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Tag: Pixel

  • Google Pixel users facing issues after Android 10 update

    Google Pixel users facing issues after Android 10 update

    Google recently began rolling out the latest Android 10 update to all Pixel devices. However, several Pixel users have reported issues related to sensors after updating their phones to the newest version of Android. Key sources suggest that some Pixel users are reporting dead sensors after updating to Android 10.

    Several users have come out and reported the issue on XDA Forums, Pixel Phone Help forum, and Google Issue Tracker. With this bug, users are experiencing problems with features such as Active Edge functionality, auto-rotate, auto-brightness, double-tap to wake, and lift-to-wake. Besides, it appears that Pixel 3 XL users are mostly facing the bug, as only one user has reported about the issue on his first-gen Pixel.

    “When I make a phone call, the screen goes dark and no swiping or pressing of the power button brings the screen back on. If the call goes to voicemail, you can’t see the dial pad to respond to prompts,” reads a user complaint on Google Issue Tracker.

    For now, it appears there’s no way to bypass the bug as Google is yet to release a fix for the same. Users affected by the bug have reported that downgrading to Android 9 Pie is one way to get your sensors up and running.

    That said, it doesn’t seem to be a widespread issue. In the meantime, if you haven’t updated to Android 10 on your Pixel yet, we’d suggest that you wait for a few days before going ahead with the update.

    Google started rolling out the latest version of its Android OS to Pixel phone users on Tuesday. As expected, Android 10 brings several tweaks and performance improvements. Some of the highlights in Android 10 include the new gesture system, improved Privacy Settings, new Focus Mode, along with the ability to save photos in HEIF format.

    Android 10 also happens to be the first version of Android that doesn’t have a dessert name. Google decided to ditch dessert-themed names, global users because global found it easier to relate to numbers instead of cookies or desserts.

  • Android 10 arrives on Pixel phones

    Android 10 arrives on Pixel phones

    Android 10 has officially arrived. Google started rolling out the latest version of its Android OS to Pixel phone users on Tuesday. As expected, Android 10 brings several tweaks and performance improvements. Though for the most part, Android 10 appears to be an incremental update as users may not notice some of the new features immediately.

    Some of the highlights in Android 10 include the new gesture system. For instance, you’ll need to swipe right from the screen’s left edge to back, instead of just pressing the back button found in earlier versions of Android. Users can also swipe left or right on the bottom of the screen to scroll through their recently used apps.

    Another significant change is the new Privacy settings. In Android 10, all privacy settings like app permissions, account activity, and personal data are found in one place. Now, this is much unlike Android 9, where users need to find app privacy settings within each app. With the latest version of Android, users can customize how apps on their smartphone access their location data. They can choose between three options; all the time, only when they use the app, or never. Moreover, it even reminds users if they allowed apps to access their location all the time.

    Elsewhere, Android 10 devices will get security updates like an app update in the Google Play Store. The whole idea is to make it faster and easier for users to get the latest security updates.

    Besides, there’s a new Focus mode, which allows users’ to temporarily pause apps which they might find distracting while performing som other tasks.

    Android 10 also allows users to save photos in HEIF format, which essentially uses less space without comprising on quality. Therefore, photos look just as good as the earlier JPEG format, without consuming too much space on the phone.

    There’s also a new app called Sound Amplifier. As the name suggests, it allows users to boost the sound they want to hear by filtering out the background noise. However, the feature only works with wired headphones.

    Android 10 also happens to be the first version of Android that doesn’t have a dessert name. Google decided to ditch dessert-themed names as global users found it easier to relate to numbers.

    As is usually the case with major updates, Android 10 will arrive in phases. Hence, not all Pixel users might have received the update right away. Users, however, can manually check if the update is available by heading over to Settings> System> Advanced> System Update.

