Pixel 4a

keever · Jun 24, 2021

I have had this phone for 3 days and so far I dislike the new version intensely. 1) no more squeeze and assist, 2) swiping left and right is cumbersome, sticky and mostly does not work 3) not at all apparent how to keep more than one app open at a time since swiping does not work and MOST IMPORTANTLY, this version of the SW WILL NOT cooperate with Android Auto and get hooked up, while my old 3a even without its SIM card still hooks up right away and that is AFTER I de-authorized the 3a in favor of the 4a.

It's awfulllllll I am thinking of returning, incurring re-stock charge and spending WAY more money on an awful SAMSUNG (yuck) phone. .

Pixel team obviously did not really beta test this thing. I have had a 2 and two 3s, all of which were great...

This is NOT.

Hadron · Jun 24, 2021

Well there's nothing you can do about the "squeeze for Assistant" function: that was something Google took over from HTC (though HTC allowed you to use it for more than just summoning Assistant), and they have dropped it on all of their later phones. Nobody else has it, so it's history now.

When you say "swiping left and right" doesn't work, are you referring to the navigation (back gesture) or just moving between homescreens? I think you can still select the old 3 button navigation if you don't like the gestures (I personally think they are a less well executed direct imitation of Apple, and don't use them). But if you just mean general moving between screens etc that's odd, because this is a popular handset and I've never heard anyone complain about that. I wonder whether you may have a bad copy?

I'm afraid I've no ideas on Android Auto, as I have never used it.

codesplice · Jun 24, 2021

None of the A-series Pixels got the Active Edge ("squeeze for Assistant") feature; eliminating the hardware supporting that capability was one of the many cost-saving measures that enabled Google to offer the A-series at more affordable prices than their more premium counterparts. And, like @Hadron said, it's a moot point anyway since the Pixel 5 (and presumably subsequent models) have moved on from Active Edge entirely.

I've not had any issues with the swipe-based navigation on any of my Pixels (2, 3, 3a, 4 XL, 4a, 5), but you can switch to a more traditional 3-button navigation method if you prefer at Settings > System > Gestures > System navigation. Honestly I'd say to give it a week first to see if you can get used to the new way of doing things. I've really come to prefer it and feel lost when I pick up my wife's phone where the gestures are disabled.

Unfortunately my car doesn't have an Android Auto head unit so I've never had the privilege of playing with that, though I do frequently use the Android Auto app in a standalone fashion on my phone without any issues. I've also not seen any other complaints about the 4a being incompatible with Android Auto. Are you using the USB connection or trying to do it wirelessly?

ocnbrze · Jun 25, 2021

keever said:
I

It's awfulllllll I am thinking of returning, incurring re-stock charge and spending WAY more money on an awful SAMSUNG (yuck) phone. .

what's so awful about samsung phones? i know my note 10+ 5G kicks some serious ass!!!! its been a great phone. looking forward to see what the next note 22 will be.

Search

Search

Pixel 4a

keever

Lurker

Hadron

Spacecorp test pilot

codesplice

Elite Recognized Moderator

ocnbrze

DON'T PANIC!!!!!!!!!

BEST TECH IN 2023

Smartphones

Best Android Phones

Upcoming

Best iPhones

Upcoming

Tablets

Best Tablets

Upcoming

Laptops

Best Laptops

Upcoming

Televisions

Best TVs

Upcoming

Game Consoles

Best Game Consoles

Upcoming

Wearables

Best Wearables

Upcoming

Smart Home

Smart Home Tech

Upcoming

Similar threads