If anything, I’m not a smartwatch person. The constant pinging from my smartphone, and then again on my smartwatch, only increases my anxiety.
I prefer fitness trackers that keep me away from screens, like the Whoop MG and smart rings, rather than adding another device that pulls me closer to notifications.
As much as I wanted the Google Pixel Watch 3 to deliver more, I had my doubts.
However, I figured out a way to configure the Pixel Watch 3 so it actually helps me stay focused, both during work hours and while I’m out and about.
I’ve finally stopped drowning in smartwatch notifications
Cutting the noise helps you stay in the zone longer
One of the basic things I used to overlook was having all notifications from all apps on my phone also activated on my Pixel Watch 3.
This meant every promotional alert from food delivery or shopping apps landed on my wrist, even when I didn’t need them.
While working or at the gym, I’d get these notifications, zone out, and feel the urge to check my phone.
I knew this wasn’t healthy, so I finally configured my watch to deliver only the notifications I truly need and leave the rest on my phone.
You can do the same by going to the Pixel Watch app > Notifications > App notifications, then selecting only the apps you actually want on your wrist.
I also turned off the option that automatically allows all new apps to send notifications to my watch. If I want a new app to alert me, I activate it manually.
It’s the one thing keeping me on track all day
Another underrated feature of the Pixel Watch, and the Android ecosystem in general, is Focus mode.
When I’m at my desk, in the zone writing, I only want notifications from essential apps. That’s something I finally configured on both my Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel 9.
Earlier, I’d get notifications from every app while working and get distracted easily. Now, I have a custom “Work” Focus mode on my Pixel that allows alerts only from apps I need during work, like Slack and Gmail.
The rest still arrive silently, so my watch and phone don’t buzz and pull me out of focus. If it alerts, I know it’s important.
You can set up Focus mode on your Pixel by going to Settings > Modes > Create your own mode, then customizing it to allow notifications only from certain people or apps. You can even pick entire app categories.
When created, you can schedule it or, like me, quickly turn it on via Quick Settings on your Pixel Watch.
Gemini on Wear OS makes small tasks ridiculously easier
I didn’t expect to rely on it this much every day
However, both of the features mentioned above are something you can configure on any smartwatch, but what has completely changed how I use my Pixel Watch is the addition of Gemini on Wear OS.
While I loved using Google Assistant on my Pixel Watch, Gemini on Wear OS has transformed my workflow.
Thanks to its addition, I can now fully access Gemini Extensions like Gmail, Tasks, Calendar, and other Workspace apps on my Pixel Watch using just my voice.
For example, my recent habit is to set tasks throughout the day and check them off as I go.
I used to rely on Todoist on my watch and phone, but with Gemini, I can now access Google Tasks directly on my Pixel Watch and add tasks by voice.
The Workspace integration has been excellent for me, even with a few annoyances involving smart home devices.
Still, being able to use Gemini to set tasks and instantly see them populate on my laptop has improved my workflow and helped me stay focused.
Pixel Watch 3 fixed my focus struggles
All things considered, even though I used to be a no-smartwatch person, using the Pixel Watch 3 the right way has worked out really well for me.
Over the past week, I’ve reduced my phone screen time, and I’m hopeful it will drop even further as I refine my focus habits.
Now, if only Google could fix the Pixel Watch 3’s battery issues.
- Case Material
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Aluminum
- Case size
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41mm; 45mm
- CPU
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Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 with Cortex M33 co-processor
- RAM
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2GB
- Storage
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32GB
The Google Pixel Watch 3 might not be a massive departure from its predecessor, but the company did pack it with some interesting new features. The larger 45mm version sports a bigger battery and new fitness features help track and plan your runs. If you’re a smart home user, the Pixel Watch 3 can stream live video of your security cameras.