Skip to main content

Pixel Watch update brings a much-requested Apple Watch feature

The Pixel Watch is a solid first outing as Google’s debut smartwatch. However, it’s still lacking a handful of features that early adopters have been requesting that are found on similar devices. Luckily, today marks the start of the rollout of one frequently requested feature: fall detection.

Fall detection is a crucial health and safety feature that all smartwatches are better for having, and now the Pixel Watch is finally joining the ranks of the Apple Watch and the Galaxy Watch with its addition.

Google Pixel Watch with a recycled loop strap.
Andrew Martonik / Digital Trends

After the Pixel Watch launched last year without any fall detection features, fans were rightfully upset. For all of the health features it boasts, the Pixel Watch was missing what could be considered one of the most important. Google heard the feedback from fans and announced that the company would be adding it in a future Pixel Watch update. In the March 2023 Pixel Watch update that went live today, fall detection, among a laundry list of other features, was finally added.

Recommended Videos

While it might seem a little trivial at first glance, fall detection is actually an incredibly important and potentially lifesaving health feature. Ever since fall detection became a common feature in flagship smartwatches, there have been countless reports of tit saving lives and aiding people who otherwise would have been left without help. Now that the Pixel Watch has it, users can finally breathe easy knowing that if they fall and can’t get back up again while away from their phone, they’ll be able to get the assistance they need.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Hopefully, the Pixel Watch is able to better justify its pricing now that its health and wellness features are starting to get on par with the rest of the devices on the market.

Take note that if you’re eager to get fall detection activated on your Pixel Watch, you may still need to wait for the update as it continues to roll out. Luckily, Google’s updates tend to roll out pretty quickly, so you won’t be waiting for long. To make sure your Pixel Watch updates as soon as the patch goes live, be sure to turn on auto-updates.

Peter Hunt Szpytek
Former Digital Trends Contributor
A podcast host and journalist, Peter covers mobile news with Digital Trends and gaming news, reviews, and guides for sites…
Pixel users raise concerns over charge limit following March update
Battery health on Google Pixel 9.

If you noticed that your Google Pixel 9 is reaching full charge faster than you would like it to, you're not alone. Pixel users are reporting issues regarding changes to their phones' charging limit following the March update that dropped over the weekend.

According to a report on Android Authority, Pixel owners complained about their phones charging to 100% faster than usual after the latest Android update despite setting the charging limit to 80%. Over on Reddit, some users mentioned that their phones charged up to 100% the first couple of times after the update went live, only to charge up to 80% again after turning off the limit and re-enabling it. U/asteria99 commented that those charging bursts are likely due to recalibration.

Read more
Google’s Pixel Camera has a killer new feature for streamers
A person holding the Google Pixel 8, showing the camera.

New abilities are coming to Google Pixel phones as part of the March 2025 features updates, with the latest version of Pixel Camera beginning its rollout. Users can look forward to an updated astrophotography mode, and those with newer devices have access to a remote camera capability as well.

Pixel Camera 9.0 has begun its rollout, according to 9to5Google, though it might be a while before you see the update on your device as these feature rollouts typically take some time to reach all users. The popular astrophotography mode which allows users to take photos of the night sky, including views that would normally require specialist camera gear to capture, is getting a facelift with an animation mode during capture. This option is enabled by default but can be toggled in the Settings > Advanced screen.

Read more
Google Pixel 9 is getting a scam detection upgrade you’ll want on your phone
Google’s Scam Detection for calls on Pixel 9.

Over three months ago, Google started beta testing a new safety feature for Pixel phones that can sense signs of a fraud in voice calls using AI analysis. Today, Google has officially launched the Scam Detection feature for calls, alongside a similar con-screening system for messages.
Every year, smartphone users lose millions of dollars to elaborate schemes across the world. The problem is so rampant that the US Office of Inspector General and the Federal Trade Commission have published guidelines on recognising and reporting such deception.

Hearing calls to flag risks
To look for signs of scam in an ongoing call, Google is pushing the natural language understanding of on-device Gemini Nano AI on Pixel phones. The AI will listen to the ongoing telephonic conversation in  real time, and if it detects a risky pattern, an alert will pop up.

Read more