Google Unveils Pixel Watch 5 and Pixel Tag Tracker

Google announced a suite of new hardware and software features at its annual Made by Google event on August 12, 2026, headlined by the launch of the Pixel Watch 5 and its first dedicated item tracker, the Pixel Tag. The announcements, made at a press event in New York, position the tech giant to compete more directly with Apple in both the smartwatch and personal tracking device markets.

The Pixel Watch 5, available for preorder immediately and shipping on August 20, introduces a significant new health feature called Breathing Emergency Detection. Using the watch's sensors and on-device AI, the system can identify a persistent drop in oxygen saturation. If the user is unresponsive, the watch can automatically call emergency services and share the user's location. Google describes this as an industry-first capability, launching initially in select European countries before expanding to other regions. The company notes the feature is not intended for individuals with preexisting respiratory conditions and is not a medical diagnostic tool.

In addition to emergency detection, the watch includes new long-term health tracking features. Blood pressure trends and insulin resistance...