- New double-pinch and wrist-twist gestures are coming to the Pixel Watch
- They allow you to use the watch without touching the screen: calls, notifications, alarms or music
- Improvements in Intelligent Responses thanks to an AI model based on Gemma
- Features already available on Pixel Watch 4 and coming to other recent models in Europe
Google has taken an important step in the How to control the Pixel Watch with one handThe company is deploying a Software update and potential Pixel Feature Drops what introduces New advanced gestures and AI-powered improvements, with the aim of making the watch more useful when the user's hands are busy or cannot keep an eye on the screen.
With this update, the pixel watch 4 It becomes the benchmark of the range by introducing features such as the Double pinch with the fingers and a quick twist of the wristWhile models like the Pixel Watch 3 benefit from a much more responsive smart reply system. All of this also extends to users of Spain and the rest of Europewhere Google watches are gradually gaining prominence.
New gestures on Pixel Watch 4: double pinch and wrist twist
The big news is the addition of one-handed gestures which allow you to control the watch without touching the screen. Google has activated two key movements on the Pixel Watch 4: the gesture of double pinch and the wrist twistdesigned so that the user can react quickly and discreetly to notifications, calls, alarms or music.
The double pinch consists Touch the thumb and index finger of the hand on which you wear the watch together twice.At first glance it seems like a simple gesture, but in practice it becomes a multifunction command capable of managing part of the watch without needing to use the other hand nor look for physical buttons.
In turn, the wrist twist It revives the idea of the old Wear OS motion gestures, but with a more direct approach: now it focuses on Turn off notifications and silence incoming calls with a quick turn outwards and inwards, thus avoiding more complex interactions that in the past generated errors or unwanted activations.
Both gestures They are added to the function of Raise and Speakwhich already allowed users to raise their wrist to their mouth to talk to Gemini, Google's artificial intelligence system. With this combination, the Pixel Watch 4 reinforces its commitment to a more natural usewhere gestures and voice complement each other according to the user's needs at any given time.
What does the double pinch gesture allow you to do?
Beyond the theory, the usefulness of the double pinch is evident in the concrete actions it can perform. As Google explains, this gesture has been designed as a Quick shortcut for the most frequent tasks in everyday life, especially when the other hand is occupied.
With the double pinch it is possible scroll through notifications and dismiss themYou can pause or resume timers and stopwatches, snooze alarms, or control music playback with a simple swipe of your fingers. You can also launch and select intelligent responses in messaging applications, making it easier to reply without typing or dictating.
Another of the planned functions is to be able to answer and end calls directly with this gesture. Google has explained that this capability is being rolled out gradually and will arrive throughout the upcoming updates, solidifying the double pinch as a kind of virtual button on the wrist.
In addition, the watch shows On-screen visual cues to indicate when it's possible to use a double pinch. These suggestions appear above buttons or near the scroll bar, so the user knows in what context they can use the gesture instead of touching the screen.
It is possible from the device itself. Adjust the frequency with which these suggestions are displayed.Always, daily, weekly, monthly, or just once. Everything is managed from the Settings > Gestures > Hand Gestures menu, where you can also activate or deactivate the different gesture control options.
The return of the wrist flick: fewer, clearer gestures
The new wrist twist It represents a kind of return to the origins of Android Wear, but with a simpler approach. Google had already experimented with this type of gesture for navigating lists and menus, although many users ended up disabling it due to a lack of precision.
In this new phase, the company has decided to focus on few very concrete actionsWith a quick twist outwards and back to the initial position, the clock allows Dismiss incoming calls and close alert notifications without touching the screen. This reduces the chances of error and makes the gesture a more predictable tool.
The idea is that the wrist twist should be used in contexts where Manipulating the screen is not practical.For example, when we're walking with bags in our hands, cooking, on public transport, or wearing gloves. Instead of searching for the side button or swiping our finger, a simple flick of the wrist is all it takes to silence whatever is making noise or causing annoyance.
Google has also incorporated subtle indicators in the interface To show when the twist can be used, following the same logic as with the double pinch. This reduces the learning curve and prevents the user from having to memorize when each gesture works.
According to the code and internal documentation, these wrist-twists return with a more modest ambition than in the past, but with the aim of offering greater reliability and fewer frustrationsBasic tasks, such as muting or closing notifications, are prioritized instead of trying to control the entire interface with complex movements.
A more usable Pixel Watch when your hands are busy
The combination of a double pinch and a wrist twist responds to the same idea: reduce reliance on touch in the Pixel WatchGoogle wants the watch to be useful even when the other hand is not available, which is quite common in everyday situations.
