Google’s Pixel Pill is exclusive in a number of alternative ways. For one, it is not designed to be a transportable workhorse however nonetheless has sufficient energy below the hood because of the Tensor G2. However, it is also now obtainable with or with out the Charging Dock. No matter which model you picked up, let’s check out the primary issues to do with the Pixel Pill.
Make certain the whole lot is up-to-date
After you undergo the preliminary setup course of, you will wish to make it possible for each your Pixel Pill and Charging Speaker Dock are operating the most recent software program. Not solely does this guarantee that you’ve the most recent Android Safety Patch, however you will additionally get pleasure from any new options which have been launched.
1. Open the Settings app.
2. From the left sidebar, scroll down and faucet System.
3. On the suitable, faucet Software program updates.
4. Faucet System replace.
5. Faucet the Examine for updates button.
6. If an replace is accessible, faucet the Obtain and set up button.
Register your fingerprints
Google’s onboarding course of already takes you thru the mandatory steps to register your fingerprints. However, you will seemingly end up eager to register multiple. It is because when the Pixel Pill is docked, the Energy button/fingerprint scanner is on the highest proper. However, if you choose up the pill and wish to use it vertically, shortly unlocking it’s higher suited to a finger in your left hand.
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Faucet Safety & privateness within the left sidebar.
3. On the suitable aspect, faucet Gadget Unlock.
4. Faucet Fingerprint Unlock.
5. When prompted, enter your PIN.
6. Faucet + Add fingerprint.
7. Comply with the on-screen steps.
8. Repeat the method so as to add extra fingerprints.
Arrange and allow Hub Mode
Though Google continues to say that the Pixel Pill isn’t a Nest Hub Max alternative, it actually form of is. Not solely are you able to add the Charging Speaker Dock to the Residence app, however there’s even a devoted Hub Mode.
When docking the pill for the primary time, you would possibly see a window seem that takes you thru the setup course of. Nonetheless, there are a bunch of choices to configure from the Settings app.
Opening the Settings app and choosing Hub Mode presents you with the totally different options to configure. This contains organising a display saver, making changes to the At a Look widget, and organising the default music or video providers for “Assistant on Hub Mode.”
We really helpful taking a couple of minutes and messing round with the varied choices, tailoring it to your wants.
Add your Pixel Pill to the Google Residence app
Including additional credence to the thought of the Pixel Pill changing the Nest Hub Max, is the power so as to add the Charging Speaker Dock to the Google Residence app. Whereas we want the Dock would function as a Nest Audio speaker by itself, that is sadly not the case.
Nonetheless, if you connect the Pixel Pill, it is able to a lot extra. By including it to the Residence app, you may add it to a Speaker Group, and add new automations, additional enhancing your Google-powered good residence.
1. Connect your Pixel Pill to its Charging Speaker Dock.
2. Open the Google Residence app.
3. Comply with the on-screen steps to log into the app for the primary time.
4. As soon as logged in, faucet Gadgets.
5. Within the backside proper nook, faucet the + Add button.
6. In case your Dock isn’t mechanically acknowledged, faucet Google Nest or companion gadget.
7. Choose your Residence.
8. Scroll by means of the checklist of gadget choices and choose Dock.
9. Comply with the on-screen steps so as to add the Charging Speaker Dock to the Google Residence app.
Seize a case, keyboard, and stylus
We’re nonetheless holding out hope for Google to launch some first-party equipment, like a keyboard case and USI stylus. Fortunately, there are loads choices on the market to fill the void, permitting you to answer to some emails, play a number of video games, or use your Pixel Pill as a digital pocket book.
Penoval USI 2.0 Stylus Pen
Jot down some notes
It’d come as a shock, however the Pixel Pill is definitely suitable with any USI stylus. There are a number of totally different choices on the market, however the Penoval USI 2.0 Stylus Pen pairs completely with the Pixel Pill. It affords as much as 90 hours of battery life, USB-C charging, and options 4,096 strain factors. Oh, and you should use it with lots of the greatest Chromebooks.
