So that you simply received a Google Pixel Watch 2, and you actually aren’t certain the place to start out. Properly, not solely are you getting one of many sleekest smartwatches in the marketplace, however Google managed to offer fairly just a few upgrades over the unique Pixel Watch. Maybe the most effective a part of all of it is seeing new options and enhancements made on the software program aspect of issues.
Mant options are much like what you may discover on the unique Pixel Watch, however there are nonetheless some variations between the 2. With that in thoughts, let’s dive into the primary issues to do with the Pixel Watch 2.
Arrange Emergency SOS and Fall Detection
First launched in late 2022, Google added the flexibility on your Pixel Watch to succeed in out to Emergency Providers or a cherished one in case you want help. Though we hope you may by no means have to make use of it, we nonetheless advocate getting all the things arrange, simply in case.
1. Wake your Pixel Watch by tapping the display screen or urgent both the aspect button or the crown.
2. Swipe down on the watch face to disclose the Fast Settings panel.
3. Faucet the Settings (cog icon) button.
4. Scroll down and faucet Security & Emergency.
5. Faucet Emergency SOS.
6. Faucet the toggle subsequent to the Emergency gesture and Countdown alarm to allow them.
7. Return to the earlier display screen and faucet Emergency location service.
8. Allow Emergency location service performance.
9. Exit the Settings app.
The function is accessible for each generations of the Pixel Watch, with the one distinction coming down as to whether you personal an LTE or Wi-Fi mannequin. In case you have a Pixel Watch 2 with LTE, your smartwatch will have the ability to make the required calls instantly. In any other case, your cellphone will have to be inside vary of your smartwatch as it’s going to depend on the cellphone to make the decision.
One other new function launched by Google for the Pixel Watch lineup is the flexibility on your wearable to detect if you fall. It does so by using on-device Machine Studying paired with the built-in movement sensors. It, too, is accessible on each the Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2, however like Emergency SOS, Fall Detection must first be enabled.
1. Open the Pixel Watch app in your cellphone.
2. Scroll down and choose Security & emergency.
3. Faucet Fall detection.
4. Faucet the toggle subsequent to Use fall detection to the On place.
When your Pixel Watch 2 acknowledges that you have fallen and wish help, it’s going to “vibrate, sound an alarm, and verify in case you need assistance.” This occurs after 30 seconds, and in case you do not reply, it’s going to then name emergency companies utilizing an “automated message that gives your location and requests assist.”
Sync DND & Bedtime Mode together with your cellphone
One of many extra shocking options launched with the Pixel Watch 2 was the flexibility to lastly sync Do Not Disturb and Bedtime Mode together with your cellphone. This has been a long-requested function, and till it was revealed, left many questioning why it wasn’t already out there.
1. Open the Pixel Watch app in your cellphone.
2. Scroll down and faucet Notifications.
3. Swipe down and faucet the toggle subsequent to Sync throughout watch and cellphone.
Beforehand you would need to arrange the DND and Bedtime Mode in your cellphone and watch, individually. It was extra of a headache than anything, so for sure we’re glad to see this function added.
Unlock your cellphone together with your watch
When Google introduced the December 2023 Characteristic Drop, the corporate lastly added the brand new Watch Unlock function. This was initially launched again in 2022 however had but to really make its technique to gadgets.
Watch Unlock is pretty much like the Good Lock performance that we have loved on Android for years. With this function arrange and enabled, you can routinely unlock your cellphone without having to enter a passcode. As you would possibly suspect, this function must first be enabled earlier than you can begin utilizing it.
1. Open the Watch app in your cellphone.
2. Scroll down and faucet Watch preferences.
3. Faucet Safety.
4. Faucet Watch Unlock.
5. When prompted, enter your cellphone’s PIN or password.
6. Scroll to the underside of the web page and faucet the Verify button.
7. If you have not already arrange a display screen lock on your watch, you may be prompted to take action. Simply comply with the on-screen steps out of your Pixel Watch.
