The latest developer preview of Android P that started rolling out to a number of Google-made and third-party smartphones earlier this week contains references to a Google-made wireless charger and better native support for such technologies, with the implication being that the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL may be capable of being recharged without being plugged in. First discovered by XDA Developers, a range of code snippets mined from the new firmware references something called the “dreamliner” whose package isn’t related to any publicly available app, is labeled as coming directly from Google, and presently appears to be undergoing internal testing at the Mountain View, California-based firm.
A decompiled version of the SystemUI APK also contains empty “dreamliner” information forms with fields for manufacturers, indicating that the codename may pertain to a new product category or a single product that won’t necessarily be produced by Google but designed and labeled as being “made” by the firm, similar to the Pixel smartphones. The deeper wireless charging integration Android P is set to debut later this year will come in the form of a new device class in the “Connected Devices” menu which will specifically manage wireless chargers. The stock version of Android was capable of recognizing such devices since Android 4.2 Jelly Bean hit the stable channel in late 2012 but its abilities in the space remain rather limited.
The last device from Google to support wireless charging was the Motorola-produced Nexus 6 which was released in late 2014 after the company was already sold to Lenovo, with the Nexus 6P and 5X both lacking that feature the following years. Handsets from the Nexus program also aren’t considered to be entirely “made by Google” as the Pixel lineup is now being advertised even though Alphabet’s subsidiary itself still isn’t handling any large-scale manufacturing, nor is it expected to start doing so in the near future. While the first two generations of the Pixel handsets didn’t support wireless charging, the upcoming one is said to feature an entirely glass back, so coupled with the code outlined above, many industry watchers are now speculating the feature will be making its way to the Pixel 3 product family. The new devices are expected to be announced in early fall, with the previous two iterations of the series both launching on October 4.