We probably only have days left with the release of Google’s latest Pixel phone – potentially the key Pixel 6a midranger. So it seems safe to say that the topic of Googley phones will appear a lot in the coming weeks, with great new hardware being the main topic right now.
The good thing about Pixel phones, though, is that you don’t have to have the latest and greatest model to find some fantastically useful new tricks. Google is constantly updating its pixels with both large and small features, and it’s too easy to lose some of the finer touches in shuffling.
So today, as we prepare for a new round of Pixel equipment, I decided it was a good time to step back and dig around to uncover a handful of wonderful Pixel shortcuts that have been neglected and / or forgotten by many Animals. , adoring Android.
And while some of these shortcuts may seem insignificant, don’t be fooled: all those saved seconds will add up absolutely when you sprinkle them all day long.
Make your way through these seven time-saving Pixel out of sight – and then, if you’re still hungry for more (you, insatiable beast, you!), Come sign up for my free e-course at Pixel Academy to reveal even more hidden pixel magic.
Okay – done?
Pixel shortcut № 1: Quick search starter
This first trick for Pixel is related to Android 12, which means it will not be present in the oldest several Pixel models from when. But as long as you have a relatively recent Pixel device, you can go straight into the fantastic universal search system of your phone with half of the steps it usually takes – if you know where to find the switch.
The system we’re talking about here, in case you’re unfamiliar, is the search bar in the app drawer of the default settings on your Pixel’s home screen. In addition to searching your installed applications, this bar can now display results from your contacts, conversations, available actions within applications and system settings in one simple place. It may even take you to a simple old internet search for the term you are entering.
Typically, accessing this feature requires you to swipe up on the home screen and then tap the bar at the top of the app drawer that appears. But with a little tweaking, you can remove this second step and keep this convenient one-drag search system.
Here’s the secret:
- Open your app drawer (swipe up anywhere on the home screen).
- Tap the three-dot menu icon in the upper right corner.
- Tap “Always show keyboard” in the beautiful little menu that appears.
And that’s it: From now on, a swipe up on the home screen will automatically focus you on that search box, with the keyboard open and ready to go.
junior Not a bad way to start, is it?
Pixel shortcut № 2: Slide to home screen
While we’re on the topic of your home screen, here’s another great Pixel time-saving tool that few mortals know about: provided you use the standard Pixel home screen setting (not a third-party Android launcher) , at any time, again on the secondary panel of the home screen – as the panel to the right of the default main screen – you can swipe up from the bottom of the screen to return to the leftmost panel.
Can you see?
junior No adjustments or anything unusual is needed; all you have to do is know the trick. And now you do.
Pixel shortcut № 3: The lock screen jumps quickly
The lock screen on your Pixel phone is more than just a gateway to your phone. It’s also its own shortcut command center – and activating all of its available options can save you a lot of time and help you jump straight to where you need to be.
In particular, the Pixel lock screen may contain one-touch shortcuts to open the control panel of your connected device and your Google Pay mobile payment command center. If your phone is locked, you’ll still need to unlock it to continue – hey, security matters! – but you will eliminate the extra steps then find the item you need and open it yourself.
And especially when it comes to managing connected devices and managing mobile payments, these saved seconds can go an incredibly long way.
junior To get these two new shortcuts on your own Pixel lock screen:
- Open your Pixel phone settings (by swiping down twice from the top of the screen and tapping the gear icon on the panel that appears).
- Go to the Display section and tap “Lock screen”.
- Look for the lines labeled “Show wallet” and “Show device controls.” Make sure the switch next to each is turned on and in the active position.
This is another that requires Android 12, by the way – which means it should run on Pixel 3 from 2018 and newer versions.
Pixel shortcut № 4: The accompanying song for the lock screen
Most ordinary organisms have never noticed, but at some point in the not-so-distant past, our pure old pixels got the option to add Google’s excellent song identification system directly to the lock screen. So the next time you hear this song from this band (you know, the one…), you will be able to avoid losing an ounce of energy while desperately trying to identify it.
