Google’s Pixel phone comes with a load of impressive hardware and features, but who’d have thought the fingerprint scanning gestures would be of such interest?
The company’s new Pixel and Pixel XL allow users to swipe the fingerprint scanner to bring up the notification shade within Android.
However, the feature, which is a part of Android 7.1, has not been implemented on the previous generation Nexus 5X and 6P.
Related: Pixel XL review
Google previously said the firmware on the Nexus phone’s scanners wasn’t up to the task, but now the company has told AndroidPolice it is ‘evaluating’ a firmware update for the phones.
That by no means guarantees the last-gen handsets will get the update, or the scanner gesture support, but it’s a step in the right direction.
The Nexus 6P
The firm revealed no more details about its plans, so it could be the whole thing comes to nothing. But it does seem Google is taking feedback on the issue on-board, so we’ll have to wait and see.
Google did tell AndroidPolice to ‘stay tuned’, so there will likely be an update on scanner swipe support for Nexus phones very soon.
This is the first year Google has done away with the Nexus branding on its smartphones, introducing a Google-branded device that represents the company’s aim to take the smartphone market seriously.
The Pixel and Pixel XL are certainly impressive handsets, coming with top-end specs, including a Snapdragon 821 processor, and a stellar camera offering.
WATCH: Pixel review
Let us know if you want to see fingerprint gesture support for the Nexus in the comments.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
