latest
Still using a Google Pixel 2 or Pixel 3? Why you should (or shouldn't) upgrade to the Pixel 6
That’s a definitive yes for the Pixel 2, but what about the Pixel 3?
The Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are Google's best-selling phones by a good margin and some of our favorite handsets. Still, if you're happy with your old Pixel phone, you might be on the fence about upgrading. You no longer have to shell out $600 or $900 before tax as the devices have seen more sales recently, especially in the time leading up to the Pixel 7 series.
The Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL just got a surprise update to help with VoLTE roaming
Enjoy one extra update on the house
Those of you hanging onto a Pixel 3 or 3 XL have some reason to celebrate today. Google, in its magnanimity, has bequeathed the pair of 2018-era phones with an extra update, as previously promised to address VoLTE roaming in the wake of the 2G and 3G network shutdowns. The pair of phones got their last expected update back in February, just after the three-year guarantee expired. The build number for this new version is also substantially similar to prior releases, with two different images available once again — one for Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone AU, and one for everyone else.
Google could have updated the Pixel 3 until Android 13, it just didn't want to
There aren't a lot of technical reasons for it being left behind, and revisiting the phone, it shouldn't be
Google has confirmed to us that the Pixel 3 series has received its last update, marking the end of a three-year promise. But revisiting the 2018-era flagship, I still can’t help but be disappointed that Google didn’t try harder to keep it supported longer. Google may have met its marketing requirements, but as I’ve said before, it’s hypocritical for a company committed to sustainability and customer security to leave old smartphones behind so quickly. Revisiting it for the last few days, the Pixel 3 is still a perfectly good phone that could have years of life left in it. And, according to everyone I've spoken to, there aren't any good technical reasons for it being left behind. Google just doesn't care.
Google details the Pixel 6's recent update while the Pixel 3 is left behind
We've got a changelog for Pixel 6 and 6 Pro's day-one update, but it's the end of the line for the Pixel 3 series
Read update
Google has released the November update for its Pixels — which the Pixel 6 series got a bit early last week. Changes included in that update are finally documented, though, including a few specific fixes for the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. Unfortunately for Pixel 3 owners, that phone has just reached end of life, and though Google tells us a final wrap-up update is planned for next year, it isn't included in this month's updates.
Google Pixel security patch updates have been nothing short of a wreck since late 2019. There was the delayed November patch for the Pixel 4/4XL, Pixel launcher crashes on some devices following the December patch that was ultimately put on hold, and a very slow rollout for the first Pixel feature drip drop. To help clean up the mess, Google is rolling out its promised cumulative update that combines December and January patches into one.
Read update
Google announced the Android December security patch with much fanfare, calling it the first quarterly "Pixel feature drop" that adds new system capabilities and app functions to all Android 10-equipped generations of Pixel phones. However, just like the company had issues with the November patch for the Pixel 4, it looks as though many Google phone owners still haven't received the December system update thus far. Even hitting the "check for update" button doesn't seem to help. This makes the feature drop feel more like a disjointed feature drip, with some parts of it dribbling out faster than others.
Read update
Just a few days after we covered some possible upcoming features for the Pixel phones thanks to a teardown of the Pixel Tips app, Google officially introduced them as part of the first "Pixel feature drop." Other than memory enhancements to the Pixel phones, you'll find app-specific improvements in this update such as the option to add blur to any picture in Google Photos, automatic Call Screen support for robocalls, and improvements to Duo.
Google announced a slew of updates as part of the first Pixel feature drop yesterday, among them the ability to automatically screen calls from unknown numbers on the Pixel 4. It looks like this option won't stay limited to the latest phone in the lineup for a long time, as Business Insider cites Google saying that it'll "roll out to all Pixel devices with Android 10 over the coming weeks."
Google can't seem to catch a break: Just after covering earlier today that it finally "fixed" the early shutdown issues on the Nexus 6P, we've now spotted reports of a more recent flagship series showing similar symptoms. A few Pixel 3 and 3 XL owners are complaining that their battery life is getting unreliable below the 30% mark. The problems range from sudden drops to outright shutdowns.
