Google's latest smartwatch, the Pixel Watch 3, brings new ultra-wideband (UWB) capabilities, but users should be aware of an important limitation: these features won't work when your phone is in Airplane mode. Additionally, Google is rolling out an improved Weather Tile to older Wear OS devices, bringing some of the Pixel Watch 3's enhancements to a wider audience.
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| Two smartwatches displaying weather information, highlighting features of the new Pixel Watch 3 |
UWB Features and Airplane Mode
The Pixel Watch 3 is the first Wear OS smartwatch to include a UWB chip, enabling precise location tracking and improved Watch Unlock functionality with compatible Pixel phones. However, recent findings in a Google Play Services beta reveal that these UWB-dependent features will be disabled when the connected phone is in Airplane mode.
Key points:
- Watch Unlock will revert to slower, less accurate Bluetooth when phone is in Airplane mode
- UWB features automatically re-enable when Airplane mode is turned off
- This behavior is consistent with UWB-equipped Pixel and Galaxy smartphones
Google is also providing users with options to manage UWB functionality:
- A toggle in watch settings to use Watch Unlock with or without UWB
- Option to completely disable UWB, potentially saving battery life
Weather Tile Update
In a separate development, Google is rolling out an enhanced Weather Tile to Wear OS devices running version 3 or later. This update, originally introduced with the Pixel Watch 3, brings more detailed weather information to users' wrists.
New Weather Tile features:
- Mini-hourly forecast for the next 3-4 hours
- Improved layout fitting more information on the watch face
- Accessible through a tap, leading to the full Weather app
The wider rollout of this feature demonstrates Google's commitment to improving the Wear OS experience across different devices, not just their latest flagship smartwatch.
Availability and Pricing
The Google Pixel Watch 3 is set to go on sale on September 10th, offering:
- Two sizes: 41mm and 45mm
- LTE and Wi-Fi-only variants
- Starting price of $349
As Google continues to refine its smartwatch offerings, these updates and feature clarifications provide potential buyers with a clearer picture of what to expect from the Pixel Watch 3 and the evolving Wear OS ecosystem.
