Google May Release Always On Display Mode For Pixel Phones

Even though the Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL have OLED displays, the company decided not to offer an ambient display mode with these handsets. Perhaps you’re familiar with the Always On Display on the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S8. It’s essentially the same thing. It boggles the mind why Google wouldn’t enable this feature right out of the gate but it appears that the company is working on this feature for Pixel smartphones and may release it with the Android O update later this year.

A system file has been discovered in the latest Android O Developer Preview which suggests that Google is building an Always On Display mode for the Pixel and Pixel XL. The code contained in this file mentions “doze_always_on.”

The folks over at XDA Developers say that “doze” here doesn’t refer to the battery saving mode that Google introduced with Android Marshmallow. It refers to ambient display. The code suggests that there may be a toggle to control this mode.

The toggle is hidden inside the device’s settings but Google might move it to someplace more prominent before it releases Android O. Or it may drop the feature entirely. You never know what you’re going to get until the software is out of beta.

I’m sure many Pixel and Pixel XL owners will appreciate having the Always On Display feature on their handsets. Google hasn’t said anything about releasing one for the duo, though. It’s due to release Android O in a couple of months from now.

Adnan Farooqui
Categories: Cellphones
Tags: android o, Google, Google Pixel, Google Pixel XL