8. As soon as full, faucet the Carried out button.
Understand that this function is just out there for Pixel telephones working Android 13 or greater, so you may be out of luck in case you personal another kind of Android cellphone. Watch Unlock additionally doesn’t work on tablets or different gadgets.
Change and customise your watch face
It is one factor to swap out your watch band for one thing that matches your temper. However, simply doing one thing so simple as utilizing a special watch face can change the best way you view smartwatches. Fortunately, Google features a plethora of choices to select from, a few of that are moderately fundamental, whereas others might be custom-made to your coronary heart’s content material.
1. Open the Watch app in your cellphone.
2. Faucet the Watch faces button.
3. If enhancing the present watch face, faucet the Edit button beneath the preview.
4. If including a brand new watch face, faucet the + Add new button.
5. Choose a watch face so as to add.
6. Make any modifications to the assorted kinds and problems.
7. Faucet the Add button beneath the watch face preview.
8. Within the high proper nook, faucet the again arrow.
9. Swipe left or proper to find the newly created watch face.
10. Faucet the Use on watch button.
Understand that you do not have to stay to the built-in watch faces that Google offers. There are many watch faces and apps you’ll be able to obtain from the Play Retailer if Google would not have something that tickles your fancy. Take a look at the subsequent part to get began with the Play Retailer in your Pixel Watch 2.
Obtain your apps
One space that was a degree of rivalry when it got here to the Put on OS platform was the standard of the apps. In 2023, Google started making strides to vary that, because it launched new necessities for builders to be able to present a “fundamental constant expertise throughout all apps.”
Whereas smartwatch apps aren’t almost as feature-rich as their cellphone counterparts, they will nonetheless turn out to be useful. Plus, with the addition of problems to numerous watch faces, your Pixel Watch 2 can change into much more versatile than it already is.
Once you undergo the preliminary setup course of, you may be prompted to put in apps which might be already out there in your cellphone. However you may also manually seek for and set up apps proper from the Google Play Retailer app in your wrist. Google has even made it simple to put in Put on OS apps out of your cellphone, because of the drop-down menu subsequent to the set up button within the Play Retailer.
Get some spare watch bands
Together with utilizing a special watch face, one other technique to customise your Pixel Watch 2 is to make the most of a special watch band. Perhaps the default silicone band has simply worn out, otherwise you need one thing to match your outfit. Fortunately, there are a plethora of Pixel Watch 2 bands out there, even with Google nonetheless using a proprietary band connector.
You may even go as far as to make use of virtually any band that tickles your fancy, as you’ll be able to seize an adapter, connect a standard 20mm watch band, and be in your method. This makes for countless mixtures so that you can combine and match relying on what you are doing, or your temper.
Google Pixel Watch Lively Sport Band
Default for exercises
Google’s Lively Sport Band may not be probably the most thrilling band, but it surely’s implausible if you’d like a silicone band that breaths. It is out there in just a few completely different colours, and matches the Pixel Watch 2 completely.
Google Pixel Watch Woven Band
Distinctive, however not for everybody
It is apparent that Google is prepared to attempt various things with the Pixel Watch 2, as evidenced by the Woven Band. This too, is available in just a few completely different colours, however you may wish to take note of the scale of your wrist as even the most important choice is perhaps too small.
Ringke Google Pixel Watch Steel One Band
Flashy, smooth, and formal
There’s one thing to be mentioned about pairing a smartwatch with a steel band. Not solely does it go properly with virtually each state of affairs, but it surely additionally provides you the sensation that you simply’re carrying a “conventional” watch as a substitute of 1 which you could make calls from.
Pay together with your Watch 2
I do not learn about you, however the comfort of having the ability to pay for issues proper from my wrist is extremely handy. Google Pockets on the Pixel Watch 2 is nearly the proper mixture, as you may solely have to double-press the crown to provoke the method.
