Google Pixel Watch gets Fitbit Sleep Profiles, new tiles & more
Google Pixel Watch owners will be happy to know their device is getting new features. This includes Fitbit Sleep Profiles with cute animal comparisons, along with new tiles. Fall Detection will also land soon. This is in addition to a firmware update with bugs and fixes that is rolling out this week.
The search giant has announced this at its huge quarterly Pixel Feature Drop. But some of this was known already. The Sleep Profile functionality has actually been available for a few weeks now. It encourages nightly rest in a couple of different ways.
The first element of this is a detailed analysis of ten key sleep metrics over the prior month. Users get a breakdown and analysis of trends. The ultimate goal is to pinpoint areas to focus on improving. To this end you’ll get education and guidance.
The final element of the new Sleep Profile feature is a bit more fun. Do you sleep like a tortoise, parrot, dolphin, hedgehog or bear? The device on your wrist will let you know.
Now all of this is available on the Pixel Watch. As long as you’ve worn your smartwatch for 14 nights in November, the new stats and animal comparisons should kick in. The bad news is that you need the Fitbit Premium subscription for it to work. So if you’re not seeing it, that might be the reason why.
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
Pixel Watch is also getting tile-like screens for sunrise/sunset and favourite contacts. A better Keep experience is here, too.
Finally, Google says its timepiece will get fall detection. But this will land sometime in 2023 so don’t look for it just yet. The feature will work similar to what can be found on the Apple flagship timepiece. If Pixel Watch determines you have taken a stumble or fall and are unresponsive, it will dial emergency contacts for you. Needless to say, this has the potential to be a life saving feature.
At the same time another software refresh is rolling out for Pixel Watch. But this one is much less exciting. The firmware update goes under the moniker RWD9.220429.070 and is all about fixes and improvements. That rollout has started today and will conclude over the next week.
More specifically, that update brings:
- fixes and improvements for hands-free profile (HFP) calling;
- the addition of battery saver enable/disable single tap support;
- a resolution of the problem where certain watch-face complications occasionally were not displaying correct data; and
- fix for exercise layout sometimes being cut off
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