Tech giant Google is all set to roll out a new android feature that will make your phone useful even while it is up for charging. The Google assistant powered – ‘Ambient mode’ will be available to some devices running Android 8.1 and above, namely, Sony Xperia, Nokia, Transsion and Xiaomi and select Lenovo devices.
The version of Ambient Mode for smartphones and tablets was first announced at IFA 2019 in Berlin in September
As Google says, the ‘Ambient mode’ is Android’s PROACTIVE Google Assistant, that uses idle screen time while charging – without draining the battery – to display Assistant information such as the next calendar item, the weather forecast, upcoming flights, and other notifications.
The feature can let you turn your phone into digital photoframe or as the interface to control music and other smart home devices. Google announced Ambient Mode on 26th November 2019 via a Tweet and YouTube video instead of holding a press conference , that could be due to the limited availability of the feature. It will commence rolling out to majority of users this week.
Ambient Mode is a way to avoid the steps of unlocking a phone, then opening various apps to accomplish a task and offers ‘intent-based’ controls instead. With the new mode, you can set an alarm or turn off the lights with just one tap.
“Ambient Mode is reminiscent of old home screen widgets, but the Ambient Mode experience has been standardized and can’t be customized” as ArsTechnica’s mobile watcher Ron Amadeo notes.
