Google Pixel Watch 3: upgraded for fitness

Google’s flagship smartwatch, the Google Pixel Watch 3, is set to raise the bar for fitness fanatics and lovers of wearable tech alike. In this article, we will look at some of the new features of the smart device, including its integration with Fitbit and other Google offerings.

Google Pixel Watch 3 Features

Google’s latest entry into the smartwatch arena, the Google Pixel 3 Watch, is set to be released on 10 September, with pre-orders currently available. With a heavy focus on fitness enthusiasts, the new watch not only hopes to deliver better apps and functionality but also save lives, thanks in part to a new, first-of-its-kind loss of pulse detection feature. Other highlights of the Google Pixel 3 include:

• Upgraded displays
• Activity insights
• Planning and Workout Builder
• Google ecosystem
• Colour and brand options

Loss of pulse detection

The Google Pixel Watch 3’s Loss of Pulse Detection feature is designed to detect traumatic events where the heart stops beating. This loss of pulse typically occurs during emergency situations, such as cardiac arrest, heart attacks, respiratory and circulatory issues, poisoning, or during an overdose. 

In the event that the Pixel 3 detects a loss of pulse, it can contact emergency services, sending a message containing context about the event and the user’s location. This has the potential to save lives, as runners and walkers often exercise alone or in remote areas, and someone is not always around to alert medical professionals. 

Upgraded displays

Both versions of the Pixel 3 smartwatch have upgraded displays, both in terms of size and brightness. The 41mm and 45mm sizes run on Actua displays that are reported to be twice as bright as the Pixel Watch 2, with brightness upwards of 2,000 nits. In addition, the watches are able to adjust to 1 nit in darker environments, making them a welcome addition to places where you might want to be more discreet, such as a movie theatre or a darkened room. 

Each display has a smaller bezel size as well, giving the watch face more room to shine. This equates to the 41mm having 10% more screen and the 45mm 40% more screen when compared to the Pixel Watch 2. Refresh rates have also been adjusted, running anywhere from 1Hz (in always-on-mode) to 60Hz.

The displays were also upgraded in terms of energy efficiency. Utilising the Wear OS 5 system architecture, the Google Pixel Watch 3 boasts an all-day charge. Part of this energy saving is thanks to machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence, which detects sleep patterns and down cycles to enable Bedtime Mode. This conserves battery life by turning off notifications and always-on display functionality.

Finally, for those moments when users need to conserve even more energy, they can do so by engaging the Battery Saver Mode, which extends battery life by 36 hours. It is also worth noting that the battery in the Pixel Watch 3 is larger than the previous version by up to 35% with a charge time of 20% faster.

Activity insights

Fitness enthusiasts who rely on the watch to track progress will be happy to know that Pixel 3 has updated analytics and insights for not just activity but for recovery time as well. This is achieved via three tools:

• Daily Readiness: Measures recovery metrics like resting heart rate, heart rate variability and sleep patterns, giving wearers a broader picture of how much they have recovered from their last activity.
• Cardio Load: Measures your heart’s exertion and intensity levels to help users better understand their improvement over time and whether or not they are under (or over) training.
• Target Load: Measures your Daily Readiness, activity and Cardio Load to help you personalise and optimise your fitness-recovery cycle.

Planning and Workout Builder

Geared towards runners, the Workout Builder is a running companion tool that helps you plan runs, navigate them, garner insights, and offer ways to improve your running sessions. You can build custom runs for training for marathons or other goals, such as distance, time or heart rate zones. With these goals defined, the Pixel 3 can set alerts letting you know when you have hit your warm-up, when you hit your heart-rate target, or when you need to start your next interval. 

Other features of the Workout Builder include:

• Motion sensing for form-tracking, cadence, stride measurements and ground contact time.
• Fitbit integration for personalised running recommendations, as well as Peloton workout classes.

Google Ecosystem

Pixel Watch 3 naturally takes advantage of the Google ecosystem of smart apps, giving you the ability to control smart home appliances such as your television, doorbells, and security devices, such as security cameras. For instance, you can tap into your camera to see who is knocking at your door.

In addition, users can use Google apps to:

• Record voice notes
• Search for information
• Screen and take phone calls
• Start your car (for certain manufacturers)
• Control lighting, temperature, and other appliances that are smart appliance-enabled

Colour and brand options for Pixel Watch 3

Smartwatches have grown a lot since the days of Seiko and those Transformer-styled gadgets in the 1980s. The Pixel Watch boasts a selection of stylish band options for the stye-enthusiast, including plaid, matte black, gold, silver and too many other options to list here. By default, the 41mm version comes with a Matte Obsidian case and a Matte Black band, Porcelain with Polished Silver, Hazel with Champagne Gold, or Polished Silver and Rose Quartz band. 

The 45mm Pixel Watch 3 comes in either Obsidian, Porcelain, or Matte Hazel Aluminum with a matching Hazel band. 

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