Google Pixel Watch 2: What we want to see

The Pixel Watch is definitely one in every of our favourite smartwatches. After years of rumors and leaks, Google gave us a smartwatch that not solely appears nice nevertheless it runs Wear OS extremely nicely and even brings Fitbit into the combination. As Google’s first smartwatch, it is fairly spectacular.However, the Pixel Watch is way from one of the best Android smartwatch in the marketplace, and there are a variety of issues Google can be taught from its first yr with its personal smartwatch {hardware}. The firm might probably introduce the successor to the Pixel Watch later this yr, so if it does, there are some methods we expect Google can enhance on the expertise with the Pixel Watch 2.Better battery life(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)While the Pixel Watch is a superb smartwatch, Wear OS is not precisely identified for being simple on the battery. In our expertise, the watch lasts roughly a day on a single cost, perhaps a day and a half if we’re fortunate. It’s not precisely identified for longevity, which does not bode nicely for Google’s first smartwatch.With Google’s next-generation Pixel Watch, the corporate must attempt to set an ordinary with battery life. Pixel smartphones have fairly nice battery life, so the watch must match.Of course, it’d assist if Google used a extra up-to-date chipset. The firm is outwardly utilizing the Exynos 9110 chip, which is constructed on a 10nm course of. It performs very nicely however just isn’t as environment friendly as Samsung’s newer Exynos W920 chip used within the Galaxy Watch 5 collection. Perhaps utilizing the newer chip alongside a devoted co-processor will assist enhance battery life.Refine the design(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)Having a crown on a smartwatch is not precisely distinctive. For watches that do not have capacitive or rotating bezels, à la Galaxy Watch, it is a useful addition that makes navigating menus somewhat simpler. However, the position of the crown might be a difficulty for some.One criticism Fossil smartwatch homeowners have is that the crown can get in the best way when understanding due to how one’s hand is commonly positioned when performing sure exercises and workouts. It could cause undesirable button presses, and in case your hand is held in place lengthy sufficient, you possibly can by chance energy your watch off. It’s a little bit of a problem whenever you’re attempting to make use of your watch to trace your exercise.Google would possibly wish to take into account transferring the crown, so it isn’t positioned on the middle. Similar to how Samsung and Mobvoi place two buttons on the high and backside whereas protecting the middle button-free, Google might place the crown on the underside whereas the multitasking button might stay as a replacement (this is able to clearly be totally different for left-handed customers that put on their watches on their proper arms). This manner, the crown is not digging into your hand throughout exercises.And talking of the button, Google ought to make it in order that it isn’t so flush with the chassis and take into account altering its place in order that it protrudes from the aspect and never from slightly below the watch; that manner, it’s going to be a bit simpler to press.Bigger display screen and extra sizes(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Many of one of the best Wear OS watches can be found in multiple case measurement. However, for some purpose, Google opted for a one-size-fits-all smartwatch. Unfortunately, the 41mm case measurement is on the smaller finish of smartwatches.Google ought to introduce a second bigger measurement for the Pixel Watch 2, at someplace round 43mm or 44mm. It must also include a bigger show for each fashions. 1.2 inches is fairly small — even the smaller Fossil Gen 6 fashions have nearer to a 1.3-inch show. Smartwatches aren’t actually the place one goes for content material, however studying notifications and issues could be lots simpler with a bigger show.And on that word, Google must do one thing about these bezels. They’re not as dangerous as we as soon as thought they’d be, they usually mix fairly seamlessly with the show, which is a pleasant contact. But when utilizing the watch, the bezels are fairly noticeable.More (cheaper) third-party bands(Image credit score: Google)Part of the Pixel Watch’s allure is the truth that, just like the Apple Watch, Google went with a proprietary connector for Pixel Watch bands. However, whereas they might look good, they’ll restrict the choice for third-party bands versus different Android smartwatches just like the Fossil Gen 6 that go together with extra normal connectors.One of the most important complaints amongst Android Central workers in terms of the Pixel Watch is that there must be a much bigger collection of official third-party bands. Not solely is the present collection of third-party bands small, however lots of them look low cost, have unfastened connections, or simply fully fall off.It would not assist that Google’s first-party bands are very costly. The firm actually must associate with third-party accent makers so we are able to have a bigger and higher collection of bands at extra reasonably priced costs.Qi wi-fi charging(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)One of the most important issues with wearables is all of the proprietary charging options. No two wearables have the identical charger, and it may be fairly obnoxious for these of us with a number of smartwatches or wearable gadgets. And whereas laws is being put in place for USB-C to grow to be the usual throughout smartphones and bigger gadgets, smartwatches haven’t got such guidelines.Some smartwatches, like Samsung’s Galaxy Watch line, have some type of wi-fi charging, however you will not discover Qi charging help, which has grow to be an ordinary for smartphones and is even appropriate with many wi-fi earbuds. Fossil states that it didn’t embody Qi with its Gen 6 smartwatch as a result of it is slower and it will make the watches thicker. However, the comfort of wi-fi charging might outweigh these complaints, particularly if you would like a comparatively fast top-up and you do not have your watch charger round.Last yr, there was numerous hullabaloo about wi-fi charging on the Pixel Watch, which is not formally supported. However, it is a characteristic we’d like to see on the following model, even when it means a barely thicker gadget.More options(Image credit score: Chris Wedel / Android Central)Google has been steadily including extra options to the Pixel Watch, which is sweet. However, there are some options we wish to see the corporate embody with the launch of its subsequent watch.For starters, we want the choice to customise the buttons. Right now, Pixel Watch customers are on the mercy of no matter Google has assigned for the crown and the button, and there is no strategy to change this. Even on Fossil smartwatches, customers are in a position to customise the double-press of the crown. And whereas the app switcher operate of the button is a lot helpful, Google ought to supply some degree of customization for the button.Other options we’d like to see embody extra ringtone customization, extra “classic” model watch faces from Google, and the choice to customise the fast settings menu. The watch must also sync modes with a smartphone, so when a Pixel goes into Bedtime Mode, the watch ought to sync with the telephone as a substitute of getting to manually flip it on. This must also apply to Do Not Disturb and alarms.