The December 2025 software update (Wear OS 6.1) has brought several AI-enhanced features to the Pixel Watch lineup, specifically focusing on the Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Watch 3.
Here are the details on the new gestures and the smarter messaging system:
1. New One-Handed Gestures
These features allow you to control your watch without touching the screen, which is ideal for when your hands are full (e.g., carrying groceries or cooking).
* Double Pinch (Exclusive to Pixel Watch 4): Tap your index finger and thumb together twice quickly. This acts as a "primary action" button to:
* Manage Notifications: Scroll through alerts and instantly send the first suggested Smart Reply.
* Media Control: Play or pause music and podcasts.
* Productivity: Snooze alarms or manage timers and stopwatches.
* Camera: Trigger your phone’s camera shutter to take a photo.
* Phone Calls: Google has confirmed that the ability to answer and end calls with this gesture is coming very soon.
* Wrist Turn (Exclusive to Pixel Watch 4): A quick flick of your wrist away from you and back.
* Use this to silence incoming calls or dismiss notifications instantly.
* On-Screen Hints: To help you learn the system, the watch will now show small visual cues on the display to let you know exactly when a gesture is available for use.
2. Enhanced Smart Replies
This update significantly upgrades how your watch suggests message responses, moving from basic pre-written text to contextual AI.
* Gemma-Based AI Model: The watch now uses a custom, on-device version of Google’s Gemma language model.
* Faster & Efficient: The new model is 2x faster at generating replies and nearly 3x more memory-efficient, which helps preserve battery life.
* Contextual Intelligence: Instead of simple "Yes" or "No" answers, the AI understands the conversation. For example, if someone asks, "Do you want coffee?", it might suggest "I'd love a latte" or "No thanks, I'm good."
* Offline Capability: Because the model is on-device, it can generate these smart replies even when your watch is disconnected from your phone or Wi-Fi.
* Availability: This feature is rolling out to both the Pixel Watch 4 and the Pixel Watch 3.
How to Enable
* Ensure your watch is updated to Wear OS 6.1 (check via Settings > System > Software updates).
* On your watch, go to Settings > Gestures > Hand gestures to toggle these features on or off.
* In the Google Pixel Watch app on your phone, you can also manage Smart Reply settings under the Notifications menu.
Would you like me to look up how these new gestures compare to the Apple Watch's "Double Tap" or the Galaxy Watch's gesture controls?
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