Pixel 4's Motion Sense feature won't be available in all countries

Ro, 27 September 2019

The so-called Motion Sense feature on the upcoming Pixel 4 phones is no longer a secret since even Google itself teased the functionality. Motion Sense is based on the radar technology developed under the name Project Soli and it will see it for the first time on a phone. However, it won't be available for use in all countries and with all apps, according to new developments.

Pixel 4's Motion Sense feature won't be available in all countries

A more in-depth dissection of the pre-release version of the Motion Sense app reveals that the gestures will only work in 38 countries. Probably the radar technology needs approval from the authorities in some countries. Here's the list of the approved markets:

American Samoa
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Canada
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Guam
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Romania
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
United Kingdom
United States
Virgin Islands, U.S.

Moreover, Google has whitelisted only six media apps that would be compatible with Motion Sense. Supposedly, you will be able to skip tracks, go back, play, pause and control the volume. Perhaps future support for other apps will eventually come.

Amazon Music
Deezer
Google Play Music
iHeartRadio
Pandora
Spotify
Spotify Stations
YouTube Music
YouTube

When you think about it, Google's phones aren't exactly widely available and have limited market reach. Each year the market pool is growing and the list might indicate that Pixel phones will be made available to some if not all of the countries listed above.

Source 1, 2

Reader comments

dt031sin
28 Sep 2019
X%3

So, they messed up the top bezel giving the phone an ugly asymmetric front look for a feature which won't even be available to all. Nice!!!

Hello Life
28 Sep 2019
rK2

Google is very rich and has huge budget. Even if their smartphones don’t sell, they can create them for decades, generation after generation. But let me tell you, google pixel 2 sold more than pixel 1.. pixel 3 more than 2.. and pixel 3a more than 3....