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    Pixel Watch rumors: What we’re expecting from Google’s first smartwatch

    A rendering reportedly displaying what the Google Pixel Watch may seem like based mostly on leaks obtained from Jon Prosser. The picture is in Prosser’s video in regards to 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, but it surely would not have a smartwatch of its personal. That may all change this 12 months, nevertheless, as reviews and rumors recommend a Pixel Watch is coming within the spring of 2022.The Pixel Watch has surfaced in numerous rumors and leaks through the years, but it surely’s by no means come to fruition. As such, Google’s place within the smartwatch market is much like its earlier standing within the smartphone area earlier than the primary Pixel telephone was launched and the since-retired Nexus line earlier than that. Google’s ties to Android (and on this case, additionally Fitbit) give it numerous affect within the business. But and not using a gadget of its personal, it would 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 so much we are able to infer about Google’s strategy 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 would see from Google’s Pixel Watch.The Pixel Watch could launch in 2022Google may launch the Pixel Watch this 12 months, in accordance with Insider. The gadget could debut within the spring, however that is topic to vary based mostly on how inner testing goes, the report says. YouTuber Jon Prosser suggests the Pixel Watch will launch on May 26.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 usually makes use of this occasion to announce new merchandise and updates, though it normally 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 doubtless have a round face with a minimalist look, much like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4. That’s in accordance with leaked photos that reportedly present Google’s advertising and marketing supplies for the Pixel Watch printed by Prosser. It’s not the primary time we have seen photos claiming to point out the Pixel Watch’s spherical design. Prosser additionally posted renderings again in April displaying the watch, which he says had been based mostly on leaked photos of the particular Pixel Watch that he obtained from a supply. If these photos are correct, it appears just like the Pixel Watch may have a crown for navigation much like the Apple Watch and a design with out bezels or buttons. Google can also supply changeable bands which might be particular to the Pixel Watch, say the reviews from Prosser and Insider.There may be three completely different versionsVariety seems to be essential to Google, contemplating the corporate would possibly launch its Pixel Watch in three completely different variations, in accordance with 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 can be. It’s doable that the watch may are available three completely different sizes, for instance, or that Google is launching a selected mannequin with mobile connectivity. Read extra: Amazon Halo View overview: $80 is a good value, however you get what you pay forIt will doubtless have well being monitoring optionsGoogle’s smartwatch will no less than supply primary well being monitoring like coronary heart charge and step counting, in accordance with the reviews from Prosser and Insider. However, given the large give attention to well being that we’re seeing throughout the smartwatch business, I think about we’ll see extra superior metrics as effectively. We do not know something for sure but, however there are many prospects based mostly on Google’s different latest strikes. For instance, Google stated that Wear OS can have “the best of Fitbit” when it introduced its new smartwatch software program again in May, so we are able to doubtless count on to see extra Fitbit options. Insider’s report supplies some proof of this route, because it says Google is engaged on a selected Fitbit integration for Wear OS that may debut with the watch. However, we do not know anything about what that might entail but. We additionally know that the Google Nest Hub 2 can detect loud night breathing and monitor respiratory at evening, so it would not be shocking to see these options included into the Pixel Watch not directly. But given Fitbit’s latest give attention to Premium, there’s additionally an opportunity that extra subtle well being options on the Pixel Watch may require a subscription.

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    The battery may need to be charged nightlyLike the Apple Watch, the battery in Google’s smartwatch would possibly solely final for about someday. An inner suggestions doc referenced in Insider’s report suggests the watch may need to be charged every day. However, there’s at all times an opportunity Google may enhance this earlier than the watch truly 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 nearly sure that the Pixel Watch would run on this new software program, which guarantees to convey 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 may very well be the smartwatch that Google factors to as being the blueprint for the Wear OS expertise that third-party firms may construct on, simply as Pixel telephones have executed for Android units. The Galaxy Watch 4 runs on Wear OS, however numerous 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 the best way to do itThere’s nonetheless so much we do not know in regards to the Pixel WatchWhereas the leaks have given us a baseline of what to anticipate from the Pixel Watch, numerous essential particulars are nonetheless unknown. We do not know the way a lot the Pixel Watch may price, for instance. We additionally do not know something in regards to the chip that may energy it but, which is very essential 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 completely 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 in search of an Apple Watch various.My largest query is whether or not the Pixel Watch can have Google-specific options much like its Pixel telephones. Google has discovered artistic methods to include the Google Assistant into the telephone expertise on Pixel telephones, so I’m hoping it may possibly do the identical for its Pixel Watch. 

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