The Most Underrated Yet Amazing Google Pixel Feature

Explore the incredible and often overlooked features of the Google Pixel, especially its music identification capabilities.

The Journey into Music Discovery

Ever since I got my smartphone, I’ve become a bit obsessed with finding new music.

It all started quite innocently. Recommendations on music platforms like Amazon Music and YouTube led to some memorable discoveries.

But lately, things have spiraled out of control. Now, whenever I hear even a slightly interesting song I’m not familiar with, I just have to know what it is.

Modern phones make this easier than ever: just download Shazam and hit that big button in the center of the screen. Usually, the song title and artist pop up within seconds.

However, this approach has two major downsides.

Distractions and Limitations

Firstly, it pulls you away from what’s happening around you. I can’t count how many times I’ve awkwardly held my phone up like an idiot, desperately trying to figure out what song is playing. More often than not, I fail on the first attempt, much to the annoyance of those around me.

You can tweak the "Automatic Recognition" feature, but that means your microphone has to be constantly active, which isn’t the most convenient setup.

I can’t tell you how many times I've, like an idiot, held my phone up, desperately trying to figure out what song is playing.

Secondly, Shazam requires an internet connection to work. That’s fine when you hear a cool song in a TV ad, but during a basement party? Forget about it.

Now Playing: Pixel's Built-in Solution

On paper, the feature exclusive to Google Pixel phones is the perfect solution. The "Now Playing" feature, first introduced in 2017, automatically recognizes any song playing near your phone.

Moreover, it operates entirely on-device, meaning it works even when there’s no internet connection. The sound is never sent to Google, making it a much safer option in terms of privacy.

You can see why I was so excited to try it out. When I reviewed my first Pixel smartphone (the Pixel 8), it worked fairly well most of the time. But after using the Pixel 9 Pro XL smartphone for over three months, the limitations of the Now Playing feature became painfully clear.

The Reality Check

So what’s the big issue? It actually only works about two-thirds of the time. For every two songs that it identifies easily, there’s another one that it completely fails to recognize. I found it struggles with songs released in the past month or so, suggesting that its offline database is outdated.

After more than three months of using the Pixel 9 Pro XL, the limitations of the Now Playing feature became apparent.

As expected, the success rate also varies greatly depending on whether the phone is resting on a table or tucked away in your pocket. Plus, if the sound is muted or there are background noises, the call may not succeed.

Once Google recognizes a song, you can find it manually on the lock screen. But the success rate doesn’t seem to improve, making it only marginally more convenient than opening the Shazam app, which I’ve discovered to be much more reliable.

Unfortunately, the current iteration of Now Playing is far from perfect. To have the best chance of identifying a song, just open Shazam and pray you have an internet connection.

It’s not just me; the Now Playing feature has been unavailable for some time.

However, there's hope. As reported by Ars Technica, Google has responded to users complaining about the feature not working, stating it has been “marked as fixed” and that a fix “will be rolled out in the next update.”

When exactly this will happen is yet to be determined. But if it means that Now Playing finally unleashes its incredible potential, it would be a game-changer for me and other music lovers.

For now, Shazam remains your best bet. Or, who knows, you might just come to terms with the uncertainty of not knowing? That’s a scary concept, isn't it?

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the Now Playing feature on Google Pixel devices?
  • The Now Playing feature automatically identifies songs playing nearby without needing an internet connection.
• How does Now Playing compare to Shazam?
  • While Now Playing works offline, Shazam is generally more reliable for song identification, especially for newer releases.
• Why does Now Playing sometimes fail to recognize songs?
  • It may struggle with songs released recently, indicating its offline database might not be up to date.
• Can I use Now Playing at a party?
  • Yes, but success can depend on the volume and surrounding noise levels.
• Is my privacy protected while using Now Playing?
  • Yes, as sound data is processed on the device and not sent to Google.

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