The next version of the Android OS, version 9 named Pie, is now officially out and along with it, Google has also announced that its next Pixel range phones will be shipped with the new OS pre-loaded. While users will experience the changes to the previous version as and when their turn will come for update to the Android P on their smartphones, Google has highlighted that the gesture-based navigation would be one of the most important changes.
It has however been made clear that these features will not be set as default and different hardware manufacturers will be free to choose the way they wish to design their devices. There might be an option within settings to opt for the gesture-based navigation or to stick to the conventional 3-button configuration on the home screen to navigate.
Google may choose to release its future Pixel phones with only this feature and the buttons will be done away with. It is only with the existing devices operating on Android Oreo, which will get an update to Pie will have the twin options of continuing to use the buttons or to choose the new feature.
The feature is being explained in a way that one swipe of the screen will bring forth the recently used apps and one more swipe will open up the app drawer.
There is also some information on the launch of the Google Pixel 3 and the premier Pixel 3XL. It has been confirmed that the Google Pixel 3XL will sport a 6.3-inch display and will be fitted with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Soc and the RAM would be 4GB.
Google is expected to retain most of these specs on the Google Pixel 3 also the same, the display may be only 5.8 inches in size and the pricing may be kept quite lower than the XL variant to capture the segment just below the premium phones.
The other specification disclosed relates to the notch on the home screen and that the rear camera will hold only one sensor. There may be the wireless charging option in the new Pixel phones as well. A dedicated dock for facilitating wireless charging may form part of the supply along with the phone, at least to start with. The new Google Pixel 3XL and Pixel phones are to be launched on October 4.