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Pixel Watch 3 LTE is practically free for Google Fi Subscribers, but the first-gen Pixel Watch still has old font issues

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Google

If you’re a Google Fi Wireless user, you can snag a Pixel Watch 3 LTE (41mm or 45mm) almost for free. Here’s how you can get this smartwatch and what you need to know about the latest updates for the original Pixel Watch.

Get Pixel Watch 3 LTE for Free with Google Fi

Google Fi Wireless is running an enticing promotion where you can effectively get the Pixel Watch 3 LTE without paying its full retail price. Here’s the breakdown:

Offer Details:

  • Discount: Google Fi is offering a $150 instant discount on the Pixel Watch 3 LTE.
  • Rebate: If you meet the terms, you can claim a full rebate of $299.99 (for the 41mm) or $349.99 (for the 45mm) over 24 months. This means the watch is essentially free.

How to Get It:

  1. Upfront Purchase Option:
    • Pay the full price ($349.99) upfront at checkout.
    • Receive $349.99 back via 24 monthly credits on your bill, effectively making the watch free over time.
  2. Financing Option:
    • Choose to pay $0 monthly for the watch with Google Fi’s device financing plan.
    • The device payments are discounted through 24 monthly credits, totaling $349.99.
    • You only need to pay taxes upfront at checkout, calculated based on the pre-credit price.

Important Requirements:

  • 24-Month Commitment: You need to stay subscribed to Google Fi for 24 months to receive the full rebate. Canceling your service will stop the remaining credits.
  • Credit Check: Financing requires a credit check.
  • Promotion Limits:
    • For individual plans, each person can get one device under this offer during the promotion period.
    • For group plans, only one device promotion is allowed per member.

The offer ends on January 7, 2025, at 9:59 AM PST or while supplies last. This is a great deal for Google Fi users, especially compared to other discounts like the $100 price cut at the Google Store during Black Friday.

Wear OS 5 Update Leaves First-Gen Pixel Watch with Roboto Font

While Pixel Watch 3 users enjoy new features, first-gen Pixel Watch owners have encountered a small but noticeable issue after the Wear OS 5 update.

The Problem:

  • After updating to Wear OS 5, the original Pixel Watch unexpectedly reverted from using the modern Google Sans font back to the older Roboto font.
  • This change affects every part of the interface, including the lock screen, settings menu, and inside apps.

Why It Matters:

  • The Roboto font was widely used in Android during the early 2010s but feels outdated now, especially when compared with the sleeker Google Sans font.
  • The difference is particularly noticeable in certain characters like the letter ‘G’ and numbers, making the interface look less polished.

Possible Fixes:

  • Google has not yet addressed this issue, and users hoping for a quick resolution might be disappointed. The next scheduled update is planned for March 2025, but there’s a chance Google could release an unscheduled fix before then.

Impact:

  • While this font change does not affect the watch’s functionality, it’s a visual inconsistency that may bother some users who prefer a more unified look between their devices.

Conclusion

If you’re a Google Fi user, the current deal on the Pixel Watch 3 LTE is a fantastic opportunity to get a high-quality smartwatch at no additional cost. However, if you own the first-gen Pixel Watch, the recent Wear OS 5 update might have left you with an unexpected downgrade in the font appearance. With no immediate fix in sight, users may have to wait a few months for Google to address the issue.

For now, take advantage of the promotional deal if you’re looking to upgrade to the latest Pixel Watch model. And if you’re sticking with the first-gen version, keep an eye out for any upcoming software patches that might restore its original polished look.

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Google

New Pixel Watch feature simplifies phone swaps

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Google Pixel Watch

Google has introduced a smart new tool for Pixel Watch owners to ease the transition when upgrading to a new phone. The latest Pixel Watch app update (version 2.2) now includes a “Switch phone” prompt that pops up when the app notices your watch is linked to a different device. This alert, visible on the app’s home screen, guides you to connect your watch to the new phone effortlessly.

The feature walks users through the steps to transfer their Pixel Watch, ensuring a smooth setup. Once completed, the prompt vanishes, and the app updates to show the new connection. It supports all models—Pixel Watch, Pixel Watch 2, and Pixel Watch 3—but requires the newest app version, so you may need to update.

This addition addresses a common hassle where users forget to re-pair their watch after switching phones, which can lead to syncing issues. However, the reminder might feel a bit insistent for those not ready to make the switch immediately. It’s unclear if you can turn off the prompt for good.

Google’s attention to practical tweaks like this highlights their commitment to improving user experience. The phone switch feature saves time and reduces frustration, especially for frequent phone upgraders. If you’ve recently changed phones, open the Pixel Watch app to check out this helpful tool.

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Android

Google’s May 2025 Android updates: better performance and messaging

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Google’s May 2025 Android updates bring exciting changes to improve how your phone works and how you message. These updates focus on making devices faster, safer, and more user-friendly.
One big change is to Android’s memory system. By increasing the memory page size from 4KB to 16KB on newer devices, apps can load quicker and use less power. This helps phones, especially those with modern chips, run smoothly and save battery life. Older devices will stick with the smaller page size to avoid issues.

The Google System Updates for May also add new features. Google Wallet now supports more card types and makes transit passes easier to use in apps like Google Maps. The Play Store now shows video previews of apps, helping you decide what to download. There are also fixes to improve battery life, storage, and network performance, making your phone more reliable.

For Google Messages, a new “delete for everyone” feature lets you remove sent messages from group chats within 15 minutes. This works for both RCS and SMS, so you can fix mistakes easily. Other messaging upgrades include better scam detection and the ability to send high-quality photos and videos. These updates show Google’s effort to make Android devices faster, more secure, and better for communication. Keep your phone updated to enjoy these improvements!

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Google

Smart home and navigation upgrades for easier living

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Google

Google Maps is making driving more fun with a new feature for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Now, you can pick different car icons to show your vehicle on the map. Choose from options like a sleek sedan, a rugged SUV, or a cool arrow.

This small change adds a personal touch to your navigation and is rolling out to all users soon. Meanwhile, Ecobee’s Smart Doorbell Camera is getting a big upgrade with Google Home support. You can now see who’s at your door right from the Google Home app, view live video, and even talk to visitors.

If you have a Nest Hub, the doorbell feed pops up automatically when someone rings. This feature, already available for Ecobee’s thermostat, makes your smart home setup smoother and is available now for all users. On the AI front, Google’s Gemini app is getting smarter with the Gemini 2.5 Pro preview.

This update improves coding skills, helping developers create better apps and websites. It also handles video and text tasks more effectively. The preview is out for everyone to try, with Google planning to share more at its I/O 2025 event. These updates from Google and Ecobee bring small but meaningful improvements, making your car rides, home security, and digital tasks easier and more enjoyable.

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