Google Pixel UI information: All the things it’s essential know

Most individuals seemingly suppose Google Pixel smartphones include inventory Android. That is solely half true, although. In actuality, Pixel telephones include an Android pores and skin identified colloquially as Pixel UI. It appears to be like quite a bit like inventory Android however has totally different designs and options added in.

See additionally: All Google Pixel telephones launched up to now

The concept that Pixel’s have inventory Android seemingly stems from the concept the Nexus line — which predates the Pixel line — did include inventory Android. Because the first Google Pixel in 2016, nonetheless, Google’s telephones have include a refined software program pores and skin.

Within the article beneath, we’re going to inform you all the things it’s essential find out about Pixel UI!

Editor’s word: This text is up to date as of September 2021. We are going to add/take away content material as Google reveals extra details about Pixel UI.

As talked about earlier, Pixel UI shares numerous similarities with inventory Android. If you happen to used each methods side-by-side, you’d most likely suppose they have been the identical. Nonetheless, relying on the Pixel gadget in query, there are lots of extra options constructed into Pixel UI than what you’ll discover with inventory Android.

For example of this, fashionable Pixel telephones have a characteristic referred to as Name Display screen. It makes use of the smarts of Google Assistant to reply your spam calls and ensure it’s not a robocall or telemarketer. Inside Android Settings, you’ll discover a controller for this characteristic. Clearly, since that is one thing solely Pixel telephones get, you received’t discover that toggle inside inventory Android. There are dozens of Pixel options corresponding to these.

See additionally: What’s Android?

Since Google Pixel telephones signify the “inventory” Android smartphone expertise, Google doesn’t mess with the general appear and feel of inventory Android, although. Though there are lots of further options added, Pixel UI is purposefully lean and easy as to not distract from the design of Android itself.

Pixel UI is well-received by each critics and shoppers. Most agree that its simplicity is an asset that retains it quick and secure. Nonetheless, criticism typically comes down when one compares it to different feature-rich Android skins, corresponding to Samsung’s One UI. Pixel software program can appear anemic by comparability — though that competitors is what offers us loads of selections in the case of cellphone software program.

The most recent model of Pixel UI

Pixel smartphones are nearly all the time the very first telephones to get new Android variations. This is sensible since Google owns Android and likewise owns the Pixel line, so it may optimize the brand new Android variations of Pixels simply.

Since Google’s Pixel UI is carefully aligned with Android releases, the newest model of the UI matches that of Android. In different phrases, when Android 12 comes out, the newest model of Pixel software program will probably be Android 12. Till that occurs, although, Android 11 is the present model.

Now we have steps on examine your model quantity within the subsequent part.

How one can examine your model and for updates utilizing Pixel UI

If you happen to don’t know which model of Pixel UI is in your Google gadget, you may simply examine. Listed here are the steps:

1. Head to Android Settings by discovering the shortcut in your app drawer or notification shade.
2. Scroll to the underside of the checklist and faucet on the About Cellphone part.
3. Within the About Cellphone part, you’ll see your Model Quantity, which is each your Android and Pixel UI model.

If you happen to’re working an older model of Pixel UI, there’s an opportunity an replace may very well be ready for you. You possibly can examine for software program updates utilizing the next steps:

1. Head to Android Settings by discovering the shortcut in your app drawer or notification shade.
2. Scroll to the underside of the checklist and discover the System part.
3. Inside System, discover and faucet on Superior to broaden the checklist. Then, faucet System Replace on the backside of the checklist.
4. Pixel UI will let you already know if you happen to’re working the newest model. If not, it gives you directions on obtain and set up an replace.

In case your software program is up-to-date however you don’t have the newest model of Pixel UI, which means your cellphone hasn’t obtained the replace but. It’s additionally attainable your cellphone is simply too previous to get new updates.

A short historical past of Pixel UI

In 2010, Google and HTC partnered to create the Google Nexus One, the primary smartphone with the Nexus branding. The cellphone launched with inventory Android. Thus started a string of different Nexus-branded telephones, all co-created by Google with different OEMs and all touchdown with inventory Android.

In 2016, after the launch of eight Nexus telephones, Google launched the primary Pixel smartphone. Though Google didn’t admit it on the time, the Pixel line usurped the Nexus line to turn out to be the brand new Google smartphone model. In contrast to the Nexus line, although, Google not solely designed the telephones but in addition made them.

See additionally: How Google Pixel costs for telephones modified through the years

That first Pixel cellphone got here with Pixel UI on board, making it the primary cellphone with the Android pores and skin. Nonetheless, at that time, the pores and skin was so minimal that it would as effectively simply have been inventory. Over time, although, Google’s added an increasing number of to Pixel software program whereas nonetheless retaining that inventory appear and feel.

The model of Android that launched with the primary Pixel was Android 7 Nougat. As such, there received’t be any earlier variations of Pixel UI than that.

What Pixel UI appears to be like like

Here’s a gallery of screenshots that ought to provide you with an concept of what to anticipate from Pixel UI.

Each Android pores and skin on the market places its personal stamp on the software program. Listed here are 4 issues Pixel UI can do that the majority different skins can’t.

Name Display screen

We talked about this characteristic earlier briefly. Utilizing Google Assistant, the Name Display screen characteristic solutions your requires you, performing as a private secretary. The caller will talk with Google Assistant simply as in the event that they have been speaking with an actual individual. As this occurs, you’ll get a transcript so you may decide if it’s an actual individual with an actual cause for calling you. If you happen to suppose so, Assistant will patch by means of the decision. If not, it’s going to push it to voicemail and prevent the difficulty of needing to do the work your self.

App Options

On the backside of a Pixel dwelling display screen, there are 5 app icons. Usually, you’d manually select these 5 icons. Nonetheless, the icons that you just decide right this moment may not be those you’d choose to be there subsequent week. App Options solves this downside by always altering the 5 icons to match what Pixel UI thinks you’ll need at that actual second. For example of how this could be extremely helpful, let’s assume you employ Google Maps to navigate dwelling on daily basis after work. The software program will get to know this pattern, and robotically put Maps on the house display screen for you proper across the time you permit work. Neat!

Evening Sight and Astrophotography

Technically, these are features of the Google Digital camera app and never Pixel UI. Nonetheless, since they’re solely obtainable on Pixels, we’re together with them right here. Evening Sight is Google’s computational pictures characteristic that may make images taken at night time and even in relative darkness seem like they have been taken below perfect lighting circumstances. Many producers have comparable options, however Google’s is without doubt one of the greatest — if not the perfect. Likewise, the astrophotography options on Pixels stays unmatched.

Now Enjoying

When your Pixel is just not getting used, it may have data offered by means of its always-on show. You possibly can elect for a few of this data to be the observe and artist of no matter music is taking part in round you. That is nice if you happen to’re at a bar and somebody performs a cool track on the stereo. As a substitute of needing to make use of a third-party app, you may simply look down at your cellphone, which can have the data proper there for you.

Different data you is likely to be focused on

That’s all the things it’s essential find out about Google’s Pixel UI! You’ll want to bookmark this web page as we’ll replace it as Google modifications the Android pores and skin.