Google's attempt at a smartwatch is possibly one of the worst-kept tech secrets this year. And now, we get a better and official look at the new Pixel Watch. The smartwatch features a domed, circular design with a "tactile" crown and side button. The watch is made with recycled stainless steel and swappable proprietary bands.
It runs on an "improved" Wear OS 3 with a "refreshed UI" for improved navigation and smart notifications. Google plans to sell a cellular version of the watch to allow standalone connectivity. It will require an Android 8.0 device or later and a Google account, meaning iPhone users won't be able to use this new watch, unlike previous Wear OS devices.
Google puts its acquisition of Fitbit to use with the Pixel Watch's software. It gets native Google apps like Maps, Assistant, Home, and the new Wallet. The Fitbit integration means you can see insights for data like heart rate, sleep tracking, and Active Zone Minutes. You can also sync your fitness data with your Fitbit account. So, you can view that information within the app or online. The watch will take advantage of Fitbit's algorithms for health and fitness.
But Rick Osterloh, Google's senior vice president of devices and services, said in a briefing that the Fitbit and Google data will stay private and separate because it promised regulators to separate these two during its acquisition. So, any health data collected on the Pixel Watch will stay under Fitbit's purview. Osterloh also promised that Fitbit plans to release its own Wear OS watches and other products.
Google hasn't shared how much the Pixel Watch will cost but said it will be a "premium-priced product." It'll officially launch in the fall alongside the new Pixel 7 series.