Tag: Google

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Google’s Pixel foldable will reportedly feature Pixel 5-like camera shooters

Unfortunately, it looks like Google’s foldable Pixel smartphone that is rumoured to launch in 2022 will lack the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro’s high-end cameras.

The upcoming foldable Pixel, codenamed ‘Pippit,’ will feature the Pixel 5’s 12.2-megapixel IMX363 sensor, instead of the 50-megapixel primary shooter included in 2021’s Google phones. 9to5Google’s APK insight team discovered this information through Google’s Camera app.

Previously, Google’s Pixel foldable was linked to the ‘Passport’ codename, but at some point, the tech giant seems to have changed it to ‘Pipit.’ It’s unclear why, but this has happened in the past and it’s not unusual for internal project codenames to shift mid-production.

According to 9to5Google, the foldable Pixel’s camera will be accessible when the phone is folded, suggesting you can also still likely use it when the smartphone is closed.

Additionally, the Pixel Fold will also come with two 8-megapixel IMX355 sensors on the inside and outside of the device. Likely, these 8-megapixel shooters will both be used for selfies, including one above the external display and another for the inner screen.

While disappointing, including a lower-grade camera in a foldable device isn’t uncommon. For example, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 3 features camera specs worse than its Galaxy S21 Ultra.

9to5 also uncovered code that references the foldable as “isPixel2022Foldable” within the Google Camera app, hinting that the device could launch as early as next year.

However, if Google’s Android 12L release schedule is accurate, the Pixel Fold won’t launch until at least March.

Source: 9to5Google

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Some Pixel 6/6 Pro devices are randomly calling contacts

Google’s fancy Pixel 6 and 6 Pro only started arriving in customers’ hands last week (mostly a lucky few who managed to place pre-orders so far). However, in that short time, users have reported several strange issues. There’s been a screen flicker issue, problems with the Always-On display and now some claim their Pixel 6/6 Pro randomly called contacts.

Several users on Reddit (via Android Police) and Google’s Pixel Phone Help site (via Android Authority) report that Pixel 6 and 6 Pro devices are placing calls to random contacts, sometimes in the middle of the night.

The main culprit so far seems to be Google Assistant. Some users report that the ghost calls appear in Assistant’s activity history page. Additionally, disabling Google Assistant on the lock screen has resolved the issue for some. What’s particularly concerning is that many users reported the issue happening when there wasn’t background chatter that could have mistakenly triggered Google Assistant (for example, people reported calls were placed while they slept).

The Pixel Phone Help user also reported that a call was triggered one time while they spoke Farsi, a language that Google Assistant doesn’t support.

Neither MobileSyrup staff reporter Dean Daley nor I have experienced this issue on our respective Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6 devices. Daley confirmed to me that he has Assistant enabled on the lock screen. I do as well, but I keep the ‘Hey Google’ hotword turned off on phones (including the Pixel 6) because I hate when my phone intercepts a command I intend for one of my smart speakers.

For those that encounter this problem, it may be worth temporarily disabling Assistant on the lock screen (or the ‘Hey Google’ hotword). You can do that by opening the Google app > tapping your profile in the top-right corner > Settings > Google Assistant > then tap ‘Hey Google & Voice Match’ to turn off the hotword on your phone or tap ‘Lock screen’ to disable Assistant on the lock screen. Other users have avoided the issue by deleting contacts that Assistant calls.

Hopefully Google pushes out a fix for this problem soon.

Source: Reddit, Pixel Phone Help Via: Android Police, Android Authority

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If you purchased a Pixel 6 Pro from Bell, you’ll likely have to wait longer for your order

If you purchased a Pixel 6 Pro through Bell, you might be waiting a little longer than you initially expected to get your hands on your new smartphone.

MobileSyrup has received a tip indicating that many people who purchased the Pixel 6 Pro through Bell have received emails stating that their order is at the top of the priority list and is expected to ship by December 10th.

The issue at hand is that until today, Bell’s internal stock indicator displayed the Pixel 6 Pro as “in stock,” according to the tipster.

Additionally, the tipster said the device they purchased through Bell is the ‘Stormy Black’ 128GB Pixel 6 Pro.

Through the Google Store, this variant won’t be ready to ship until December 30th, 2021. It’s unclear if other colours Pixel 6 Pro variations purchased through Bell are also experiencing shipping delays.

