Google Nexus 6 Features Moto X-Like 'Ambient Display' Feature

Google launched the new Nexus 6 smartphone last week, built in partnership with Motorola. The new Nexus smartphone is no doubt based on the second-generation Moto X (Review | Pictures) and looks like an elongated version of the handset.

Now, a leaked Android 5.0 Lollipop build for the Google Nexus 6 tips that the smartphone not only borrows the design but also a feature from the Motorola's Moto X. Called 'Ambient Display' mode, the feature was spotted by a Google+ user.

The spotted new feature is located under display settings option with description that says, "Wake screen when device picked up or notifications arrive" and is also accompanied by an option to turn Ambient Display on or off.

Reportedly, the leaked screenshot comes from a Nexus 4 smartphone that is running a leaked build of Android 5.0 Lollipop for the Nexus 6.

The feature spotted in the screenshot is reminiscent to Motorola's Moto Display (previously Active Display) already seen on the Moto X and Moto X (Gen 2). The Moto Display uses infrared sensors to detect when the user's hand is hovering over the phone, and triggers a display showing notifications and actions. Motorola had even touted (at the first-generation Moto X launch) that the feature worked without significantly affecting the device's battery life.

(Also see: Nexus 6 Delivers 6 Hours of Battery Life With 15 Minutes of Charging: Google)

Interestingly, such a feature was first used by Nokia on its Lumia handsets, and currently is dubbed Glance screen, showing notifications on the lock screen when the phone goes into standby. The feature can be left permanently on, made to turn on intermittently, and or activate when the user's hand hovers over the phone - called peek more.

Google defines the Ambient Display function in overview section of the Android 5.0 Lollipop and notes, "Your device will wake up as soon as you pick it up or tap the screen twice."

Android Police points out that Google mentions the 'Ambient Display' feature in the Nexus 6 listing; however doesn't offer any detail. The listing notes that the standby time of the Nexus 6 when Ambient Display feature is on will be up to 250 hours, while it will be up to 330 hours when the feature is off.

The Motorola-made Google Nexus 6 will be going up for pre-order starting October 29, according to the Google Play US listing. The Nexus 6 is yet to be listed on the Google Play India store.