Customization is one of the best aspects of smartwatches compared to mechanical smartwatches. Google’s wearables are no exception. Here are some tips to get started with Pixel Watch 2.
Screen settings and battery life
Some people already know which wrist to wear their accessories on, but you can experiment. Orientation of Pixel Watch setting. Unlike mechanical watches, it can function visually even when the device is turned over. Another consideration is how not pointing the crown in the direction your hand points helps reduce accidental bumps and actuations.
should be given Constant screen display Especially if you try it on Pixel Watch 2. The new Snapdragon W5 chipset ensures a full day of battery life. Try it for at least a few days. Tilt to turn off wake and Enable touch-to-wake We found that this AOD configuration saves battery life.
As for battery life, it will improve after a few days of use. The first day is not representative at all. In case you’re curious, Google’s “24-hour display” Pixel Watch 2 specs are “based on the following usages”:
- 240 notifications
- 280 checks
- 5 minute LTE call
- 45 minute LTE and GPS workout with downloaded YouTube music playback
- 50 minutes of navigation (Google Maps) while connected to your phone via Bluetooth
- 7 hours of sleep in bedtime mode
- Always-on display turned on
Customize app notifications
When it comes to alerts, you can turn off phone app notifications on a case-by-case basis from the Watch app > Notifications. This is a good way to avoid concentrating vibrations on your wrist and can further save battery life.
Try unlocking your watch
Set up Watch Unlock even if the fingerprint scanner and facial recognition work. It works well in the background and the buzzer sound on the wrist mainly indicates that it is active. Sometimes you’re prioritizing on your lock screen and don’t actively plan to unlock it until something catches your attention and you know your phone is ready.
Go to the Settings app on your Pixel phone > Security & Privacy > Unlock your device > Unlock with fingerprint and facial recognition > Unlock your watch.
Pixel Watch faces and complications
Google has done a good job by providing high quality watch faces out of the box. Most people will be fine with the 25 defaults, which have a variety of customization options.
Before you start customizing watch faces (and tiles), make sure your Pixel Watch and Play Store apps are all latest. Some features are not available until you run the latest version.
- If you like it analog timeCheck out , Classic, Dial, and Pilot. The hour hand is hollow, making it easier to see the complications.
- For a more unobstructed analogue surface, try turning off seconds.
- analog arc Although quite traditional, it has the most complex slots (4 circles + 4 arcs).
- analog bold It’s fun even if it’s a large number of people.
- Speaking of that complicationsyou don’t have to feel obligated to fill all the slots or arrange them symmetrically.
- Wear OS provides a playing shortcut when audio is playing at the bottom of the watch face and adds a dedicated shortcut. media control It’s worth it because the complexity lasts. You can use this to resume your song even if the system indicator goes out.
- If you wish, single wire digital clockuse a utility minimal layout or large scale linear (add day/date) instead of tracks.
- Everyday’s Big Layout is also a great alternative to Big Time.
- The Index’s fine-line style complications may not be for everyone, but left hand digital clock This is useful (if you’re wearing your Pixel Watch on your right wrist). This allows you to quickly roll up your sleeves and quickly check the time.
- please don’t sleep Concentric half-dial layout or digital bold radial It is associated with three complications.
- use bold time To make it as clear as possible at a glance.
- Some watch faces are supported dual color The end of the carousel: abstract, analog, big time, tracks.
Wear OS apps
In 2023, Google Play named WhatsApp as the best watch with an amazing pair of tiles. Honorable mentions went to AllTrails: Hike, Bike & Run and Audible: Audio Entertainment. TodoistLast year’s winner, is a dedicated to-do app, while the new Google Calendar has task integration built-in. Gmail is also a big addition this year, and Google Home continues to receive updates.
tile
Speaking of Gmail and Google Calendar, both apps come with new tiles. The “Next Task” tile is very nice, but it still has significant complements from Fitbit. The weather stuff (forecast, UV index, sun) is beautifully laid out.
When ordering, take advantage of the swipe left and right method on tiles. Instead of placing the most important tiles in order, place the second most important tiles on opposite sides of the dial. This greatly speeds up navigation to the desired tile.
Pixel Watch bands and straps
Google’s Active Band is a versatile piece that can be worn day or night. If you have experience with Apple Watch sport bands, Google’s sport bands are more secure due to their double-pinch nature.
The Active Sport Band is pretty similar, but I found the clasp to require more force than I expected.
Notable third-party bands include the nylon Spigen Lite Fit and Ringke’s classic Leather One Band.
If you have a standard watch strap that you like, the trick is to use an adapter like our craft band or two-tone leather band, or a piece of metal that actually connects to your watch. It’s expensive, but you’ll have the best experience.
Share your Pixel Watch setup in the comments below.
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