It’s been a few weeks since Google’s original Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 were updated to the latest Wear operating system… and a few weeks since Google paused the update after users complained they were getting bored with their watches. A new statement says you might have to wait a while before you see Wear OS 5 on your watch.
While some Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 units updated smoothly to the same version of Wear OS 5 that came with the recently released Pixel Watch 3, others weren’t so lucky. They were presented with a blank screen with a Bluetooth logo, with the only solution being a tricky restart of the watch’s firmware and a gentle wipe of the device, meaning you’d have to set it up all over again. That’s clearly not ideal, and it’s a support nightmare on Google’s side.
According to a newly posted support page for Wear OS 5 (spotted by 9to5Google), Google will fix the software update and roll it out to the Pixel Watch and Watch 2 “later this year.” Note that at the time of writing this is a range of approximately eleven weeks. The message contains links to instructions on how to reset your watch if it has been taken out of service due to the faulty update.
Owners of older Pixel Watches probably aren’t too happy to hear about a less-than-ideal update to the latest operating system just as the more expensive Pixel Watch 3 launches. The Pixel wearables, like the phones of the same name, should give you high-quality software support straight from Google itself. It’s believed that a quick update to the latest version of Android is part of the package… not to mention the pretty high price for Wear watches with Android support. But then this year the phones will also receive a somewhat minor upgrade to the latest version of Android.
Mattias Inge
Mattias Inge
Mattias Inge
It’s a shame. Coincidentally, I bought a Pixel Watch 3 earlier this week, and I can say that it definitely feels faster and more stable than the original Pixel Watch, even though it lasts about twice as long on a charge. (Part of that is almost certainly the 45mm model’s physically larger battery, but I imagine the hardware has become more efficient as well.) Given the poor battery life compared to the competition from Samsung and Apple, I expect many Pixel Watch owners have been eagerly awaiting the Wear OS 5 upgrade.
I appreciate that Google doesn’t want to commit to a specific date until all the issues for the software are ironed out. But Pixel devices should be Google’s first hardware experience… and get the first support. Pixel Watch owners are more than right to feel annoyed by the somewhat indefinite wait after a broken software update.
Since these watch owners will likely be considering an upgrade within the next year or two at the latest, if I were in Google’s shoes right now, I’d do everything I can to keep them happy.
