The Google Pixel Is Tech Giant’s First Smartwatch

Google’s answer to the Apple Watch can summon emergency services, track your heart rate and pairs with 20 watch bands.

After much anticipation, Google finally revealed its first smartwatch. Available in Matte Black, Champagne Gold, or two different two-ton Polished Silver colors, the Google Pixel Watch is available in a single 41mm size with a domed, scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass screen and 50 meters of water resistance.

According to Engadget, the AMOLED display renders in 320ppi with a max brightness of 1,000 nits. The battery will keep it running for 24 hours, but can be recharged by 50 percent after 30 minutes on a magnetic charger. Storage and RAM are listed at 32 GB and 2 GB, respectively.

Google is also leveraging the brand power of Fitbit, having acquired the wellness wearable company in 2021. The activity, heartrate and sleep tracking features are Fitbit branded, though Google says that it’s own machine-learning technology has improved them.

A six-month trial of Fitbit Premium, which offers extra data on sleep and exercise habits, is also included with purchase, along with a three-month trail of YouTube Music Premium.

Two versions are available—one with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, and a flagship with LTE network connectivity. Google says that by 2023, the Pixel Watch will be able to detect a fallen wearer, and the LTE version will even be able summon emergency services if it detects an unresponsive wearer.

It’s also loaded with other features from Google’s existing technology suite, including Google Maps, Google Wallet, the AI-powered Google Assistant, Gmail, and Google Calendar. Fast Pair makes it easy to sync with other Pixel devices like phones, tablets and earbuds.

For now, the Google Pixel Watch ships with an ““Active” synthetic band, but 20 total styles will be available and easily swappable via a locking system that “attaches [bands] internally like a camera lens to a camera body, instead of the prominent external lugs of other watches.”

Priced at $399.99 for the LTE model and $349.99 for the Bluetooth/Wi-Fi model, the Google Pixel Watch is available to preorder now before shipping begins on October 13.