Google announces its second Pixel smartwatch with improved health tracking

Google announced the Pixel Watch 2 this week with improved sensors, a new chip (Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1) and more RAM (2GB), an updated operating system (wearOS 4), and better health tracking.

Looking very similar to the original Pixel Watch with a similar 1.2” OLED screen, the new device is a refined product with a few new tricks added into the mix. The biggest changes are improved heart rate monitoring and the addition of new sensors designed to give the device a fuller picture of its wearer.

Specifically, we now have a body-response sensor and skin temperature sensor that are borrowed from the Fitbit line and bring along new stress management features.

"Body-response tracking takes inputs from cEDA (continuous electrodermal activity - microscopic beads of sweat), heart rate variability, heart rate, and skin temperature to help identify acute body response moments," Google notes. "These can be potential signs of stress throughout the day, or from other things, including alcohol, caffeine, or illness. When a body response is detected, you'll receive a prompt to log your current mood and get suggestions for an intervention, like a guided breathing exercise or a walk, on your wrist and in the Fitbit app. Body-response tracking also shows trends over time to help you understand potential patterns and make meaningful changes to your routine."

The new heart rate sensor switches between single- and multi-path modes, offering a more accurate reading when the wearer is exercising. The watch also adds automatic tracking for seven different workout types — including running and cycling — while a new Pace Training feature lets users know how they're performing with respect to their goals.

Also new is a Safety Check feature, which joins existing offerings like Fall Detection and Emergency SOS. The wearer sets a check-in time for certain situations, and when the time is hit - the watch prompts the wearer to check in and note if they're okay. Users can also enable Medical Info to share personal health information with emergency services, like blood type, allergies or conditions.

Beyond new health-based features, there are now Gmail and Google Calendar apps, along with a half-dozen new watch faces, some of which sport the At a Glance feature to surface relevant information like weather and traffic.

Battery life has also been improved, and Google now promises "24 hours with always-on display." And the same goes for charging, as it now takes 75 minutes to get from zero to 100%.

The new Pixel Watch 2 is now available for preorder, starting at $349 for the standard version and $399 for the LTE model. It will start shipping on October 12 and comes with six free months of Fitbit's premium service.