All it takes is a quick press of a switch to add it to your own Googley phone. Provided your Pixel has Android 12:
- Return to the system settings and open the Display section again.
- Tap “Lock screen” again.
- Touch the line labeled “Now playing.”
- Make sure the main switch at the top of the screen is on – and then too activate the switch next to “Show locked screen search button”.
Again, your Pixel will automatically show you the full name and artist of each song that plays actively when it finds it. But now, in addition to that, you will have a button that will be displayed on your lock screen when a song and your Pixel are playing is not yet he understood what it was.
junior Tap this little button there in the lower center area of the lock screen and …
junior Yes! but how them apples?
Here’s an extra little shortcut bonus: Every time you see a song identified on your lock screen, whether your Pixel picked it up automatically or you used your fantastic new icon to force it, you can tap the song name. to jump right to the cleverly hidden history area of your Pixel Now Playing. There, you can prefer the song for future reference, search for it on YouTube or YouTube Music, add it directly to a playlist, share it somewhere, or get more information about it on the spot.
Now, what was the name of this explosive song, again?
Pixel shortcut № 5: One-touch mode switch
If you use the same Pixel phone for both personal and personal use, moving between work focus and post-work interests can be a bit of a challenge. But don’t be afraid, as your Pixel has a super convenient system to make this change easier than you ever imagined.
This is an elegant multi-step shortcut called focus mode. And once you’ve set it up, you’ll be able to hide and mute your non-work distractions – or, if you prefer, mute work-connected interruptions – with one quick touch at any time when you need a little peace and quiet (in both directions).
To get started:
- Go back to your system settings, optionally, while whistling a cheerful melody.
- Open the Digital Wellbeing section and tap “Focus mode”.
- Decide which applications you want to be able to quickly mute and select them one by one.
junior Got it? All right. Now you can either use the “Schedule” option on the same screen to automate when your chosen apps will be hidden and unable to notify you – or if you want to switch this switch manually as you see fit, you can to place it in the front and in the center for easy access in the quick settings section of your phone:
- Swipe down twice from the top of the screen to open your quick settings.
- Tap the pencil icon in the lower left corner to edit it.
- Scroll down until you see the Focus Mode tile.
- Press and hold your finger on it and slide it up in a prominent place (and remember that the first four tiles are the ones you see with just one swipe down from the top of the screen, so place it on for as easy access as possible one of these positions).
Ahh – only if Rest of life can be so simple.
Pixel shortcut № 6: Camera jack
We will end with a few shortcuts related to the camera for your Pixel – because even if you are a Very Serious Professional ™, you are likely to use your phone to take a picture from time to time (of something very serious and professional, of course) .
So keep this in mind: Every time you’re in the camera on your Pixel, you can switch between the front and rear lenses by rotating your wrist twice. Rotate, rotate, invert. Easy, isn’t it?
If for some reason this do not do works for you, go to the “System” section of your Pixel’s settings, tap “Gestures”, then tap “Quickly open camera” and make sure the switch is activated there. This option is usually enabled by default, but can sometimes be inadvertently disabled.
And finally…
Pixel shortcut № 7: Secret camera slides
One of my favorite hidden shortcuts for the Pixel is a series of time-saving drag gestures built right into this Google-flavored camera app.
In particular, you can swipe down anywhere in the main viewfinder area to open your camera’s settings panel – and you can swipe left or right anywhere in the same area to easily switch between modes without having to stretch all the way to the bottom of the screen.
Who knew, right ?!
And remember: there is much more to where this comes from. Come join my completely free e-course at Pixel Academy for seven full days of delightful knowledge of Pixel – starting with even more powerful intelligent camera-oriented solutions, and moving from there to advanced image magic, next-level inconvenience reducers and many other useful Pixel intelligence options.
The power is already in your hands. All you have to do is learn to hug him.
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https://www.computerworld.com/article/3658207/pixel-shortcuts.html
