One of the neatest aspects of the Pixel line — and many other devices — is the excellent ‘Always-on display’ function. On Pixel devices, it’s called ‘Ambient display’, and Google is looking to improve the palm rejection of the feature.
Android Q Beta 4 just dropped this afternoon. While the update will be heading out over traditional updates to those enrolled in the beta program, here’s how to skip the wait by sideloading the Android Q Beta 4 OTA on a Pixel 3, Pixel 2, or Pixel device.
Moment has been making some of the best photo/video accessories for mobile devices for a fair bit now, and today they’re introducing a handful of new items including wallet cases for devices including the Pixel 3, bags, and more. Here’s what you need to know.
A research paper has uncovered a sensor calibration attack that is capable of pulling device data and can track Android and iPhone handsets across the internet almost instantly — without any user interaction or input.
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The commonly heard phrase often goes something like “the best camera is the one that you have with you”, right? And with smartphone cameras so ubiquitous now, often that camera will be a mobile device. While the Pixel 3 has one of the best single-lens smartphone camera setups for stills on the market, video and videography isn’t something I would recommend without a few tiny tweaks, improvements and additions.
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One of the most exciting additions to Android Pie was Google’s suite of Digital Wellbeing tools. However, users have been reporting lately that Digital Wellbeing tools could be the cause of performance problems on a plethora of devices, including the Pixel 3.
With Android Q Beta 2 last month, the Pixel 3 stopped denoting wireless charging speed on the lockscreen. An update to the Pixel Stand companion app this week brings this altered indicator to the Google Assistant dock on devices running Android 9 Pie.
Google last week teased “something big” for the “Pixel universe” on May 7th. Rumored to be the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL, a fun video of the current Pixel 3 used by people in the Marvel world was also released. Early moviegoers now report seeing that latest Made by Google flagship in Avengers: Endgame.
Google’s initiative to bring RCS messaging to Android phones is almost completely reliant on carriers, and that’s going just about as well as everyone thought it would. Today, T-Mobile has casually mentioned that the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3a won’t support RCS messaging on its network.
The camera on Google’s Pixel smartphones are arguably the best you can buy, and software just keeps making them better. Today, Google has revealed that it’s adding a new “Timelapse” mode to the Pixel camera.
As part of the Android Q update, Google has added a slew of brand new non-binary or gender fluid emoji that can be used right now exclusively on Pixel devices.
Last year at Cloud Next, Google announced its own Titan Security Key as part of a push to encourage two-step verification. These small devices fight phishing by requiring a physical confirmation that you are the one logging into an account. Google today announced that all Android 7+ phones can be used as security keys to sign into the company’s services.
One of the big gripe users had with Android Pie was the debut of Google’s new gesture navigation system. Many weren’t a fan of the system, and they were especially unhappy when Google’s Pixel 3 forced them into it with no way to revert back to the classic three-button navigation setup. Now, with the 3rd Android Q beta, that option is back.
Since its debut, the only carrier that’s had the privilege of selling the Google Pixel line has been Verizon Wireless. That officially ends today, though, as Google has partnered up with T-Mobile and Sprint to bring the Pixel 3 and the new Pixel 3a to more customers on more networks.
Since the first model’s launch in 2016, the Google Pixel has been exclusively available — at least in the United States — either unlocked via the Google Store or purchased through Verizon. Now we’ve seen evidence that another US carrier, T-Mobile, could begin carrying last year’s Google Pixel 3, and possibly the soon-to-launch Pixel 3a and Pixel 4 as well.
Ahead of hardware announcements at I/O 2019, the Made by Google division was shrouded by poor Pixel 3 sales in Q1 2019. Rick Osterloh in an interview discussed what’s happening to the premium smartphone market, and shared his outlook on the company’s failed products and future outlook.
We’re inclined to love Google’s Pixel smartphones, and they are some genuinely great devices. Google brings a lot to the table, especially in the camera and software departments. However, Google’s Pixel 3 has suffered from some annoying quirks and problems since its launch. 6 months later, Google still hasn’t fixed them all.
Project Fi launched on April 22, 2015 with the Nexus 6 being the first device to support the Google MVNO. All subsequent Nexus and Pixel phones have worked on the cellular service, with Designed for Fi devices from third-party OEMs launching in 2017. To celebrate its 4th anniversary, a Fi birthday Pixel 3 deal discounts the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL by 50% off.
If you need proof that Google is still trying to figure out this whole hardware thing, you just have to look at how the company handles its online store. This week, one lucky Pixel 3 buyer stumbled on a mishap with Google that saw the company delivering over $9,000 worth of Pixel 3 units, while he just wanted a refund.
The Huawei P30 Pro is a fantastic device that rightly deserves its camera plaudits. It is the gateway to a zoomed-in smartphone camera future that will no doubt force other OEMs to really think about what type of lens setups we see in upcoming devices.
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With the Pixel 3, the Google Camera app gained a number of AI-powered features like Night Sight, Top Shot, and Photobooth. The latter is essentially Google Clips running on a phone, with the mode adding automatic kiss detection.
Ahead of next week’s Avengers: Endgame premiere, Google is updating the Avengers Playground sticker pack with more superheroes. Five new characters join the existing set first introduced with the Pixel 3 in October.
Make no mistake, we’re most definitely a partisan group at 9to5Google when it comes to the Google Pixel 3. Being able to pick up a device that’s been created as Google intended is the core reason that the Pixel line is so revered — and that industry-leading camera is most definitely a reason too.