If you have enabled PIN code protection on your Pixel Watch, you will be familiar with the prompt to enter the PIN that pops up every time you put the watch on your wrist. This design does improve security, but entering numbers repeatedly on a small surface can quickly become tiresome. Now, a new report suggests that Google appears to be working on a more convenient alternative that would allow users to skip this tedious step.
Google is looking into letting a paired Pixel phone unlock the Pixel Watch
foreign media Android Authority A recent in-depth analysis of Google’s Connected Phone & Watch service app revealed a feature in the code that is still under development. This feature may allow users to unlock Pixel Watch directly through their mobile phones, which is equivalent to reversing the existing “watch unlock” function. Currently, watches can unlock mobile phones, but in the future, mobile phones may also be able to unlock watches.
Judging from the context of the code, this new feature is integrated into the same application responsible for handling convenient functions on the wrist, which also includes the rumored “Left Behind” reminder function. Since these features appear to be deeply tied to Pixel hardware, it has been speculated that the “Phone Unlock Watch” may only work on a combination of Pixel Watch and Pixel phones, rather than being open to all Wear OS devices.
The program code string also revealed the preliminary usage: This function requires a one-time setting process, similar to the current watch unlocking mobile phone. The user only needs to enter the PIN of the watch once when it is first activated, and then the paired mobile phone will automatically be responsible for unlocking the watch. The string even mentions that Google may proactively notify users when the feature is officially ready to make sure everyone knows new convenience options are available.
Google also seems to have considered the device upgrade scenario. If the user switches to a new Pixel Watch, this unlocking feature may be automatically enabled on the new device and does not require resetting. Of course, this information comes from APK teardowns, which means the functionality is still in the development stage, and the final presentation may still be adjusted before official launch.
Google has not yet publicly discussed the details of this feature, but it is speculated that it may be unveiled at the “Made by Google” conference on August 12 and announced together with the expected launch of the Pixel Watch 5. If this feature is implemented, the daily use experience of Pixel Watch will become easier and it will also reduce the inconvenience of users repeatedly entering their PIN on the watch.
Source: KOCPC Chinese