A year later, the Google Pixel Watch 2 has improved through many software updates and added features. just in time for the Pixel Watch 3.
It’s been 17 months since Google released the first Pixel Watch and 10 months since the Watch 2 succeeded it, and I can finally say that I love this product. It has been a bumpy road for sure, but Google has slowly, very slowly, won me over.
See, since the original Pixel Watch’s announcement, I’ve kept a list of features and functionality I would love to see on my wrist, and sure enough, Google has ticked off nearly every single one of these. For real? Yes, for real. Almost every feature I’ve mentioned in my Wear OS complaints list in 2022 has been implemented — proof that Google listens and improves, but at its own rhythm.
Let me take you through these additions and explain how they’ve enhanced my Pixel Watch experience and why they’re making me excited for the Pixel Watch 3.The Pixel Watch 2 is now more in sync with my Pixel phone
Early in 2024, Google rolled out one crucial feature to the Pixel Watch 2: Do Not Disturb and Bedtime mode synchronization with Pixel phones. While this may seem like nothing but a nifty extra, it really improved my smartwatch usage.
Without this synchronization, I had to remember to manually put my watch in bedtime mode every night or risk getting woken up by a notification or a bright display. Even without these interruptions, I’d lose 30-40% of battery life if I didn’t religiously trigger the mode each night. Since this option rolled out, though, I just plug in my Pixel 8 Pro at night, which automatically triggers bedtime mode on the phone (through Digital Wellbeing) and thus automatically syncs to bedtime mode on the watch.
Do Not Disturb sync has also been handy during meetings, at the movies, or when attending concerts and shows.
I’ve also been loving the Pixel Watch’s phone unlock feature, which automatically unlocks my Pixel if I’m wearing my already-unlocked watch. It’s faster than using the phone’s fingerprint sensor and doesn’t require me to look straight at the phone to trigger face unlock. Plus, it works with wet fingers, in the dark, or if I’m hiding behind scarves and hoodies in the middle of winter. I don’t think about it anymore, but every time it works, I’m thankful for it.Google’s smartwatch apps have made some big leaps
Two years ago, the state of Google’s own apps on Wear OS was pretty laughable, if you ask me. Many obvious features were missing, and many apps were surprisingly not even there. But once again, update by update, almost every single gap has been filled.
I love the new Google Assistant tile, which lets me add two shortcuts to my most used Assistant actions. So when I’m in bed and ready to sleep, instead of triggering Assistant, speaking aloud, and waiting for it to analyze my words, I just tap the button for “turn off all the lights,” and Google executes that quickly and silently. I can also trigger my “night night” routine in Google Home and have it dim my bedroom lights to an easy warm color to help me ease down before being fully ready for sleep.
Speaking of Google Home, the app is still in preview mode, but it has received a lot of updates, including support for the same favorites I’ve set up on my phone.
