Pixel 4 Offers Multi-Network Switching Through Google Fi
Google’s recently announced Pixel 4 and Pixel 4XL offers a new system for data connections called Google Fi. It’s an extension of technology that allows for phone service to be connected to local Wi-Fi as well as switch between multiple networks depending on which has better coverage. The technology is expected to improve coverage for users of the phone. However, there is still the requirement that the phone has a second sim card installed for the secondary network that the user intends to utilize.
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Based on what networks are available, the phone will cycle through each and find the strongest signal, then use it to allow the user to browse the internet or even send texts. The switching is seamless, and with a secondary sim card installed, the phone can quickly determine which of the two available choices has better reception. Once a Wi-Fi signal isn’t available or is too weak to be used, the phone immediately switches out into a data service of the user’s choice. The technology used to achieve this is called Dual Sim Dual Standby (DSDS). A single network may be used at one time for sending texts or receiving calls, but DSDS allows both systems to be ready for an instantaneous switch.
Dual connect technology should be available within the next few weeks for users of the Pixel 4 that bought the handset from Google Fi itself or the Google store. In an announcement recently, the tech giant mentioned that they would be working on more “Designed for Fi” devices to incorporate their new technology into. The technological advances the Pixel 4 offers over the previous model extend to more than just DSDS, however. The design is different, and the hardware has much improved since the company’s last foray into the smartphone market. DSDS cements how much progress the company has made from the previous version of their handset.
