Google launched its first Pixel telephones manner again in 2016, and we’re developing on the launch of the corporate’s eighth technology of units, the Pixel 8 collection, later this 12 months. Though general gross sales of the Pixel lineup are a fraction of what Samsung manages in a single 12 months, I’m probably not apprehensive that Google will kill off its Pixel smartphone enterprise, a observe they’ve a tendency to do.
That’s as a result of Pixel telephones function a reference platform for Android, which is one in every of Google’s core companies due to how a lot cash it generates via the Play ecosystem. Because of its ties to Google, Pixel enjoys a degree of safety and first-class assist that different Android {hardware} distributors dream of, however these ties additionally restrain what Pixel can do.
Since Google is each the maker of Pixel and Android, the 2 groups work hand in hand to make sure that each new function that Pixel introduces doesn’t break compatibility with different components of the OS or with apps. Google’s stance relating to Pixel software program is the precise one to take as a result of they’ve an obligation to each builders and OEMs, however the consequence might not at all times be to the liking of finish customers.
No “soiled hacks” allowed
When Google’s new Pixel Pill and Pixel Fold ended up within the fingers of shoppers final month, many had been shocked to be taught that loads of the finest Android apps weren’t optimized for his or her giant screens. As an alternative of displaying apps in full display screen, the Pixel Pill and Pixel Fold use letterboxing to put apps in a window surrounded by black bars on either side. Google’s determination drew criticism on-line, with some customers on Reddit even pondering of returning their new Fold due to its software program.
These customers introduced up how different units are in a position to show their favourite apps in full display screen, or no less than provide them the choice to take action, in distinction to Google’s units. For instance, the Twitter app on Samsung tablets takes up the whole display screen.
Google’s determination to letterbox apps, for my part, is the right one: It compromises between the will of builders to not have their apps’ facet ratios distorted and the will of customers to make use of their apps of their most popular orientation. If Google had performed nothing, then many apps would merely be locked to portrait orientation like on the OnePlus Pad or OPPO Discover N2.
That will clearly present a horrible expertise for customers, as they’d need to flip their units over to even use sure apps (think about utilizing the 16:10 Pixel Pill in portrait mode!) As an alternative, Google created a platform-level configuration that lets the OEM resolve whether or not or to not respect an app’s orientation choice. The Pixel Pill and Pixel Fold each use this configuration to pressure usually portrait-locked apps into panorama mode, however with out stretching them by inserting them in a letterbox.
However stretching the app is strictly what some customers need. Certain, it’s technically Twitter’s fault that it isn’t optimized for large-screen Android units, but when one pill gives the “higher” Twitter expertise, you may see why some individuals are criticizing Google right here.
Ideally, builders would see that their apps don’t look fairly proper on large-screen Android units after which get to work on optimizing them, nevertheless it’s not at all times so easy. Relying on the app, it may take loads of time and sources to optimize issues. Not each firm is prepared to allocate builders to the duty and even see the necessity to, contemplating how few customers (comparatively) entry their apps from all these units.
OEMs, recognizing that they’ll’t probably get each developer to optimize their apps for his or her units, as an alternative deploy their very own software program options or “hacks” to compensate. Samsung, for instance, affords a function in OneUI referred to as “panorama view for portrait apps” that lets customers “pressure apps that usually solely assist portrait view to show in panorama view when [their] pill is being held horizontally.” Crucially, this function additionally lets customers “select to maintain the app’s authentic facet ratio or stretch it to fill the entire display screen.” So whereas apps like FedEx, Venmo, Authy, Nothing X, Amplifi, AMEX, and extra are proven in a letterbox on the Pixel Pill, they are often pressured to refill the display screen in panorama mode on a Galaxy pill.
Let’s not simply disgrace Twitter FedEx, Venmo, Authy, Nothing X, Amplifi, AMEX, and extra. Optimize your apps https://t.co/DsgmGlc9MC pic.twitter.com/M5n2l56LzQJune 22, 2023
Google, nevertheless, can’t get away with this. Once they inform builders that their apps will behave a sure manner, they need to abide by that on their very own units. All Google can actually do is encourage, however not pressure, builders to optimize their apps for big screens. Google has to take care of a fragile stability between pleasing customers, builders, and OEMs, not like OEMs who actually solely need to please their customers.
I’m clearly oversimplifying issues right here, because it’s not like OEMs can get away with something. Android compatibility necessities and testing nonetheless restrain what OEMs can change to a sure extent. Although as many builders will inform you, the compatibility necessities typically don’t go far sufficient, as OEMs have been breaking how background providers work for years now. OEMs mess with background providers to yield higher battery life, which is one more factor that Google can’t get away with, leading to “worse” battery life on Pixels when excluding different elements.
