Google has officially paused its December system update for the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, citing reports that calls were getting dropped or disconnected.
In a Google Support blog post, the company confirms that it’s identified a fix for the issue, although it’s set to be rolled out “by late January.”
This update will also include the 80-plus fixes and improvements that were originally slated for December, such as improved fingerprint sensor stability and performance, fast 23W wireless charging with the Pixel Stand 2 and ‘Quick Tap to Snap’ for Snapchat users.
Google says those who have already received the December update and are experiencing issues can use the Android Flash Tool to revert to the previous OS and factory reset their device. However, no action is necessary if you haven’t had any problems with the update.
According to Android Police, some Pixel 6 phones aren’t reading the data of some sensors correctly, causing issues to features like auto-rotate and horizontal photography.
The issue appears to be happening at random, as reported by Pixel 6 users from around the world.
The only fix that seems to be available at this time isn’t permanent. Users can restart their phones, allowing the features to function again, but the random breakdowns continue to happen.
Android Police reports the phones do have trouble communicating with some sensors that allow the auto-rotate feature to be used, but they only found this in phones staff tested.
It’s unclear what’s causing the global problem at this time.
Google’s 2021 Pixel 6 flagships are great smartphones in several ways, but like most Pixel devices, they also come with their own set of flaws. This latest report relates to several owners stating that they’re finding that the front glass of their devices is cracking.
According to Android Police, this type of issue usually results from a manufacturing problem that causes pressure to build up in the display glass, eventually causing it to crack. Significant temperature changes can also result in glass breaking.
Some reports indicate that Google is currently investigating the issue, though the tech giant has released no official statement.
For what it’s worth, my Pixel 6 Pro’s display hasn’t cracked — at least not yet.
Canadian actor Simu Liu is now the spokesperson for the Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro.
The Mississauga, Ontario-raised Liu will be featured in a series of digital ads and social media spots that emphasize both the phones’ features and his personality.
Liu, of course, made waves earlier this year for his leading role in September’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Marvel’s first Asian-led film. He’s also known for his role in CBC’s acclaimed Kim’s Convenience sitcom, which ran for five seasons and ended in April.
Told my parents I “got a job at @GoogleCanada” and they've never looked happier!
Am I leaving important details out? Maybe. Am I just here to help promote the new #Pixel6? Absolutely. Do I even know how to code?! Not a chance.
Liu will shoot the Pixel 6 ads later this month, with Google stating that they’ll air sometime this holiday season. The Pixel 6 series was released in Canada in late October. One of the Pixel 6 family’s key features is the inclusion of Google’s first System on a Chip (SoC), Tensor, which offers Real Tone technology to better capture skin colour, Live Translate for improved speech recognition and more.
Given that Clint Barton/Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) is also a noted Pixel fan, perhaps a crossover between the two is in order.
In any case, Liu is the latest famous Canadian actor (and Marvel movie star) to dive into the business of smartphones. Vancouver-born Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool) owns his own U.S.-based carrier, Mint Mobile, which he’s been trying to bring to Canada for many months now.
Google’s Pixel 6 and 6 Pro sport an in-display fingerprint scanner, which is a first for Google’s Pixel lineup. However, some users have noted that this sensor is slow in comparison to other phones. Google has finally responded on Twitter to these complaints.
We're sorry for the hassle. The Pixel 6 fingerprint sensor utilizes enhanced security algorithms. In some instances, these added protections can take longer to verify or require more direct contact with the sensor. Try troubleshooting steps: https://t.co/uTbifE5Uyo. Thanks. ^Levi
Google says it uses “enhanced security algorithms,” which can “take longer to verify or require more direct contact with the sensor.” Beyond that, Google didn’t really offer much help regarding making the sensor any quicker.
Other users are blaming the phone’s hardware. Instead of an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner like Samsung phones, the Pixel 6 uses an optical scanner, which might be why the sensor is slower. But OnePlus also uses an optical scanner, so other users are blaming Google’s software.
Personally, I don’t find the Pixel 6’s fingerprint scanner any slower or more finicky than any other smartphone, at least not by a noticeable margin. Sometimes it doesn’t work, but that’s not unusual and happens more with other handsets.
Rogers reported today that it has completed the national rollout of its 5G standalone core network.
In a press release, the Toronto-based carrier announced that it had “completed its 5G standalone core network deployment nationally and is deploying its 5G standalone service coverage in major markets.”
Those major markets include the cities of Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver.
The company also shared that it achieved what it says is the “first 5G standalone device certification in Canada.”
The specific devices in question are the Google Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 6 Pro. Pixel 6 owners will be able to connect to Rogers’ 5G network using their devices, provided they live in a region where they’re eligible for service.
Rogers began rolling out its Ericsson-powered 5G standalone core network in December 2020.
The carrier’s last 5G network expansion announcement was on October 12th, and focused on the Quebec regions of Beaconsfield, Boucherville, Brossard, Dorval, Drummondville, Longueuil, Mascouche, Mont Tremblant, Saint-Constant, Saint-Lambert, and Terrebonne.
