Google's Pixel Watch 5 focuses on AI and health with offline Gemini and proactive wellness

The Google Pixel Watch 5, starting at $399, is a largely software-focused update over hardware. It features offline Gemini for basic tasks like setting timers, proactive AI suggestions, and AI-generated watch faces using the Nano Banana model. Health and fitness updates include Breathing Emergency Detection, which monitors a significant drop in blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) and can call emergency services, though it is disabled during sleep and not intended for those with chronic respiratory conditions; it launches in Europe and awaits FDA clearance in the US. Other new wellness features are Blood Pressure Trends and Insulin Resistance Trends, which provide monthly trend flags without direct measurements, and are expected to roll out in September to Pixel Watch 3 and later, as well as Fitbit Air. Google also claims the Pixel Watch 5's GPS accuracy will surpass that of the Garmin Fenix 8 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 by using satellite, weather station, and Google Maps building data corrected with AI. AI-generated strength training plans are now available on the wrist, and all these updates feed into the Google Health app's AI coach. The watch is available for preorder today and ships August 20th, with a Steph Curry Special Edition on September 3rd.