Last year, we reported on an upcoming feature related to unlocking Android phones with a smartwatch. However, this feature, known as Watch Unlock, remains just a rumour, and recent developments shed light on why.
According to 9to5Google, Google plans to launch the feature alongside the Google Pixel Watch 3, which will incorporate UWB connectivity. This advancement would facilitate faster and more secure phone unlocks without relying on the fingerprint reader or face unlock.
READ ALSO — Google Pixel Feature Drop Enhances New and Older Phones with Array of Upgrades
Deep within the source code of the Play Services app lies a reference to “UWB ranging” for Watch Unlock. However, the code also indicates that the feature may face limitations in countries where UWB is not an officially certified connectivity protocol.
Regardless, these revelations strongly suggest that Google is developing a more sophisticated Watch Unlock method than previously anticipated, and the inclusion of a UWB chip in the Pixel Watch 3 will finally enable its implementation.
