will automatically choose the bedtime, according to your sleep goal. You can always scroll down and set your preferred Bedtime.

4. Hit the Add button.

5. Finally, set/ adjust the Sleep Goal and Wind Down options to suit your preferences.

6. The Apple Watch Sleep app will show you the summary of your schedule. Follow on-screen prompts and tap Done.

How to Edit Sleep Schedule on iPhone

If your routine has changed and you want to update your bedtime or wake-up time for better Apple Watch sleep tracking, you can edit the sleep schedule. Even better, you can choose to change your sleep schedule for only the following day (Next Wake Up Only) or all days (Full Schedule). Here’s how to edit your sleep schedule on an iPhone.

2. Choose Browse from the bottom and tap Sleep.

3. To Edit Sleep Schedule for the Next Day, tap on Edit below the Next option in the Your Schedule tab.

3. To Edit Full Sleep Schedule, choose Full Schedule and Options and Edit option for the schedule you want to update.

4. You can now drag the slider to adjust your Bedtime and Wake-up time. When updating the full sleep schedule, you can also change the selected days under Days Active.

6. Tap Done to finish.

If you want to delete the sleep schedule for Apple Watch sleep tracking, hit Delete Schedule from the bottom.

How to Edit Sleep Schedule on Apple Watch

Just like your iPhone, you can edit a sleep schedule on Apple Watch Sleep app. Again, you can update your sleep schedule for the next or all future days.

1. Press the Digital Crown and open the Sleep App.

3. To edit the full sleep schedule, tap Full Schedule and choose the schedule you want to edit.

3. Tap the Wake Up or Bedtime you want to change. Rotate the Digital Crown to edit hours or minutes.

4. While you’re here, you can turn the alarm ON/OFF and also adjust sounds & haptics.

5. Finally, tap Edit Schedule from the top-left corner to confirm the changes in the Apple Watch sleep app.

How to View Sleep Data on iPhone Interpreting Sleep Data on iPhone

The Stages tab will tell you the time spent in different sleep stages:

REM (dreaming) is indicated by a Light Blue Dot.

Core (light sleep) is indicated by a Blue Dot.

Deep Sleep (a restorative phase for the body and mind) is indicated by an Indigo Blue Dot.

You’ll also see an Orange Dot, notifying the amount of time you are awake at night.

The Amounts tab shows your sleep duration details like Average Time in Bed & Average Time Asleep.

The Comparisons tab shows the comparison of your sleep time with your heart rate and respiratory rate. If you have got an Apple Watch Series 8 or Apple Watch Ultra, you can also compare the sleep data with your wrist temperature measurements collected during the night.

View Sleep Data on iPhone

Note: To monitor sleep data, you must enable Sleep Tracking on your Apple Watch for at least 4 hours each night.

2. You can view the Apple sleep tracking Highlight or tap Show More Sleep Data to get complete insights including Sleep Stages, Amounts, and Comparisons.

3. By default, the bar graph will show you the daily sleep data. You can tap W, M, or 6M to monitor sleep on Apple Watch for the past week, month, or 6 months respectively.

How to View Sleep Data on Apple Watch

Open the Sleep app and scroll down to see how long you have slept the night before. You will also see the time spent in different sleep stages, and your average sleep time for the past 14 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

How To Use Airplay On Apple Watch

AirPlay on Apple devices lets you stream songs and videos to other AirPlay-compatible speakers and TV. But here’s the less-known fact: you can also use AirPlay on your Apple Watch.

Your Apple Watch has an AirPlay audio icon in its Control Center (accessed by swiping up from the watch screen’s bottom). This makes it possible to choose which device you want to play music from. Here’s how to use AirPlay on your Apple Watch.

Understand what AirPlay on Apple Watch is and its limitations

Background: The tiny speaker on your Apple Watch gives Siri answers, system feedback, etc. But it cannot use this speaker to play music. Thus, you always have to connect your Apple Watch to a compatible device like AirPods, AirPods Max, Beats headphones, third-party Bluetooth headphones, speakers, or Apple TV.

This may also make you think that you can AirPlay directly from your watch to other AirPlay devices. But you must understand that it’s just a button to choose audio output to the limited devices mentioned above. You can’t use this to connect to AirPlay Speakers, etc.

You’re limited to Bluetooth devices. This fact can be confirmed when you tap the watch’s AirPlay icon from Control Center → tap Connect a Device → it opens the Bluetooth pairing screen of the watch Settings.

Apple Insider says that AirPlay is limited on the watch to preserve battery life. I couldn’t agree more.

One more thing: You cannot stream (AirPlay) songs directly from your Apple Watch to HomePod. But if the HomePod is playing songs via, say, iPhone, you can control it using your Apple Watch.

Conclusion: AirPlay on Apple Watch is limited in functionality. It is a “select Bluetooth output device” button.

Now that you understand the crux, here’s how to use that Apple Watch AirPlay icon to select or change the audio output from your wrist.

How to use AirPlay in WatchOS

Press the Digital Crown and tap Music.

Tap Library.

Scenario 1: If no Bluetooth devices are connected, you’ll see a screen that says “Choose where to play audio.” Tap on a device name. (left image below)

To change the sound output from your wrist, tap the AirPlay icon at the bottom left.

Notes:

You can do the same process from the watch Control Center.

If music is playing from your Apple Watch, you may not see HomePod as one of the options in AirPlay. But if music is playing on the iPhone, and you’re controlling it with your Apple Watch, you may see the option for HomePod. (see the steps and image below)

How to use AirPlay icon to choose devices connected to iPhone

Open Music on your watch.

Tap On iPhone.

Control HomePod using Apple Watch

Open Now Playing on your Apple Watch.

If you see Watch or iPhone at the top left, tap < to go back.

Scroll to choose HomePod from the Now Playing screen.

Note: Make sure your HomePod, iPhone, and Apple Watch are all connected to the same Wi-Fi.

Enjoy AirPlaying audio content on your Apple Watch!

This is how you can use the AirPlay icon on your Apple Watch. I hope this guide helps answer your questions.