Own a Google Pixel Watch? 7 hidden features you should take advantage of (and where to find them)

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways The Google Pixel Watch 4 is the most intelligent smartwatch available today. Some of these features are available for previous-generation Pixel Watch models. Rather than accept the default settings, explore what your watch can do for you. I spend a…

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Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.

ZDNET’s key takeaways

  • The Google Pixel Watch 4 is the most intelligent smartwatch available today.
  • Some of these features are available for previous-generation Pixel Watch models.
  • Rather than accept the default settings, explore what your watch can do for you.

I spend a lot of time testing smartwatches and bounce around trying the latest and greatest features and functions. It wasn’t until Google launched a larger model that the Pixel Watch appealed to me for longer than the test period.

With this year’s Pixel Watch 4 supporting longer battery life, satellite SOS connectivity, and the new Fitbit Premium AI coach, I am ready to commit to one watch for a longer period.

Also: I found a smartwatch that’s just as reliable as my Garmin (but much cheaper)

After a few weeks of using the watch, exploring default apps, settings, and other functions, I believe there are several features everyone should be aware of to enjoy an optimal Pixel Watch 4 experience.

Let’s take a closer look at some worthy features — and if you have others to add to the list, please share them here for us to enjoy.

1. Generative AI in messages

Despite my long history of using mobile technology, I’ve been slow to adopt AI because I’ve been too busy to fully investigate its usefulness and ability to help improve my efficiency. I also prefer to create original content and trust my own experiences.

Also:Amazfit just got the one Garmin feature I use every day – and now I’m conflicted

However, there is one awesome feature I use all of the time on the Pixel Watch 4 — generative AI responses in Google Messages. The LLM-powered messages are created on the device, so they appear quickly and can be sent immediately.

2. Customize notifications

Speaking of notifications, smartwatches are excellent for helping you triage your communications. However, suppose every single application on your smartphone has notifications sent to your watch. In that case, you can spend a considerable amount of time interacting with your watch, and reduce battery life for more critical functions.

Also:One of the most underrated smartwatches I’ve tested just set a 55-hour battery life record

Unfortunately, all notifications are enabled by default after you set up your Pixel Watch. Make sure you go to the Watch smartphone application and then manually select the notifications you want in the app settings.

3. Watch faces and complications

One of the first things I do with every smartwatch is customize and optimize the watch face and complications to provide me with the best user experience. Google’s Pixel Watch 4 has some of the best-looking and best animated watch faces available on any smartwatch.

Also:Which smartwatch has the best safety features? I tested them all, and here’s how Google fares

The slick animations of the Concentric watch face, with its half-dial layout, have made it my current default watch face. The larger domed display of the Pixel Watch 4 makes the experience even better.

I highly recommend tapping the edit option in the watch face selector to choose your preferred watch face color, select a cool layout, and choose the complications that provide you with the glanceable information you need. Complications are available for default Google apps and third-party applications. On my Pixel Watch 4, there are currently more than 60 complications to choose from, which is a huge amount compared to most other smartwatches.

The key Pixel Watch 4 metrics can be pushed to your Pixel smartphone for biking

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Start a bike activity on your Pixel Watch and then tap to share the measurements with your phone. Key metrics will appear in large font on your Pixel phone, so if you have it safely mounted on your handlebars, you no longer need to look at your watch.

One area that needs Google’s attention is adding mapping output to the Pixel phone, so you can navigate safely on your ride, and not just track your health metrics.

7. Flashlight

Regular readers know I love using watches with LED flashlights. While the Pixel Watch 4 does not have this hardware element, a simple swipe down from the top of the watch face provides access to the flashlight button that launches a white watch face for a fairly bright AMOLED experience.

I personally use a red light at night to maintain my night vision and to avoid waking my wife. Once you launch the flashlight, quickly tap the display to make the screen red. Tap one more time to turn off the light. I would like to see an available setting to choose the color you want as the default, and also maybe a setting to increase the brightness when you need more light.

Also:Samsung’s newest Galaxy Watch 8 got me running again (and it’s already on sale)

There are plenty of other advanced features and settings to explore on the Pixel Watch 4. As I previously posted, the Pixel Watch 4 offers the best safety features of any other smartwatch, so take advantage of those. My ZDNET colleague, Nina Raemont, also mentioned the new Fitbit Premium AI-coaching functionsthat are coming soon. I can’t wait to have the watch help motivate me to train and provide me with practical guidance and coaching.

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