The one “catch” is that the Google Pockets app in your cellphone must be arrange first, earlier than you’ll be able to try to set it up on the Pixel Watch 2. Fortunately, we’ve an wonderful information which you could try, so you can begin utilizing your watch to pay for issues.
1. Double-press the crown in your Pixel Watch.
2. Swipe to the left to undergo the tutorial.
3. Faucet the Add card+ button.
4. You’ll be taken to the Pockets app in your Android cellphone.
5. Faucet the Add to look at button.
6. Choose one of many pre-existing playing cards connected to Google Pay, or faucet New credit score or debit card.
7. If including a brand new card, comply with the on-screen steps to finish the method.
Not solely will you have the ability to pay for objects with Google Pockets in your Pixel Watch 2, however you may also entry your numerous passes and loyalty playing cards for simple entry. It is tremendous handy!
Effective-tune your notifications
Even when you do not have a whole lot of the most effective Android apps put in in your cellphone, you continue to most likely get extra notifications than you need. So if you pair the Pixel Watch 2 to your cellphone, you may be always berated by apps making an attempt to get your consideration. Fortunately, you do not have to let each app hassle you and might customise what notifications really seem in your wrist.
1. Open the Pixel Watch app in your cellphone.
2. Scroll down and faucet Notifications.
3. Faucet the toggle subsequent to the app to show off its notifications.
4. If you wish to customise which apps can ship notifications, faucet See all apps from final 7 days.
5. Undergo the checklist of functions and faucet every one that you simply wish to flip off.
The one different factor that we advocate is to return and prune the checklist of accredited apps. In any other case, you may finish proper again at sq. one all since you downloaded just a few new apps that caught your eye.
Seize a spare charger
One of the crucial irritating points of the greatest smartwatches is that a lot of them use a proprietary charger. This consists of the Pixel Watch 2, as it is not even the identical Qi charging puck as the unique Pixel Watch. As an alternative, Google opted to introduce pogo pins, because it offers quicker and extra dependable charging speeds.
Whereas Google features a charging cable within the field, we extremely advocate selecting up a spare one. In any other case, you would possibly find yourself like my colleague Nick Sutrich, who had a rabbit chew by way of his Pixel Watch cable and was out of luck till he grabbed a substitute.
It is also value mentioning that in case you’re upgrading from a Fitbit Sense 2 or Versa 4, these chargers will work with the Pixel Watch 2.
Discover what Fitbit can do for you
Though the {hardware} might need been a bit lackluster, in some regards, that is not the case with Fitbit’s cell app. It is change into fairly clear that Google is about on slowly rebranding the Fitbit that we knew and cherished. Nevertheless, Google has additionally proven that the Fitbit app will probably be how you retain monitor of your numerous exercises and metrics.
Google consists of six months of Fitbit Premium with each Pixel Watch 2 buy, providing you with entry to “unique exercises, mindfulness classes, and extra.” Fitbit Premium additionally provides quite a lot of different options, together with personalised insights and even a wellness report.
Even in case you decide out of Premium after the six-month trial has concluded, the Fitbit app nonetheless serves because the hub for monitoring your numerous well being metrics. In the course of the setup course of, you are prompted to attach the Fitbit app to your Pixel Watch 2, and from there, we advocate testing what the app has to supply. Plus, the six-month trial ought to take loads of time to find out whether or not it is value signing up for the subscription or simply counting on the free options.
Benefit from the Pixel Watch 2
Final, however actually not least — simply take pleasure in your new smartwatch. The Pixel Watch 2 may not be as flashy because the Galaxy Watch 6 Traditional, but it surely does have a number of bells and whistles to take pleasure in. There are many options that make this among the best Android smartwatches, and we’re glad to see Google committing to wearables.
Virtually excellent
There’s so much to love in regards to the Pixel Watch 2, even when it is perhaps a bit too small for some. Google appears devoted to bettering its wearable platform, and what higher technique to get in on the bottom flooring than with the corporate’s personal {hardware}?
