Google’s Android 11 message: No reasonably a few phone shall be as appropriate as a Pixel

Ever since Google launched the first Pixel phone in 2016, its main appeal, design more than the camera, has been the provision of Android updates earlier than every reasonably a few phone. From security patches to paunchy version releases, Pixels are continuously on the entrance of the line, forcing reasonably a few phone makers to opt out up.

Change them like reach cease. Earlier this year Samsung became as soon as in a blueprint to check Google’s journey with a few security updates, as smartly as a guarantee of three generations of updates for most unusual Galaxy phones. OnePlus and Oppo like already launched cease to-closing public beta previews for Android 11, and One UI 3.0 is starting to roll out to builders. Funds phones are basically launching with the most modern version of Android on board.

But although Samsung or LG had managed to launch their opt up stable Android 11 updates alongside the Pixel earlier this week, S20 and Velvet customers would favor composed gotten brief shrift. Google has opted to reserve some of Android 11’s most attention-grabbing functions for Pixel phones, and not utilizing a indication of when or in the event that they’ll ever come on reasonably a few phones.

Here are the functions you’ll only glean on Pixel phones:

• Are residing Glance with Predicament Sharing in Google Maps enables you to imprint how some distance away chums are, and the quickest system to glean to them.
• Correctly-kept replies provide suggestions generated on the tool when the spend of chat apps.
• App suggestions rotate the underside row of icons at some stage in the day so your space screen screen shows what you wish.
• New buttons on the Overview screen screen accomplish taking screenshots and deciding on textual mutter material more uncomplicated.
• Correctly-kept folders enable you workforce apps by theme so you might want to per chance glean entry to them more fast.

These aren’t mind-blowing functions, nonetheless they’re section of a pattern Google started with its quarterly feature fall remaining year, For instance, Pixel phones got Android 11’s unusual multi-faceted strength menu long earlier than reasonably a few phones. The lifestyles-saving Personal Security app’s emergency signals are composed nowhere to be learned outdoors of Pixel phones, neither is the improbable Recorder app. The Clock app’s Bedtime functions, that had been enabled in June on Pixel phones, only appropriate arrived on reasonably a few Android 10 phones in August.

IDG

It’s no longer treasure Google is making an are trying to conceal it. Precise hours after Android 11 landed, Pixel owners got an electronic mail touting no longer appropriate Android 11 nonetheless furthermore “unusual functions that hit Pixel first.” A day later, the Made by Google Twitter sage proudly tweeted four of the Pixel-only functions.

That leaves chat Bubbles, revamped media controls, and wireless Android Auto as the tentpole functions for Android 11, and they also pale when put next to what iPhone customers are getting into iOS 14. With out the Pixel-outlandish functions, Android 11 is shaping up to be the dullest version update in years. Which is exactly how Google desires it.

Pixel leverage

Of direction, there’s nothing stopping Android OEMs from ripping off these functions from the Pixel and adding them to their opt up Android 11 skins, nonetheless that’s no longer the level. When we rob an Android phone, we count on of to glean glean entry to to Google’s most modern improvements. Extra and more, you’re no longer getting them until you choose up a Pixel.

There’s no reason to notify reasonably a few phones these rather frequent nonetheless composed vital functions, reasonably a few than Google’s want to blueprint the Pixel as a top payment trip. Camera functions which can maybe be counting on algorithms and AI are one ingredient, nonetheless now Google is siphoning off functions that aren’t hardware- or processor-dependent for Pixels, whereas the remainder of the Android community waits to imprint when Google decides to bring them to the tons. That’s an income no reasonably a few OEM has, no matter how important you pay for a Galaxy Show 20 Extremely.

Michael Simon/IDG

Certainly, the message looks to be appropriate that: Why pay more for a phone with fewer functions? The $349 Pixel 4a and $499 Pixel 4a 5G appear to be the birth of a inexpensive Pixel push, with the 5G Pixel 5 rumored to birth at an amazing lower imprint than the $799 Pixel 4. That will maybe accomplish it about half of the worth of the S20 Extremely for basically the most attention-grabbing Android 11 trip on any phone. Google has switched from promoting hardware to instrument with the most modern Pixels and Android 11, and it would also place aside its competitors and partners in a mighty characteristic.

It’s appropriate a matter of time until Google americaits Android guarantee to four or five years to check up better with the iPhone. As more Android functions dwell outlandish to the Pixel, it would also accomplish Google’s phones more ideally suited to customers, particularly at lower prices. Samsung and the remainder of the Android community like worked exhausting to take care of hotfoot with Google. But by altering the sport, Google could per chance accomplish it inconceivable for any individual else to buy.

Michael Simon covers all issues cell for PCWorld and Macworld. You need to to per chance also every so often gain him with his nose buried in a screen screen. The most attention-grabbing system to advise at him is on Twitter.