When it comes to unlocking your Android smartphone, you’ll be spoiled for choice. PIN, Pattern, Face Unlock, Smart Lock… As if this wasn’t enough, Google will add another method. We took a look at this last month: unlocking a mobile phone using your connected watch. In this case, only Pixel Watch is used. This option is interesting on paper because it’s sold by Google as being useful “when your fingers are wet or your face isn’t recognized.”
our colleagues coming 9to5Google We were able to test what is called “Unlock Watch” in English. There are conditions for this to work; the watch needs to be “unlocked, on your wrist, and within range of the phone.” Makes sense so far. Actually the distance is about 10cm. You almost have to grab the mobile phone which can be annoying. If the watch is not on the wrist of the hand holding the device. You will feel a small vibration when unlocking is possible.
Unlocking a mobile phone with Pixel Watch presents some restrictions
What you need to do from there swipe up the smartphone screen or tap a notification that appears. Even if “swiping” or pressing remains possible in this case, we lose some interest in accessing the phone with wet fingers. Face Unlock does not require any additional interaction when the option to bypass the lock screen is enabled.
Google also warns the function has a negative impact on the watch’s battery. When we know that some people have trouble getting through the day, it’s not clear that we want to engage an option that will consume more energy.
“Watch Unlock” will definitely come with Pixel 8, Pixel Watch 2 and Android 14. Initially most likely only Google devices are compatible. Extensible to other brands and models Use OS 4, the new version of Google’s operating system for connected objects. No distribution date has been announced at this time.
Support our work ❤️
If you enjoyed this article, consider leaving a tip to help us keep publishing great content.
