For so many years we begged Google to make a smartwatch and for as many years they were rumored to be making one, only to reportedly cancel at the final hour on at least once occasion. It’s wild to think that we haven’t had to resume that begging for 3 full years now, because Google is already on their 3rd edition of the Pixel Watch. Today, Google announced the Pixel Watch 3.
Like the rest of this year’s Pixel hardware line-up, leaks have mostly spoiled all of the info I’m about to share, but we’ll talk about it anyway. We love saying “official” and that’s exactly what we have for you, the official specs, price, and release date of the Pixel Watch 3.
What’s new for the Pixel Watch 3? I wouldn’t call this year’s release a major upgrade by any means, but we are getting two sizes to choose from, which is pretty big. We now have both 41mm and 45mm options, the bigger of the two is (obviously) able to hold a larger battery. Google and Fitbit are also really trying to crank up the fitness side of things (specifically in running), displays here get much brighter outdoors (2x improvement) and have 16% less bezel, and UWB is here to help you unlock select cars. And to be honest, that’s mostly it.
Unfortunately, Google is still only promising 24-hour battery life. However, if you’d like to limit some functionality, there is a 36-hour battery saver mode you can run at 15% battery to get you through several more hours until you can find a charger. Unlike OnePlus, Google is not adopting a dual-chip/dual-engine architecture to run two operating systems and get you 100-hour battery life.
We still have the same design, though, which I think is a plus. The Pixel Watch 3 is still one of the best looking smartwatches in the game and that doesn’t change here. Only now, you can choose a bigger size if that’s your style.
Alright, before we get into the Fitbit stuff, let’s talk specs.
Pixel Watch 3 specs: As you’ll see from the Pixel Watch 3 specs list below, there isn’t a lot of newness here. We have the same Snapdragon W5100 chip from Qualcomm with the co-processor there for lighter loads, 32GB storage and 2GB RAM, PIN connector charging from the Pixel Watch 2, matching water resistance, matching sensors, speaker and mic, etc. Again, the big changes are to the displays (2x peak brightness, 16% less bezel), size options, UWB chip, and larger battery in the 45mm model.
Size: 41mm | 45mm
Display: Actua LTPO AMOLED, 320ppi, 1-60Hz, Gorilla Glass 5, 2000nits peak brightness
Software: Wear OS 5
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon W5100 + M33 co-processor
Memory: 32GB ROM | 2GB RAM
Battery: 306mAh (41mm) | 420mAh (45mm)
Charging: PIN connector (same as Pixel Watch 2)
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, NFC, Ultra Wideband (UWB), 4G LTE
Durability: 5ATM, IP68
Health: Skin temperature sensor, Multi-path optical heart rate sensor, ECG, SpO2, Electrical sensor for cEDA
Buttons: Side button, haptic crown
Other: Speaker, microphone, Premium haptics,
Colors (41mm): Matte Black, Polished Silver, Champagne Gold
Colors (45mm): Matte Black, Polished Silver, Matte Hazel
Size: 12.3mm thick, 31g (41mm), 37g (45mm)
New Fitbit features: Like previous Pixel Watch devices, Google is throwing in 6 months of Fitbit Premium at no cost. You’ll want that too, as they have some new metrics and training tools built-in to take advantage of.
First, there is a morning brief that you’ll receive on your watch each day with a summary of your most important health and fitness metrics. This brief should show you a sleep score, readiness score, how you are progressing toward your weekly fitness goals, if any metrics are out of your typical range, and the weather.
The Pixel Watch 3 will also try to give you an optimal workout routine using a new readiness and cardio load tracking. While the readiness score isn’t new, it should be more responsive and personalized, Google says. For the load tracking, Fitbit will try to show you how hard your heart is working throughout a day “as it relates to your workout routine.” You’ll get a target cardio load for each day as a way to help you balance recovery and still get fit.
Finally, for new running tracking, Fitbit can create running routines with timed warm-ups and cooldowns, target pace setting, as well as targets for heart rate, times, and distances. Once set, you can receive real-time guidance from your wrist to help you meet those targets. There’s also advanced motion sensing with machine learning to help your running form (cadence, stride length, vertical oscillation, etc.), a new running dashboard in the Fitbit app with more details about runs, and run recommendations that AI is apparently going to give you.
Pixel Watch 3 pricing, release date: The Pixel Watch 3 with WiFi/Bluetooth costs $349.99 (41mm) and $399.99 (45mm). The LTE-equipped models at the same sizes cost $449.99 and $499.99, respectively. The Pixel Watch 3 is up for pre-order today and ships by September 10.
Pre-order Links: Google Store
Read the original post: Pixel Watch 3 Official Starting at $349, New 45mm Size the Play
For so many years we begged Google to make a smartwatch and for as many years they were rumored to be making one, only to reportedly cancel at the final hour on at least once occasion. It’s wild to think that we haven’t had to resume that begging for 3 full years now, because Google … Continued
Read the original post: Pixel Watch 3 Official Starting at $349, New 45mm Size the Play
Amazon’s Leadership and Corporate Culture: Lessons from Jeff Bezos
Amazon, one of the most influential and innovative companies in the world, has a corporate culture and leadership philosophy shaped largely by its founder, Jeff Bezos. Bezos’s approach to leadership and his vision for Amazon have set the company apart in the highly competitive tech and retail sectors. This article explores the key elements of Amazon’s leadership and corporate culture, and the lessons that can be drawn from Bezos’s unconventional methods.
