“Crucial Attribute Required for Pixel Watch 4 to Emerge as Leading Fitness Smartwatch”

The Pixel Watch serves as a solid fitness tracker, yet it could benefit greatly from Garmin’s expertise.

For the past year, I’ve made the Pixel Watch 3 my main smartwatch. When compared to other Wear OS devices I’ve tried before, this one stands out as the best due to its elegant design, seamless performance, and impressively good battery life. However, despite the Fitbit integration being a valuable addition, there’s a specific feature that prevents it from being my preferred gym smartwatch, which is why I often revert to a Garmin watch during workouts.

The Pixel Watch excels at monitoring my workouts, particularly my running sessions (when I actually manage to do them), but it falls short in tracking weightlifting. In fact, by comparison to other smartwatches, it’s quite basic, and I’m genuinely surprised that Google hasn’t enhanced this feature for its leading smartwatch. While heart rate, active calories, and cardio load data are available, what I truly need is the ability to automatically count my repetitions.

This is an area where Garmin excels; even Samsung has some capabilities in this regard. Given the recent emphasis on running features, I would greatly appreciate seeing the Pixel Watch 4 incorporate rep counting into its features.

Garmin’s Method for Counting Reps and Sets

I appreciate that Garmin can automatically count repetitions and manage the start or stop of sets. This functionality means I don’t have to keep track manually; the watch does it for me. At the gym, I can easily get lost in my music. While I’m not as dedicated as some who meticulously log every set in notebooks, I still aim to stay on track with my workouts. Often, I forget which rep or set I’m on, so it’s convenient to check my Garmin watch.

Although I’m not fully versed in the technicalities, Garmin claims it can monitor “weight training exercises that involve distinct and consistent movements, like the bench press,” along with “exercises aimed at specific muscle groups/body parts.” After executing the same motion multiple times, it will recognize that I am in a set and begin counting my repetitions, retroactively adding the earlier reps to my current count.

When I cease those movements, the watch automatically records that set and initiates a resting phase, complete with its own timer, ensuring I don’t overdo or underdo my rest between sets. That rest period ceases once the watch detects that I’m engaged in repetitive movements again, at which point it will begin counting reps for the new set.

The Pixel Watch 3 simplifies things by merely tracking my workout without counting reps, sets, or rest durations. However, it does have the capability to automatically recognize certain activities like running and walking. I believe Fitbit could leverage the same movement data for weightlifting reps like Garmin does. Even if it’s not flawless, having some functionality would be preferable to having none.

I’m not alone in my belief that Google could improve. Nicholas Sutrich, a senior editor at Android Central, notes that his Amazfit watch makes his Pixel Watch feel inferior, especially highlighting its capacity to log and analyze repetitions during workouts. Similar to Garmin, Amazfit utilizes this data in a practical manner that Google could emulate.

It’s not perfect, but it’s better than nothing

While the accuracy isn’t perfect, Garmin watches such as the Venu 3 and Forerunner 570 perform admirably, typically being only one or two reps off in their counts. If any discrepancies arise, Garmin allows for quick adjustments to the rep count and even lets you record the weight while it counts down to the start of your rest period.

You can also modify the last set if you forget to do so, or use the Garmin app to make adjustments later.

It’s crucial to note that this feature generally functions best during workouts where the watch can effectively monitor your movements. Garmin actually maintains a list of workouts that may pose challenges for its tracking capabilities, so it’s important to consider this if you plan to depend on this feature:

– Stationary wrist exercises: dips, pull-ups, push-ups, planks
– Leg isolated exercises: extensions, seated presses, calf raises, hamstring curls
– Complex/hybrid motions: box jumps, “CrossFit” style workouts, burpees
– Short-range exercises: shoulder shrugs
– Battle ropes and jump rope

In these scenarios, the watch may not acknowledge that you’re completing any activity and will display you as being in a rest period. Consequently, leg day tends to be the only occasion when this feature proves unreliable, other than with squats. Nonetheless, they are generally dependable for weightlifting and can serve as a suitable alternative to pen and paper.

