All articles tagged with #pixel
An Android Authority writer argues that Samsung’s Good Lock—a modular, official customization toolkit—gives Galaxy phones a level of control (keyboard, Quick Settings, per-app timeouts and volume, edge gestures, and more) that Pixel can’t match. While Pixel offers a clean stock Android experience and faster updates, the breadth and polish of Good Lock make switching to Pixel impractical for him right now.
Google has released Android 17 QPR1 Beta 3 for Pixel 6 and newer ahead of the June Pixel Feature Drop, with two build versions for different models, fixes for media playback, Wi-Fi drops, and widget disappearance after reboot, and adds a bounce-back effect to Quick Settings along with a blur UI on the power menu. It also outlines opt-out steps (downgrade may wipe data) and notes that a stable Android 17 release is expected next month.
Google's May 2026 Pixel update adds fixes for camera freeze, display flicker, and slow wireless charging at certain battery levels, but it does not resolve the ongoing battery-drain issue that arose after the March update. The problem affects Pixel 10 and older devices, including the Pixel 7 lineup, and Google has not announced a timeline for a fix as the issue is tracked on its Issue Tracker with rollout continuing in phases.
Google releases Android 17 QPR1 Beta 2 for Pixel devices (Pixel 6 through Pixel 10) as build CP31.260423.012.A1, with OTA options via the Beta Program and confirmations of several bug fixes (Terminal app crash, lock-screen date/weather overlap with the fingerprint area, conference call handling, mobile signal display, icon scaling in the homescreen, F2FS data integrity, UI glitches, and navigation/gesture stability); OTA images are available for flashing, and Google did not publicly list additional changes.
Google’s Android chief says Pixel phones won’t adopt Apple’s Liquid Glass look, despite memes and an Android Show teaser; Google will continue with Material Design, even as rumors of translucency surface for Android 17.
Google released the May 2026 Pixel update (Android 16-based) for Pixel 7a through Pixel 10a, adding fixes for slow wireless charging between 75–80%, camera freezes during video zoom, display flicker/noise, screen freezing, and input/keyboard issues; rollout starts today and will occur in phases over the coming weeks, while Pixel 6/6a and Pixel 7 series may not receive this update; factory images and OTA files will be available for manual updates.
Google released Android 17 QPR1 Beta 1 for Pixel devices, signaling platform stability and a future focus on bug fixes rather than base-feature changes. The CP31.260403.005.A1 build is rolling out to Pixel 6–Pixel 10 devices enrolled in the Android Beta Program and includes fixes for a Default Print Service crash under low ink, Terminal app ANR, and VoIP audio distortion. OTA rollout has begun and factory images are available; the stable Android 17 is expected mid-2026, with additional QPR1 improvements arriving later in the year.
Google released Android 17 QPR1 Beta 1 for Pixel devices, launching the quarterly QPR beta cycle ahead of the Android 17 stable release. The build CP31.260403.005.A1 is available to Android Beta Program members on most Pixel devices (from Pixel 6 to the Pixel Tablet line). The update includes bug fixes and feature tweaks as part of the QPR, with the final stable version expected during the September Feature Drop; notable fixes address crashes in Default Print Service, Terminal app ANR issues, VoIP audio distortions, and AIDL audio HAL improvements.
Android users report severe battery drain after Google’s April 2026 update, affecting Pixel 6 through Pixel 10 with rapid idle drain and even hot phones, including reports on airplane mode. The issue has drawn thousands of votes on Google’s Issue Tracker, and Google says it only has battery stats so far and is asking for detailed bug reports to investigate; no fix is available yet.
Google is reportedly developing Android’s version of Apple’s NameDrop, called Tap to Share, which would use NFC for quick sharing of contact info and other items and may debut as a Pixel-exclusive, though no official release date has been announced.
Google's April Pixel update is a small patch that fixes five issues across the Pixel line, including a missing Backup menu in Settings, crashes in banking/third-party apps, game crashes, a sometimes-missing quick search bar on the home screen, and Quick Share crashes, with device applicability varying by model.
Leaked renders suggest the Pixel 11 will feature slimmer bezels and a solid black rear camera bar, with rumored specs including a Tensor G6, a 6.3-inch OLED display, and dimensions nearly identical to the Pixel 10; a launch is expected in August.
Google's March Pixel Drop brings practical travel-focused features: live location sharing in Google Messages via Find Hub; secure, expiring luggage-tracking links for airlines through Find Hub; Play Store now shows short app preview videos for quick demos; personalized Calling Cards in the Phone app; and kid-friendly games in Android Auto, all aimed at smoothing daily life and travel without a drastic UI overhaul.
Google’s Now Playing feature is now available as a standalone Pixel app featuring a modern three-tab UI (Now Playing, History, Favorites) and a refreshed Home screen tile, but it’s currently limited to Pixel 10 devices running Android 17 beta and won’t work on older Pixels yet, with a broader rollout to other devices likely in the future.
Google has turned Now Playing into a standalone Pixel app on the Play Store, moving it out of Settings to enable faster updates and greater visibility. The app still identifies songs entirely on-device using a fingerprint database (no audio is sent to the cloud), and Google is testing a refreshed UI with clearer album art and easier navigation between the song history and recognition features.