Google expands Pixel calling features, tests hypertension screening on Pixel Watch, & quietly drops Clock support for other wearables

After yesterday’s roundup covering Pixel’s Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3.1 issues, Qualcomm’s explanation of why Pixel phones don’t use Snapdragon chipsets, the return of Live Caption, the new anti-blur toggle, and Samsung testing Pixel-style back tap, today brings another packed batch of Pixel updates. This time focused on calling upgrades, wearable health tech, app compatibility shakeups, and a major smartwatch deal.

Pixel calling features go global(ish)

Google has just released a blog detailing new Pixel features for easier phone calls, and buried beneath the branding fluff are actual rollout details that matter for current users. The biggest one: basic Call Recording is expanding to every country where Pixel phones are officially sold, but only on Pixel 6 and newer. The feature will roll out throughout the rest of the year, and it targets regions where full Call Notes and transcription may not be supported yet.

Scam Detection is also stepping out of its U.S. bubble and heading to Australia, Canada, Great Britain, India, and Ireland. Call Screen and the more advanced Call Notes (still in preview) are going to the same countries as well. Google is even adding Android Auto support so you can screen calls or launch Call Notes while driving… because nothing says productivity like dictating reminders at a red light.

Pixel 10 owners in India are getting manual Call Screen in beta, with support for English and Hindi to start, and more dialects planned. And while Google listed flashy features like Magic Cue, Calling Cards, and Voice Translate, most of that is tied to the Pixel 10 and the new Tensor G5. The average user will notice the Material 3 Expressive redesign first — the new Phone app layout, swipe/tap answer options, and full-screen photo “Calling Cards” are already live for some.

Pixel Watch could screen more than just calls

While Apple is patting itself on the back for hypertension notifications on recent Watch models, Google is quietly building its own alternative. Hidden in Fitbit for Android version 4.53 is mention of a “Fitbit Hypertension Study,” aimed at turning the Pixel Watch into a non-invasive blood pressure screener.

Participants will fill out a short questionnaire, then have their everyday sensor data collected “during normal wear.” A slice of users will also be asked to wear a traditional 24-hour blood pressure monitor for comparison, and they’ll get $50 for the trouble. Battery drain is expected since the watch will be polling its sensors more aggressively.

Much like Apple’s approach, Google won’t be replacing a cuff or giving you an actual blood pressure number. Instead, the watch will look for patterns over time that suggest hypertension risk. And the feature won’t require the newest hardware, though specific models weren’t mentioned.

Google Clock quietly ghosts non-Pixel watches

In a move no one saw coming, including Samsung and OnePlus owners, the Google Clock app for Wear OS just stopped supporting every smartwatch that isn’t a Pixel Watch. Until recently, users could download it from the Play Store to replace the default alarm, timer or stopwatch apps on devices like the Galaxy Watch. That’s no longer the case, as per reports in the Google support forums and Reddit.

Now, trying to install Google Clock on Samsung, OnePlus or other Wear OS watches triggers an incompatibility error. Sideloading mostly fails, and when it works, syncing alarms doesn’t. Only the Pixel Watch remains officially supported. It’s unclear whether this is intentional or a glitch, especially given Google’s recent move to pull its Weather app from non-Pixel wearables starting with Wear OS 6.

If the app is already on your device, it’ll stay unless you reset the watch. But any fresh install attempts are dead in the water, and Google hasn’t offered any comment to clarify whether this is a “feature” or fallout from the Material 3 Expressive redesign rollout.

Pixel Watch 3 hits clearance mode ahead of Watch 4 launch

With the Pixel Watch 4 arriving on October 9, retailers aren’t waiting around to clear inventory. Spotted by 9to5Google, Walmart has slashed the Pixel Watch 3 to as low as $199 for the Wi-Fi 41mm model. That’s $150 off retail. The 45mm version dips to $249, while LTE variants hover around $329 to $399 depending on size and band color.

Amazon is mirroring some of these deals, particularly the $199 Gold/Hazel configuration. Google’s own store and Best Buy haven’t matched the bottom pricing, but they’ve dropped the baseline to $249 to align with the Watch 4’s pricing tiers.

Considering the Watch 4 only brings satellite connectivity, a refined domed display, and faster charging with a new dock — while keeping the same general footprint — the Watch 3 suddenly looks like the smarter buy for anyone not craving off-grid SOS access.