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The Google Pixel Watch 4 will not arrive for an additional 12 months, however that hasn’t stopped us from brainstorming all of the methods it could repair the Pixel Watch 3’s shortcomings come 2025.
The Pixel Watch 3 specs and design sound awfully just like the Pixel Watch 2 in a whole lot of methods; though we respect the brand new 45mm dimension choice, a whole lot of different issues carried over from the final technology.
Whereas our Pixel Watch 3 hands-on impressed us, a lot of our pleasure comes from the brand new software program tips like AI-generated exercises, Nest Cam livestreams, cardio load, Google TV distant controls, and so forth. By the Pixel Watch 4 launch, we are able to hope for brand new {hardware} perks.
Right here is our early Google Pixel Watch 4 wishlist for areas of enchancment, plus the scant rumors and patents we have heard about Google’s subsequent smartwatch.
Google Pixel Watch 4: Rumors and patents
Google patents dozens of concepts per thirty days, lots of which is able to by no means see the sunshine of day in a business product. That stated, there are just a few Pixel Watch and Fitbit patents we have noticed that we would like to see within the Pixel Watch 4, in idea.
Essentially the most weird and intriguing Pixel Watch patent is one the place Google turns its rounded-edge bezel right into a squeezable, touch-sensitive management interface. Within the reveals beneath, you’ll be able to see how Google envisions you tapping or sliding particular parts of the Pixel Watch edge to set off actions like music controls, a flashlight, or a favourite app.
You possibly can squeeze the display screen to pause a tune or open a notification, probably as an alternative of utilizing the Pixel Watch 3’s trademark crown. The patent features a lengthy checklist of potential actions based mostly on the size, path, pace, or location of your swipe or squeeze, which sounds a bit too sophisticated to work in follow however nonetheless sounds intriguing.
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We extremely doubt the Pixel Watch 4 would ditch its crown, however utilizing the bezel edge for controls is not that totally different from what Samsung does with its digital contact bezel on the Galaxy Watch 7.
One other intriguing patent comes from the Google-owned Fitbit, claiming the concept for a smartwatch “Match Rating” that informs the person how effectively the watch’s backside sensors can learn your well being knowledge based mostly on how snugly you are sporting it, in addition to “variations in wrist dimension, pores and skin coloration, hair density, BMI, fats share, and the likes.”
The Pixel Watch 4 would wish a “Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS)” that might regulate your knowledge if it detected that your watch wasn’t fitted correctly; for instance, it will disregard low SpO2 warnings in case your watch comes unfastened whilst you’re sleeping.
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One other Fitbit patent that makes use of on-wrist video games to monitor your psychological well being could possibly be a pleasant function, however we’re focusing extra on potential Pixel Watch 4 {hardware} adjustments. On that observe, Fitbit has patented a number of blood stress monitoring methods up to now few years, together with one this August. We all know Google needs to implement these sensors quickly; we simply doubt it’s going to be consumer-ready by the Pixel Watch 4.
We additionally noticed a Fitbit patent for detecting arterial stiffness as a warning signal for cardiovascular points.
Past these long-term plans and concepts, we do not know but what Google has deliberate for the Pixel Watch 4; Google itself most likely does not know but. So let’s focus on what they ought to do.
Google Pixel Watch 4 wishlist
The Google Pixel Watch 3 ought to preserve the Watch 2’s place among the many finest Put on OS watches as soon as we have absolutely reviewed it, however the competitors is not that fierce, and software program is not Google’s predominant problem.
Listed here are all of the ways in which the Google Pixel Watch 4 ought to enhance on its predecessor.
Higher battery life
After we take a look at the finest Android watches, lots of them can final in a spread from 40–100 hours, relying on the dimensions and setting. The Pixel Watch 3’s 24 hours with AOD or 36 hours with Battery Saver settings are decrease than the remainder of the competitors. Even earlier than we evaluation it, we all know that is a draw back for lots of people, particularly people who use watches for sleep monitoring.
To be clear, most watches with three-day battery lives just like the OnePlus Watch 2 and TicWatch Professional 5 are bigger and heavier than the Pixel Watch 3, with about twice the battery capability. However the truth stays that these watches are rather more handy to make use of as a result of they do not require day by day prices.
By the Pixel Watch 4 launch, we would like to see Google make use of its Put on OS Hybrid Interface and rely extra on the Cortex coprocessor (or a extra environment friendly MCU) to stretch out its battery life to 48+ hours with out AOD. That’ll most likely begin by including a greater CPU, which brings us to our subsequent level…
Add a brand new Snapdragon or Tensor CPU
Qualcomm developed the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 in 2022, and it mainly saved the Put on OS model by giving watches the facility they wanted to revamp their software program. Nonetheless, its 4nm silicon is already behind Samsung’s 3nm Exynos W1000 within the Galaxy Watch 7, and we would count on a correct efficiency enhance after three years.
