All articles tagged with #pixel
Two former Google employees and one of their husbands were indicted on 14 felony counts of conspiracy and theft of trade secrets related to Google’s Tensor processor for Pixel phones, potentially facing more than 20 years in prison if convicted.
Google has released Android 17 Beta 1 for Pixel devices, focusing on testing system and API changes with no major user-facing changes yet. Highlights include expanded adaptive-apps support that requires resizing and windowed multitasking, smoother camera sensor switching, and enhanced media encoding with Versatile Video Coding (VVC). Beta 2 is planned for March, with a final update later in 2026; supported devices include Pixel 6–10, Pixel Tablet, and the original Pixel Fold, and OTA enrollment is via Google's beta program.
Google says AirDrop-like file sharing will expand to a broader range of Android devices beyond the Pixel 10 via the Quick Share platform, with announcements expected soon—likely tied to a March Pixel Feature Drop and a broader 2026 ecosystem rollout.
Google has released the February 2026 Pixel update for devices from Pixel 7a to Pixel 10 (and Pixel Tablet/Fold), focusing on security fixes per the Pixel Update Bulletin rather than new features; updates are available via OTA or factory images, with carriers rolling them out soon and a shift to quarterly schedules for older lines. The article lists device-specific build numbers and provides flashing instructions.
Google hints at new Pixel Theme packs for the Pixel line after ending the Wicked-themed launch; there’s no announced timeline or details, and it’s unclear whether future packs will be brand-sponsored or original, with theme creation limited to Google rather than developers.
Google released Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 for Pixel devices (phones, tablets and foldables) on January 14, 2026, with OTA updates rolling out and emulator support listed as TBA. The beta carries builds CP11.251209.007.A1/CP11.251209.007 for supported devices and includes fixes for at least a dozen issues, such as unresponsive app drawer, Android Auto logging heavy battery usage, display/UI rendering glitches, charging-limit handling, Wi‑Fi speeds, radio/app crashes, audio routing during calls, and foldable activity lifecycle issues. Users can enroll in the Android Beta or install via OTA/files; supported devices include Pixel 6/6 Pro, 6a, 7/Pro, 7a, Fold, Tablet, 8/Pro, 8a, 9/9 Pro/XL/Fold, 9a, and 10 series, with security patch level 2026-01-05 and Google Play services 25.47.33.
Google has released factory and OTA images for a second December 2025 update for Pixel phones, addressing issues like battery drain, unresponsive touch on Pixel 10, and cached content access, allowing manual installation before a full rollout.
Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 introduces a toggle for Pixel users to remove the At a Glance widget from the home screen, along with new features like a flashlight brightness slider and customizable navigation buttons, enhancing user control and personalization, though it remains in beta and may have bugs.
A limited rollout of the December 2025 Pixel update is underway, addressing 33 issues including battery drain, touch responsiveness, and cached content access, primarily affecting Pixel 8, 9, and 10 series, with Verizon users notably impacted.
Google's December update for Pixel devices fixes 33 bugs, enhances security by addressing critical vulnerabilities, and improves UI stability, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi connectivity, rolling out to Pixel 6 and newer devices including Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold.
Google introduces a new cloud-based 'Private AI Compute' system for Pixel devices, enhancing features like Magic Cue by offloading more data to the cloud while claiming to maintain security and privacy. Despite this, local NPUs still offer advantages in latency and reliability, indicating a hybrid approach for future AI development.
Google has launched a new 'Theme packs' app on the Play Store for Pixel devices, allowing users to quickly personalize their phones with seasonal themes that update wallpapers, icons, sounds, and more. The first theme pack is 'Wicked: For Good!' featuring three styles, and the app is compatible with Pixel 7 and newer devices. The release date is uncertain, and the app was made available on November 4, 2025.
Google is rolling out a new update (Sounds 3.3) for Pixel devices, introducing 18 new nature-inspired ringtones, alerts, and alarms, along with visual redesigns and improved app interface, though the update is currently limited to newer Pixel models due to a Play Store bug.
Google is selecting 15 Pixel Superfans to test unreleased Pixel phones through a contest that required answering three simple questions, but the entry deadline has already passed.
Google is testing the reintroduction of Call Recording on some Pixel devices in select regions like the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, with availability limited to Pixel 6 and newer models. The feature appears in the Phone app settings and can be activated automatically or manually during calls, with the rollout still in progress.