Google is preparing a Wear OS 6 update that will allow the Pixel Watch 2, 3, and 4 to display media controls in the Always-On Display (AOD). According to 9to5google, the feature is scheduled to be available for the aforementioned models by the end of 2025.
The Wear OS 6 description states that "previous top activity remains visible and in the ‘resumed’ state when the device enters system ambient mode." According to Google's explanation, this means that in a future update, the current song title and media controls will remain visible even when the user is not interacting with the device on Wear OS.
The new Material 3-style media control mode (without AOD) is now available on the new Pixel Watch 4. It also started appearing on the Pixel Watch 2 and 3 with the release of the Wear OS 6 update for those models.
As you can see in the image below, with the AOD control, the background of the image will darken, the buttons will become translucent, while the time and song title will not change their shape. It is reported that there will also be a third icon at the bottom that will call up the song list.
The AOD controls feature isn't available on any Pixel Watch model yet. Google said an update for media controls is planned for later this year, likely with the December quarterly update for Pixel Watch. For now, the media interface works in the old way: the entire screen is blurred and the time is displayed in the center.
Additionally, Google plans to improve the account switching process in the Gemini app via the Pixel Watch, as currently you need to use your smartphone to re-set up on the watch.