Google has announced a notable change in its update schedule for the Pixel Watch series. Instead of following the usual monthly update cadence, the next significant update will only arrive in March 2025. This shift comes after the recent November 2024 update, which rolled out for all three generations of Pixel Watch—Pixel Watch 1, 2, and the latest Pixel Watch 3.

What Happened in the Latest Update?

The November 2024 update resumed the deployment of Wear OS 5, which had initially faced some issues during its October release. Many users reported problems like unresponsiveness and display glitches, especially on the first and second-generation watches. With this update, Google aims to fix these bugs and improve the stability of the devices. For Pixel Watch 3, the update primarily includes security patches and minor performance improvements, making it the first post-launch update for this model.

Why the Delay Until March 2025?

The decision to skip updates until March 2025 marks a departure from the standard practice of monthly updates. Historically, Pixel Watches have received frequent updates, often matching the cadence of Pixel smartphones. However, Google seems to be shifting towards a quarterly release schedule, possibly to conserve engineering resources and focus on delivering more comprehensive and polished updates. This approach could lead to fewer but more substantial updates, aligning with their strategy of bundling significant features into larger releases like the March Feature Drop​.

What to Expect Next?

The upcoming gap suggests that the next update might coincide with the March 2025 Feature Drop, traditionally a time when Google introduces new features across its hardware ecosystem. Until then, users can expect app-level updates via the Play Store, likely bringing enhancements and fixes without the need for a full system update. The next major update will likely continue to refine the Wear OS 5 experience, which serves as this year’s primary upgrade for Pixel Watches​.

Overall, while the delayed update may seem inconvenient for some users, it may result in more significant improvements in the future, as Google refines its approach to better align software releases with its broader hardware ecosystem plans.

Google Resumes Wear OS 5 Updates for Pixel Watches

After pausing the Wear OS 5 rollout in September due to issues, Google is now releasing the latest update for Pixel Watch, Pixel Watch 2, and Pixel Watch 3 as part of the November 2024 security patch. This update brings much-needed stability improvements and bug fixes across all three models.

Update Details and Rollout

The new update is based on Wear OS 5 and has the build number AW2A.241105.012 for all six global models. However, there are some differences for users in France:

• For Orange LTE models in France: The build number is AW2A.241105.013.
• For all other models in France: The build number remains AW2A.241105.012.

The Pixel Watch series is expected to show the “November 5, 2024” security patch level after the update.

Rollout Plan

Starting today, the rollout will be done in phases, depending on the carrier and device. Users of the original Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 will start receiving the Wear OS 5 upgrade, which was halted earlier. Google plans to gradually extend the update to all devices over the next week.

What’s New in the November 2024 Update?

The update focuses on enhancing device security, fixing known bugs, and improving overall performance. Here is a detailed changelog for each device:

Pixel Watch 3:

• Security Updates: Includes the latest Android security patches for better protection.
• Bug Fixes: Addresses several stability issues, including:
  • Resolving the rare occurrence of a white splash screen when navigating to the watch face by pressing the Crown.
  • Fixing Bluetooth connection issues that led to connection drops.
  • Correcting the display of old, completed calls, which were still showing as active.

Pixel Watch 1 & Pixel Watch 2:

• Wear OS 5 Upgrade: The software update includes an upgrade to the new Wear OS 5, bringing:
  • Improved performance and stability.
  • Enhanced camera controls via the Play Store update.
  • Upgraded Pixel Recorder for better voice recording and playback features.
• Bug Fixes:
  • Fixed an issue where the watch face wouldn’t load upon reboot.
  • Addressed the problem where a white splash screen would appear when pressing the Crown.

How to Install the Update

To check for the update manually, go to Settings > System > System updates on your Pixel Watch. If it shows “Your watch is up to date,” tap that message multiple times to trigger the update download. You can also speed up the process by going to Connectivity preferences and temporarily disabling Bluetooth, forcing the watch to use Wi-Fi for faster download.

For users who prefer manual updates, Over-The-Air (OTA) images are available for download on Google’s official Pixel Watch support page.

Wear OS 5 Rollout Resumes

The Wear OS 5 update was initially pulled back in September due to reported issues, including a “soft brick” problem. However, Google has now resumed the updates with stability enhancements and fixes for all three Pixel Watch models. This November update marks the resumption of Wear OS 5 upgrades, providing users with new features and improvements.

Verizon’s Changelog Details

Verizon has also shared specific details about the November 2024 update for Pixel Watch models, highlighting the following improvements:

• Security Enhancements: Latest Android security patches have been applied.
• Performance Improvements: General stability and performance have been enhanced across all models.
• Bug Fixes:
  • Resolved a rare issue where a white splash screen would appear when pressing the Crown.
  • Fixed Bluetooth connectivity problems where the connection would drop unexpectedly.
  • Addressed an issue where completed calls were still displayed as active.

No October Update Due to Previous Issues

There was no update released in October 2024 because of a reported “soft brick” issue with Wear OS 5 on Pixel Watch devices. This problem caused the watches to become unresponsive, prompting Google to pause the update rollout. With this latest November patch, Google seems to have resolved the major issues and resumed the updates.

