Google's pixel support is a smarter type of wireless charger

Unlike other wireless chargers, the Pixel Stand is smart (or at least smarter). So, not only does he know where he is, but he can also tell the difference between different Pixel phones. So, after downloading the free Pixel Stand application, you can name your stand before browsing its settings to best customize its features to suit your needs.

If you like to keep a wireless charger next to the bed, you can set it to automatically enable Do Not Disturb mode so that your phone does not flicker and vibrate when you try to sleep. In fact, if you want to be even more specific, you can configure pixel support so that it only activates the Do Not Disturb feature between defined times, so you can always see the notifications during the day and get a uninterrupted silence at night. And if you have two pixel supports, such as one at home and one at work, you can customize them individually to best fit their location.

In addition to the pixel loading and notification support functions, Google has also created custom interfaces for music and photos, so that when a 3 pixel is sitting on the bracket, you can easily view elements such as album art and song titles, with big buttons. downstairs to be able to pause and go from one track to the other without having to unlock the phone. Now, when you take into account the powerful front stereo speakers of the Pixel 3 and the Pixel Stand's custom-made music interface, it all starts to make sense. These products were designed in tandem. When they are combined, a Pixel 3 essentially becomes Google Home Mini. However, unlike a Home Mini, it is much easier to take your phone with you when you leave the room.

For images, the device's dedicated Gallery mode syncs with Google Photos and displays them on the Pixel 3 screen. You can set it to extract only specific album images (at the same time). where you would be concerned for privacy) and this will vary even between single outlets and a two-outlet layout that optimizes the phone's real estate. So now, the Pixel Stand turns your phone into a mini digital photo frame. But we are not finished yet.

And for people who have trouble getting up in the morning, the Pixel booth also features what Google calls a Sunrise alarm. The way it works is that, regardless of the alarms you set, 15 minutes before the noises go away, the Pixel 3's screen turns on and goes from orange to orange. yellow to wake you up more gently.

However, since the Sunrise Alarm alarm clock depends on the screen illumination of the Pixel 3, it is not as bright as the dedicated alarm clock. But if you prefer to sleep in a black light like this, the extra yellow light is still quite noticeable. And if the light is not enough to wake you up, when your alarm is finally triggered, the Pixel Stand Alarm screen also includes Repeat and Dismiss buttons to let you continue (or not) the rest of your day.

In addition, like everything that Google manufactures nowadays, the Pixel Booth also offers Google Assistant integration. This means that you can start your day by quickly describing your schedule, weather forecasts, lights, or any other smart device, or simply ask your questions.

Pixel Support even has links to security gadgets like the Nest video doorbell, so every time the camera detects motion, it automatically sends the video stream directly to your phone, baduming it's based on a pixel support. Unfortunately, this feature is currently limited to the Google family of Nest devices. Even though I was lucky to see this in action when launching Pixel 3, I do not own a Nest product myself. I have not been able to really test it. We hope Google can partner with other companies to make this type of feature available on a wider range of devices.

As good as it sounds, there are some problems with pixel support. The most obvious is that none of these features works with non-pixel phones, which is a real shame because many of these features are software-based. One would think that it would be in Google's best interest to make them available to the Android community. . The other major problem is that, even if the pixel support correctly loads the phones in portrait or landscape mode, the Google custom music screen actually only works when the phone is upright.

I've also had some problems in making sure that the Sunrise alarm works properly with the Ambient Photo Mode, the latter having a tendency to ignore the glowing alarm clock screen. The configuration of pixel support is also quite boring because everything is managed by the application, you can only access pixel support settings when the phone is actually sitting on the charger. And although the Pixel Stand has relatively fast loading speeds, priced at $ 80, it is not cheap either.

This approach is a new version of walled ecosystems built by Apple, Microsoft and more recently Google, and that does not feel good. I am sure that part of the reasoning here is about the protection of the device, but considering all the intelligent capabilities of this medium, it seems that it should also be smart enough to detect the amount juice flow and regulate things appropriately, without it being necessary to hamstring made by other companies. Samsung and Apple do not do this on their phones and I hope Google does not do it either.

But compared to its less sophisticated brethren, the Stand Pixel stand reminds that wireless chargers can do more than just fill your battery. And for all those who are determined to buy a new Pixel 3, I would argue that a pixel support is almost an essential accessory, although this is partly due to the fact that Google refuses to play with others. This is a smart speaker, a photo frame, and maybe even a gateway to the security of your home. For $ 80, the Pixel Stand is an above average wireless charger, it makes an already smart phone even smarter.

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• Each Pixel Stand has a unique ID, so you can program your phone to behave differently depending on whether you connect it to your Pixel Stand at home or at work.
• With a custom-made full-screen user interface for displaying music and photos, the Pixel Stand turns a Pixel 3 into a mini smart speaker / digital photo frame.
• Currently, the home security video stream of the Pixel Stand only works with the Nest Hello camera.
• You can load in portrait and landscape modes, but special photo and music screens work better in portrait mode.
• The Pixel stand is Qi compatible and charges up to 10 watts with the Pixel 3. The charging speed of other phones can vary.