Google Play Services' new Instant Tethering feature keeps Pixel and Nexus devices online by creating a hotspot connection with another Android device. (Photo : YouTube/Knowing )
Google Play Services 10.2 is getting a new feature that keeps Android devices online. The "Instant Tethering" feature allows Pixel and Nexus smartphones using one Google account to automatically make a Bluetooth hotspot connection to a smartphone with mobile data. The option, however, is a limited rollout and only available for Android Nougat.
Austrian journalist Andreas Proschofsky noted the new feature. He uploaded a screenshot to his Google+ account that showed the new tethering feature.
The battery level of the online phone is shown on the offline phone connected to it. One technical proviso is the new feature is only available for Nexus and Pixel devices. They must be running Android (Nougat) 7.1.1, according to Android Police.
In addition, Nexus 9 and Pixel C tablets are only able to function as clients that connect to a handset with data. They cannot function as a Wi-Fi hotspot but can use the feature even if they are running Android Marshmallow.
Pixel XL and other compatible phones can connect to other handsets' mobile web connection. It cannot happen though when the wireless carrier blocks the new feature.
Users of Android devices can check if they have Instant Tethering. They must open the Google menu at the main system settings and check if the new feature is listed there.
It is important to note that Instant Tethering has a server-side component. After installing the latest version of Play Services owners of Android devices might not see the new feature. It could show up though after restarting the smartphone or tablet.
Google's Instant Tethering will probably get a wider rollout to other Android devices in the future. It is important to check Play Services for updates.
In related news, investment bank Evercore ISI estimated Google shipped 552,000 Pixel phones in Q4 2016, according to Stuff. It guessed revenue for the smartphone sales was $386 million for the quarter.
Google had a big marketing campaign for the Pixel phone during last year's holiday shopping season. It included channels such as the New York Times website and National Football League (NFL) games.
Many people who know Google's hardware unit have shared the company plans to expand the Pixel product line in the next years. It was first unveiled in October 2016.
Here's a review of Google Pixel:
