The new Nest Learning Thermostat, recently revealed by Google, bears a striking resemblance to the Pixel Watch, especially in its design. The thermostat features a rotating dial around the display, reminiscent of the Pixel Watch but without the crown.
This design choice highlights a potential design direction that Google could explore in future Pixel Watch models, particularly as rumors suggest a larger model might be on the horizon.
The rotating dial on the Nest Thermostat offers a more intuitive way to navigate menus and adjust settings, something the writer hopes to see in future Pixel Watches.
The ease of interaction with the dial, as opposed to smudging the screen, raises questions about why Google hasn’t yet integrated such a feature into its wearable devices. This cross-pollination of ideas within Google’s product teams could lead to more cohesive and user-friendly designs across different devices.
The idea of a physical rotating bezel, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Watch series, is appealing but seems unlikely for future Pixel Watches due to concerns about size and bulkiness.
Samsung’s use of a touch-sensitive bezel on some Galaxy Watch models has been hit or miss, and while it offers a hands-free way to interact with the watch, it’s not always reliable. This is especially frustrating for users with larger fingers who struggle with smaller touch interfaces, a problem the Pixel Watch also faces.
Given the collaboration between Samsung and Google on Wear OS, it’s surprising that Google hasn’t adopted some of Samsung’s more successful features, like the touch bezel, into the Pixel Watch. The partnership between the two companies could mean that Google is aware of the pros and cons of such features but has chosen to focus on other aspects of the wearable experience for now.
The similarities between the Nest Thermostat and the Pixel Watch hint at a potential design trend within Google’s hardware ecosystem. While it’s unclear if Google will integrate the thermostat’s rotating dial into future watches, the cross-product design influence is intriguing. Whether or not this trend will continue depends on whether these design choices truly enhance the user experience or are just superficial similarities.