How to Access the Update

To ensure a smooth update experience, users are advised to:

1. Check for updates manually via Settings > System > System updates.
2. If the update is not available immediately, try forcing the update by tapping the “Your watch is up to date” message multiple times.
3. Disable Bluetooth and switch to Wi-Fi for a faster download process.

With the new features and improvements brought by Wear OS 5, the November 2024 update is expected to enhance the user experience across all Pixel Watch models, making the devices more reliable and secure.

Conclusion

The November 2024 update marks an important step for Google’s Pixel Watch series, addressing previous issues and resuming the rollout of Wear OS 5. With a range of bug fixes, performance enhancements, and new features, users can look forward to a smoother and more responsive experience on their Pixel Watch devices.

If you own a Pixel Watch, Pixel Watch 2, or Pixel Watch 3, be sure to check for updates and install the latest software to enjoy the enhanced functionality and security improvements.

Google continues to enhance its software and hardware ecosystem, releasing a range of updates for Pixel phones, Android tablets, foldables, and the Pixel Watch. These updates showcase Google’s focus on personalized and AI-powered experiences, as well as new tools that improve user interactions across devices. Here’s an in-depth look at the latest Google features, including seasonal Audio Emoji, split-screen multitasking on tablets, and Google Maps’ impressive 2 billion monthly user milestone.

1. Audio Emoji and Halloween Effects in Phone by Google

The recent version 150 update for the Phone by Google app includes a playful Audio Emoji feature, initially introduced with the Pixel 8a and now available on all Google phones. This feature lets users express emotions through short audio clips during calls. For those who prefer a simpler interface, the Audio Emoji shortcuts can be easily disabled by navigating to Phone by Google > Settings > General. These features add a fun, seasonal touch, much like Google Messages’ “Halloween” Screen Effect and the festive Nest Doorbell sounds.

2. Gemini’s Split-Screen Multitasking for Tablets and Foldables

Google has introduced a new split-screen multitasking shortcut for large-screen Android devices like tablets and foldables. The Gemini AI assistant now offers a split-screen overlay with a top-edge handle bar, allowing users to position Gemini side-by-side with another app. This feature, first available on Samsung foldables, has expanded to the Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold, making it easier to access Gemini for multitasking, such as reading or streaming content alongside AI-driven tasks. Currently, the feature is not yet supported on Android phones.

3. Google Maps Surpasses 2 Billion Monthly Users

In a recent announcement, Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai revealed that Google Maps has surpassed the impressive milestone of 2 billion monthly users. This achievement places Maps among Google’s top-performing products, joining Search, Gmail, Android, Chrome, Play Store, and YouTube in the 2+ billion user club. All seven of these services now integrate Google’s Gemini AI models, which continue to evolve with an ambitious roadmap for 2025.

Pichai also emphasized Google’s commitment to advancing AI performance across its platforms, noting that Google’s Gemini app team has joined Google DeepMind to streamline development and deployment of AI features.

4. AI-Powered Development Stats and Features

During Alphabet’s Q3 2024 earnings call, several key AI metrics and updates were shared:

• AI-Generated Code: Over 25% of Google’s new code is now AI-generated, reviewed, and optimized by engineers, significantly accelerating productivity.
• Gemini API Expansion: API calls to Gemini have grown by almost 14 times in just six months.
• Circle to Search Growth: Available on over 150 million Android devices, Circle to Search lets users shop, translate, and learn by circling on their screen. A third of those who have tried it use it weekly, with higher engagement among users aged 18 to 24.
• Lens Visual Searches: Google Lens now processes over 20 billion visual searches monthly, particularly popular for answering complex queries and aiding in product discovery.
• YouTube’s Revenue Success: YouTube’s combined ad and subscription revenue surpassed $50 billion over the past year, a record milestone for the platform.
• Waymo’s Autonomous Milestones: Waymo has completed more than 1 million autonomous miles and over 150,000 paid rides, marking significant growth in the autonomous vehicle sector.

5. New Wear OS Features on Pixel Watch

Google’s October Pixel Drop has brought additional functionality to the Pixel Watch lineup, including a new Google Contacts Tile for Wear OS. This feature offers easy access to individual contacts, displaying their profile image and providing quick call and messaging shortcuts. If a contact has multiple phone numbers, a picker allows users to select the correct one. The latest Tile update, found in Google Contacts version 1.64 for Wear OS, joins the existing Favorite contacts Tile for streamlined communication on the Pixel Watch.

Additionally, a new feature is on its way that will allow users to send and view emoji reactions directly from the Gmail app on the Pixel Watch. This update, while not yet live, promises to make email interactions quicker and more expressive on wearable devices.

6. Update Delays for Pixel Watch 3 and Earlier Models

Notably, the Pixel Watch 3, along with earlier models, did not receive a system update in October. Google paused the September Wear OS 5 update due to issues reported by users. However, the company has reassured users that updates are expected to resume later in the year, addressing the delay and enhancing stability for the Pixel Watch lineup.

Conclusion

With these new updates across Pixel devices, Android tablets, and wearables, Google is doubling down on personalized, seamless experiences powered by Gemini AI. The recent enhancements to Google Maps and Google Contacts on Wear OS reflect Google’s commitment to making interactions smarter and more convenient across devices, keeping users connected and engaged in innovative ways. As Google continues to refine these features, users can look forward to an even more integrated ecosystem tailored to modern needs.