This isn’t the first we’ve heard of Pixel 6 and 6 Pro stock issues. For example, on the smartphone’s release date, Google’s website indicated that the ‘Sorta Sunny’ Pixel 6 Pro won’t ship until January 18th.

In a statement to MobileSyrup, Bell said the following:

“The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro devices are very popular and demand is high for these phones on the Bell network. We are working to fill customer orders as quickly as possible over the next few days.”

Thanks ‘Carolly’

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Google Pixel 6 series always-on display animation issue has an easy fix

If you’ve encountered an issue surrounding the Pixel 6’s and 6 Pro‘s always-on display animation, there’s a simple fix.

But first, here’s some background: if you change the Animator Duration Scale in the smartphone’s developer options, it causes the fingerprint print icon and battery level to disappear on the always-on screen, according to a Reddit user ‘Apk07‘.

To solve this problem you’ll need to return the ‘Animator Duration Scale’ back to its previous setting. To do this, navigate to the developer options in the ‘Systems’ menu, look for the ‘Animator Duration Scale’ option, and change it back to 1x speed.

While it’s weird this problem occurs, it likely has something to do with the smartphones’ always-on display, which switches to the lock screen once you tap on the screen or the power button. When that happens with the Pixel 6, the smartphone displays an animation that showcases a fingerprint outline on the always-on screen, which only works on the 1x animation setting.

Google’s Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are great devices but similar to other Pixel releases there seems to be at least a few issues with the devices. For example, some users have reported a flickering screen problem. Google has already said that it plans to fix this issue with its upcoming Pixel 6 December release update.

Source: Reddit Via: Android Police

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YouTube Music now offers free background listening in Canada

Canadian YouTube Music users can now listen to tunes in the background.

Google made the announcement last month, but the feature has now officially rolled out here.

With this update, you can continue to listen to YouTube Music while using other apps or when your phone’s screen is off.

This feature is available via YouTube Music’s free tier, meaning ads are supported. Otherwise, YouTube Premium, which includes YouTube Music Premium for ad-free music, is priced at $11.99/month.

In addition to background playback, the free YouTube Music tier does support continuous stations and shuffle and Google’s hands-free Assistant driving mode.

Via: Google Canada

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Google’s Pixel 6 is the phone you’ve been waiting for

When the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro were officially revealed, one thing was immediately clear: Google is serious about their smartphones.

The company has listened to the criticisms from its users. It has delivered a smartphone that not only improves on the Pixel 5 but offers a true competitor to the top brands on the market.

Available for pre-order right now at Telus, the Pixel 6 Pro and its smaller sibling deliver the latest camera technology, a high-refresh-rate display, and Google’s proprietary Tensor chip. And thanks to the 5G Telus network, you’ll be able to take advantage of all of its features without being bottlenecked.

If you’ve been following the release of smartphone hardware this season, you’ll already know some of this, but let’s break down why the Pixel 6 is worth your attention.

The display is buttery smooth

One of the major advancements on the Pixel 6 is the faster display. The Pixel 6 Pro offers a refresh rate of 120Hz, while the Pixel 6 offers 90Hz. Both models use an adaptive refresh rate to accommodate media that use lower frame rates, but you’ll notice the difference when browsing the web, playing newer games, and scrolling through social feeds.

Gone are the days of stuttering text, bleeding shadows, and gameplay hiccups. You’ll feel the difference. This isn’t a device that’s just a little faster loading your apps. This is a device that’ll make your current smartphone feel sluggish to the touch.

And while it isn’t the first smartphone to feature a high-refresh-rate display, Google is offering one of the best available on the market. The Pixel 6 Pro has a 6.71-inch, 512ppi AMOLED display, outperforming many of the most expensive smartphones on the market. The Pixel 6 offers a 6.4-inch, 403ppi OLED display, which is easily one of the best displays in its price range.

Sorta Sunny is super stylish

Smartphone aesthetics largely come down to personal preference, but the Pixel 6 design has made some key changes to the traditional Pixel design that we can all appreciate.

The Pixel 6 Pro features a nearly bezel-free design, stretching its display from corner to corner. There is a very small bezel at the top and bottom, but otherwise the entire front of the smartphone is a bright display.

