/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24722318/Metal_Bands_Lifestyle_3__1_.png "Blood Oxygen and Abnormal Heart Rate Alerts are Coming to the Pixel Watch")
Google has just announced a series of software updates for its Pixel Watch and Fitbit devices. While the updates are a bit scattered, the major highlights include nighttime blood oxygen level monitoring (SpO2) and alerts for abnormal high and low heart rates for the Pixel Watch. Unlike Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch, the blood oxygen tracking feature on the Pixel Watch will passively monitor SpO2 while you sleep, allowing for longer-term trend analysis. Additionally, the watch will now send notifications for sudden drops or spikes in heart rate when at rest.
Google’s lineup of wearables has been confusing, as some expected health features were missing from the Pixel Watch upon its launch. It now seems that Google is addressing these gaps with these updates. In addition to blood oxygen and heart rate alerts, Google is also adding an auto-pause feature for running, walking, and cycling workouts, where the watch can automatically pause and restart during breaks. The company is also expanding Assistant and introducing new Spotify tiles for the Pixel Watch. Accessories, including brushed silver and matte black metal link bands, will also be released.
For Fitbit owners, there are UI changes, improved language support, and new features such as viewing the Daily Readiness Score from the wrist and the ability to switch clock faces on the Versa 4 and Sense 2 watches without using the Fitbit app. These changes aim to clean up the feature mess and make the user experience more seamless.
These updates may be in preparation for WearOS 4, which is expected to improve battery life and enable more advanced health features on the Pixel Watch. Overall, these updates should create a smoother and less confusing product lineup for Google’s wearables.