Enhanced One-Handed Controls and Improved Smart Replies on the Pixel Watch 4

The latest Pixel Watch 4 introduces innovative gesture controls that enhance user interaction with the smartwatch. One of the new features is the “Double Pinch” gesture, which functions similarly to existing gestures on Apple and Samsung smartwatches. With this gesture, users can conveniently scroll through alerts, snooze alarms, send smart replies to messages, control music playback, and even take photos by simply tapping their index finger and thumb together twice. Google has also announced plans to add the ability to answer and end calls using the double pinch gesture in the near future.

Another notable gesture on the Pixel Watch 4 is the “Wrist Turn” feature, reminiscent of the wrist flick gesture on the Apple Watch. By quickly turning the wrist away and back, users can silence incoming calls or dismiss notifications. To assist users in mastering these gestures, wearOS will provide on-screen hints to indicate when they can be utilized effectively.

In addition to gesture controls, the Pixel Watch 4 enhances smart replies with a new custom on-device language model inspired by Google’s Gemma. This model generates context-based suggested responses independently of a phone connection, resulting in faster response times and reduced memory usage compared to previous models. The improved quality of smart replies offers users a more efficient alternative to typing or dictating responses on a small screen.