Our first hope is that Qualcomm broadcasts a brand new Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 CPU at its upcoming Snapdragon Summit, or at any level earlier than subsequent summer time so the Pixel Watch 4 can incorporate it. Ideally, it will carry out background duties extra effectively to stretch out the Watch 4’s lifespan.
Instead, we all know that Google is tough at work growing a 3nm Tensor G5 CPU utilizing TSMC as an alternative of Samsung, to make the Pixel 10 sooner and extra environment friendly than the Pixel 9. It additionally made a proprietary Tensor A1 CPU for its Pixel Buds Professional 2. If Google could make its personal 3nm Watch 4 CPU through TSMC, that might be thrilling in its personal proper.
Twin-band GPS and new sport focuses
The Pixel Watch 3 launch explicitly focused runners with new software program like customized run exercises, Fitbit Premium AI-generated day by day run exercises, weekly cardio load monitoring versus your goal load, operating type evaluation, and a Morning Transient showcasing your Day by day Readiness to work. It additionally promised “essentially the most correct coronary heart fee for operating” with a brand new Watch 3 HR algorithm that reduces “mild artifacts” throughout fast-paced actions.
So why on Earth did not Google give the Pixel Watch 3 dual-band GPS the one {hardware} improve it wanted to take full benefit of this?
GPS-only operating watches battle with sign blockage, exhibiting you off your precise operating route once you’re close to tall buildings or beneath foliage. It might considerably change your estimated run distance and tempo. That is why we have been completely satisfied to see Samsung give the Galaxy Watch 7 dual-band GPS, and different manufacturers like Amazfit have introduced dual-band monitoring to cheaper watches.
By the Pixel Watch 4, we hope to see Google rectify this and supply extra correct monitoring. On high of that, we hope that Google and Fitbit proceed to enhance their health software program for different sports activities like biking or mountain climbing. Operating was place to begin, however they need to preserve going.
A correct wheelchair mode
It is unconscionable that so few smartwatch manufacturers and working methods have applied a wheelchair mode. Of us like Android Central’s Jerry Hildenbrand cannot get enthusiastic about watches that solely supply “steps” as an alternative of “pushes” and have transfer alerts that insist you arise when you’ll be able to’t.
That is why the Garmin Venu 3, with its devoted wheelchair mode that judges issues like cardio vitality in another way to take incapacity into consideration, is such an important choice. And it is disappointing that we have not seen the same tack taken by different watch manufacturers. Ideally, when the Pixel Watch 4 tracks your Fitbit Energetic Zone Minutes, it’s going to give wheelchair-bound people a tailor-made expertise.
New well being knowledge
Whereas the Pixel Watch 2 added some thrilling health-tracking tips like steady physique response (cEDA), passive irregular coronary heart rhythm warnings, and pores and skin temperature, the one new well being function the Pixel Watch 3 gives is the Lack of Pulse function that makes use of the PPG and put on detection to find out when you’re experiencing a cardiac occasion and name emergency companies for you.
We love this function, however we hope that Google and Fitbit can carry new well being knowledge with the Pixel Watch 4 exterior of emergencies. We wrote above about Fitbit patents for blood stress or arterial stiffness, that are attainable candidates.
Samsung just lately gave its Galaxy Watch 7 blue, yellow, violet, and ultraviolet LEDs to allow new well being knowledge just like the AGEs Index, that are “merchandise shaped when sugar interacts with proteins or fat within the bloodstream.” A excessive Index corresponds with potential “diabetes, coronary heart illness, and renal failure” points, making it helpful as a preventative metric. The Pixel Watch 4 does not have to trace AGEs particularly, nevertheless it’s the sort of factor we would like Google to concentrate on so rivals do not depart it behind.
We’ve loads of different potential requests for the Pixel Watch 4. One colleague with the Pixel Watch 2 says he needs Google to enhance notifications, making them seen with out all the time having to show your wrist or faucet the display screen. One other stated jokingly that he needs the Pixel Watch to morph into a sensible ring at evening; we all know there is a potential Fitbit Ring in growth, so perhaps we’ll see that alongside the Watch 4.
Google follows Samsung’s lead rather a lot, and what with the brand new Samsung Galaxy Watch Extremely making waves, we marvel if we’ll see a Pixel Watch Extremely subsequent 12 months, addressing a few of our complaints with longer battery life. We’re unsure if we would truly need this, as a lot as we would hope the bottom Pixel Watch 4 improves by itself.
No want to attend
The Google Pixel Watch 4 may make among the fixes above, however the Pixel Watch 3 is already an important enchancment in its personal proper. You get a brand new dimension choice, revamped show, sooner wi-fi downloads, sooner charging speeds, and different upgrades. It is certainly one of our favourite watches of the 12 months to date.
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