  • Google Pixel owners can claim up to $500 over defective mic

    Google Pixel owners can claim up to $500 over defective mic

    Google finally settled a class-action lawsuit for regarding defective mic found in first-gen Pixel phones. A lawsuit filed against Google alleged that the company chose to ignore the problem. Following the class action lawsuit, Google decided to settle the defective Pixel lawsuit for $7.25 million. Google denied allegations that it chose to ignore the problem, but still agreed to pay over $7 million to settle the lawsuit. Now, owners of defective first-gen Pixel handsets can file a claim via the new Pixel settlement website.

    Owners can get up to $500 if they purchased multiple defective Pixel devices. Besides, everyone that bought the first-gen Pixel before the cut off date can claim $20, even if the device has no defects.

    The company has also detailed four payment tiers for customers:

    “FIRST, MONEY WILL BE SET ASIDE TO PAY UP TO $20 TO EACH PERSON WHO DID NOT EXPERIENCE THE ALLEGED AUDIO DEFECT OR WHO CANNOT PROVIDE ANY DOCUMENTATION TO SHOW THAT THEY EXPERIENCED IT. SECOND, PEOPLE WHO PAID AN INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE TO RECEIVE A REPLACEMENT PIXEL WILL BE REFUNDED THE AMOUNT OF THE DEDUCTIBLE. THIRD, PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCED THE ALLEGED AUDIO DEFECT ON MORE THAN ONE PIXEL WILL BE PAID $500 EACH. FOURTH, PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCED THE ALLEGED AUDIO DEFECT ON ONE PIXEL WILL BE PAID $350 EACH, UNLESS THERE IS NOT ENOUGH MONEY LEFT TO MAKE THOSE PAYMENTS, IN WHICH CASE THE REST OF THE FUND WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THEM ON A PRO-RATA BASIS.”

    The Pixel settlement site also states that Pixel 1 owners are eligible for compensation if they bought a new Pixel or Pixel XL manufactured before January 4, 2017. It’s also important to note that you need to be a US citizen and must have purchased the handset before January 4, 2017. Besides, you’ll no longer qualify if Google has already replaced your original phone.

    “If you are in the United States and bought, other than for resale, a new Pixel or Pixel XL smartphone manufactured before January 4, 2017, and did not receive a replacement Pixel manufactured after January 3, 2017, or refurbished after June 5, 2017,’ explained Google.

    To get the full amount, you’ll need to prove you bought the Pixel 1 before January 4, 2017 and could not get a replacement. Besides, it appears that almost every Pixel owner is eligible for at least a $20 payment.

  • Google Night Sight feature now rolling out on all Pixel devices

    Google Night Sight feature now rolling out on all Pixel devices

    Google gave us a glimpse of the Night Sight feature during the Pixel launch event, a feature that’s supposed to enhance low-light photography. Now, the company has officially confirmed that Night Sight is rolling out to all Google Pixel smartphones. According to Google, the feature will rolling out over the next few days and arrive on ‘all three generations of Pixel devices’. Night Sight is essentially designed to reduce noise and offer enhanced details for images shot in extremely low-light or dark environments.

    Google says that the feature uses a combination of digital photography and machine learning to yield the best results. As soon as you press the shutter button in Night Sight mode, the camera rapidly captures a series of frames. Once the picture is saved, Google explains that the feature uses deep machine learning algorithms to correct the white balance and exposure levels.

    night sight
    6-second Night Sight Image shot with the Pixel 3 using a Tripod: (Credits: Googleblog/AlexSavu)

    The feature is now officially available on all past and current generation Pixel devices. Owners of any of the three Pixel generation devices can head over to Google Play and check if they need to update Google’s camera app. If the update doesn’t show up, then you already have the update or the update isn’t yet ready for your device.

    Once the update is installed, the feature will show up on your Google Camera app. To see how Night Sight works, just point your Pixel’s camera lens towards any dark spot in your room. After which, Night Sight should pop-up as a button just above your other camera modes. In case it doesn’t show up, you can also find it by sliding on your camera modes towards the left.