What purpose does the glass on the back serve?

[Leslie Hatcher]

Got my new Pixel this afternoon and just a few observations.

1. What purpose does the glass on the back serve?

2. Does the sensor on the back do anything except use the fingerprint to unlock the phone?

Any newbie suggestions are appreciated!!!

 

[loraque]

The glass back presumably allows for better signal reception for the wireless components. I have heard NFC in particular benefits. The sensor only is fingerprints by default, but you can add the feature where you can swipe down on it to bring down your notification shade- this is pretty useful I am finding.

Do these 5 things when you get your Google Pixel | Android Central

The above is pretty basic, but something to start from. It can be hard separating the wheat from the chaff on the forums here, as per internet usual, but if you avoid the obvious trouble posts, there is a good crowd here that will help.

 

[Leslie Hatcher]

The glass back presumably allows for better signal reception for the wireless components. I have heard NFC in particular benefits. The sensor only is fingerprints by default, but you can add the feature where you can swipe down on it to bring down your notification shade- this is pretty useful I am finding.

Do these 5 things when you get your Google Pixel | Android Central

The above is pretty basic, but something to start from. It can be hard separating the wheat from the chaff on the forums here, as per internet usual, but if you avoid the obvious trouble posts, there is a good crowd here that will help.

Is there a light for notifications? I am using stock Pixel, what about notification counters?

 

[russell1997]

Re: Got my pixel and.....

Is there a light for notifications?

How to enable the Google Pixel's LED notification light | Android Central

I am using stock Pixel, what about notification counters?

I think you'll need to look at something like the Nova launcher for this type of functionality.

 

[Leslie Hatcher]

Re: Got my pixel and.....

How to enable the Google Pixel's LED notification light | Android Central



I think you'll need to look at something like the Nova launcher for this type of functionality.

Got that set up, what about badge counters? I have only used Samsung for any length of time and am coming from IOS, most recently.


And the emojis on here stink!!!! They look like blobs!!!

 

[russell1997]

Re: Got my pixel and.....

Got that set up, what about badge counters? I have only used Samsung for any length of time and am coming from IOS, most recently.


And the emojis on here stink!!!! They look like blobs!!!

I think the badge counters are a nova launcher setting. I don't currently use it so i'm not sure how to enable it.

you might try a keyboard like swiftkey it handles emojji pretty well. At least for me.

 

[Javier P]

Re: Got my pixel and.....

Got that set up, what about badge counters? I have only used Samsung for any length of time and am coming from IOS, most recently.

You need the Tesla Unread plugin and the Nova Prime (paid) version.

https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...ls?id=com.teslacoilsw.notifier&token=mXBctJxe

 

[MrSlippery519]

No one knows the full reasoning for the glass, and there may not be one.

Speculation has been

1. Better mobile / wifi signal - not sure if this is true or not
2. NFC - I find this hard to believe, many people mention due to the phone metal which does not make sense since HTC M9/M10 etc are all metal with NFC
3. Personally since using the phone it is a nice quick indicator while removing it from a pocket which way is up and where the finger print sensor is...also I find it does add some grip while holding the phone. Not sure if this was intentional or just something I have noticed in the short time using it.

 

[zipro]

I'm guessing it's for the antenna. The Pixel and the XL happen to have one of the lowest EM exposure (SAR) to the head of any phones available. Google should be commended for that. It literally takes five times as long to reach the same radiation dose to the head as it does with an iPhone 7 Plus - and that's very likely a good thing.

 

[loraque]

Re: Got my pixel and.....

You can use another SMS app easily enough if you do not like the look of Messenger. Easy peasy. I care not at all for emoji, so I do not know the good apps off the top of my head, but I am positive others on here can recommend one with emojis that look like you are used to.

I hear folks talk about Textra- search the forums for best SMS app, and you should get more choices than you need.

 

[smhism]

It's to accumulate scratches. Seriously though. I have a LOT of scratches on this back panel, and I've had this phone for barely a day. I'm a little disappointed (case won't be delivered until tomorrow, and I wasn't really expecting to have this phone until my S6 Edge + crapped out yesterday). Overall, I'm loving the phone though!

 

[Jeremy8000]

It's to accumulate scratches. Seriously though. I have a LOT of scratches on this back panel, and I've had this phone for barely a day. I'm a little disappointed (case won't be delivered until tomorrow, and I wasn't really expecting to have this phone until my S6 Edge + crapped out yesterday). Overall, I'm loving the phone though!

First thing I did with mine was to put it in a case, but your report of getting scratches in tandem with the 'torture test' on Youtube showing it scratching much more easily than the front panel when subjected to rated picks has me questioning whether the back glass is indeed Gorilla Glass 4 like the front panel as reported in most articles (though I don't find anything on Google's site specifically stating if the back glass is the same). If it's supposed to be, and it's not...

 

[Kaenon11]

I was originally hoping it was touch sensitive and could act as a trackpad for when Google combines Android and Chrome OS into Andromeda.
Left-click, right-click and the Imprint button. It could all be very useful. Just make sure you have a case on when you use the phone screen-side down.

 

[smhism]

First thing I did with mine was to put it in a case, but your report of getting scratches in tandem with the 'torture test' on Youtube showing it scratching much more easily than the front panel when subjected to rated picks has me questioning whether the back glass is indeed Gorilla Glass 4 like the front panel as reported in most articles (though I don't find anything on Google's site specifically stating if the back glass is the same). If it's supposed to be, and it's not...

It definitely is not gorilla glass 4. I kept it in my shirt pocket all day yesterday (well, half the day since I didn't get it until around 11:30). I noticed the scratches this morning after I'd gotten to work. I did have it in my pants pocket this morning, but seriously... the scratches are ridiculous.

 

[JoshDunc]

I custom made a protector for the front and back glass. The back is scratch free but an exposed portion near the earpiece on the front has 2 small scratches. Luckily not on the actual screen but still annoying. Ultimately though, if you have the phone for a year, you are bound to get a scratch somewhere. Already it is over and I. An move forward lol

 

[1213 1213]

Wasn't it just a design choice?