Your Google Pixel can now measure your heart rate, here’s how to use it

This story was originally published 2021/03/05
3:35 p.m. PSTMarch 5, 2021 and last update 2021/03/10
8:07 am PSTMarch 10, 2021.

I know a month feels like a lifetime, but remember the Google Fit Mobile Vitals features that were announced – you know, the ones that promised heart rate and airway monitoring without additional hardware? The Google timed exclusive Pixel reminded us that it will be arriving during the March Drop feature? Well, we’re told the Mobile Vitals feature pair (which doesn’t work with anything more than your phone’s existing camera) are starting to roll out to Pixels on Monday, and we even know what they’ll look like in action.

The two new features are honestly pretty cool. If you can’t remember the previous explanation, these two features (which are related to something called the Mobile Vitals tool) only work using your phone’s camera.

Heart rate monitoring with the new Mobile Vitals tool.

In the case of the heart rate monitor, you only need to cover the camera with your finger and apply “light pressure” as it is fully covered. The camera’s sensor can pick up subtle color signals (called “pulsatile photoplethysmographic signals”), which are usually too difficult to see on our own. But with these signals, it can track your circulatory system as it pumps and relate to a specific heart rate in beats per minute. You can also save this measurement in your heart rate log.

Respiratory rate measurement on the Mobile Vitals tool.

The respiratory rate tracking feature also uses the camera, but you have to prop it up to give a clear view of your upper torso – Amazon Halo style – so she can see your chest moving as you breathe. Based on the movements it sees, it can calculate your respiratory rate in breaths per minute. Again, you can record the measurement in your journal if you wish.

Both of these measurements can indicate that your health is changing, and while Google is making it clear from the examples above that this does not constitute a medical test or treatment for any condition, your smartphone can now easily measure both without having to do so. facing external hardware. .

As you might expect, everything is handled on the device as well, so you don’t have to worry about videos of you staring at the camera while you breathe circulating the internet – unless it’s something you specifically want there, separately. of that.

Again, the features are timed exclusives for Google Pixels. Other phones will get them later, pixels will get them first, although we have not received a firm schedule, requirement, or device availability for a wider deployment. (And if we hear more, we’ll let you know.) We’re told it happens to all supported pixels, which I guess rules out the Pixel 2 series as it no longer receives updates. day.