Google recently unveiled the new Pixel Watch 4 at its Made by Google event. Qualcomm, aiming to maintain its position in this market, announced its new wearable technology platforms, the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 2 and W5 Gen 2. According to the announcement, the new platforms offer significant improvements in connectivity, productivity, and security for smartwatches and other wearable devices. Here are the details.

Satellite connectivity support coming to wearable devices

The Snapdragon W5+ Gen 2 and W5 Gen 2, developed by Qualcomm, are the first wearable platforms to integrate satellite communication support via Skylo’s Narrowband Satellite Network. This feature will allow users to send and receive emergency messages in emergencies without needing mobile network or Wi-Fi access.

The W5+ stands out with a low-power coprocessor, while the W5 Gen 2 lacks this feature. This allows manufacturers to tailor design and battery optimization to their needs.

Additionally, the platforms are built on a 4nm system-on-chip (SoC) design. Thanks to the new Location Machine Learning 3.0 system, GPS accuracy can be increased by up to 50% compared to previous generations. Qualcomm also introduced an optimized RF Front End that reduces component size and power requirements by 20%. These innovations allow for thinner designs and longer battery life.

The Pixel Watch 4, running Wear OS 6, is the first smartwatch to feature the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chipset. Qualcomm states that the platform is designed to enhance multi-device experiences while maintaining high performance and power efficiency. This collaboration with Google and Skylo highlights the effort to extend satellite connectivity beyond smartphones to wearable devices, potentially transforming the security and communication capabilities offered to users worldwide.

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