Today, Google released Feature Drop for the Pixel 8 Pro. One of the features that this update brings is that it allows the phone to measure temperature. The Google Pixel 8 Pro has introduced a unique contactless temperature sensor, allowing users to measure the temperature of objects anywhere, anytime, with just a few taps. This feature is a first for Google Pixel phones and sets the Pixel 8 Pro apart from its predecessors. Google said that this update further unlocks the temperature sensor function of the Pixel 8 Pro phone. For this reason, the device can measure temperature through the thermometer app. The company calls this a “medical-grade feature.”
The Thermometer App
To use the temperature measurement feature on your Pixel 8 Pro, you’ll need to open the pre-installed Thermometer app. You can find it in the app drawer or by typing it in the search bar. Open the app and tap ‘Object temperature’. Then, select the material of the object you’ll be measuring. The sensor will measure the infrared radiation emitted from the item and show you a temperature. It can take the heat up to 200ºC or tell you when something is as cool as -20ºC.
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Accuracy and Limitations & Future Updates
The Pixel 8 Pro’s temperature sensor is accurate for measuring object temperatures. However, ZDNet reported that it is not reliable for measuring human body temperature. The sensor has been reported to be consistently five degrees lower than the actual body temperature. This discrepancy is likely because the Pixel 8 Pro’s thermometer is not yet FDA-approved for measuring body temperature.
Given Google’s strength in software, the thermometer may get significantly better over time. The FDA is currently reviewing the feature, and once approved, it will be updated on the Pixel 8 Pro. Google will likely add more advanced math to make the scanner more accurate and reliable for measuring human body temperature.
Conclusion
The Google Pixel 8 Pro’s temperature sensor is a unique and convenient feature that allows users to measure the temperature of objects anywhere, anytime. However, it is not yet FDA-approved for measuring body temperature, and its accuracy for human temperature readings is questionable. As the FDA review progresses, and Google continues to improve the thermometer, the Pixel 8 Pro will likely become a more reliable tool for measuring human body temperature.
