Google Pixel: Ultimate ideas and methods

Google’s Pixel telephones have a number of software program options you might not discover on different telephones, particularly relating to areas like language translation, answering calls and enhancing pictures. If you are a brand new Pixel proprietor, it may be tough to know the place to start out.

Google at present sells 5 totally different Pixel fashions: the $349 Pixel 6A, $499 Pixel 7A, $599 Pixel 7, $899 Pixel 7 Pro and $1,799 Pixel Fold. But you might not want Google’s latest Pixels to make use of those options; a number of of them work on older units, too. Keep in thoughts that a few of these options would possibly require a software program replace, or an replace to Google’s apps and providers. 

Google additionally updates its Pixel units with new options over time, so there’s an opportunity we’ll see extra additions arrive within the coming months. 

Whether you are enthusiastic about touching up outdated pictures or having Google Assistant display your calls, the following pointers will assist you to get probably the most out of your system. 

Add captions to movies with Live Caption

Did you realize that your Pixel cellphone can robotically caption movies, podcasts, cellphone calls and extra? Press the quantity button and faucet the Live Caption icon, which seems like a tiny field of textual content, to allow this function. Live Caption works in English on the Pixel 2 and better, so it needs to be out there on any Pixel cellphone that is launched within the final a number of years. The captions are saved and processed regionally and by no means go away your system, in response to Google. 

You also can tweak sure settings, resembling hiding profanity and including labels to feels like laughter and applause. Open the Settings and select Live Caption to customise these choices.

It’s additionally vital to notice that Live Caption can drain further battery, so that you would possibly need to solely flip it on whenever you want it.

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Snap a photograph simply by elevating your hand

You do not all the time must press the shutter button to take a photograph. You can merely increase your palm to the digital camera to start out a photograph countdown timer for 3 or 10 seconds when you have a Pixel 6 or newer. This may be significantly helpful for group pictures.

Just open the Google digital camera app and faucet the settings button close to the highest of the display to get began. From there, select to have the timer set at three or 10 seconds. Now the timer ought to robotically begin every time the digital camera acknowledges your palm. 

Sharpen outdated footage in your photograph library

If you are something like me, you will have 1000’s of pictures from the final decade saved in your cellphone or in a cloud service. And these pictures do not look almost as sharp and crisp as those taken on right now’s smartphones. Google has one thing that may assist — though it is solely out there on the Pixel 7 and Pixel Fold collection. These units have Google’s new Tensor G2 processor, which unlocks a brand new function referred to as Photo Unblur.

As the identify implies, Photo Unlur sharpens pictures which can be out of focus to make the topic look clearer. To use it, simply open the Google Photos app in your appropriate Pixel cellphone, select the photograph you need to edit, faucet the Edit button and choose Tools. Then, faucet Unblur.

Take higher pictures of the celebs

Google’s Pixel telephones include a function that is particularly designed that can assist you snap pictures of the evening sky. It works on the Pixel 3 and better, however you will want to regulate your zoom settings to no less than 1x when you’re utilizing the Pixel 4A 5G and later.

Google says the function works greatest when taking pictures away from metropolis lights no less than 45 to 90 minutes after sundown. You’ll additionally want a tripod or another regular floor fairly than your fingers to get one of the best outcomes.

Just open the digital camera app, prop up your cellphone and ensure it is regular and faucet Night Sight to get began. After a couple of seconds, it’s best to see a message that claims “Astrophotography on.” Press the seize button and leave your cellphone alone till it is completed taking the photograph. 

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Translate a screenshot in a special language

You can translate screenshots with textual content written in languages resembling Spanish, German, French, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Italian and extra with Google’s Lens function. Open the Google Photos app and choose the screenshot you want to translate. Then faucet the Lens icon, which seems like a digital camera, and select the Translate choice. Google’s assist web page says this function ought to work on Android units generally, not simply Pixels. 

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Switch to the selfie digital camera with out urgent any buttons

You do not need to faucet any buttons to change between the Pixel’s selfie digital camera and most important digital camera. Simply open the Pixel’s digital camera app and twist your cellphone twice to flip between the cameras. If you are unsure what I imply by “twist,” Google has a useful animation to point out you. 

If you are still having hassle, test your Pixel’s settings to ensure this function is enabled. Open the settings app, select System and choose Flip digital camera for selfie.

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Have Google wait on maintain for you

No one likes ready on maintain. If you will have a Pixel 3 or later, you possibly can have Google wait on maintain and notify you when a consultant turns into out there. This function, referred to as Hold for Me, solely works in English for units within the US, Australia and Canada.

To have Google wait on maintain, you will need to do two issues: Activate the function, after which activate Hold for Me in the course of the cellphone name. For step one, open the Pixel’s Phone app and faucet the three dots within the high proper nook. Then, faucet Settings, and Hold for Me. Tap the swap subsequent to Hold for Me to ensure this function is turned on.

Just remember that Hold for Me might not work in each state of affairs, and you may’t play music or different audio whereas it is lively. You’ll additionally need to be sure your cellphone is not on silent or vibrate mode. When you are on a name and have been positioned on maintain, faucet the Hold for Me button and press Start.

See how lengthy you may need to attend on maintain

Google also can estimate the period of time you may need to attend on maintain when dialing companies within the US. It’s out there on the Pixel 3A and later and works in English. Just open the Phone app, dial the quantity and you will be offered with an estimate of how lengthy you might be positioned on maintain. The estimate might fluctuate relying on the time of day.

Have Google present automated cellphone menus on display

There are occasions whenever you won’t need to pay attention to each single choice in an automatic menu when calling a enterprise. If you will have a Pixel 3A or later, you’ll see these menu choices on display in order that you do not have to recollect all of them. The Pixel 7 and seven Pro also can present sure menu choices earlier than they’re spoken on the cellphone name, Google says. I examined this by calling CVS and Allstate and, positive sufficient, Google was capable of transcribe the spoken menu choices in actual time. 

Open an app or take a screenshot by tapping the again of your cellphone

Add a useful shortcut to your Pixel cellphone with Google’s Quick Tap function. This permits you to open an app, take a screenshot, play or pause media, or present notifications simply by tapping twice on the again of your cellphone. It solely works on more moderen Google telephones just like the Pixel 4A 5G and later.

To activate Quick Tap and customise its actions, open the settings menu and select System. Then, choose Gestures and Quick Tap. From right here, flip Quick Tap on and choose which motion you’d prefer to carry out when tapping the again of your system. 

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Have Google display your calls 

Sick of robocalls? Google can hopefully assist with its Call Screen function, which works on all Pixel telephones. When this function is turned on, Google Assistant can reply an unknown name and ask who’s calling and why. It will robotically grasp up if it is a spam name, however you possibly can see how the caller responded and determine to reply if it is an actual caller.

Google does not display calls from cellphone numbers which can be saved in your contacts, and your Pixel will not robotically display calls whenever you’re utilizing headphones or are related to Bluetooth. 

To arrange computerized name screening, open the cellphone app and faucet the three dots within the high proper nook. Select Settings and select Spam and Call Screen. Make positive the swap subsequent to See caller and spam ID is toggled on, after which press Call Screen. 

From right here, you possibly can select how Google screens calls. For instance, you possibly can set it to display spam calls, probably faked numbers, first-time callers, and personal or hidden callers. Just faucet certainly one of these classes and select the Automatically display. Decline Robocalls choice. 

Looking for extra Android ideas? Be positive to take a look at our roundup of Android methods to make your cellphone really feel new once more.