what you need to know
- Google introduced new features when it updated the Pixel Watch in April 2024.
- When users make gestures on the watch face, it brings a tactile feel to the current time.
- The update also improves automatic brightness settings.
Google announced today (April 3) that its first-generation Pixel Watch will receive an April 2024 update. In an announcement post, the Pixel Watch support team shared a new update with version number TWD9.240405.001. Its rollout has already begun, and depending on the carrier and device model, it could reach all Pixel Watch users next week.
The global firmware release “includes new features, numerous bug fixes, and performance updates for Pixel Watch users.” It also brings a vibrating watch feature that, as the name suggests, will alert Pixel Watch users to the current time every time they use gestures on the watch face. .
In addition, users can also experience improvements to the automatic brightness feature on Pixel Watch. In the new update, related auto-brightness settings will be improved, allowing “users to feel the difference when switching levels easily.”
Pixel Watch users can go to their smartwatch Settings > System > System Updates As mentioned before, then click on the “Your watch is up to date” screen to check for OTA updates as per the rollout schedule.
While this appears to be a minor update to the original Pixel Watch, it’s unclear whether it includes the recently discovered tracking app download feature. It’s worth mentioning that the Pixel Watch is testing a new progress bar for app updates downloaded through the Google Play Store, similar to what we’ve seen on Pixel phones like the Pixel 8 Pro.
That said, the latest firmware version, released alongside March’s feature drops, brings some noteworthy features to the original Pixel Watch. Notable ones include pace training, heart rate training, and automatic workout mode—all features that were previously exclusive to the Pixel Watch 2. In addition, Pixel Watch users also receive the Fitbit Relax app as a guide for users to practice breathing exercises.