Google’s additionally not fully towards “soiled hacks” — they only don’t implement any that may mess with builders’ expectations for a way the OS will behave. For instance, with the Pixel Pill, Google set its “pure orientation” to portrait in order that digicam apps don’t break when letterboxed. In addition they applied a compatibility repair that disables auto rotation solely for full-screen, portrait-locked apps like video games.
As you may see, when Google desires to make some modifications to Android, they’ve lots to think about. Generally, that ends in extremely requested options taking years to launch as a result of they need to be applied “the precise manner.”
Making modifications “the precise manner”
Google is commonly mocked for “copying” options from OEMs like Samsung, however there’s a superb motive why they’re typically “late” to undertake sure options. They first want to make sure there’s truly sufficient curiosity within the function for it to be value it to work on it, in any other case, they could find yourself implementing a function that few folks use however that they nonetheless have to take care of for a number of releases. In addition they want to make sure there are not any regressions or conflicts with different components of the OS or with apps, in addition to handle any limitations in present implementations, as a result of their model of the function might not solely present up on their very own Pixel telephones but additionally in AOSP for any OEM to adapt.
For instance, Google lastly added scrolling screenshot assist in Android 12, years after different OEMs applied such a function. The best way that many OEMs applied scrolling screenshots was to simulate a scroll, take a number of screenshots, after which sew all of them collectively as soon as the tip of the web page has been reached. Google refused to take this method as a result of there are a lot of apps it doesn’t work with. Android 12’s scrolling screenshot implementation works with all apps that use an ordinary View-based UI, and for the apps it doesn’t work with, there’s an API that they’ll use to make it work.
That’s normally how these items go. OEMs develop a function that positive factors recognition however that has a number of limitations, Google sees the function and decides to iron out any kinks, after which Google releases the function in addition to an accompanying API and documentation when obligatory.
Once more, although, whether or not a function is applied the “right” manner is of little consequence to some customers, those that solely care that the function is obtainable in some type. And to some extent, I agree with them: It definitely would’ve been handy to have a scrolling screenshot function that labored properly sufficient slightly than not having one in any respect till Android 12. However Google can’t get away with offering a half-baked function, which is partly why they’ve taken so lengthy to undertake different options like one-handed mode, bubbles, app cloning, and desktop mode into inventory Android.
All the time forward of the pack
Whereas different gadget makers have extra flexibility relating to creating new options, they don’t have the privileged place that Pixel has relating to getting new options into Android. Google is already exhausting at work creating Android 15 “Vanilla Ice Cream”, however OEMs gained’t actually get the complete breakdown on what’s new within the OS till they’re briefed on it ostensibly later this 12 months. Sure, OEMs do get early entry to the supply code for every new Android model, however that doesn’t occur till Google’s already principally deliberate out what options and APIs they need to implement within the subsequent launch. And loads of these modifications are sometimes made with a future Pixel gadget in thoughts. Most, in fact, aren’t, however lots of them are.
Take, for instance, loads of the modifications Google made in Android 13 with Pixel units in thoughts. They added a hub mode and USB audio dock assist for the Pixel Pill, a “media faucet to switch” function to energy new cross-device experiences between Pixel telephones and the Pixel Pill, and an “Ambient Context” API to energy the privacy-preserving backend for the Pixel’s cough and snore detection function, simply to call a couple of. When Google has a brand new Pixel function in thoughts that requires modifications to the Android platform, they don’t need to essentially combat to get it accepted—they only want to make sure that it’s performed “the precise manner”.
Once more, I’m oversimplifying right here: There are a lot of folks inside Android that assist oversee new function implementations to make sure they don’t introduce potential safety points or break any APIs, so it’s not like several function request from Pixel is instantly applied with out inner scrutiny. However the truth that Pixel and Android are each below the identical umbrella makes it simpler for them to align on what modifications must be applied in future variations of the OS. OEMs do get loads of say sooner or later path of the platform, although, particularly relating to selections that immediately influence them. And it’s not like OEMs have to attend for Google to undertake obligatory modifications into AOSP earlier than they’ll begin to work on a brand new function.
Lastly, I can’t finish issues right here with out mentioning one of many Pixel’s largest strengths: they get first dibs on new Android releases. As a result of Google makes use of Pixel as Android’s reference platform, new variations of the OS are developed and examined on the gadget. Whereas there are occasions when being the primary ones to attempt the brand new OS hasn’t labored out, I feel most Pixel customers will agree that day 1 updates are a part of what drew them to the model. Pixel shines as a smartphone model due to its ties to Google, however I hope that after studying this text, you’ve come to raised perceive why they make sure selections or appear “gradual” at choosing up sure options in comparison with others.
