66 ANDROID ADVISOR • ISSUE 66BUYING GUIDE
it installed.Googlemakesyouusethenewgesture‑
based navigation system as default and it does take
a bit of getting used to after years with Android’s
three navigation buttons. You can’t revert back to
the familiar three navigation buttons, so Google is
all in on this new system. But it’s easy enough to
get used, if not as beautifully intuitive as Apple’s
gestures on the iPhone X series.
A feature that is built in that until now has only
been available as beta versions on older Pixels
is Digital Wellbeing. This is the ability to set app
limits to help you use certain services less, and to
actually spend time away from your phone rather
than use it more.
You can set app timers so you’re only on Instagram,
say, for 15 minutes a day. It makes you more aware
of how much time you waste on your phone but
it’s pretty easy to override and keep scrolling.
Google made a big deal at launch about how
thesoftwareecosystemcontinuestoimproveover
time.Thisis inthecloud‑based services such as
Google Translate, but, of course, other phones can
run Google apps and services. It’s true that on the
3 XL though, it’s most closely intertwined in the
OS given it’s a Google phone.
This is evident with the excellent Pixel Stand,
a £69 accessory that pairs exclusively with your
Pixel to become a mini smart display. It wirelessly
charges the phone and can act as a digital photo
stand, but it’s most useful as a Google Home Mini
style device. It’s a worthwhile purchase on top of
the phone. Google also said that Pixels would be