smartwatch Archives

AppWizard

September 20, 2026

I was wrong about Pokémon Sleep, and the Fitbit Air is the perfect companion

Pokémon Sleep has been integrated with the Fitbit Air, a lightweight and elegantly designed device that tracks sleep. The Fitbit Air weighs 12 grams and features a special edition strap with a deep blue color and a sleeping Pikachu design. It provides accurate metrics on sleep duration and cycles and has a battery life of about a week. Setting up the Fitbit Air for Pokémon Sleep involves designating Google Health as the sleep source. The device is available on the Google Store for .

AppWizard

September 15, 2026

Latest Pixel Feature Drop Expands Access to Scam-Text Detection

Google has released a feature update for Pixel phones that enhances existing functionalities and introduces new elements. The update expands scam-text detection capabilities to chat applications using Gboard, compatible with devices as old as the Pixel 6, and is available in multiple countries including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Mexico, Japan, and Singapore. It also improves VIP notifications by allowing users to add home-screen widgets for designated contacts and includes a new navigation menu for easier contact switching, available for Pixel 6 and newer models. Additionally, a Harry Potter-themed pack with wallpapers, icons, and audio effects is offered, along with a two-month free subscription to Audible. For Pixel Watch users, the update introduces a one-handed pinch gesture for easier access to notifications and improved functionality for the raise-to-talk gesture on newer models.

BetaBeacon

September 6, 2026

Motorola is back in the Wear OS game with the Moto Watch Ultra

Motorola has launched the Moto Watch Ultra at IFA 2026, featuring a Snapdragon W5 Plus Gen 1 SoC, a 1.5-inch pOLED display with 2,700 nits peak brightness, up to two days of battery life, Wear OS 6, and LTE eSIM support.

BetaBeacon

September 5, 2026

Motorola is back in the Wear OS game with the Moto Watch Ultra

Motorola has launched the Moto Watch Ultra, a smartwatch with flagship-tier health tracking, Wear OS, LTE eSIM support, and 5ATM underwater protection. It is powered by the Snapdragon W5 Plus Gen 1 platform, has a 1.5-inch pOLED display, and features Google Play apps, Google Wallet payments, and Google Gemini. The watch also includes Polar's health-tracking algorithms, a 550mAh battery, and will be available for 9.99 starting on September 10.

AppWizard

September 3, 2026

The weather app on your Pixel Watch is adding new watch face modules

Google has updated the Pixel Weather app for Wear OS to version 1.0.0.94, adding three new complications: Air Quality Index, Pollen levels, and Precipitation information. This update allows users to display these complications on their watch faces, enhancing the app's functionality beyond the initial offerings of sunrise and sunset times, UV Index, and general weather conditions. Complications function like widgets, providing real-time information. Users can customize their watch faces by long-pressing the display. Some users have questioned why these features were not included at the app's initial launch, while others note the existence of third-party weather apps with similar functionalities.

AppWizard

August 30, 2026

Google made Android 17’s best feature a Pixel 11-exclusive. This free app does it better

Android 17 features a Digital Wellbeing tool called Pause Point, which prompts users to reflect on their app usage but is only available on the Pixel 11 series. The Stroll app encourages users to earn screen time through physical activity, allowing them to accumulate time for using distracting applications by walking. It integrates step tracking from a phone’s counter or a smartwatch and allows manual input of steps via Google Health. Stroll restricts specific URLs and tracks usage streaks, promoting a healthier relationship with exercise and digital consumption. Unlike traditional app timers that warn users when time is running out, Stroll motivates users to engage in physical activity before accessing social media. The app also features a “time bank” for saving unused screen time. Users have reported reduced social media usage and a shift towards more enriching activities.

AppWizard

August 7, 2026

Check out the latest Pixel Watch apps to get a new look for their icons

Google is updating the visual design of its Wear OS applications, particularly for the Pixel Watch series, ahead of the Pixel Watch 5 launch. The Clock and Stopwatch apps are receiving a redesign with a more natural color palette and refined aesthetics. The Clock app now features a classic 10:10 hand positioning and a toned-down appearance, while the Stopwatch app has a revamped color scheme. These changes are part of Google's broader effort to modernize its smartwatch offerings.

AppWizard

July 31, 2026

Software takes center stage in this Pixel 11 series and Pixel Watch 5 leak

Google is set to launch the Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro Fold, and Pixel Watch 5 on August 12 in New York City. Leaked images reveal the user interface of these devices. The Pixel 11 Pro features various menus, including the home screen layout, Emergency SOS setup, TalkBack accessibility options, and Visual Voicemail functionalities. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold has a centered app drawer and a camera interface with video controls on the left and shutter, lens switching, and gallery buttons on the right. The Pixel Watch 5 showcases a circular app grid, large touch targets, and a keyboard layout optimized for its round display.

AppWizard

July 29, 2026

The biggest flaw with the Galaxy Watch 9 has nothing to do with the watch itself

Purchasing a Samsung Galaxy Watch does not grant access to all its features unless paired with a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, despite owning a new Android device. The Samsung Health Monitor app, which includes critical health monitoring features like blood pressure, ECG, irregular heart rhythm, and sleep apnea monitoring, is only officially supported on Samsung smartphones. This app has been available since 2020 and is essential for detecting significant health indicators. Samsung's limitation on the app appears to be financially motivated, as it encourages users to buy Samsung smartphones. Other manufacturers do not impose similar restrictions, allowing their devices' full health features to work across different smartphone brands. Samsung could integrate Health Monitor features into the main Samsung Health app or make it available on the Play Store to increase accessibility, but it has not done so. Users of non-Samsung Android phones are unable to access these health features, which are critical for many individuals.

AppWizard

July 29, 2026

Pixel Watch 5 shows up again before launch, this time in one of Google’s own apps

The Pixel Watch 5 has appeared in Google's official Google Health app, indicating its imminent launch and suggesting that pairing support has been integrated. The setup screens still show artwork from the Pixel Watch 4, as Google has not updated the visuals for the new model. A user on Telegram shared a screenshot showing the Pixel Watch 5 at the top of the device list while pairing a new wearable, further confirming its readiness for integration. The Pixel Watch 5 is expected to be an iterative upgrade with a slightly higher price than its predecessor.