Apple's software and hardware control has its positive and negative side, even so, it always ends up being one of the most valued things about the brand. However, we tend to forget that there are other companies that do very interesting things. One of them is Google and its Google Pixel Stand, possibly the best wireless charging pad.
Turn your Pixel into a Nest Hub
La Google's wireless charging dock is not a common dock and current like the vast majority of options on the market, hence its price of 79 euros. Therefore, despite not being a multiple wireless charging pad If you go to see what it offers in detail, you realize that there is much more than a simple charging system compatible with the Qi standard.
This particular Qi charging base or Stand offers a series of additional advantages that improve the user experience. Yes indeed, They only work with Pixel terminals (Pixel 3, 3XL, Pixel 4, 4XL, Pixel 4a, the last one you can buy because the new Pixel 5 will not arrive in Spain). But what these options really are, let's see.
Thanks to its internal software the base is able to function as a routine trigger on Pixel phones. Thus, for example, you can schedule the terminal to wake you up with an alarm at certain times and even turn on the lights at home while displaying a personalized interface. It also helps you by giving you a summary of your agenda, traffic information if you work outside and even the latest news. Or turn on do not disturb mode when you go to bed at night, put down your phone and get ready for bed.
Very well, in accordance with the idea that we can do all this without having to have said base, but now it has been updated again and gives the option of turn the Pixel into a home automation control station like the Nets Hub just rest it on the base. And of course, this can be very useful in a wide variety of situations such as when you arrive at work, come home after being out all day or go back to bed to sleep.
To activate this new option, in addition to meeting the requirements of having a Pixel and the base itself, all you have to do is update the base software. Yes, you heard right, update the software of the Google Pixel Stand itself. For it make sure you are already on the latest version of Android 11. Now go to settings and then connected devices.
In this section you will see the Pixel Stand. If you click on the icon that gives access to its configuration you will see all the options that we gave you before plus a new one referring to Home control. When you select it, a selector will appear to activate or not its use and then the possibility of adding all the compatible devices you have.
Once you have done everything, and after updating the base that should have skipped you, you will see a series of buttons on the screen with which you can control home automation. For example, to turn on the lights or perform other actions with your smart home devices.
Smartphone manufacturers boost their ecosystems
Seeing options like this of the Google Pixel and its Pixel Stand or Apple's own results curious that the rest of the manufacturer does not do anything similar being able And it is not something that all terminals and brands have to reach, but there are some like Xiaomi, Samsung, OnePlus or similar that could.
Details of this type would add value to your ecosystem of products and the user himself would also value more what your products offer. Something that in the case of manufacturers of Android terminals would be much more important to retain the user with their own devices.
It is true that with some third-party applications and simple NFC tags many actions can be automated, but those software details make a difference. So hopefully all of these brands start to realize the value of user experience and empower their own ecosystems. Because this type of proposal for many would be a much more optical solution than betting on devices such as the elgato stream deck. Although this has other very attractive uses.