Last year Google axed the Nexus lineage and replaced it with Google Pixel devices. The first generation Pixel devices launched in 2016 were one of the best phones launched that year. With superb camera and fluid software, Android users loved Pixel handsets. In 2017, the second generation Pixel devices received more love.
If you have been wondering what makes Pixel devices special, here are some features that are exclusive to Google Pixel devices. Besides having an amazing camera and great performance, some features make Google Pixel devices stand out from the crowd.
Top 5 features exclusive to Google Pixel phones
Here are 5 of the features exclusive to Google Pixel:
1. AR stickers
Announced along with the second generation Pixel devices, AR stickers are available for both first generation and second generation Pixel handsets. The Augmented Reality based stickers are various objects that you can drop into your photos in real time. The captured video or photo gives the impression that the stickers or objects are actually present in that scene. All this is possible due to Google’s new ARCore platform incorporated in Augmented reality technology.
To use AR Stickers, your Pixel device should be running Android 8.1 Oreo. Currently available stickers include food emojis, Stranger things characters, Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi characters like porgs, BB-8, R2-D2, a First Order Stormtrooper, BB-9E, and an AT-M6.
2. Detect nearby now playing songs
Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL come with a built-in feature that constantly scans for music playing nearby and shows you the artist name and song title of the now playing song on your Pixel 2 screen. Available on the new always-on-display screen, Now Playing song feature is exclusive to second generation Pixel devices. As of now, Google hasn’t hinted towards the launch of this feature on other devices as well.
Further, the now playing feature works offline. You don’t need to be connected to the internet to detect now playing songs, however, if you want to know about the song or the artist you must be connected to the internet.
3. Google lens
Available for both first-generation and second-generation Pixel handsets, Google Lens can be called an image based visual search superimposed with the power of Google Assistant. Using visual search, Google Lens lets you identify objects and take actions on the photos. Initially launched as part of Google Photos, Google Lens has now made to the Google Assistant.
Google Lens lets you identify addresses and opens them directly on Maps. It also identifies email addresses, phone numbers, and websites. In addition to that, it also recognizes famous personalities, notable landmarks, brands etc. You can read more about the cool Google Lens features here.
4. Squeeze to launch Assistant
Another feature that is exclusive to second-generation Pixel devices is the squeeze the phone to launch Google Assistant or as Google calls it “Active edge”. While the feature is exclusive to second generation Pixel devices, it is actually available on HTC U11 too. In fact, HTC U11 was the first device to feature Edge Sense or active edges.
Unlike Edge Sense on HTC U11, you cannot change the default behavior of Active Edge on Pixel 2. Currently, Active Edge is set to launch Google Assistant on Pixel 2 but on HTC U11, you can take photos, launch camera or launch any other app.
5. Unlimited storage for Google Photos without losing quality
Both the first generation and second generation Pixel handsets offer unlimited storage on Google Photos. And that’s not all, they offer unlimited storage without losing any quality. That means you can even upload 4K videos to Google Photos without worrying about losing the quality.