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By Rachel Kim, World-Today-News.com – Febuary 29, 2024
Google’s Pixel phones are renowned for their clean software adn powerful features, but many users aren’t taking full advantage of what these devices offer. Beyond the basics, a wealth of customization options and performance tweaks are available, waiting to be discovered. This guide dives into some lesser-known settings to elevate your Pixel experience,from maximizing screen quality to optimizing video recording.
Maximize Your Display: Resolution & Refresh Rate
You’ve invested in a high-quality Pixel screen – now make it work for you. Head to Settings > Display & touch > Screen resolution and select Maximum resolution. While this will impact battery life, you’re paying for a premium visual experience, and it’s worth enjoying.
Just below this setting,ensure smooth Display is enabled. This activates the phone’s 120Hz refresh rate, resulting in noticeably smoother scrolling and animations. It’s on by default, but double-check to be sure.
Refine Your Lock Screen Experience
The Pixel’s lock screen is surprisingly customizable. Navigate to Settings > display & touch > Lock screen to control notification appearance (choose between a compact list or a full display),hide sensitive content,and add quick access shortcuts like the flashlight or wallet.
Don’t overlook dynamic Clock, which intelligently adjusts the clock size based on the lock screen content. For a deeper visual overhaul, go to Settings > Wallpaper & style > Clock (within the Lock screen tab). Here, you’ll find a variety of styles, color adjustments, and size options.
Your lock screen wallpaper can also be personalized. Select a photo and tap Effects to add shapes, change the background color, incorporate real-time weather animations, or even apply a cinematic depth effect.
Google defaults the physical power button to launch the Gemini voice assistant. While convenient for some, it removes the conventional power menu. To restore the familiar shutdown/restart options, go to Settings > System > Gestures > Press & hold power button and toggle the setting accordingly.
Want to still access Gemini? Simply say “Hey Google” or add the Gemini widget to your home screen by long-pressing on the home screen, selecting Widgets, and scrolling to Gemini.
Optimize Video: AV1 Codec & Video Boost
For Pixel 8 series and newer (including the Pixel 10), take advantage of the AV1 video codec. Found within the Camera app (Camera app > Gear icon > three dots (top right) > Video format > AV1), AV1 substantially reduces file sizes without sacrificing quality – a boon for prolific video recorders. However, be aware that AV1 isn’t universally supported, so check compatibility before uploading.
Pixel 8 Pro and newer models also benefit from Video Boost.This feature leverages cloud processing to enhance color, brightness, stabilization, and noise reduction in your videos. Processing times can vary from 20 minutes to a full day, but the results are often worth the wait. you’ll receive a notification when the enhanced video is ready,and you can still access the original recording in the meantime. The Pixel 10 Pro can even upscale to 8K, though improvements to native video capture would be a welcome addition. Activate Video Boost within the video settings of the Camera app.
These tweaks represent just a fraction of the customization available on your Pixel. By exploring these settings, you can tailor your device to perfectly match your needs and unlock its full potential.
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