Google is engaged on a flashy new function for Pixel telephones

As of late, Google has been all arms on deck on the subject of Android improvement. The company recently released the secure model of Android 16 to the world, in addition to a June function drop particularly for Pixel customers. The search large’s upcoming Quarterly Platform Launch (QPR) 1 replace, which is predicted to reach someday within the coming weeks, will introduce a dramatic Material 3 Expressive redesign and varied desktop mode enhancements to Android 16, as nicely.

Within the midst of all these thrilling software program developments, one small-yet-flashy Android function seems to be within the works for Pixel house owners, and it is one which I might describe as being lengthy overdue. As uncovered by Nail Sadykov on Telegram (via Android Authority), the most recent Beta 2 launch of Android 16 QPR1 makes reference to a ‘Flashlight Energy’ function inside its code base.

Whereas nothing has been formally confirmed by Google, it may be surmised that the corporate is engaged on bringing an LED-intensity slider UI to the Android OS at a system degree. That is nice information, as it might permit extra granular management over the depth of emitted gentle when utilizing a Pixel telephone as a makeshift flashlight.

For the time being, most Android telephone makers already present an LED depth slider by their software program pores and skin. Till now, nonetheless, they’ve usually relied on customized implementations. If Google provides the function to the ‘inventory’ model of the Android Open Supply Venture (AOSP), it’s going to unify the performance throughout your complete ecosystem. It is stunning that the function is not already obtainable out of the field for Pixel customers, contemplating its ubiquity throughout competing cellular working techniques.

After all, the competitors is not sitting nonetheless: In final yr’s iOS 18 launch, Apple one-upped the competitors by introducing an even more adjustable LED flash adjustment instrument to the iPhone, with the flexibility to not solely alter depth, but additionally beam width. It is unclear whether or not Google’s implementation will find yourself being as sturdy as Apple’s, or if it’s going to ship within the type of a easy multistep slider. Sadykov has managed to allow an early-stage beta UI for the function, which seems to work by increasing a slider menu from the short settings pane.

The groundwork has already been laid

A user-facing flashlight slider for Android is inevitable

Pocket-lint / Google

Technically talking, Google laid the foundations for LED depth management all the way in which again in 2022’s Android 13 launch. Since then, it has been doable for builders to faucet into the function, making it all of the weirder that it isn’t already a user-facing choice on trendy Pixel telephones.

The Google-published Magnifier app, which serves as an accessibility instrument, already presents its personal flashlight depth slider, however I have been counting on the third-party Lumolight app from the Play Retailer to fulfill my LED depth itch. This latter resolution works like a appeal on my Pixel 9 Professional, and it ought to work simply as reliably on any telephone operating Android 14 or newer. Better of all, it is stuffed with extra choices, and it makes nice use of Materials You theming.

After all, simply because a function is referenced inside the code base of a beta software program construct, doesn’t suggest that it will essentially see the sunshine of day. I really feel assured {that a} flashlight depth slider for the Pixel is an inevitability, but it surely’s onerous to say when the function would possibly really land on gadgets in secure type. In the intervening time, Lumolight continues to serve me nicely as a one-stop store for leveraging my Pixel’s rear LED module.

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