Google is working on reducing notifications for Pixel devices when unlocked via smartwatches. This change will only prompt alerts based on the distance between the phone and the paired smartwatch, aiming to enhance user experience.
Google reduces unlocking notifications for Pixel smartwatches
Last year, Google introduced the Watch Unlock feature for Pixel Watches, allowing users to unlock their devices effortlessly while wearing a paired smartwatch. However, users have frequently complained about the incessant “Unlocked by your watch” notifications that appear every time the phone is unlocked. In response, Google is now refining this feature to alleviate user frustration.
An APK teardown of the latest beta version of Google Play Services (version 24.46.30 beta) reveals the upcoming adjustments according to an Android Authority report. The proposed system will minimize unlocking notifications to instances where there is a significant distance between the phone and the smartwatch. This change seeks to decrease unnecessary notifications when devices are in close proximity, effectively making the unlocking process smoother and less disruptive.
The steps being taken by Google are timely, given the growing number of users adopting smartwatches. Channeling their focus on user convenience, the updated Watch Unlock feature will alert users only when distance metrics indicate the need for a notification. By implementing distance-based calculations, Google appears poised to enhance the smartphone-wearable pairing experience significantly.
The motivation behind this change lies in creating a more refined interaction model between Pixel devices and their corresponding smartwatches. Presently, every unlock event triggers an alert—a scenario that many users find annoying. This revision, therefore, directly addresses a prevalent pain point in the user experience.
As an example of how this feature might work, if a user locks their Pixel phone and walks away from their smartwatch, an “Unlocked by your watch” notification may pop up if they are far enough apart. However, users won’t see this notification if their phone and watch are close together, thus cutting down on superfluous alerts significantly. Such alterations indicate how tech giants are increasingly attuned to the nuanced needs of their customer bases, especially as wearables become an integral part of everyday life.
If you bought a Pixel phone after 2017, you’re in danger
Google has not provided a definite launch date for the updated Watch Unlock notifications. However, users are encouraged to keep an eye on future updates from Google Play Services or relevant tech reports. This potential shift in notifications reflects a growing priority on user comfort and convenience in technological interactions, something that could greatly enhance user satisfaction across Google’s ecosystem.
Further updates will clarify when users can expect this refined feature to be available for all.
Featured image credit: Google