Preserve it protected
Our solely criticism with the official Pixel Pill case from Google is that it does not cowl the entrance of the display. However we preserve coming again to this one anyhow because of the distinctive steel stand that is built-in. Plus, you may toss your pill onto the Charging Speaker Dock, while not having to take the case off.
Logitech Pebble Keys 2 K380s
Get work carried out
Logitech makes numerous implausible equipment, no matter what sort of computing gadget you personal. The corporate’s new Pebble Keys 2 K380s is a superb instance, regardless of the long-winded title. The K380s is cross-platform suitable, affords a slim and light-weight design, and allows you to pair it with as much as three gadgets on the similar time.
Familiarize your self with multitasking
One of many large explanation why the Pixel Pill got here to fruition was to indicate different OEMs “the way it’s carried out” within the multitasking division. Google applied a special floating dock that seems if you swipe up from the underside and maintain.
From there, you may open an app pinned to your dock, entry your app drawer, and even drag and drop one other app into split-screen mode. To not point out the truth that you may simply copy and paste issues from one app to a different, like dropping an image in an e-mail, or dragging a hyperlink right into a chat.
There’s nonetheless a bit of labor to be carried out, as you might be at the moment restricted to solely having two apps on display on the similar time. Nonetheless, it is a large step in the suitable path and is available in fairly helpful even if you happen to simply wish to change to a different app with out closing the one that you just’re in.
Get suggestions on what to observe
The Pixel Pill is nice as a wise residence hub or only a actually large clock to your desk. However it’s additionally nice for having fun with some films or TV exhibits, as it will probably supply suggestions based mostly on what you want. As soon as your apps are downloaded and the whole lot is ready up, these suggestions will seem within the Google Feed if you swipe to the suitable in your Residence Display.
1. Together with your Pixel Pill unlocked, swipe to the suitable to indicate the Google Uncover feed.
2. Faucet your profile picture within the high proper nook.
3. From the menu that seems, faucet Settings.
4. On the left, faucet Personalization.
5. Faucet App suggestions.
6. Obtain and/or allow any video streaming apps that you’re subscribed to.
Add your Pixel Pill to the Discover My Gadget community
Early in 2024, Google revamped its Discover My Gadget community for Android. Together with together with assist for Bluetooth tags, Google’s made it potential to find your varied gadgets, even when they’re offline. The one “catch” is that you’re going to first have to allow it. In any other case, you would possibly go away your Pixel Pill on the practice and don’t know the place it ended up.
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and faucet Google within the left sidebar.
3. On the suitable aspect, faucet Discover My Gadget.
4. Ensure that Use Discover My Gadget is enabled.
5. Faucet Discover your offline gadgets.
6. Choose: With out community, With community in high-traffic areas solely, or With community in all areas.
7. When prompted, faucet the Enter display lock button.
8. Enter the password or PIN of your gadget and faucet Subsequent.
Try some tablet-optimized apps
One of many main complaints with apps on tablets and foldable telephones has been that they have not provided an optimized expertise. Apps designed for slab telephones are fundamental stretched, and do not make the most of the additional display actual property.
Fortunately, Google has been attempting to guide by instance, as a lot of its personal purposes at the moment are tablet-optimized. Since this announcement at I/O 2023, we have seen many extra builders get on board with this push to make apps higher on bigger screens.
Google has even gone as far as to introduce a brand new filter within the Play Retailer, letting you browse and uncover apps which can be correctly optimized. It is a welcome boost, and lots of the greatest Android apps work completely on the Pixel Pill.
Realizing is half the battle
As we have talked about, the Pixel Pill is not going to outperform one thing just like the Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely. Whereas there are occasions that we want that had been the case, it does not imply that the Pixel Pill is a nasty gadget. In truth, one may argue that this can be a good factor, as you do not have to try to flip the Pixel Pill into one thing it is not.
Offered that you have picked up the Pixel Pill figuring out its limitations, you will most likely end up having fun with what it has to supply. Whether or not it simply sits on the counter, working as a digital image body, or changing into your go-to if you simply wish to chill and watch one thing on the sofa.
We’re hopeful that Google will launch a extra highly effective and feature-rich successor, however for now, the Pixel Pill remains to be fairly nice.