Google announced new features for the Pixel Watch as part of its March Pixel Drop, which also includes updates for devices across the broader Android ecosystem and Pixel portfolio. For watch owners -- with most features rolling out to the Pixel Watch 2 and newer -- the biggest additions focus on safety, convenience and faster interactions.
The Pixel Watch (2 or later) will let you know when you've forgotten your phone. Google
One of the highlights: Pixel Watch will now send "left-behind" alerts if you accidentally walk away from your phone. It also automatically locks your phone when you move far enough out of range, adding an extra layer of protection for forgotten phones. When your watch and phone are back together and paired, identity checks will be faster, so you won't need to authenticate twice (on both the phone and watch). And with Find Hub now available on Pixel Watch and other Wear OS watches, tracking down other misplaced gadgets gets easier, too.
Google is also introducing Express Pay, which essentially eliminates the Wallet app as a middle step when you check out, letting you simply turn your wrist and tap your watch to a terminal. You can already use a designated card without opening Wallet for transit payments, and Express Pay appears to extend that convenience to other purchases.
On the safety front, Pixel Watch (2 or newer) will now provide real-time alerts about nearby seismic activity and its magnitude, potentially giving you a few seconds' heads-up before an actual earthquake begins. Satellite SOS, first introduced on Pixel Watch 4 in mainland US, is also expanding to Hawaii and Alaska as well as Canada and several European countries. This feature allows people to contact emergency services when they're off the grid without a phone or cell reception.
Pixel Watch 3 owners can now silence a call, press the camera shutter or pause a workout with a double pinch or turn of the wrist. Google
Google also says the one-handed gestures that debuted on the Pixel Watch 4 are expanding to Pixel Watch 3, adding more ways to interact quickly without using both hands. This includes answering calls, silencing alarms, triggering the camera shutter or pausing a workout with just a double pinch or turn of the wrist.
The new features will be available via software updates for compatible watches starting March 3.