Google is set to introduce a new Find My Watch feature for its Pixel Watch lineup, addressing a key functionality gap compared to competitors. However, long-standing issues with custom watch faces continue to frustrate users.
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| A sleek Pixel Watch, soon to feature the new Find My Watch functionality, elevating its usability and security |
Find My Watch Coming Soon
According to code discovered by 9to5Google, the Pixel Watch will soon support remote location tracking, locking, and erasing - even when offline or unpaired. This leverages Google's Find My Device network, bringing the Pixel Watch in line with capabilities already available on Android phones and tablets.
Key features of the upcoming Find My Watch function:
- Remote location tracking
- Ability to lock the watch remotely
- Option to erase data if the watch is lost or stolen
- Works even when the watch is offline or unpaired
This update significantly enhances the Pixel Watch's security and recovery options, addressing a notable omission in its feature set.
Persistent Custom Watch Face Issues
While the Find My Device integration is a welcome addition, Pixel Watch users continue to face frustrating issues with custom watch faces - a problem that has persisted since the first model's launch in October 2022.
The primary issue affects auto-brightness when using custom watch faces with Always-on Display (AOD) enabled:
- Auto-brightness fails to adjust properly in AOD mode
- Affects both dark-to-light and light-to-dark environment transitions
- Only occurs with third-party watch faces, not Google's stock options
Google has acknowledged the problem as far back as December 2022 but has yet to provide a fix. The issue impacts both the original Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2.
Potential Resolution with Wear OS 5?
The upcoming Wear OS 5 update will introduce a new mandatory Watch Face Format (WFF). While this change might render some existing custom faces incompatible, it could potentially address the long-standing brightness issue.
Google's Made by Google event, scheduled for August 13, may provide more details on both the Find My Device integration and potential solutions for custom watch face problems.
As Google continues to refine its wearable offerings, addressing these usability concerns will be crucial for the Pixel Watch to compete effectively in the smartwatch market.
