If you own a Pixel, you’ll be glad to hear what Google has in store. The American company is working on an update for the Always-On display, the handy feature that constantly shows the time and notifications.
The problem with this feature is that it can slowly drain your battery. Google knows this and is preparing to give it a smart refresh.
Right now, your Pixel already turns off the display when it detects it’s in your pocket or face down on a table. But apparently, that’s not enough.
Behind the scenes, Google’s engineers are working on a smarter solution. The idea? For the Always-On display to learn to go to sleep on its own when you’re not using it—almost like your phone understands you don’t need to see the time constantly.
To achieve this, Google could take inspiration from what Samsung already does. The Korean manufacturer offers an option that adjusts the display in different situations: when you’re sleeping, when it’s dark, or simply when the phone is idle.
It remains to be seen how Google will determine that you are “inactive”. How long will it take before the screen turns off? That’s the question.
For now, these changes are only visible in the Android beta. So it’s impossible to know when they will reach all devices. But one thing is certain: in the race for battery life, every small improvement counts, and this one could make a real difference by the end of the day.
