Googles Pixel Watch 4 just beat Apple to a lifesaving satellite trick heres how it works

Date:
Thu, 21 Aug 2025 13:43:36 +0000

Description:
The Google Pixel Watch 4 comes with emergency satellite connectivity, beating Apple to this new feature here's how it works in practice.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Google has just launched the Pixel Watch 4 smartwatch It lets you contact emergency responders via satellite connectivity It means Google has beaten Apple to
this particular feature

Satellite connectivity can be a life-saving way to get you out of a tight spot, especially if youre off-grid with no cell phone signal. Plenty of the best smartwatches can call emergency services for you, but none are able to
do so by relying entirely on orbiting satellites.

Now, though, Google says its new Pixel Watch 4 is the first-ever smartwatch with standalone emergency satellite communications. That means itll work even when youve left your phone behind or its otherwise unavailable.

Heres how it works. If youre in a non-cellular area, youll need to dial 911 directly from the watchs interface. You then need to specify what your emergency is an illness, injury, robbery, and so on before the watch shows you a quick tutorial on how to connect to a satellite. Youll have to orient your wrist as guided on the watch, which will help it align with a satellite and send your message to emergency responders.

When youre using the emergency satellite system, the Pixel Watch 4 goes into battery saver mode in order to keep the device going as long as possible
while you need help.

You also need to have the LTE version of the Pixel Watch 4, according to content creator DC Rainmaker , although you dont actually need to have an LTE service plan. Google says youll get satellite connectivity free for two
years, but well see if this gets extended like it has been with Apples emergency satellite service . Beating Apple to the punch (Image credit: Future/Lance Ulanoff)

Google has done well to bring satellite connectivity to the Pixel Watch 4 ahead of its rivals, but the proof is in the pudding.

After all, being first is all well and good, but well have to see how it
works in practice to know if the feature is up to snuff. That said, Id like
to see more watches gain this functionality, as anything that can save your bacon when youre away from cell service towers should be welcomed.

Apple is supposedly going to add satellite connectivity to the Apple Watch Ultra 3 , which is expected to launch this September. When (or if) that happens, itll be interesting to see if Apple does anything different compared to Googles approach, or whether the feature is broadly similar across the devices.

The Google Pixel Watch 4 starts at $349 / 349 / AU$579, although youll need
to pay $449 / 449 / AU$749 for the most affordable LTE version with satellite connectivity. You can order one right now , but it wont start shipping until October 9. You might also like The Google Pixel Watch 4 is here these are
the 4 new features I'm most excited about As a smartwatch expert, I'm hoping the Pixel Watch 4's best feature is the start of a bold new era in wearable tech Made by Google showcase recap meet the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Pixel Watch 4 and more



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/health-fitness/smartwatches/googles-pixel-watch-4-ju st-beat-apple-to-a-lifesaving-satellite-trick-heres-how-it-works


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