A couple of days ago, Google started rolling out the Wear OS 5.1 update to the Pixel Watch 2 and Watch 3 series smartwatches. The latest update for the platform improves the wearables’ performance, besides bringing a few new tools to make your devices smarter and more useful. In addition, the Wear OS 5.1 update also brings a new “Force Global AOD Experience” feature for the Pixel Watch series.
The new update for the Pixel Watch series adds support for “Always On Display” for all apps
The Wear OS 5.1 update for the Pixel Watch series smartwatches brings a new “Force Global AOD” developer option in the settings. Turning on this feature will add support for “Always On Display” for all the applications on your smartwatch. Since the Wear OS 3 version, most applications – excluding Google Maps, Keep, and Spotify – lack the “Always On Display” support on the platform. Once you put your wrist down while using an app, the OS blurs the screen and shows the time.
However, the new dev feature keeps the last screen of an open app visible and/or active, which matches the behavior of your watch face. To turn it on, go to Settings > System > About > Versions and tap “Build Number” a few times. Once you confirm your wearable’s PIN, “Developer options” will appear on the screen at the bottom of the Settings list. Here, switch on the toggle for the “Force Global AOD Experience” to get the new functionality.
As of now, the “Force Global AOD” feature of the Wear OS 5.1 update is only available for the Pixel Watch 2 and Watch 3 series devices. However, it will be available for more Wear OS watches, including Samsung’s latest Galaxy watches, in the coming weeks.
The Wear OS 5.1 update also brings improved step tracking and more
Apart from the aforementioned functionalities, the Wear OS 5.1 update also brings a handful of new features. It adds an “Auto Bedtime Mode” to the Pixel Watch 2, which Google introduced alongside the Pixel Watch 3. This feature can detect when you are asleep or have awakened. There’s a new “Menstrual tracking” functionality for the Pixel Watch 3 to log periods, view cycle status, and predict your next period.
Furthermore, the new Wear OS update brings a new “Media Control Upgrade”, which makes it easier to control audio playback from the watch with control type based on the content you are playing. The new firmware improves the step tracking algorithm for jogging with a stroller, pushing a shopping cart or wheelchair, or hiking with poles. Notably, a new “Loss of Pulse Detection feature” is also arriving on the Pixel Watch 3 later this month.
