Google Gives Pixel Watch 4 Pinch, Flick Gestures

Abner Li reports for 9to5 Google today Google has released what he describes as a “sizable” update for Pixel Watch 4 that adds one-handed gestures. The newfound functionality is part of Wear OS 6.1, which began rolling out to users late last week.

“Based on Android 16, BP4A.251205.005.W7 is rolling out to the Pixel Watch 2, 3, and 4, including both the Bluetooth/Wi-Fi and LTE models,” Li wrote. “This is officially ‘WearOS 6.1.’ (There are no updates to the original model, which will remain on Wear OS 5.1.).”

(Leave it to Google to lean into the nerdy and inscrutable version numbering.)

According to Li, the Pixel Watch 4 gains two new gestures, enabled by default: Double Pinch and Wrist Turn. The ability to answer and end calls with Double Pinch is coming “soon,” Google says. For now, Google says Double Pinch has robust capabilities, including “[scrolling] through alerts, instantly send the first Smart Reply, manage your timer and stopwatch, snooze an alarm, play/pause music, or even snap a photo.”

From an accessibility standpoint, it’s reasonable to presume these new gestures would make Pixel Watch more accessible to users with disabilities. The obvious analogue is, of course, Apple Watch Series 11. In watchOS, users are able to use gestures like Double Tap and Wrist Flick to do essentially the same exact things on Apple Watch that Google touts Pixel Watch now can do. The win for accessibility is simple: for users with certain motor disabilities, that one can use a one-handed gesture to control their watch—whether Apple Watch or Pixel Watch—can make specific actions more accessible. For example, someone needn’t strain their eyes (or their finger) to find and tap the bespoke Answer/End buttons on the screen to accept or end calls, respectively. A quick tap or pinch does the trick, which increases efficiency in addition to improving accessibility.

Today’s Pixel Watch software update news comes only a few days after Google announced accessibility enhancements to Android as part of its December Pixel Drop.