Google could be removing a key feature from the Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Watch 3 LTE models. Safety Signal is apparently going away, as our good friends at Android Authority have found strings of code warning users about the feature being discontinued.
Safety Signal is going away on the Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Watch 3
Safety Signal offers a slew of useful safety features without the need of a carrier plan. | Image by Google
Safety Signal is a neat little Google Health Premium feature that lets certain safety functions work without a standalone carrier plan. It effectively provides LTE connectivity to Pixel Watch models to enable safety tools when you're away from your phone.
Supported Pixel Watch LTE models could call emergency contacts, send Emergency SOS and Fall Detection notifications, and share your location — all without having an active carrier plan.
Now, it seems that the feature is going to be discontinued for good on the Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Watch 3.
Code inside the Pixel Watch app warns users about the end of Safety Signal
Strings of code inside the Google Pixel Watch app show that the Safety Signal feature is going away on some models. | Image by Android Authority
Android Authority found strings of code inside version 5.1.0.990450614 of the Google Pixel Watch app warning users about the discontinuation of Safety Signal.
One of the lines literally says, "Safety signal is going away." There's no clear timeframe, with the message simply reading, "This feature will no longer be available soon." We don't know how soon exactly, but the next big software update could end Safety Signal for good on these devices.
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Safety Signal is available in the US, Canada, the UK, and Germany, so Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Watch 3 users who have an active Google Health Premium subscription will be affected by the change.
Would you upgrade to the Pixel Watch 5 now that you know Safety Signal is going away on the Pixel Watch 2 and 3?
1 Votes
Safety Signal alternatives?
Google hasn't disclosed anything official yet, so we don't know if the feature will be replaced by another service or if users will simply need to buy a carrier plan. Anyone with an active carrier plan will continue to have access to these features, as they will rely on the connectivity provided by the carrier.
Another thing worth mentioning is that if your phone is close by, those features will still work through the Bluetooth connection and your phone's cellular plan.
Google Health Premium starts at $9.99/month and gives you a bunch of AI-powered sports tracking and health features, on top of the Safety Signal benefit.
Is it time to upgrade?
The Pixel Watch 4 is at its lowest price right now. | Image by Google
Another important question this news brings up is whether it's time to upgrade to a newer Pixel Watch model, or change ecosystems altogether.
Google recently released the Pixel Watch 5, and even though the model has been criticized for lacking substantial upgrades over the previous generation, it's still a solid step up from the original Pixel Watch, as well as the Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Watch 3.
For those of you who don't want to pay for a separate cellular plan for your Pixel Watch but still want the peace of mind of Safety Signal features — for example, when running without your phone — an upgrade to the Pixel Watch 5 could be a wise choice.
I admit this scenario is pretty niche, as you also need a Google Health Premium subscription for this to matter, so for most people, this won't be enough of a reason to ditch their Pixel Watch 2 or Pixel Watch 3 to get the latest model.
Would you upgrade to the Pixel Watch 5 now that you know Safety Signal is going away on the Pixel Watch 2 and 3?
Mariyan, a tech enthusiast with a background in Nuclear Physics and Journalism, brings a unique perspective to PhoneArena. His childhood curiosity for gadgets evolved into a professional passion for technology, leading him to the role of Editor-in-Chief at PCWorld Bulgaria before joining PhoneArena. Mariyan's interests range from mainstream Android and iPhone debates to fringe technologies like graphene batteries and nanotechnology. Off-duty, he enjoys playing his electric guitar, practicing Japanese, and revisiting his love for video games and Haruki Murakami's works.
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