It turns out that Google Wear OS smartwatches contain a secret drum machine

(Image credit: Future)

You probably didn’t buy your smartwatch planning to make music on it - particularly, it has to be said, a Google-powered smartwatch - but it turns out that high-tech timepieces that run the company’s Wear OS contain a hidden drum machine.

9to5Google reports that this can be activated by going to the Flashlight app, then using a double-tap and hold gesture. A flash of colours should then appear - though it seems that this doesn’t work every time - followed by the drum machine.

This comprises a 4x4 grid of circles that can be used to sequence your beats. Different colours represent different sounds: blue is a kick drum, teal is a snare, purple is a cowbell and red is a hi-hat.

It’s not a particularly sophisticated tool - and your watch will need to have a built-in speaker or be connected to Bluetooth headphones in order to hear anything - but it certainly looks like fun.

Been playing with the recently-discovered #WearOS drum machine Easter egg. Loving that cowbell, always need more cowbell. pic.twitter.com/xcL2jm9PUOMarch 2, 2020

I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it.