Wear OS 5.1 is here for the Pixel Watch, and it includes a cool new feature for developers called “Force Global Always-On Display (AOD).” Most apps on Wear OS still don’t work with the always-on screen, but this update changes things a bit.

Since Wear OS 3, only a few apps—like Google Maps for directions, Keep for notes, and Spotify for music—stay active when the screen is always on. For most other apps, when you lower your wrist, the screen blurs and just shows the time. Now, with Wear OS 5.1, this new developer option keeps your last app screen visible even when your wrist is down. The display dims and the text looks chunkier, but it stays usable—similar to how your watch face works.

For example, if you’re using the Stopwatch, it keeps counting instead of switching to a blurry clock. This is different from the usual setup, where the screen hides the app. To turn this on, go to Settings > System > About > Versions, and tap “Build number” a few times. After entering your PIN, you’ll see “Developer options” at the bottom of the Settings menu. Scroll to the end, and you’ll find “Force Global AOD Experience.” This works on the Pixel Watch 2 and likely the Pixel Watch 3, too.

There’s a catch—leaving this on might drain your battery faster, so think about that before using it. It’s not clear if this will ever be a regular feature for everyone. A smarter fix would be for app makers to update their apps to support always-on screens. Google could lead the way by fixing their own apps first.
This update makes the Pixel Watch more fun to use, but it’s up to you if the battery trade-off is worth it!

Google has introduced a new safety feature for the Pixel Watch, making it easier and safer to use Emergency SOS. Before this update, you could start an emergency call by pressing the watch’s crown five times. After a 5-second countdown, the call would go through, accompanied by an alarm sound to confirm the action.

With the latest update, pressing the crown five times brings up a new screen. This screen now asks you to “hold your finger on the screen for 3 seconds” to make the call. This screen will disappear after 20 seconds if no action is taken, to avoid accidentally making emergency calls.

The default setting has changed to “Touch & hold to call,” but you can still choose “Automatically call” if you prefer. You can switch these settings in the Personal Safety app or under Safety & emergency in the watch’s Settings menu, in a new section called “Ways to start SOS.”

This update comes with version 2025.01.23.x of Personal Safety for Wear OS, which you can update through the Google Play Store. After updating, you’ll get a notification on your Pixel Watch about the “Emergency SOS update.”

The idea behind this change seems to be reducing the number of accidental emergency calls. Remember, if you accidentally call emergency services, do not hang up. Instead, explain to the operator that it was a mistake and that you don’t need help.

Google Pixel Watch’s New Concentric Face Still Missing, but Hints Appear Again

Google recently showcased an updated version of the Concentric watch face for the Pixel Watch, but it hasn’t officially launched yet. This refreshed design first appeared in October during the unveiling of the Pixel Watch 3 and features a ring of complications—something missing from the current fullscreen Dial I and Dial II layouts.

Last week, Google teased this updated Concentric face again during its Black Friday promotions, this time in always-on display (AOD) mode. The design appears nearly identical to the existing version but adds functionality for up to four complications.

Why the Concentric Face Matters

Complications are small widgets that display useful information, like weather, heart rate, or battery status. Adding these to the Concentric face transforms it from a purely aesthetic option to a more practical one, which could make it a favorite for daily use.

This isn’t Google’s first attempt at redesigning Pixel Watch faces. Earlier this year, they revamped the Track face and introduced new ones like Active and Field. While the Track redesign brought more complications, some users felt it strayed too far from Google’s Material You design philosophy.

The delayed release of the Concentric update, despite being shown months ago, is surprising. Some speculate it could arrive with the next Pixel Feature Drop. However, the recent random launch of the Performance Loop Band suggests Google’s rollouts can be unpredictable.

Google Assistant’s Quick Phrases Bug Frustrates Pixel Users
Meanwhile, a growing number of Pixel users are reporting issues with Google Assistant’s Quick Phrases feature. Introduced with the Pixel 6, Quick Phrases let you perform simple actions without saying “Hey Google.” For example:

• Say “Stop” or “Snooze” to control alarms and timers.
• Say “Answer” or “Decline” for incoming calls.

Recently, users have noticed that the on-screen Quick Phrases prompts—like “Say ‘Stop’ or ‘Snooze’”—linger even after the command is recognized. In some cases, the prompt appears randomly, sometimes after an alarm or while using apps like Gboard.

Troubleshooting and Workarounds

Users have tried disabling Quick Phrases under Google app > Settings > Google Assistant > Quick Phrases, but results are mixed. Restarting the phone temporarily clears the issue for some, but the problem often reappears.

Reports suggest the bug is present across multiple versions of Android, including stable Android 15, QPR1 Beta 3.1, and QPR2 Beta 1. It seems linked to the Google app itself, with both stable (version 15.46) and beta (15.47) versions being affected. Since Google Assistant is powered by the app, this is likely an app or server-side issue.

Quick Phrases: A Feature in Need of Updates

Since its launch, Quick Phrases haven’t received significant updates. The last major addition came a year ago, enabling call controls for the Pixel Buds Pro. This lack of updates and the recent bug underscore the need for Google to enhance and stabilize the feature.

What’s Next for Google Users?

• Pixel Watch Users: Stay tuned for the next Feature Drop, which could finally bring the updated Concentric face. In the meantime, new bands like the Performance Loop Band are available to enhance the watch’s functionality and style.
• Pixel Phone Users: If you’re experiencing Quick Phrases issues, temporary workarounds might help, but a fix will likely require a Google app update.

Google’s hardware and software ecosystem continues to grow, but these hiccups show there’s room for improvement in ensuring seamless updates and bug fixes.

Source – 9To5Google, 9To5Google