I see pre-ordering a Pixel 8 Pro would get me a free Pixel Watch. A quick look makes me see they can be used with FitBit (which I don’t use nor need).
For those of you who use those watches, what are the other features you enjoy the most? What has improved your daily routine? What would you miss if you lost the watch? Etc.
Thanks for any insights!
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The pixel watch is pretty much the worst smart watch I’ve tried. I’ve used the apple watch s3/4/7 and the galaxy watch 4 classic and the 5 regular and the pixel watch is pretty useless in comparison to either, with the apple watch leagues above either. Basically every nicety I expect to be there isn’t. Alarms don’t sync with your phone, notifications go off on your phone then your watch as opposed to one or the other, do not disturb doesn’t sync with your phone, theater mode only affects your watch, the battery life is atrocious.
I get that it’s Google’s first go but I can’t in good conscience recommend it to someone else. Maybe with the 2 they’ve resolved these issues but what I stated to me I feel like are pretty basic features to include. Using my apple watch for the first time was great, it felt like an extension of my phone. Turning one setting on my watch affected my phone so I didn’t need to touch it. Setting alarms on my phone turned them on my watch so I didn’t need to do it again on my watch. Every time I use my pixel watch I have to remind myself to do it on my phone too so they don’t conflict. The health tracking is neat I guess but you need a subscription for Fitbit once your free one expires… pretty terrible. Look elsewhere imo.
The watch doesn’t sync Alarms with my phone? I couldn’t believe it when you mentioned it but a quick google search confirms it: “Alarms set on your phone will no longer sync with your watch. According to Google support, the watch alarms are now supposed to be separate from those on your phone. It’s a curious design choice, but that’s how alarms on the Pixel Watch function for now. Jun 27, 2023”
That seems to defeat the purpose of the Watch.
Yeah, it’s pretty terrible. For me a smartwatch should be complementary to the phone, reducing the amount of times I need to pull out my phone to do things. Google seems content on making you do everything you do on your phone twice, by making you repeat steps on your watch. With the pixel watch you’ve essentially strapped a standalone smartphone to your wrist.
For you, I guess free is free but there are a lot of design decisions that make me question google. Maybe one day they can match apple in the astronomical technical know-how required for alarm sync.
I like that I can actually take calls on my watch. I have been on the tennis court where my phone is in my bag off the court and I was able to confirm a doctor’s appointment with my watch.
I like that I can read notifications from just about every app. Some apps with picture attachments actually show up on my watch.
I like that with Home Assistant actionable notifications, I can actually perform those actions right from my watch.
I turn off “Hey Google” detection, but I can just long-press the button above the crown and ask Google a question.
I’m sure other watches can do this stuff too, but I’ve liked this watch a lot. Battery has lasted all day. I generally charge it when I’m watching TV at night and then wear it all night/day.
Having to charge my watch every day is a big nope for me. Have a Garmin that lasts 6-7 days which is acceptable but still a PITA. I couldn’t imagine daily.
It’s a trade-off, through, right? The Garmin probably doesn’t have the same features and integration that the Pixel watch does. Letting my watch charge while watching TV in the evening (or if I know I’m not going to be doing that, while I’m working during the day) is no big deal. I charge my phone during that time too.
I’ve used a bunch of different wear os watches and the pixel watch 1 is my favorite… barely. Not a huge fan of the style but the comfort is tops. I use the watch for running frequently. Worked great for tracking runs while streaming music to Bluetooth earbuds.
Battery life is ok. Not great but not bad enough for me to feel restricted.
The software is wear os. Which, afaict, is not the same level of quality as apple’s watch. I definitely miss notifications for no explanable reason on a rare occasion. Still, weird and unexpected.
8/10 - really very comfortable and overall great. Would get another.
