Google is finally rolling out Fall Detection to the Pixel Watch. A feature that was announced with the Pixel Watch back in October. It’s great to see that it is finally coming to the smartwatch.
Users will start to see a promotional card on the “Updates” page on the Pixel Watch Companion App or in the Personal Safety app. From here, they are able to toggle on the Fall Detection feature.
Google says that the feature has been extensively tested to ensure that the Pixel Watch knows the difference between a hard fall and performing a vigorous activity like a stumble, or skiing. Something that has been a major issue for the iPhone and Apple Watch since this feature rolled out last year.
So how does this work?
With the feature turned on, if you have a hard fall and it’s detected, after about 30 seconds of no movement, your Pixel Watch will vibrate, sound an alarm and display an on-screen notification to check if you need help. It’s not as instant as what Apple does, so hopefully it should have far less false-positives.
You can tap on the “I’m Ok” option on your wrist and dismiss the notification, or tap on “I fell & need help” to be connected with emergency services right away. If you don’t, the alarm will continue for about a minute, getting louder in the final few seconds. Now by this point, if you still haven’t responded, your watch will automatically attempt to call emergency services, and it will play an automated message that requests help to wherever you are.
This feature will start rolling out on February 28. It shouldn’t require an operating system update, so it should just appear on your Pixel Watch. Likely after an update to the Personal Safety app. It’s good to see this feature does appear to give off less false-positives compared to the iPhone though.
2023-02-28 15:05:13