The Google Pixel 3 is a well-known smartphone that has gained a reputation for its excellent camera, sleek design, and advanced features. As an Android-based device, it offers a vast library of apps that enhance its functionality and provide users with a wide range of options for communication, entertainment, productivity, and more. However, with so many apps available on the Google Play Store, it can be challenging to find the best ones that work seamlessly with the Pixel 3’s hardware and software. This article provides an overview of some of the best Android apps for Pixel 3 users to maximize their experience.
Firstly, communication is a crucial aspect of any smartphone, and the Pixel 3 offers several options for messaging, calling, and video chatting. Some of the best apps for communication on the Pixel 3 include WhatsApp, Signal, and Google Duo. These apps are known for their reliable and secure messaging and voice/video calling features that work seamlessly with the Pixel 3’s camera and microphone.
We have compiled a list of 7 Best Android Apps For Pixel 3 for your consideration, which have undergone rigorous testing and evaluation by our team of experts.
Table of Contents
7 Best Android Apps For Pixel 3
1. Now Playing History
The Now Playing History feature on Pixel 2 phones allows users to view a history of recognized songs sorted by date. Users can tap on an entry to listen to the song in their preferred music player and mark favorite songs. The app can retrieve additional details such as album name and cover art for each recognized song, and an optional map feature shows where each song was played. The app supports Last.fm scrobbling and users can search and delete songs from their history. Exporting options are available to share the history with friends or to backup data.
All data is stored locally on the device, and the app does not use tracking or ad libraries. If users opt to use the scrobbling or album art/details feature, the song title and artist are sent to the Last.fm-API. The recorded locations for the map feature are only stored locally on the user’s phone. The app supports 10 system languages and a dark theme.
2. Android Auto
Android Auto is a driving companion that helps users stay connected, entertained, and focused with the Google Assistant. It has a simplified interface, large buttons, and powerful voice actions to make it easier to use apps from a phone while driving. To use Android Auto, users need a phone running Android 6.0 or higher and an active data connection. Over 400 car models now support Android Auto. To check if a car display is compatible and how to enable it, users should check their owner’s manual or contact the car’s manufacturer.
Users can use Android Auto to route to their destination using Google Maps or Waze with real-time GPS navigation and traffic alerts. They can get updates on their route, ETA, and hazards in real-time. The Google Assistant can check their calendar, set reminders, get updates on the news, and check last night’s score. Users can also set a custom do not disturb message while driving to avoid distractions. They can make calls using Google Assistant and access their contacts folder to send and receive messages with various messaging apps. Android Auto also lets users manage their infotainment system and listen to their favorite media apps including Spotify, Pandora, and iHeartRadio.
Android Auto supports many more music, radio, news, sports news, audiobook, and podcast apps, and the number of compatible apps is always growing. Users can view the full list of compatible apps at g.co/androidauto. For support, users can visit support.google.
3. Files by Google
Files by Google is a file management application that helps users manage their files, free up space, find files quickly, and share files offline with others without data. The app provides cleaning recommendations to help users free up space by deleting old photos and memes, removing duplicate files, erasing unused apps, and clearing cache files. With the app, users can check their storage and see how much free space is left on their phone and SD card. They can also transfer files to an SD card to free up their phone’s storage or use the app’s integrated file cleaner to get more space on the phone.
The app provides users with control over their files as they can select only what they want to remove and keep the rest. It also helps boost phone performance by reminding users to remove junk or temporary files regularly to get more storage immediately. The app uses smart recommendations to provide helpful suggestions of files to erase before users run out of space.
Files by Google provides an intuitive approach to file organization as it uses filters instead of folders. Users can easily manage their files by searching for them or navigating through categories and filters. They can view, delete, move, rename, or share any files and sort them by file size to understand what’s taking up space. The app also enables users to share their pictures, videos, documents, or apps with others nearby who also have the app.
The app’s offline file sharing is secured with WPA2 encryption, providing a more secure file transfer.
4. Relay for reddit
Relay is a new app designed to enhance the browsing experience of news and entertainment website Reddit. Its user-friendly interface is inspired by Material Design, with delightful animations throughout. Links and comments load at the same time, and a simple swipe can switch between them. Relay also features inline previewing of pictures, YouTube, gifs and html 5 videos. Advanced comment navigation options allow for easy next/previous thread browsing, word finding, and IAMA. There are also comprehensive moderator features including distinguishing, sticky posts, and banning users.
Users can select from a variety of themes including a relaxing night mode, and have the ability to maintain multiple accounts. Notifications for mail, mod messages, and the modqueue are also available. Relay supports filtering out subreddits disliked by the user and spoiler support. Extensive customisation options are also available, such as font style and size, and left-handed viewing. The app also features hi-resolution thumbnails, full friends and search functionality, and emoticons like Rageface and MLP emoticons through PonyMotes.
The developer of Relay can be reached for questions or feedback directly on the app’s Reddit page at https://www.reddit.com/r/RelayForReddit.
5. Notification light – aodNotify
aodNotify is a mobile application designed for Samsung Galaxy S22/S21/Note 20/S20/S10/Note 10 or A52 devices that enables users to add a notification light or LED directly to a Samsung Always On Display. With this app, users can choose from different notification light styles and display the notification light around the camera cutout, screen edges, or simulate a notification light or LED dot in the status bar. The notification light is integrated into Samsung’s Always On Display and has minimal battery consumption, unlike other apps that keep the phone awake and drain the battery.
The app also features a notification preview that allows users to view important notifications without waking their Galaxy S22/S21/Note 20/S20/S10/A52 devices. Moreover, aodNotify’s main features include a low energy notification preview for Android 10+ users, activating Always On Display (AOD) only on notifications, and a charging/low battery light or LED. It also has custom app/contact colors, ECO animations to save battery, interval mode (on/off) to save battery, night times to save battery, and minimal battery consumption.
The battery usage per hour for aodNotify varies based on the features used. For instance, LED consumes 3.0%, LED & INTERVAL consumes 1.5%, LED & ECO ANIMATION consumes 1.5%, LED & ECO ANIMATION & INTERVAL consumes 1.
6. WhenToPlugIn
National Grid has developed the WhenToPlugIn app to help users make smarter energy choices and reduce their carbon footprint. The app provides real-time information on the carbon intensity forecast in Great Britain, showing users when electricity will be generated from zero carbon sources over the next 48 hours. The app also offers a breakdown of the energy sources powering the electricity in the user’s region, as well as interconnector information and updates on clean energy records. The app is powered by carbonintensity.org.uk and electricitymap.org.
The goal of the app is to help Great Britain reach net zero faster by encouraging users to use electricity when it is generated from zero carbon sources. The app defines carbon intensity as the amount of CO2 emissions produced per kWh of electricity consumed, with fossil fuels having a high carbon intensity and renewables having a zero carbon intensity. By using the app to plan electricity usage, users can reduce their carbon footprint.
National Grid is the company responsible for the infrastructure that transports gas and electricity across Great Britain. The infrastructure includes pipelines and cables that transmit gas and electricity from where it is generated to local distribution networks.
Navigation Gestures is an app that allows users to add swipe gesture controls to any Android device. It replaces the navigation bar buttons with gesture controls and can completely hide the stock navigation bar without root access. Users can customize the gesture pill and choose from a variety of gestures, including taps, swipes, and split pill. The app offers both free and premium actions, such as launching apps, pulling down notifications, and toggling WiFi. The app also provides appearance and behavior customization options, and troubleshooting tips are available on the XDA forum thread and GitHub page. However, the app is not compatible with Android 11 and later, and users should be aware that navigation gestures will not be receiving any more updates.