Ryan Haines / Android Authority
TL;DR
- The Pixel 8 sequence launched final week with tons of recent software program features, like Magic Editor and Best Take.
- However, not each characteristic that Google deliberate to convey to the Pixel 8 may make it.
- Features like show output, 8K video recording, and 480fps slo-mo have been scrapped or delayed earlier than launch.
The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro have been introduced ultimately week’s Made by Google {hardware} occasion, however they’ve solely simply begun to succeed in the doorsteps of most patrons at the moment. Now that the telephones have formally launched, Google printed the manufacturing facility photographs and code wanted to compile your individual Android construct from supply, so we at Android Authority dug into the code to see if there’s something attention-grabbing about the telephones that we could have missed. Indeed, we found that Google scrapped a number of features for the Pixel 8 earlier than launch, together with two minor digital camera features and one main productiveness characteristic.
Where’s the Pixel 8 desktop mode?
The one productiveness characteristic Google cut that actually grinds my gears is desktop mode assist. Back in June, Android Authority contributor Kamila Wojciechowska reported that the Pixel 8 sequence would acquire assist for DisplayPort over USB-C. This characteristic, generally known as DisplayPort Alternate Mode, lets units hook up with exterior shows through USB-C and is what makes desktop mode experiences like Samsung DeX doable.
Unfortunately, it appears that Google (as soon as once more) selected to not ship DisplayPort Alt. Mode assist on a Pixel, as connecting a Pixel 8 to an exterior monitor ends in nothing happening. Even the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max — which are a part of Apple’s first iPhone lineup to also have a USB-C port — mirror the display when linked to an exterior show.
As for why Google selected to not allow DisplayPort Alt. Mode on the Pixel 8 sequence, my finest guess is that it didn’t wish to allow it till Android’s desktop mode revamp is full, which could not occur till the subsequent Android launch.
On the shiny facet, it may be doable for tinkerers to allow DisplayPort Alt. Mode on the Pixel 8. We’ll have to attend for courageous modders to get their arms on the system, although.
8K video recording, possibly subsequent 12 months?
When Android Authority contributor Kamila Wojciechowska leaked the digital camera specs for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, she mentioned that the main sensor would assist 8K/30fps video seize, as would the ISP in the Google Tensor G3 chip. However, she cautioned that 8K/30fps video seize “might not make its way to users,” and she or he was proper: each telephones can solely file at as much as 4K/60fps. The purpose is just not as a result of the {hardware} isn’t able to it, however relatively that the software program isn’t prepared.
According to the code modifications we reviewed, Google has been engaged on including an 8K video encoder profile for the Tensor G3 since final 12 months. This encoder profile would’ve been utilized by the Google Camera app to output 8K/30fps movies utilizing the h264 codec. Google at first had hassle testing this encoder as a result of it had but to convey up 8K assist in the Tensor G3’s ISP. It’s unclear whether or not that’s nonetheless a difficulty, however in any case, Google appears to be nonetheless engaged on the characteristic — simply not for this technology of Pixel units.
One code change in June says that 8K “won’t be shipped on P23 devices,” so it was essential to take away the 8K video encoder profile from the launch construct. However, that identical code change says that 8K assist will likely be re-enabled “on udc-qpr-dev” so that Google can “continue developing 8K using P23 devices.”
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority
Super slooooooo-mo for the Pixel 8
The Pixel 8 sequence is able to recording slow-motion video at as much as 1080p/240fps, however Google at one level deliberate to allow assist for capturing 720p/480fps slow-motion movies. Those plans have been rapidly scrapped, nevertheless. It’s unclear why Google didn’t transfer ahead with this, nevertheless it was “descoped” sooner or later earlier than November 15 final 12 months.
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority
And that’s it for features we discovered that didn’t make the cut. Let us know in the feedback beneath in the event you’d prefer to see Google re-enable a few of these features!