Skip to main content

Pixel Watch 3 gets key health feature Apple Watch doesn’t have

Someone wearing the Google Pixel Watch 3, showing the app drawer.
Joe Maring / Digital Trends

Last summer, Google announced the Pixel Watch 3, highlighting its “loss-of-pulse” feature. Regulators have now approved this feature, and according to the company, it will be available to users in the U.S. in March.

“Loss-of-pulse” is a groundbreaking feature that can detect when a user’s heart stops beating. If this occurs, the watch will automatically call emergency services for potentially life-saving care if the user does not respond to a prompt. This feature is ideally suited for those suffering from cardiac arrest, respiratory or circulatory failure, overdose, or poisoning.

Recommended Videos

The feature is already available in 14 countries in the E.U.

Wearable devices such as the Pixel 3, recent Apple Watches, and Samsung Galaxy Watches have long offered safety and health features, including fall detection, irregular heart rhythm notifications, and an ECG app. However, the Pixel 3 is noteworthy for its unique “loss-of-pulse” feature. Since this feature has now received approval from U.S. regulators for the Pixel 3, similar features will likely be introduced in upcoming devices, including the Apple Watch Series 11 and the Apple Watch Ultra 3.

The Pixel Watch 3 represents an evolution in the Pixel Watch series, offering users the option of two sizes to accommodate different wrist sizes and preferences. The design features a smaller bezel, which enhances the aesthetics while increasing the display area, providing a view of notifications, apps, and watch faces.

The Pixel Watch 3’s battery life is notable, lasting over 24 hours on a single charge. This extended battery life allows users to wear the watch throughout the day and night, making it suitable for tracking sleep patterns and monitoring health metrics without frequent recharging.

The Pixel Watch 3 also includes various running features aimed at fitness enthusiasts. It provides real-time pace tracking, GPS functionality, and customizable training modes for runners of varying experience levels.

The watch also offers health-tracking capabilities such as heart rate monitoring, stress management tools, and sleep analysis, encouraging users to monitor their health and fitness. With integration into the Google ecosystem, the Pixel Watch 3 aims to deliver a user-friendly experience for those interested in both style and functionality in wearable technology.

Bryan M. Wolfe
Former Mobile and A/V Freelancer
Bryan M. Wolfe has over a decade of experience as a technology writer. He writes about mobile.
Google’s December 2024 Pixel Drop just arrived with a boatload of new features
Someone holding a Google Pixel 9.

It’s December, and that means a big new update for your Android phone, as well as even more goodies if you’re a Google Pixel user.

Google is officially rolling out its December 2024 Pixel Drop, and there's a lot to go over. From new features for all Android users to a few things exclusive to Pixels, here's the lowdown on what's new.
New features for all Android users

Read more
The Google Pixel 9 may soon get a powerful phone call feature
Someone holding the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, showing the back of the phone.

With the Google Pixel 9 series, Google offers a feature called Call Notes in the Google Phone app. Powered by Gemini Nano, the feature automatically generates call summaries and captures points discussed. Thanks to artificial intelligence, that feature could soon be expanded.

According to Android Authority, an APK teardown has revealed code indicating that a new feature called “Call To-do List” may soon be available on supported devices. The code strings link “Call To-do List” to “Fermat,” the code name for the Call Notes feature.

Read more
I walked a mile with the Apple Watch Series 10 and Pixel Watch 3. Here are the surprising results
The Apple Watch Series 10 and Pixel Watch 3 on one wrist

The Apple Watch Series 10 is one of my favorite wearables, as it offers the biggest display AND the thinnest build in an Apple Watch to date. Battery life aside, which is much worse than both the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Google Pixel Watch 3, it’s the best Apple Watch I’ve ever used.

The Apple Watch comes with a host of features for tracking your fitness, including automatic detection of many different types of workouts, but the tracking of vital signs isn’t the most accurate. The Pixel Watch 3 solves this problem with the best heart rate tracking I’ve tried on a smartwatch, but it doesn’t have as many workout options as the Apple Watch, and automatic detection is inferior as well.

Read more