The normal disclaimer right here: search for a full evaluate within the not-too-distant future. But now, let’s get a greater take a look at the Pixel Watch in actual life, via some fast photographs and a hands-on squeezed within the press scrum on the Williamsburg Google Store, following immediately’s occasion.

Image Credits: Brian Heater

I had just a few early ideas in regards to the system, having spent a small little bit of time with it earlier than immediately’s large Made By Google occasion. As I discussed within the early information submit, there are two issues that strike you instantly:

First, it seems to be nice. It’s clear this can be a premium tackle the area, as cooperated by the $350 price ticket. This is just not an (comparatively) cheap Fitbit smartwatch. Google is taking intention at Apple and Samsung right here.

Second, it’s small. The Pixel Watch is available in one dimension: 41mm. That’s the smaller of the 2 case sizes Apple at present presents (excluding the 49mm Ultra, naturally). The round design, in the meantime, has the added efficient of creating it seem even smaller one way or the other.

Image Credits: Brian Heater

It’s fairly snug, nonetheless, thanks partly to that compact dimension. It doesn’t take the identical form of adjustment as one thing as large and ponderous because the Apple Watch Ultra. Given the entire additional sleep experience Fitbit is bringing to the desk right here, the dimensions, coupled with the tremendous snug stretch band, ought to make it a lot simpler to put on to mattress.

The system is an fascinating marriage of latest acquisitions. I believe that the {hardware} – with its curved glass and haptic crown for navigation – have been based mostly on that $40 million Fossil IP acquisition the corporate made some time again. Fitbit may be very current right here, as properly, however its influence is most felt in the entire health and sleep monitoring options, together with a UI that marries a few of its design parts with a Wear OS basis.

Image Credits: Brian Heater

The straps are proprietary – a call the corporate apparently made for design causes. There’s a small button beside the connector, which, when pressed, permits you to slide the band off. Google’s personal bands will probably be obtainable at launch (the woven strip, FWIW, seems to be one other direct Fitbit affect), and it says it plans to companion with third-party companies to broaden that portfolio.

Image Credits: Brian Heater

At first look, I’d say Google’s checked off the entire necessary packing containers right here. The Pixel Watch doesn’t broaden the class in a profound method, however in contrast to among the firm’s earlier {hardware} launches, it doesn’t really feel prefer it’s a technology or two behind. It’s up for preorder now at $349 and arrives at retail October twelfth within the US Canada, UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Japan, Australia and Taiwan.