Google (GOOG, GOOGL) has unveiled its latest smartwatch, the Pixel Watch 3, during the Made by Google event held at its Mountain View, California headquarters on Tuesday. The new device, which will be available for purchase starting September 10, includes an innovative safety feature aimed at potentially saving lives.
The Pixel Watch 3 introduces a groundbreaking function called Loss of Pulse Detection. This feature is designed to alert emergency contacts and authorities if the watch can no longer detect the user’s pulse, which could indicate severe health issues such as cardiac arrest, circulatory failure, overdose, or poisoning. Upon detecting a loss of pulse, the watch will first notify the user with a warning and ask if it is an emergency. If the user does not respond, the watch will automatically contact emergency services. Additionally, it will sound an alarm and display an emergency message to alert those nearby.
Google has confirmed that the Loss of Pulse Detection feature is currently certified for use in select European countries, with plans to expand its availability to other regions. The company claims to have rigorously tested the feature to minimize the risk of false alarms due to normal activities like removing the watch or other movements that might interfere with heart rate monitoring.
The Pixel Watch 3 also includes several other safety-oriented features, such as automatic emergency calls in the event of a car accident or a fall. In addition to these enhancements, Google has updated the watch’s design, offering a new 45-millimeter size at $399 alongside the existing 41-millimeter model priced at $349. The new design features reduced bezels for an improved display area and enhanced visibility.
In terms of performance, the Pixel Watch 3 boasts brighter displays that can dim to prevent distractions in settings like movie theaters. The watch’s screen refresh rate can be reduced to 1 frame per second to conserve battery life, which Google estimates at 24 hours on a full charge, or up to 35 hours with Battery Saver mode activated.
On the software side, the Pixel Watch 3 continues to integrate Fitbit’s exercise-tracking features, now including some premium capabilities at no extra cost. These include the Readiness Score, which assesses factors like heart rate and physical activity to advise on whether to exercise or rest. The watch also introduces new running features, such as routine planning and split settings, and provides a morning briefing with sleep and health metrics, as well as the weather forecast upon waking.
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