Google Camera 7.2 is proving to be an extremely substantial update to the software. We've previously covered the new UI, the addition of astrophotography, and social sharing options. As it turns out, this version of Camera also integrates Google Lens more deeply into the viewfinder, which allows you to scan documents, translate foreign languages, and copy text. Related to these capabilities, Google Photos has added a filter specifically for astrophotography images.
Live Caption is one of the most interesting features introduced on the Pixel 4, and it's great that it's coming to the Pixel 3 and 3a line, as well. By default, it only shows you two lines of live-transcribed text, which might be enough in most circumstances. But if you ever need to see more context, you can double tap the overlay to make it display eight lines of text.
A custom recovery such as TWRP allows you to install custom ROMs and root your devices more easily. Unfortunately, the development of the software for the Pixel 4 and 3 on Android 10 has hit major roadblocks. Some changes in Google's implementation of the recovery and personal circumstances of the main contributor to TWRP could mean that it'll take a while until it's available.
In the run-up to the October 15 event that will see the launch of the next generation of the Google Pixel smartphones, prices of the older devices are dropping. The price of the Pixel 3 has now come down to 1 for the 64GB model on Rakuten — that's nearly $70 less than the listed price of $460. You can save by using the code SAVE15 on the site while ordering.
Read update
After leaks have shown virtually everything the Pixel 4 has to offer, Netflix doesn't seem to care if someone spots the yet-to-be-unveiled phone on its website. The company has updated its lists of devices supporting HD and HDR10 playback to include a number of new flagships like the Samsung Galaxy Note10, Fold, and Tab S6, plus the Asus ROG Phone II – among them, you'll also find the unreleased Pixel 4 and 4 XL.
At some point, Google decided to take on Apple's status as the unchampioned camera master in the smartphone world, and for quite the large part, it's succeeded. During the era of the Nexus 6P, the company lay the foundation of that work, introducing new camera features like Smart Burst, slow-motion video, and more. But now Google is reconsidering some of those early features, and a new Camera update drops Smart Burst in favor of Top Shot on the Pixel 3 and 3XL.
It's no secret that driving and cellphones don't mix. On the Pixel 2, users can create a rule for automatically engaging Do Not Disturb. On the Pixel 3, there's a new option to open Android Auto automatically with Driving Mode.
Google just finished announcing the new Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, the latest generation in a line of phones known for exceptional camera performance. If you've ordered one and you're looking for a way to dress it up a bit, and maybe up your photography game in the process, Moment has also released three new photo cases to protect your latest gadget investment. They're available in Black, Walnut, and an all new Tan Leather option made from speckled white Horween Leather.
Real-time detection in the Google Lens app began rolling out in May 2018, but it's still not possible to use the tool in real-time just by opening up the basic Google Camera app. That won't be the case for long, though, according to a new leak that shows Lens running by default in the Pixel 3's camera. In a video published (then quickly unpublished) by a tipster, the standard Google Camera clocks an email address on a business card, then a pop-up suggests copying that address over to Gmail.
Every month or so, an update to ARCore rolls out to add the augmented reality framework to a whole new set of phones, tablets... and now Chromebooks? Yes, the first Chrome OS device has been found among the list of profiles included in the ARCore APK, and that is the recently released Acer Chromebook Tab 10. Also joining the list are the codenames associated with the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, blueline and crosshatch, which are due out this Fall.
Read update
Did Google's next smartphone just get outed on a random XDA Forums post? Because that's sure what it looks like just happened. Two images were posted on XDA last night, and well, they do line up with what we know about the Pixel 3 XL so far. The front is a pretty dead-on match for that screen protector leak, and the rear definitely looks like a subtle evolution of the existing phone's design. There appears to be a new sensor to the right of the rear camera module, and the flash has been pushed out slightly to accommodate it.