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Upcoming Pixel feature automatically adjusts the sensitivity of the screen based on the weather

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By Alan Friedman

Published: Feb 10, 2024, 2:51 AM

Upcoming Pixel feature automatically adjusts the sensitivity of the screen based on the weather

Has this ever happened to you? You are using your phone outdoors when all of a sudden a rainstorm comes out of nowhere drenching your phone. Thanks to this sudden change in the weather, the wet screen prevents your finger from activating buttons by tapping on them and also makes it impossible to navigate elements on the display. If you're a Pixel owner, you'll be happy to hear that a code hidden in an Android 14 beta reveals a new feature called "adaptive touch" which will automatically make changes to the screen based on the environment and the use of screen protectors.

The Pixel 8 series already prompts users with a screen protector on their phone's display to turn on the screen protector mode. Other Android phones have similar features that allow the user to improve the touch sensitivity of the display if it is covered with a screen protector by enabling a certain mode. But the rumored "adaptive touch" for Pixel will increase the screen's sensitivity automatically when a screen protector is being used, and during certain changes to the environment where the phone is running.

In a piece that he wrote for Android Police, Android expert Mishaal Rahman wrote that Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1 contained a string of code that says, "Touch sensitivity will automatically adjust to your environment, activities, and screen protector." In the same beta release, "Touch sensitivity" received its own submenu in preparation for the new feature which will probably have an "adaptive touch" toggle that will be found under "Touch sensitivity."

Right now, the only toggle under Touch sensitivity in the submenu is the Screen protector mode which, when toggled on, "will increase touch sensitivity and improve touch when using a screen protector." To get there, go to Settings > Display > Touch sensitivity.

The new adaptive touch feature could have a toggle located in the new Touch sensitivity submenu

When the new feature arrives, besides allowing a Pixel user to use his finger on a wet screen and still employ it as a touch input, the feature might also work to allow a finger to tap buttons and more during extremely cold weather. It should also allow the user to navigate the touchscreen using his finger while swimming although we wouldn't recommend that a Pixel user go for a swim with his phone even with its IP68 dust and water resistance rating.

The features found in the Android 14 QPR3 Beta program are expected to be part of the June Pixel Feature drop that could be released on the first Monday in June which would be June 3rd. While we don't know which Pixel models will get the feature, the new Touch sensitivity submenu did appear on my Pixel 6 Pro running Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1.

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Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.

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