Google will soon allow Pixel phones to act as dash cams. With an upcoming update to the Personal Safety app, your Pixel (and some other Android devices) will be able to record video (and optionally audio) while you drive. This can be useful in the event of an accident or an unexpected situation.
Google Pixel is a brand of portable consumer electronic devices developed by Google, running either ChromeOS or the Android operating system. The main line of Pixel products consists of smartphones running Android, which have been in production since October 2016 as a replacement for the old Nexus and the current model of which is the Pixel 7. The Pixel brand also includes laptops and tablets and various accessories and was originally launched in February 2013 with the Chromebook Pixel.
Google announced the first generation of Pixel smartphones, the Pixel and Pixel XL, on October 4, 2016 at the #MadeByGoogle event. Google highlighted the camera of both phones, which was ranked as the best smartphone camera on DxOMarkMobile with a 90 point, until HTC released the U11, which also scored 90 points. This is mainly due to software optimizations such as HDR+.
Users can launch the dashcam feature from a new shortcut in the “Be Ready” section of the home page. You can start recording or viewing your recent videos manually. While the dash cam is recording, your phone remains fully usable, including navigating with Google Maps. It’s also possible to save battery by locking the screen and then continuing to record.
When configuring, it is possible to automatically start recordings when the user connects to a specific Bluetooth device and stop them when the connection is disconnected. To save storage space, recordings are automatically deleted after three days if no backup is made. Additionally, the app states that videos are compressed at an average of 30MB per minute with a maximum recording time of 24 hours.
This feature looks impressive and well thought out and appears to be ready to use. Using a smartphone as a dash cam also makes a lot of sense as your phone will likely have a better camera than some cheap dash cams.
Pixel phones offer unlimited cloud storage for photos on Google Photos and an unlockable bootloader for devices purchased directly from Google. In 2019, Pixel owners filed a class-action lawsuit seeking up to $500 in damages over faulty microphones in certain devices.
Pixels’ unattractive design is often criticized for not competing with iPhones or the Samsung Galaxy S. Some reviewers also claim that Pixels don’t get as many updates as an iPhone that can last six years or more with the latest iOS. We can also regret that Google no longer offers unlimited storage on Google Photos with Pixels, which limits the space available for photos. Keep in mind that older Pixel models used to have technical issues like broken screens, damaged charging ports, or system crashes. The Pixels don’t offer expandable storage, which can be a drag for some users.
And you ?
What risks do you think are associated with using a smartphone as a surveillance camera, particularly in terms of security, confidentiality and liability?
What do you think are the pros and cons of software enhancements like HDR+ versus hardware camera enhancements?
What could be possible alternatives to unlimited cloud storage for photos on Google Photos?
See also:
Android phone owner accidentally finds a way to bypass the lock screen and gets $70,000 from Google for reporting the problem
A prototype of the Pixel Watch, Google’s smartwatch, is left in a bar, images leak
Google is reportedly working on an object tracking device similar to Apple’s AirTag to compete with the iPhone maker and improve the use of these gadgets on Android