All articles tagged with #pixel
Google is gradually rolling out the Motion Assist feature on Android 17 devices, starting with Pixel phones. The feature shows moving motion cues to help reduce motion sickness in a moving vehicle and can auto-activate or be controlled via a Quick Settings tile; rollout is phased and may vary by device.
GrapheneOS says its first Motorola devices will be high-end flagships arriving in 2027 and will cost more than Pixel phones; cheaper Motorola models will follow later as Qualcomm's lower-end chipsets currently lack the same level of security and long-term software support. GrapheneOS plans to host its own AOSP repositories and align updates with major Android releases, expanding beyond Pixel phones.
Google’s Pixel 11 Pro XL is pricey at $1,300 with only 12GB RAM, prompting Android Authority to propose five solid Android alternatives: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (flagship with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and a 200MP camera), Motorola Razr Ultra (2026) (premium foldable with 16GB RAM and a large inner display), Google Pixel 10a (affordable at $499 with strong software support and battery life), Nothing Phone 3 (distinctive design, 65W charging, solid cameras and updates), and Google Pixel 10 Pro XL (powerful Pixel option with Tensor G5 and 16GB RAM at a lower price). The piece notes each option’s trade-offs while highlighting the Galaxy S26 Ultra as the top general alternative for most buyers.
A week with the Pixel 11 Pro shows Google's strong hardware and enduring Pixel perks, but most new features (HiLight, Camera Looks, Magic Capture, Proactive Assistance) feel half-baked or underused, leaving the reviewer impressed yet worried about Pixel's direction in the coming years.
Best Buy kicks off its 60th anniversary sale with 20+ Android-focused deals across phones, tablets, wearables, and more; no membership is required, but stock is limited and the sale ends Sunday. The writer will continue adding new Android deals throughout the week, highlighting picks like the Google Pixel 11 256GB with a $100 gift card, Motorola Razr Ultra (2025) and Razr Plus, Pixel 10a, Galaxy A37/A57, Lenovo/ASUS Chromebooks, Garmin wearables, and audio deals.
Google released Android 17 QPR1 Beta 9 for Pixel devices from the Pixel 6 through the Pixel 10 family (including the Pixel 10a), with Pixel 11 not yet listed; this will be the last major update for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro as they approach end of life in October 2026. The update, which ships alongside a September Pixel Feature Drop and carries security patch level 2026-07-05, fixes issues such as bottom gesture bar glitches, unexpected loud noises during media and notifications, boot loops, and other bugs. OTA images are available via the Android Beta Program for those who prefer flashing.
Google’s Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 adds a system‑level App Lock that lets you lock individual apps behind your device’s unlock method, starting with Pixel devices and likely rolling out further (with a final release expected in December); Samsung’s One UI 9.5 beta appears to preview a similar tool, signaling a broader rollout, and the feature provides a simple privacy boost without third‑party apps, including a new Security & privacy menu to manage enabled apps.
After the Pixel 11 series and Pixel Watch 5 launch, a mysterious wearable appears in promotional images, resembling a Fitbit Charge-like device; fans wonder if it's an unreleased Fitbit Charge 7 or a new Google wearable, but details remain unclear.
Google's Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 adds a Quick Settings editor for Pixel phones, letting users reorder tiles, the brightness slider, and the media player in the panel. The feature is currently limited to beta testers and not widely available yet, with a broader rollout expected alongside the December stable release via the Android Beta Program.
Google's Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 for eligible Pixel devices adds a Quick Settings layout editor to rearrange toggles and controls (including the brightness slider and media player), introduces new theming options with color hue and blur effects, and adds call-protection dialogs to deter social-engineering in call-forwarding scenarios.
Google’s Android chief Sameer Samat outlines a future where AI agents on smartphones can understand goals and perform tasks for users—like reviewing doctor notes, checking insurance coverage, and booking appointments—without constant prompting. The Pixel 11 Pro will feature a Gemini-powered backlight indicator showing when the AI is processing, and a forthcoming Halo feature will display an AI agent’s progress. Rambler, another new tool, cleans up speech for text or email replies. These moves position Google to compete with Apple, Samsung, and OpenAI for a more hands-off smartphone experience, though experts caution the tech isn’t yet capable of fully automating such tasks and public trust remains a concern.
A CNET columnist argues Google should integrate Snapseed’s powerful film-like editing presets directly into the Pixel camera app (beyond the new in-camera Camera Looks) to make Pixel phones more appealing to photographers, noting Snapseed’s depth and suggesting Pixel could rival Fujifilm’s X100 VI by uniting full editing power with in-camera shooting.
Live coverage of Google's Made by Google event reveals the Pixel 11, Pixel Pro Fold, Pixel Watch 5, and the Pixel Tracker, with a preshow at 5:30 p.m. ET and the main livestream at 6:00 p.m. ET, hosted by Trevor Noah and featuring a lineup of celebrity guests.
Ten years after the Pixel’s debut, Google stays in the phone game to push an AI‑first Android vision and keep hardware/software in sync via on‑device AI and Gemini features, even though Pixel’s global market share is modest and its distribution is limited. Analysts say the Pixel line showcases Google’s AI capabilities (like Magic Eraser and Gemini Live) to counter Apple/Samsung, while rumors point to a Pixel 11 lineup with a Tensor G6 and deeper Gemini integration; the strategy emphasizes AI leadership on mobile more than dominating hardware.
Google’s Pixel 11 Pro introduces a back-mounted notification LED, reviving a hardware cue for power users while the company pursues broader fan appeal through a star-studded Made by Google 2026 livestream (Trevor Noah, Stephen Curry, and more). Leaks have mostly revealed the phone’s basics in advance, including the LED’s potential role as a flash/flashlight, and the preorder countdown ends hours before the reveal, underscoring a launch aimed at fans more than surprise-seeking enthusiasts.