Do you find using awkward selfie sticks unbearable? Are you tired of rushing to beat the camera timer when setting up a group shot? If you own a Pixel, there’s a surprisingly simple alternative tool available: your hand.
With the built-in “Pixel Timer,” you can make group photos and selfies much more effortless. Instead of fumbling with a complicated setup or racing against the clock, signal the phone with your hand.
Here’s how it works: raise your hand before the camera to let your Pixel know you’re ready for a photo. This gesture helps you frame the shot perfectly and ensures that everyone, including those awkwardly positioned in the back, can get in place without the chaos of a countdown clock.
Lower your hand after you’ve gathered everyone, and everyone will be ready to smile. This action will trigger the timer, allowing enough time for you to strike the perfect pose. This user-friendly feature means less stress and more fun during those memorable moments.
So, next time you plan to capture a group photo, remember that your hand is an effortless tool in your Pixel’s photography arsenal. Yes, it’s that easy!
The Pixel Timer is turned on by default. To confirm that it’s installed, go into the Camera app on your Pixel, then choose Settings. From there, you’ll notice a toggle for the Pixel Timer.
The Pixel Timer was first introduced in August 2024 on the Pixel Fold and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Since then, Google has expanded it to all other Pixel phones, going back to the Pixel 6. With the March 2025 Feature Drop, the tool has been upgraded to work with both the rear and front cameras. Before this release, the Pixel Timer was only compatible with the selfie camera.
The March 2025 Pixel Feature Drop enhances user experience with AI-driven features, improved connectivity, and safety upgrades. A standout is the new AI-powered scam detection, which identifies potential fraudulent calls and messages while protecting user privacy. The “Connected Cameras” feature allows Pixel 9 users to stream from multiple camera angles by connecting to other Pixel devices or GoPro cameras. There’s also expanded satellite support for staying connected in areas without cellular or Wi-Fi, beneficial for emergencies.
Additionally, the Pixel Watch 3 introduces health updates, including loss-of-pulse detection and enhanced menstrual tracking. This drop underscores Google’s focus on intelligent and safe technology.
The OnePlus Buds Clip are a new pair of open-ear earbuds built around a simple convenience. They join Sony’s LinkBuds Clip in the growing ear-cuff category, but either OnePlus bud can go on either ear.
Sensors recognize how the earbuds are being worn and route the audio channels accordingly. There’s no label to check before putting them on, and the feature also works when only one bud is used.
We buy fitness bands and activity trackers to keep tabs on our exercise, but it is easy to forget to start tracking or switch modes when moving between different activities. For Fitbit and Pixel Watch users, that could soon become a lot less annoying, as Google is rolling out a major upgrade to automatic activity tracking that can recognize more than 100 types of exercise, up from just 10 before.
Google first showed off the improved tracking earlier this month alongside the Fitbit Edge. It is now coming to Fitbit Air and the Pixel Watch 3, 4, and 5, and Google claims the added context behind the system makes workout detection nearly twice as accurate while cutting missed activities by more than half. Fitbit Edge will support it too.