The company mentions clear examples: cooking, walking the dog, carrying bags, running Christmas errands, or simply Wear gloves in winterIn these cases, turning on the screen, looking for a button, or swiping isn't always the most convenient option, and a quick gesture can resolve the situation with less effort.
These types of functions also have a direct impact on the accessibilityUsers with limited mobility in one hand, or with difficulty interacting with touchscreens, may find in these gestures an easier way to control the watch without relying so much on taps and swipes.
In markets like Spain and other European countries, where the Wearables are increasingly being used for sports, health, and productivity.Having hands-free control options fits well with everyday reality: many people wear their watch all the time and need it to respond quickly, without complicated maneuvers.
At the same time, Google is trying to make the technology as "unnoticeable" as possible. The company talks about moving towards a more fluid and contextual technologythat adapts to the user and not the other way around, so that the watch acts almost like a background assistant instead of demanding constant attention.
Improvements to smart responses: Faster and more efficient AI
Along with the new gestures, Google is strengthening the section on Smart Replies on the Pixel Watch. These quick text suggestions already existed, but now they rely on a new language model based on Gem, a family of AI models from the company itself.
In the Pixel Watch 3 and 4This change allows responses to be generated directly on the watch, without needing to rely on the mobile phone. According to official data, the new model is twice as fast and almost three times more memory efficient than the previous one, which translates into a more agile experience and less resource consumption.
It works simply: when a message arrives at compatible applications, such as Google messagesThe system reads the content and suggests a series of short responses just below the usual emoji, voice, or keyboard options. The user simply taps one to send it, without dictating or typing.
Google has shown practical examples, such as receiving a message like "Can you pick up some lemons at the supermarket?" and seeing suggested responses like "How many do you need?" or "Regular or lime?". This is about contextual phrases that fit the conversation and allow you to respond in seconds.
This system is especially useful when Your hands are busy or your mobile phone isn't within reach.Whether you're walking the dog, shopping, cooking, or doing any task where you don't feel like stopping to type, simply glance at your wrist, choose an option, and continue with what you were doing.
Gemini, Gemma and the role of AI in the watch
The improvement to smart replies is part of a broader push by Google to integrate artificial intelligence directly on the Pixel WatchThe Pixel Watch 4, in particular, is the model that takes the most advantage of Gemini, the company's AI platform, both for voice interaction and contextual functions.
The new Smart Replies rely on a language model based on GemIt's designed to work directly on the watch without constantly relying on the cloud. This allows responses to be generated even when the phone isn't nearby or the connection isn't perfect, which is crucial for those who use the watch independently.
By moving some of this processing to the device, Google gets the answers to arrive with less latency and less impact on battery life, while reinforcing the idea that the watch can act as a more autonomous assistant, not just as an extension of the mobile phone.
However, the company also points out that, in order to suggest contextual responses, the system must read the content of the messages that arrive on the watchThis forces privacy-conscious users to consider the extent to which they want to take advantage of these automatic features or whether they prefer to limit them in the settings.
In any case, the ultimate goal is for the Pixel Watch to get closer to that idea of "invisible technology", in which interaction is reduced to a few quick gestures or touches and the assistant discreetly does the rest.
Availability, compatible models and focus on Europe
The new one-handed gesture features arrive first at pixel watch 4which receives a major update after its initial launch. This model becomes Google's testing ground for new forms of interaction based on finger and wrist movements.
In parallel, the improved smart responses These features extend to the Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Watch 4, provided they have the compatible software version. These are the first watches from the brand to use the new Gemma-based language model directly on the device.
For now, older modelsLike the original Pixel Watch, they remain on previous versions of Wear OS and do not have access to all of these features, partly due to hardware limitations and partly due to the company's update strategy.
The distribution of these new features is done via [unclear - possibly "distribution platform"], which means that the exact arrival time may vary slightly between regions. However, Spain and the rest of Europe are generally aligned with Google's global release schedule for the Pixel family.
In the European context, where the smartwatch market is growing, driven by interest in health, sports, and productivity, this update positions the Pixel Watch. closer to what rivals like Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch offer in terms of gesture control and accessibility features, although with its own approach supported by the Google services ecosystem.
With new double-pinch and wrist-twist gestures, along with faster smart responses and integration with Gemini and Gemma, the Pixel Watch reinforces its position as a watch designed for simplify everyday tasks without requiring so much attention to the screenThis can make all the difference for those looking for a practical and unobtrusive wrist companion for everyday use.
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