Pixel Watch update and Quick Phrases bug

Google Pixel Watch’s New Concentric Face Still Missing, but Hints Appear Again

Google recently showcased an updated version of the Concentric watch face for the Pixel Watch, but it hasn’t officially launched yet. This refreshed design first appeared in October during the unveiling of the Pixel Watch 3 and features a ring of complications—something missing from the current fullscreen Dial I and Dial II layouts.

Last week, Google teased this updated Concentric face again during its Black Friday promotions, this time in always-on display (AOD) mode. The design appears nearly identical to the existing version but adds functionality for up to four complications.

Why the Concentric Face Matters

Complications are small widgets that display useful information, like weather, heart rate, or battery status. Adding these to the Concentric face transforms it from a purely aesthetic option to a more practical one, which could make it a favorite for daily use.

This isn’t Google’s first attempt at redesigning Pixel Watch faces. Earlier this year, they revamped the Track face and introduced new ones like Active and Field. While the Track redesign brought more complications, some users felt it strayed too far from Google’s Material You design philosophy.

The delayed release of the Concentric update, despite being shown months ago, is surprising. Some speculate it could arrive with the next Pixel Feature Drop. However, the recent random launch of the Performance Loop Band suggests Google’s rollouts can be unpredictable.

Google Assistant’s Quick Phrases Bug Frustrates Pixel Users
Meanwhile, a growing number of Pixel users are reporting issues with Google Assistant’s Quick Phrases feature. Introduced with the Pixel 6, Quick Phrases let you perform simple actions without saying “Hey Google.” For example:

• Say “Stop” or “Snooze” to control alarms and timers.
• Say “Answer” or “Decline” for incoming calls.

Recently, users have noticed that the on-screen Quick Phrases prompts—like “Say ‘Stop’ or ‘Snooze’”—linger even after the command is recognized. In some cases, the prompt appears randomly, sometimes after an alarm or while using apps like Gboard.

Troubleshooting and Workarounds

Users have tried disabling Quick Phrases under Google app > Settings > Google Assistant > Quick Phrases, but results are mixed. Restarting the phone temporarily clears the issue for some, but the problem often reappears.

Reports suggest the bug is present across multiple versions of Android, including stable Android 15, QPR1 Beta 3.1, and QPR2 Beta 1. It seems linked to the Google app itself, with both stable (version 15.46) and beta (15.47) versions being affected. Since Google Assistant is powered by the app, this is likely an app or server-side issue.

Quick Phrases: A Feature in Need of Updates

Since its launch, Quick Phrases haven’t received significant updates. The last major addition came a year ago, enabling call controls for the Pixel Buds Pro. This lack of updates and the recent bug underscore the need for Google to enhance and stabilize the feature.

What’s Next for Google Users?

• Pixel Watch Users: Stay tuned for the next Feature Drop, which could finally bring the updated Concentric face. In the meantime, new bands like the Performance Loop Band are available to enhance the watch’s functionality and style.
• Pixel Phone Users: If you’re experiencing Quick Phrases issues, temporary workarounds might help, but a fix will likely require a Google app update.

Google’s hardware and software ecosystem continues to grow, but these hiccups show there’s room for improvement in ensuring seamless updates and bug fixes.

Source – 9To5Google, 9To5Google