Google Unlocks AI Gestures on Pixel Watch 4—Here’s What They Can Do

Google is rolling out new AI-powered updates for the Pixel Watch 4 today, adding expanded one-handed gestures and faster Smart Replies ahead of the holiday season. The goal is to make the watch easier to use when your hands are full, whether you’re shopping, cooking, or wrapping gifts, for example.

The Pixel Watch 4 now supports new One-Handed Gestures, including Double pinch, which can answer or end calls, pause timers, manage music, and more with a quick finger tap. Google also shows on-screen hints when the gesture is available. A second gesture, Wrist turn, can quietly dismiss incoming calls. This comes in handy when you’re in a checkout line or want to silence a notification without touching the display.

Google is also upgrading Smart Replies on Pixel Watch 3 and 4 with a new on-device AI model that’s twice as fast and uses less battery. In a blind study, 97% of users rated the improved replies equal to or better than before. The feature works even when the watch isn’t connected to your phone, making it easier to confirm plans or send quick messages at any time.

Raise to Talk, which launches Gemini with a simple wrist lift, continues to be one of the watch’s most popular features. Google is adding a step-by-step tutorial to help more users discover it.

Google’s Double pinch gesture is similar to Apple Watch’s Double Tap, which also handles tasks like answering calls or controlling timers using subtle finger movements. The difference is that Google adds on-screen prompts and includes the extra Wrist turn gesture, while Apple’s version focuses on triggering the main action inside each app.

These updates continue Google’s push to bring more AI features directly onto the Pixel Watch, extending the Gemini experience without needing to touch the screen.