7 Google Pixel Watch options you are not utilizing (however undoubtedly ought to)

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The Google Pixel Watch 4 is probably the most clever smartwatch obtainable immediately.
• A few of these options can be found for previous-generation Pixel Watch fashions.
• Fairly than settle for the default settings, discover what your watch can do for you. 

I spend loads of time testing smartwatches and bounce round making an attempt the most recent and biggest options and features. It wasn’t till Google launched a bigger mannequin that the Pixel Watch appealed to me for longer than the take a look at interval. 

With this 12 months’s Pixel Watch 4 supporting longer battery life, satellite tv for pc SOS connectivity, and the brand new Fitbit Premium AI coach, I’m able to commit to at least one look ahead to an extended interval.

Additionally: I discovered a smartwatch that is simply as dependable as my Garmin (however less expensive)

After a number of weeks of utilizing the watch, exploring default apps, settings, and different features, I consider there are a number of options everybody ought to concentrate on to get pleasure from an optimum Pixel Watch 4 expertise.

Let’s take a better take a look at some worthy options — and when you have others so as to add to the record, please share them right here for us to get pleasure from.

1. Generative AI in messages

Regardless of my lengthy historical past of utilizing cell know-how, I have been sluggish to undertake AI as a result of I have been too busy to completely examine its usefulness and talent to assist enhance my effectivity. I additionally want to create unique content material and belief my very own experiences.

Additionally: Amazfit simply acquired the one Garmin function I exploit daily – and now I am conflicted

Nevertheless, there’s one superior function I exploit the entire time on the Pixel Watch 4 — generative AI responses in Google Messages. The LLM-powered messages are created on the gadget, so they seem rapidly and could be despatched instantly.

When a message notification seems in your Pixel Watch, swipe up on the notification to see reply choices. You’ll then see a number of Sensible Reply choices seem. You possibly can faucet on one to ship the reply. Thus far, I’ve discovered the replies to be extra helpful than typical good replies, equivalent to Sure, No, I can not reply, Name you later, and others.

2. Customise notifications

Talking of notifications, smartwatches are wonderful for serving to you triage your communications. Nevertheless, suppose each single utility in your smartphone has notifications despatched to your watch. In that case, you’ll be able to spend a substantial period of time interacting along with your watch, and cut back battery life for extra important features.

Additionally: One of the underrated smartwatches I’ve examined simply set a 55-hour battery life report

Sadly, all notifications are enabled by default after you arrange your Pixel Watch. Ensure you go to the Watch smartphone utility after which manually choose the notifications you need within the app settings.

3. Watch faces and issues

One of many first issues I do with each smartwatch is customise and optimize the watch face and issues to supply me with one of the best person expertise. Google’s Pixel Watch 4 has a few of the best-looking and finest animated watch faces obtainable on any smartwatch.

Additionally: Which smartwatch has one of the best security options? I examined all of them, and here is how Google fares

The slick animations of the Concentric watch face, with its half-dial format, have made it my present default watch face. The bigger domed show of the Pixel Watch 4 makes the expertise even higher.

I extremely suggest tapping the edit choice within the watch face selector to decide on your most popular watch face colour, choose a cool format, and select the issues that give you the glanceable info you want. Issues can be found for default Google apps and third-party purposes. On my Pixel Watch 4, there are presently greater than 60 issues to select from, which is a large quantity in comparison with most different smartwatches.

4. Materials Expressive Tiles

Along with the watch faces, the Tiles are a key element of the Pixel Watch expertise. Swiping left or proper from the watch face takes you thru the entire Tiles that you’ve chosen to look in your watch. 

With the Pixel Watch 4 — and the most recent model of Put on OS, with Materials 3 Expressive look — the Tiles are extra succesful and exquisite. Some Tiles now have a number of panels with key info proper on the Tile, making them extra helpful and informative with out even having to faucet into the small print of the Tile. Actions, equivalent to create a notice, create a listing, report a voice notice, set an alarm, and extra, are entrance and heart within the Tile.

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With the apps I’ve loaded, there are 39 Tile choices on my Pixel Watch 4. Not like previous Pixel Watch fashions, there is no such thing as a restrict to the variety of Tiles you’ll be able to have. Nevertheless, remember it’s essential swipe left and proper from the watch face to view the Tiles.

5. Double-press the digital crown

The spinning digital crown on the Pixel Watch 4 is extraordinarily helpful for scrolling lists and making choices, however the double-press motion has change into considered one of my most-used actions for a number of causes. 

I get pleasure from Starbucks drinks, particularly in the course of the fall, with chilly mornings that encourage me to select up a Pumpkin Spice Latte. I have been upset {that a} Starbucks app would not exist for WearOS. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to merely add your Starbucks card to Google Pockets, making a double-press of the crown button a fast technique to pay to your espresso.

Likewise, the Orca transit card used right here within the Puget Sound doesn’t work with Apple Pay, however it may be added to Google Pockets, permitting you to rapidly and simply pay to your bus, practice, or ferry trip along with your Pixel Watch 4. Pockets presently helps fee playing cards, transit passes, loyalty playing cards, present playing cards, and even your driver’s license in 10 states.

6. Flip your Pixel cellphone into a motorcycle pc

The Pixel Watch 4 has dual-band, multi-frequency GPS and an correct coronary heart charge sensor, making it a succesful health tracker. Using a motorcycle whereas your wrist is just not the most secure technique to trip, however Google handled that situation with the Pixel Watch 4.

Begin a motorcycle exercise in your Pixel Watch after which faucet to share the measurements along with your cellphone. Key metrics will seem in massive font in your Pixel cellphone, so when you have it safely mounted in your handlebars, you now not want to have a look at your watch.

One space that wants Google’s consideration is including mapping output to the Pixel cellphone, so you’ll be able to navigate safely in your trip, and never simply observe your well being metrics.

7. Flashlight

Common readers know I really like utilizing watches with LED flashlights. Whereas the Pixel Watch 4 doesn’t have this {hardware} component, a easy swipe down from the highest of the watch face offers entry to the flashlight button that launches a white watch face for a reasonably brilliant AMOLED expertise.

I personally use a purple gentle at evening to keep up my evening imaginative and prescient and to keep away from waking my spouse. When you launch the flashlight, rapidly faucet the show to make the display screen purple. Faucet another time to show off the sunshine. I want to see an obtainable setting to decide on the colour you need because the default, and in addition perhaps a setting to extend the brightness while you want extra gentle.

Additionally: Samsung’s latest Galaxy Watch 8 acquired me operating once more (and it is already on sale)

There are many different superior options and settings to discover on the Pixel Watch 4. As I beforehand posted, the Pixel Watch 4 provides one of the best security options of some other smartwatch, so reap the benefits of these. My ZDNET colleague, Nina Raemont, additionally talked about the brand new Fitbit Premium AI-coaching features which can be coming quickly. I can not wait to have the watch assist encourage me to coach and supply me with sensible steering and training.