Abstract
- Android 16 is now accessible on Google Pixel units, and it features a useful new Google Pockets characteristic.
- Earlier than Android 16, double-tapping the ability button completely opened the digital camera app. Now, you alter it to open Google Pockets as an alternative.
- You possibly can change this setting in your Pixel gadget with Android 16 underneath Settings > System > Gestures > Double press energy button.
Android 16 is formally out now, and when you have a Pixel 6a or newer, you may obtain the replace proper now. At present, Android 16 is a comparatively small replace that lays the inspiration for Google’s future plans, together with its Material Expressive 3 design language, which is predicted to launch later this yr.
That mentioned, Android 16 does embody a couple of new options so that you can discover, corresponding to reside replace notifications (much like the iPhone’s reside actions) and a brand new Superior Safety safety setting that gives stronger safeguards in your telephone towards on-line assaults and dangerous apps.
Nevertheless, for me, one of many standout options of Android 16 is not notably flashy, but it surely does symbolize a big quality-of-life enchancment nonetheless. When you steadily use Google Pockets for on a regular basis purchases, like shortly grabbing a espresso, this new setting Google has added to Android 16 will make it simpler than ever to entry Google Pockets on Pixel units.
Google has launched a brand new setting that lets you double-tap the ability button to open Google Wallet, making it simpler and faster to entry the app, choose a card, and make a contactless fee (by way of Android Authority). Earlier than Android 16, Pixel house owners may solely double-tap the ability button to open the digital camera app. Whereas this was useful, if you end up making extra Google Pockets purchases all through the day than trying to open the digital camera app, it is most likely value contemplating altering this setting.
Associated
Android 16 has arrived with a bonus feature drop for Pixel phones
Android 16 is formally accessible in steady kind, and Google-branded smartphones are about to obtain a June Pixel Drop to sweeten the deal, too.
Tips on how to open Google Pockets shortly with Android 16
Google is taking part in meet up with this new characteristic
If you wish to change your energy button to open Google Pockets as an alternative of the digital camera app, it’s totally straightforward to do. Simply go to Settings > System > Gestures > Double press energy button and alter the setting to Pockets as an alternative of Digicam. Now, if you double-tap the ability button, your Pixel will open Google Pockets somewhat than the digital camera app, permitting you to shortly choose a card and make a purchase order with it.
Some folks could argue that it is higher to maintain the double-press setting on the digital camera app, as a result of you may simply entry the pockets app from the Fast Settings menu and the digital camera is what extra folks scramble to achieve quicker as an alternative.
That is a sound level, however as somebody who has used an iPhone most of their life, I am very used to double-pressing the ability button to open Apple Pockets. This new Android 16 setting permits my Pixel to do the identical, which I choose, as I typically change between the 2 units and I prefer to maintain comparable functionalities like this if I can.
Samsung offers considerably extra customization choices for adjusting the double-tap performance on the ability button.
Whereas it is good to see Google lastly implement this with Android 16, it nonetheless lags behind Samsung. With One UI 7, Samsung offers considerably extra customization choices for adjusting the double-tap performance on the ability button. You possibly can set it to open not solely the digital camera app but in addition any app in your gadget. This implies you may set it to Google Pockets, X, Instagram, TikTok, or no matter app you need to open immediately.
It will be nice if Google adopted this strategy for Pixel units as effectively, permitting you to set it to any app you favor, somewhat than simply opening the digital camera or pockets.
I am pleased Google has made this modification although, and making purchases with Google Pockets simply obtained rather more handy due to it. You possibly can obtain Android 16 now on a Pixel 6a and newer. I examined this characteristic on my Pixel 8a operating Android 16 and it really works flawlessly.
Associated
5 Pixel features I always switch on right away
Google’s Pixel smartphones have a ton of further options. Listed below are those it’s best to check out first.
