Before the launch of the Google Pixel Watch 3: Wear OS 5 gets support for UWB and Bluetooth LE Audio

The successor to the Google Pixel Watch 2 is expected to be officially unveiled on August 13 together with the Pixel 9 series. Android Authority has just found references to two new features that are expected for the Pixel Watch 3 in the developer preview code of Wear OS 5.

First and foremost, there is support for ultra-wideband (UWB) chips. Such chips are currently used for a number of practical applications, such as displaying the precise direction and distance in which a tracker such as an Apple AirTag is located. UWB is being increasingly used to turn smartphones and smartwatches into digital keys for cars or smart home locks and, according to rumors, could also be used to automatically unlock Android smartphones while wearing the paired Pixel Watch 3. 

Google is also preparing support for Bluetooth LE Audio. The new Bluetooth standard has one major advantage for smartwatches in particular: lower power consumption when streaming music to wireless earphones. This is due to the more efficient LC3 codec, which, at a data rate of 160 kbit/s, is said to achieve a level of quality comparable to SBC at 345 kbit/s. However, in order to benefit from Bluetooth LE Audio, the connected Bluetooth headphones must also support the LC3 codec, which is currently only the case with a few models. While the FCC certification has already revealed that the Pixel Watch 3 has a UWB chip, it is unclear whether Google will also offer support for Bluetooth LE Audio at launch.