To see where Rogers expanded its 5G network in September, check out our monthly round-up and map of network expansions in Canada.
To learn more about 5G, read this handy guide by MobileSyrup‘s Jonathan Lamont.
Now that the hype surrounding Apple’s recently unveiled iPhone 13 series has is starting to die down, Google is ramping up its advertisements for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro and letting everyone know that its in-house Tensor-chip devices are on their way.
Yesterday, we reported that Google has started advertising its Pixel 6 series with a new brand of potato chips in Japan called ‘Google Original (Potato) Chips.’ The Google Original Chips feature a bag design that matches the back of the Pixel 6 series and comes in five colours that coincide with the Pixel 6 series.
Google is only launching one flavour, however, called “Googley Salty Flavor.” On top of that, Google even released a teaser trailer of the new phone, giving fans a first look at the device being used in the real world.
Now, billboards advertising the Pixel 6 series are popping up in cities in the U.S., including New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The billboards are designed keeping the Pixel 6 lineup’s colour theme in mind, with soft pink and yellow serving as the backdrop. The billboards show the devices’ home screen with colour-matching clock widgets, Google search bar and icons, thanks to the new Material You themes in Android 12.
I photographed the new @Google Pixel 6 campaign. I never thought I’d be able to say those words. This is my first ad campaign and my first billboard. I’m so unbelievably grateful. If you see these in NY, LA, or SF – please send me a photo! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/VVG6RdBrE8
Google hasn’t yet shared a release date, though the company has stated that the Pixel 6 series will arrive in the fall. However, rumours point to an October release.
For reference, early 2021’s Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra with its Snapdragon 888 chipset received a 927 single-core score and a 3,096 multi-core score. Similarly, the One Plus 9 had a single-core score of 1,068 and a multi-core score of 3,393. However, these are pre-release benchmark scores and should be taken with a grain of salt.
On the bright side, rumours indicate the Pixel 6 Pro will sport an LTPO display, allowing it to have an adaptive refresh rate, which will conserve the high-end device’s battery.
While we don’t know a lot about Google’s upcoming Pixel 6 and Pixel 6, we expect it to boast a 120Hz display at least, and according to tipster Ross Young, the Pixel 6 Pro will feature a Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide (LTPO) display, giving some credibility to the rumours.
For reference, other devices that sport an LTPO display are the Galaxy S21 Ultra, One Plus 9 Pro, Note 20 Ultra and more.
An LTPO display will allow the Pixel 6 Pro to have an adaptive refresh rate, which means the phone can automatically change its refresh rate in the 10Hz to 120Hz range, depending on what you’re doing on the device.
A little late but we confirmed that the Google Pixel 6 Pro is LTPO…Also confirmed that there will be a Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra with a 14.6″ OLED.
Further, Young comments that the panel Google will use for the Pixel 6 Pro is Samsung’s E5, known for its excellent colour reproduction with up to one billion colours.
While we don’t know a lot about Google’s upcoming Pixel 6 and Pixel 6, we expect it to boast a 120Hz display at least, and according to tipster Ross Young, the Pixel 6 Pro will feature a Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide (LTPO) display, giving some credibility to the rumours.
For reference, other devices that sport an LTPO display are the Galaxy S21 Ultra, One Plus 9 Pro, Note 20 Ultra and more.
An LTPO display will allow the Pixel 6 Pro to have an adaptive refresh rate, which means the phone can automatically change its refresh rate in the 10Hz to 120Hz range, depending on what you’re doing on the device.
A little late but we confirmed that the Google Pixel 6 Pro is LTPO…Also confirmed that there will be a Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra with a 14.6″ OLED.
Further, Young comments that the panel Google will use for the Pixel 6 Pro is Samsung’s E5, known for its excellent colour reproduction with up to one billion colours.
Google’s upcoming Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro have been turning heads globally thanks to the company’s in-house custom-designed Tensor Chips.
According to Google, these can process its most powerful AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning) models directly on the Pixel devices.
While not a lot was known about the custom-built chip until now, especially the CPU and GPU that power the Pixel 6, newly shared benchmarks give us a better understanding of the Tensor chip’s capabilities.
An XDA report on the Geekbench score claims that the Tensor’s CPU configuration will have two Cortex-X1 performance cores clocked at 2.802GHz, two Cortex-A76 performance cores clocked at 2.253GHz, and four Cortex-A55 efficiency cores.
According to XDA, the Cortex-A76 was released in 2018 and is two generations older than the Cortex-A78 used in most 2021 flagships. The A78 is faster and more efficient than its predecessor, making Google’s decision to add it to the Tensor CPU incredibly unusual. Further, Mishaal Rahman, XDA‘s editor-in-chief, posted the results of other benchmarking tools, citing a source who claims to have a Pixel 6 Pro. The benchmarking tools used were Speedometer and JetStream 2, both of which use different web services; JavaScript; and WebAssembly approaches to push a device to its limits and assess performance.
While the current scores look underwhelming, we have to remember that these are pre-release benchmark scores. There is a good probability that the Pixel 6 Pro will perform better when running its final polished software and hardware.
