June 2023 Pixel feature drop for Pixel Watch and Fitbits is massive

Traditionally, Google’s quarterly feature drops for its Pixel ecosystem have focused mostly on smartphones. That makes a lot of sense because, until October of last year, that’s mostly all there was! Now, with the Pixel Watch, Google is starting to give it the quarterly update love as well.

Today, Google is rolling out the June 2023 Pixel feature drop. We have a separate article going over the Pixel feature drop for smartphones, but in this article, we will focus on wearables. That’s right: this drop not only brings some new details to the Pixel Watch, but it also brings some fun to select Fitbits too (Google bought Fitbit in 2019).

June 2023 Pixel feature drop: Pixel Watch

By far, the biggest news from this feature drop is support for nighttime SpO2 tracking coming to the Pixel Watch. This was promised a long, long time ago, so it’s nice to see it finally land. After you update, your Pixel Watch will automatically track your blood-oxygen levels while you sleep. Identifying changes within this data can be a good indicator of your overall health. Considering this has become a fundamental aspect of all fitness trackers and smartwatches, it’s great to see the Pixel Watch finally join the club.

Likewise, the Pixel Watch will now be able to recognize fluctuations in your heart rate. If it notices something is very off, it will notify you (see the above image). This could be an early indication of something being wrong with your heart, even including a heart attack.

Finally, the Pixel Watch will also get an exercising auto-pause feature with the June 2023 Pixel feature drop. If you are doing a run, bike ride, or walking exercise, your Pixel Watch will automatically stop tracking it when you stop. When you start again, it will resume tracking, once again, automatically. This means no more fiddling with your watch every time you get to a stoplight!

As a bonus this quarter, Google is also rolling out a set of first-party Metal Links bands for the Pixel Watch. You’ll have the choice between Brushed Silver and Matte Black (shown at the top of this article). Either way, they’ll set you back $199.99 starting June 16 at the online Google Store and its physical retail locations in New York City.

June 2023 Pixel feature drop: Fitbits

It’s unusual for Fitbits to see much action during a Pixel feature drop. However, this time around, Fitbits see a lot of love. These features will begin to roll out to select Fitbit products this week.

• There will be more support for more languages, including supporting right-to-left reading (Sense 2, Versa 4, Charge 5, Luxe, and Inspire 3).
• Your Daily Readiness score will now appear directly on your wearable’s display, with no need to go into the Fitbit app (all models).
• A new Menstrual Health tile will allow you to manage your period from your wearable (Sense 2 and Versa 4).
• You can now switch your clock’s style right from your watch (Sense 2 and Versa 4).
• All exercise modes will now be available on your tracker, with no need to select just five favorites (Charge 5, Luxe, and Inspire 3).
• Four new clockfaces are available in the Fitbit gallery app (Charge 5, Luxe, and Inspire 3).