Android Auto can be used wirelessly, but only available to a select few

For those wishing to be untethered when they use Android Auto in their cars, your prayers have been answered… sort of. There are a few caveats. One is that it only works with select Pixel and Nexus devices as well as specific head units that are Wi-Fi-certified. The smartphones you need would be the Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Nexus 5, or the Nexus 6P. JVC and Kenwood have a few head units that are Wi-Fi-certified but a lot of these haven’t hit the market yet.

If you’re one of the select few that does have access to these devices, setup is pretty painless. You first have to connect your phone via USB to set the feature up. But once you’ve done that, you can connect your phone to your dash wirelessly the next time. Google says they do plan to support other phones in the future. So we’re keeping an eye out for that.

Source: Android Authority

Google stops selling Pixel and Pixel XL on its online store

While you might still find the Pixel and Pixel XL being sold by third-party vendors, you won’t be seeing these Google smartphones in the company’s own online store. Google confirmed with The Verge that they are no longer selling the original Pixel phones. You’ll have to look elsewhere to get one. With Google pushing the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, it makes sense for them to take out the previous generation phones.

Google Lens shows up on Assistant for Pixel devices

Google Lens, the company’s visual search feature, has been slated to come to Assistant but a definite date wasn’t said when the news was announced. Now, it looks like it’s starting to roll out for both Pixel and Pixel 2 devices. Owners of the original Pixel and XL as well as the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL should be able to launch Lens right from Google’s artificial intelligence helper, taking away the extra step of needing to use Google Photos to have Lens work its magic. Now, the camera button within Assistant will help perform search when you take a photo.

It can do everything from identifying what you’re looking at, look thing sup online, and launch other apps. You can rate the results it finds, which should hopefully help refine its results for the future. The feature isn’t widely available yet so keep your eye out for that. We also don’t know yet if other Android devices will be getting the feature.

Source: Engadget + 9 to 5 Google

Owners of 2016 Pixel phones get to keep free unlimited original-quality photo uploads on Google Photos

We know Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL owners have until January 2021 to be able to upload original quality photos without it counting against your storage. But it seems the original Pixel devices from 2016 won’t be affected by this change. That means owners of the 2016 Pixel and Pixel XL will be able to upload photos and videos in their original state for free for an indefinite amount of time (we can’t say that Google won’t change its mind somewhere down the line).

Source: Android Police