It’s a jolly-good week if you’ve got a Google Pixel gizmo.
Google’s in the midst of rolling out its fresh-from-of-the-oven Android 14 update for all current Pixel devices. And while Android 14 may seem a bit ho-hum on the surface, you’d be surprised how much useful stuff is actually there and waiting to be found.
(And that’s to say nothing of all the under-the-hood significance and bigger-picture perspective surrounding the update, of course — but that’s another story for another time.)
Today, it’s time to pick up where we left our earlier this week and continue our exploration of Android 14’s best hidden gems, all of which should be available on any Google Pixel device that’s gotten the latest update.
Check ’em out, try ’em out, and see whatcha think — and be sure to (a) look back at our first five out-of-the-way Android 14 treasures, if you haven’t already, and (b) treat yourself to my free Pixel Academy e-course when you’re finished. It’s got seven full days of off-the-beaten-path Pixel magic for you to enjoy and uncover, straight from me to you.
Android 14 treasure #1 for Google Pixel phones: Fast font flipping
This first Pixel prize is actually something I mentioned inadvertently while talking about Pixel shortcuts a few weeks back. I’d been using the Android 14 beta on my personal Pixel phone, y’see, and it didn’t even dawn on me that this feature was connected to that and not something available more broadly at that moment! (D’oh.)
Now that you’ve got Android 14 in front of you, though, this goodie should be there and waiting. It’s a handy new Quick Settings tile that lets you adjust the font size in any app you’re eyeing and make the text bigger or smaller in the blink of an eye — without ever interrupting what you’re working on.
See?
Boosting up font size is easier than ever with Android 14 on a Pixel device.
All you’ve gotta do is take 20 seconds to surface it:
Open your Pixel’s Quick Settings by swiping down twice from the top of the screen.
Tap the pencil-shaped editing icon in the lower-right corner of the panel.
Scroll down until you see the section of inactive tiles — with the phrase “Hold and drag to add tiles” at its top.
Look for the Font Size tile within that area, then press and hold your finger to it and drag it up into the section of active tiles.
Note that if you place it in one of the first four slots, you’ll always see it with a single swipe down from the top of your screen for especially easy access.
That’s it! Now, anytime your eyes feel like they could use an assist, just tap that tenacious tile and adjust away. Easy peasy.
Android 14 treasure #2 for Google Pixel phones: Magnificent magnification
While we’re talkin’ text, take 10 seconds to try out Android 14’s enhanced magnification system. It’s technically an accessibility feature, but Android’s accessibility options can often be useful for just about anyone in the right sort of situation.
So make your way to the…
2023-10-15 00:24:03
Source from www.computerworld.com
