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’s latest update, Chrome 131 for iOS, introduces several new features that enhance integration with popular Google services like Google Drive and Google Maps. These updates aim to make file management and navigation easier for iOS users. Many of these features were already available on Android, but now iOS users can also enjoy these enhancements.

1. Save Files Directly to Google Drive

With Chrome 131, iOS users can now save their downloaded files directly to Google Drive, offering a seamless way to manage files and free up local storage. Here’s how it works:

• When you download a file in Chrome, a “Save” banner appears at the bottom of your screen.
• Tapping this banner gives you the option to save the file either to the iOS Files app or directly to Google Drive.
• If you choose Google Drive, the file will be saved in a folder named “Saved from Chrome”, making it easy to locate later.

This feature offers a convenient solution for users who want to store files in the cloud instead of using their device’s limited storage. It complements an existing feature in Chrome where long-pressing an image gives you the option to “Save in Google Photos”.

2. Enhanced Image Search with Google Lens

Chrome 131 also improves its image search capabilities with Google Lens integration. The update brings a new feature called “Add to Your Search,” which allows users to enhance their visual search queries:

• When you use “Search Image with Google” from the context menu, you can now add text to refine your search.
• This feature helps users perform more complex searches by combining image recognition with text input.
• Additionally, users can access this capability by taking a live photo using the Lens shortcut on the New Tab Page.

This update makes image searches more powerful and versatile, enabling users to find what they are looking for with greater accuracy.

3. New Shopping Insights and Deals Notifications

As the holiday shopping season begins, Chrome 131 introduces a new “Good Deal Now” notification feature to help users find better deals online:

• This feature shows a notification when it detects a good deal on a product you are viewing.
• It provides Shopping Insights, such as price history, allowing users to track price changes and set alerts for specific items.
• Currently, this feature is available in the US for users who have enabled “Make searches and browsing better” in the Chrome settings under Google Services.
• The feature will be rolled out to more regions over the next few months.

With this addition, Chrome aims to enhance the shopping experience by helping users make more informed purchase decisions and find discounts.

4. Improved Google Maps Integration for Quick Navigation

Chrome 131 also enhances its integration with Google Maps, making navigation smoother and quicker:

• Now, when you tap on an address in Chrome, it immediately brings up a bottom sheet with a mini-map view.
• From this mini-map, you can quickly access the “Get Directions” button, making it easier to start navigation without leaving the browser.
• This update eliminates the need to manually open Google Maps or right-click to get directions, streamlining the user experience.

Google is currently testing this feature and plans to roll it out globally in the coming months. iOS users can expect this enhancement to be available on their devices soon.

Conclusion

Chrome 131 for iOS brings valuable updates that enhance user interaction with Google services, making the browser a more integrated and efficient tool for everyday tasks. From saving files directly to Google Drive to refining image searches with Google Lens and receiving timely shopping alerts, these features aim to provide a smoother and more productive browsing experience for iOS users. Keep an eye out for these updates as they roll out globally, adding new ways to simplify your browsing and shopping experience.

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.