A rendering reportedly exhibiting what the Google Pixel Watch may appear like based mostly on leaks obtained from Jon Prosser. The picture is in Prosser’s video concerning the Pixel Watch on the YouTube channel Front Page Tech.
Jon Prosser/Front Page Tech
Google already owns Fitbit and makes software program for Android wearables, however it does not have a smartwatch of its personal. That may all change subsequent 12 months, nonetheless, as a current report from Insider suggests a Pixel Watch is coming in 2022.The Pixel Watch has surfaced in varied rumors and leaks through the years, however it’s by no means come to fruition. As such, Google’s place within the smartwatch market is just like its earlier standing within the smartphone house earlier than the primary Pixel cellphone was launched and the since-retired Nexus line earlier than that. Google’s ties to Android (and on this case, additionally Fitbit) give it lots of affect within the trade. But with no gadget of its personal, it does not have an actual place out there like its rivals do.
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Although rumors a few Pixel Watch have circulated through the years, many particulars about Google’s reported plans for its personal smartwatch are nonetheless unclear. That being stated, there’s rather a lot we are able to infer about Google’s method to smartwatches based mostly on its new model of Wear OS and acquisition of Fitbit. Here’s a more in-depth take a look at what we’d see from Google’s Pixel Watch.The Pixel Watch might launch in 2022Google may launch the Pixel Watch subsequent 12 months, in response to Insider. The gadget might debut within the spring, however that is topic to vary based mostly on how inside testing goes, the report says.If Google is eyeballing a spring launch, there’s an opportunity we may see the Pixel Watch arrive at its I/O convention. That occasion is mostly thought of to be Google’s largest of the 12 months, and it usually takes place in May. Google typically makes use of this occasion to announce new merchandise and updates, though it often saves {hardware} like Pixel telephones, Pixel Buds and new Nest merchandise for the autumn. Read extra: These smartphones are coming subsequent 12 months and we’re already excitedIt may have a spherical designGoogle’s Pixel Watch will seemingly have a round face with a minimalist look, just like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4. That’s in response to leaked pictures that reportedly present Google’s advertising supplies for the Pixel Watch revealed by YouTuber Jon Prosser. It’s not the primary time we have seen pictures claiming to indicate the Pixel Watch’s spherical design. Prosser additionally posted renderings again in April exhibiting the watch, which he says had been based mostly on leaked pictures of the particular Pixel Watch that he acquired from a supply. If these pictures are correct, it seems just like the Pixel Watch may have a crown for navigation just like the Apple Watch and a design with out bezels or buttons. Google might also supply changeable bands which might be particular to the Pixel Watch, say the stories from Prosser and Insider.There could be three totally different versionsVariety seems to be vital to Google, contemplating the corporate may launch its Pixel Watch in three totally different variations, in response to German tech weblog WinFuture. But that report dates again to 2018, so it is unclear if these particulars are nonetheless correct. We additionally do not know what the distinction between these three fashions will likely be. It’s potential that the watch may are available in three totally different sizes, for instance, or that Google is launching a particular mannequin with mobile connectivity. Read extra: Amazon Halo View overview: $80 is a good value, however you get what you pay forIt will seemingly have well being monitoring optionsGoogle’s smartwatch will not less than supply primary well being monitoring like coronary heart fee and step counting, in response to the stories from Prosser and Insider. However, given the massive deal with well being that we’re seeing throughout the smartwatch trade, I think about we’ll see extra superior metrics as nicely. We do not know something for sure but, however there are many potentialities based mostly on Google’s different current strikes. For instance, Google stated that Wear OS could have “the best of Fitbit” when it introduced its new smartwatch software program again in May, so we are able to seemingly anticipate to see extra Fitbit options. Insider’s report gives some proof of this path, because it says Google is engaged on a particular Fitbit integration for Wear OS that may debut with the watch. However, we do not know the rest about what that would entail but. We additionally know that the Google Nest Hub 2 can detect loud night breathing and monitor respiratory at night time, so it would not be shocking to see these options included into the Pixel Watch indirectly. But given Fitbit’s current deal with Premium, there’s additionally an opportunity that extra refined well being options on the Pixel Watch may require a subscription.
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The battery might need to be charged nightlyLike the Apple Watch, the battery in Google’s smartwatch may solely final for about at some point. An inside suggestions doc referenced in Insider’s report suggests the watch might need to be charged every day. However, there’s at all times an opportunity Google may enhance this earlier than the watch really launches. The Pixel Watch will run on Wear OSGoogle launched its revamped Wear OS smartwatch platform, which it developed in collaboration with Samsung, at Google I/O 2021. So it appears virtually sure that the Pixel Watch would run on this new software program, which guarantees to deliver quicker efficiency, a extra intuitive person interface, and higher integration with Google and Fitbit companies. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 4 already runs on the brand new Wear OS, so the Pixel Watch would not be the primary. But it might be the smartwatch that Google factors to as being the blueprint for the Wear OS expertise that third-party corporations may construct on, simply as Pixel telephones have accomplished for Android units. The Galaxy Watch 4 runs on Wear OS, however lots of options are nonetheless tied to Samsung’s personal apps and repair, as my colleague Scott Stein wrote in his overview. Read extra: Setting up your new Apple Watch is less complicated than you suppose. Here’s find out how to do itThere’s nonetheless rather a lot we do not know concerning the Pixel WatchWhereas the leaks have given us a baseline of what to anticipate from the Pixel Watch, lots of vital particulars are nonetheless unknown. We do not understand how a lot the Pixel Watch may value, for instance. We additionally do not know something concerning the chip that will energy it but, which is very vital given the debut of Google’s new Tensor chip within the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. The older report from WinFuture says Google was working with Qualcomm on the Pixel Watch, so there’s an opportunity we may see Qualcomm’s newest wearables chip. Even the rumored identify, Pixel Watch, may shift. Insider’s report says Google has been referring to the watch by a number of totally different names and it is unclear what branding it could select.Device compatibility can also be up within the air. Earlier watches that ran Google’s Android Wear platform are appropriate with each Android and iOS, permitting iPhone customers to pair up with watches working Google’s OS very similar to how Fitbit units work on each platforms. But the Galaxy Watch 4 launched as an Android phone-only expertise, elevating questions as as to if future Wear OS units will help iOS for these on the lookout for an Apple Watch various.My largest query is whether or not the Pixel Watch could have Google-specific options just like its Pixel telephones. Google has discovered inventive methods to include the Google Assistant into the cellphone expertise on Pixel telephones, so I’m hoping it may do the identical for its Pixel Watch.