Your Google Pixel Watch could get an always-on display boost today

Check these native Google apps are up to date for the best chance of seeing it

Google Pixel Watch 4
(Image credit: Google)
Quick Summary

There are a couple of updates rolling out to Pixel Watch users that will allow for a better always-on display experience across three Google apps.

The updates are rolling out for Timer, Stopwatch and Media Controls and they make for a much more consistent experience.

If you have a Google Pixel Watch, then today is a good day. When Google launched Wear OS 6, it said it would introduce “more consistent always-on behaviour” when it came to the Always-On Display and that day has now come, at least for a few key areas.

What will the new Always-On Display experience offer?

With the Timer app update, it will be able to remain active even when you put your wrist down or the screen times out. Similar to what happens on Apple Watch, the seconds are replaced with dashes when using the Timer, with raising your wrist then displaying the seconds again.

The new experience also sees the buttons, including the restart, end and pause, outlined only rather than filled in and there is no countdown ring surrounding the display either.

Some changes are also coming to Stopwatch with the Google Clock 6.11 update. Like the Timer always-on display interface, buttons are outlined only, and you lose milliseconds in place of dashes. The outer ring and increments are also scrapped.

Pixel Watch 4 worn on the wrist

(Image credit: Google)

The 9to5Google report also said that some users will see media controls on the always-on display of Pixel Watch too. These controls also switch to the outlined button style, allowing you to control the media playing on your phone through your smartwatch.

It’s worth mentioning that the media controls update and the Stopwatch experience are both rolling out and may not be available to all users just yet.

The Timer experience should be though. Be sure to check all three apps are updated in the Play Store and fingers crossed you will see the new experiences sooner rather than later.

Britta O'Boyle

Britta is a freelance technology journalist who has been writing about tech for over a decade. She's covered all consumer tech from phones, tablets and wearables to smart home and beauty tech, with everything in between. She has a fashion journalism degree from London College of Fashion and previously did a long stint as deputy editor of Pocket-lint, but you’ll now find her byline on several titles including GQ, the Express, the Mirror, TechRadar, Stuff and iMore. You'll never find her without her Apple Watch on, aiming to complete her rings so she can justify the extra bar of chocolate and she loves a good iPhone trick.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.