You can’t unlock the Pixel 3 with your voice

For quite some time now, you’ll be able to unlock your Android phone with an “OK Google.” With “Unlock with Voice Match,” you could do this with past Google Pixel phones. But now Google quietly took this feature out from the latest Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL phones. As it explained on its support page, “On Pixel 3 phones, you can’t unlock your phone by saying ‘Ok Google.’ Instead, you can use the Google Assistant on your lock screen.” This change takes away a lot of functionality. You used to be able to make calls, send messages, and access third-party apps via Google Assistant voice support without needing to unlock your phone.

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Google will let you hide the notch on the Pixel 3 XL

Notch haters rejoice! You will be able to hide the notch on the Pixel 3 XL. As we already know, the current build of Android Pie has this option in the development menu. And Google confirmed in a tweet that they’ve added this option. We’re hoping that by the time the Pixel 3 XL comes out though that it’s in a more visible area. The downside of the current iteration is Google puts the menu bar below the simulated bezel, meaning you get less screen to work with. Here’s hoping they fix this or at least give users an option.

Source: The Verge

Google Pixel 3 can screen your calls for you

Nothing much was surprising about the hardware of the new Pixel phones. But as we touched on here, the more surprising elements are what is happening inside these smartphones. One of the features we like is Call Screen, which as its name suggests will screen calls for you before you decide if you want to answer. When you get a call, you'll be given the option to screen it. If this is activated, the phone will let the caller know it's talking to a machine and asks who's on the line and why they are calling. This will be transcribed in real time so you get to see who's calling and whether you will answer the call, end it, or report it as spam. Call Screen is first coming with the Pixel 3 but will later ship to older Pixel phones.

Source: The Verge

Google teases Active Edge feature for upcoming Pixel phones

With Google’s hardware event fast approaching, it looks like the company just wants to get ahead of the rumours—not that there’s much left to tease at this point. But the company’s official Google Japan YouTube channel just posted a teaser video that hints at a feature making a comeback from the previous generation of Pixel phones: Active Edge technology. Seen on the Pixel 2, Active Edge lets you perform certain functions or open apps by just squeezing the side of the phone. So, expect the new Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL to possibly carry the feature. We’re wondering why Google is teasing it now, though. That said, we’ll hear more about the new devices on October 9 at the Made by Google event. 

Source: Pocket Lint