The Bezos Leadership Philosophy
Jeff Bezos founded Amazon in 1994, and his leadership philosophy has been instrumental in driving the company’s success. Central to Bezos’s approach is a relentless focus on the customer. He famously emphasized, “We’re not competitor obsessed, we’re customer obsessed. We start with the customer and we work backwards.” This mantra has guided Amazon’s product development, customer service, and innovation strategies.
Bezos’s customer-centric philosophy manifests in various ways. For instance, Amazon’s customer service policies are designed to maximize customer satisfaction, often going above and beyond industry standards. This includes offering easy returns, fast shipping, and a broad range of products. The commitment to customer experience is not merely a slogan but a guiding principle that influences every aspect of Amazon’s operations.
Innovation and Risk-Taking
Another hallmark of Bezos’s leadership is a strong emphasis on innovation and risk-taking. Bezos has been known for his willingness to experiment and embrace failure as part of the innovation process. His approach is encapsulated in the principle that “failure and invention are inseparable twins.” This mindset has led to the creation of groundbreaking products and services such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Kindle, and Alexa.
Bezos encourages employees to think big and explore unconventional ideas. Amazon’s “Day 1” mentality, as described by Bezos, means treating every day as if it were the first day of the company’s existence. This approach fosters a culture of continuous improvement and creativity, where employees are motivated to push boundaries and explore new possibilities.
The Two-Pizza Rule
Bezos’s leadership style also emphasizes the importance of small, agile teams. The “Two-Pizza Rule” is a notable example of this principle. According to this rule, teams should be small enough to be fed with two pizzas. The rationale behind this is that smaller teams are more effective at communicating and collaborating, which leads to faster decision-making and more innovative solutions.
The Two-Pizza Rule has influenced Amazon’s organizational structure, promoting a decentralized and flexible approach to management. It encourages teams to be autonomous and take ownership of their projects, leading to a more dynamic and responsive organization.
Long-Term Thinking
One of the defining features of Bezos’s leadership is his long-term thinking. Bezos has consistently prioritized long-term goals over short-term gains, a strategy that has often led to criticism from investors focused on quarterly results. However, Bezos believes that focusing on the long term is essential for building a sustainable and successful business.
This long-term perspective is reflected in Amazon’s investments in infrastructure, technology, and talent. For example, Amazon’s substantial investments in its fulfillment network and cloud computing services were made with the expectation of significant long-term returns. Bezos’s willingness to forgo immediate profits in favor of future growth has been a key driver of Amazon’s success.
Leadership Principles
Amazon’s leadership principles are a cornerstone of its corporate culture and reflect Bezos’s values and vision. These principles guide decision-making, employee behavior, and company policies. Some of the most notable principles include:
Customer Obsession: Always start with the customer and work backwards. Work to earn and keep customer trust.
Invent and Simplify: Seek out new solutions and simplify processes to make things easier for customers.
Hire and Develop the Best: Raise the performance bar with every hire and promotion. Recognize exceptional talent and help them grow.
Deliver Results: Focus on the key inputs for your business and deliver them with the right quality and in a timely fashion.
These principles help create a unified company culture where employees are aligned with Amazon’s mission and values. They also serve as a framework for evaluating performance and making strategic decisions.
A Culture of High Standards
Bezos is known for his insistence on high standards, which is reflected in Amazon’s corporate culture. He believes that maintaining high standards is crucial for driving excellence and innovation. This approach has led to a demanding work environment where employees are expected to deliver exceptional results and continuously improve.
While this culture of high standards has contributed to Amazon’s success, it has also been a point of contention. Critics have pointed to the intense pressure and high expectations placed on employees, leading to concerns about work-life balance and employee well-being. Bezos and Amazon have addressed these concerns in various ways, including investing in employee benefits and programs aimed at improving workplace conditions.
Lessons for Other Organizations
Amazon’s leadership and corporate culture offer several valuable lessons for other organizations:
Customer Focus: Prioritizing the customer can drive innovation and create a competitive edge. Companies should continually seek to understand and meet customer needs.
Embrace Failure: Viewing failure as a learning opportunity rather than a setback can foster innovation and resilience. Encouraging experimentation and risk-taking can lead to breakthroughs.
Small Teams, Big Impact: Smaller, autonomous teams can be more agile and effective. Empowering teams to make decisions and take ownership can drive productivity and creativity.
Long-Term Vision: Balancing short-term pressures with a focus on long-term goals can lead to sustainable growth and success. Investing in future-oriented projects can pay off over time.
High Standards: Setting high standards and striving for excellence can drive performance and improvement. However, it is important to balance this with consideration for employee well-being.
Conclusion
Jeff Bezos’s leadership and Amazon’s corporate culture have been instrumental in shaping the company’s success and influence. Bezos’s focus on the customer, innovation, long-term thinking, and high standards has created a unique and powerful organizational environment. While there are challenges associated with this approach, the lessons from Amazon’s leadership can provide valuable insights for other organizations striving for excellence and growth.