It’s not just about counting reps; there’s so much more involved.

Pixel Watch 4 Might Tackle Major Issues Confronting Google’s Wearables

Google’s forthcoming Pixel Watch 4 is stirring excitement with speculations suggesting it will be more repair-friendly and fitted with improved safety features. Traditionally, Pixel Watches have posed challenges for repair due to their sealed construction. Nevertheless, the Pixel Watch 4 is anticipated to showcase a revamped design that facilitates access to its internals, possibly rendering components such as the battery or cover glass replaceable, although specifics are yet to be clarified.

This change aligns with Google’s earlier declarations regarding enhancing repairability throughout its devices. The initiative could signify a notable departure from the existing trend where malfunctioning Pixel Watches require complete replacements owing to the absence of official repair avenues.

In addition to enhanced repairability, the Pixel Watch 4 is rumored to bring forth sophisticated emergency functionalities. It might feature satellite SOS capabilities, mirroring similar options provided by rivals like Apple. This capability could significantly boost the watch’s attractiveness in emergency scenarios, though information on its operation is still pending.

Another expected attribute is a Breathing Emergencies alert, employing the watch’s SpO2 sensor to track blood oxygen levels. Should levels fall below a certain threshold, the watch would provide a warning, potentially notifying users of respiratory concerns.

While comprehensive specifications are not yet disclosed, these anticipated enhancements are highly awaited as Google gears up for its August 20 event, where further details are likely to be shared.

Google Launches Pixel 10, Fitbit Suffers Outage, Galaxy Z Fold 7 Encounters Hinge Issues, and More Updates

A summary of the most notable tech news that emerged this week.

Google Expands Computing Capacity for OpenAI to Address Rising AI Needs

OpenAI’s demand for AI is skyrocketing, prompting Google to step up with greater resources.

What you need to be aware of:
– OpenAI is now relying on Google Cloud to support the backend infrastructure for ChatGPT and various AI tools.
– Google Cloud will now be the backbone for ChatGPT’s Enterprise, Edu, Team plans, and the API.
– Sam Altman cited the persistent GPU shortage as a key factor in the decision to engage multiple cloud providers.

OpenAI is enlisting Google Cloud to aid in managing the backend for ChatGPT along with its other AI offerings. Essentially, Google is coming in to assist with some of the significant work behind the scenes.

Historically, the AI powerhouse has exclusively depended on Microsoft Azure for its operational needs. However, as demand surges, it’s adjusting its strategy to broaden its backend framework and minimize reliance on Microsoft.

This represents the initial significant step in that direction. As reported by CNBC, OpenAI is set to commence running segments of ChatGPT on Google’s cloud. OpenAI’s revised sub-processor list indicates that Google Cloud will now be instrumental in facilitating ChatGPT’s Enterprise, Edu, and Team plans, in addition to the API components.

OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman has been clear, recently highlighting the GPU shortage as a significant motivator behind the need to expand and diversify its cloud partnerships.

Speculation regarding the OpenAI-Google Cloud arrangement first emerged in June, albeit with ambiguous details at that time.

Google’s understated success:
OpenAI aligning with Google Cloud is a definitive advantage for Google. While it lags behind AWS and Azure, Google’s cloud infrastructure will now support OpenAI’s operations in the U.S., UK, Japan, the Netherlands, and Norway.

This update likely goes unnoticed by many users, yet it marks a significant strategic transformation. OpenAI, which is supported by Microsoft and frequently competes with Google in the AI sector, is now procuring computing resources directly from Google. Both companies have invested billions to advance AI, competing across various domains including chatbots and search, yet they are sharing some of the same server infrastructure.

By diversifying its cloud partnerships, OpenAI reduces the risk of over-reliance on a single provider. A greater variety of options leads to more favorable agreements and priority access to the latest processors.