Pixel 6

The Pixel 6 also does away with the off-centre front-facing camera of years prior, instead opting for a symmetrical design with the pinhole placed in the middle of the top part of the display.

And we need to talk about the Pixel 6 colourway. From Sorta Sunny to Kinda Coral, the Pixel 6 continues the beautiful two-tone pastel colours that the Pixel line is known for. Of course, if you’re like me, you’ll appreciate that they also offer a simple Stormy Black design.

Google is serious about power

The Google Pixel has long been a fan-favourite for offering one of the best cameras on the market, along with the stock Android experience, which eliminates the bloat of its competitors. But this is the year Google has thrown its hat into the ring against the top smartphones on the market.

For the first time, Google has designed its own proprietary chip. Though we don’t have any real-world experience with it yet, the Tensor chip is expected to offer performance similar to other flagship phones.

But the Tensor has one huge advantage: artificial intelligence.

What made the Pixel cameras stand out in the past wasn’t the lens or sensor, but the AI running behind the scenes to enhance your photos. And with the Tensor chip, that AI will be working across the smartphone to increase performance as it learns.

Pair the Tensor chip with the 5G capabilities of the Telus network, and you’ll be able to leverage the power of the AI and the Cloud in ways that haven’t been possible before on other smart devices. Whether streaming, working, gaming, or uploading, the Telus network offers peace of mind, allowing for nearly instantaneous uploads to social pages, and syncing to the Google suite. You can check to see if your area is part of the 5G network by visiting the Telus coverage map.

Showing off with the camera

I touched upon it earlier, but the camera has always been one of the Pixel’s standout features. And this year is no exception.

The Pixel 6 Pro offers four different lenses. It has a 50MP f/1.85 wide-angle lens, a 48MP f/3.5 telephoto lens, a 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide lens, and an 11.11MP /f2.2 front-facing camera.

Pixel 6 camera

Pair this incredible detail with a larger sensor for better low-light performance, and you’re looking at one of the best cameras on the market.

But the most interesting features are on the software side. Google has said that the Pixel 6 captures darker skin tones more authentically, something that has been a significant problem across all smartphone cameras.

The depth-of-field features return, along with the ability to remove objects in the photo thanks to the Magic Eraser. It’s hard to oversell the Magic Eraser. While it’s not perfect yet, it’s getting better with every shot thanks to the Pixel’s AI learning. Being able to remove people in the background from a photo never fails to impress. It’s essentially Photoshop in your pocket, without the monthly subscription fees.

And the list goes on

I’ve touched on some of the biggest upgrades that the Pixel 6 offers, but there are many other aspects of the smartphone that are worth mentioning.

The Titan M2 security chip is paired with Google’s built-in security core to keep your information safe. The Pixel runs stock Android 12, and it usually receives updates faster than any other phone on the market. And with a bigger, faster-charging battery, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will get you through an entire day of work without needing a top-up on the ride home.

Available now

Best of all, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are now available to order at Telus. The Pixel 6 can be yours for $0 upfront plus taxes with the Telus Easy Payment program.

The Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are two of the best phones on the market, both for their value and their performance. With the Bring-it-Back program, Telus is offering even more value with their lowest monthly price on the device.

Click here to get your Pixel 6 on TELUS’ award-winning 5G network today.

Sponsored by Telus

MobileSyrup utilizes affiliate partnerships and publishes sponsored posts. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, though MobileSyrup may earn a commission on purchases made via these links.

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Google to provide one more Pixel 3/3 XL update in early 2022

Although Google’s Pixel 3 and 3 XL smartphones officially won’t get any more “guaranteed” Android upgrades or security updates from Google, the search giant has promised one more big update slated for early next year.

Google told 9to5Google that one more Pixel 3 series update was coming sometime in the first quarter of 2022. Although it’s not clear what all will be included, the update will probably consist of bug fixes and other important security updates. Further, the Q1 timing is interesting given that Google will be actively testing Android 12L at that time.

While those wanting to hold onto their Pixel 3 devices a little longer — looking at you, Hawkeye — will likely be pleasantly surprised by the news, it’s worth noting that Google has done this before. For example, when the Pixel 2 and 2 XL reached the end of official software support, Google skipped a November patch and rolled out a larger patch in December.

For those sporting a Pixel 3a or 3a XL, Google lists the phones will get “guaranteed” updates until May 2022. As with other Pixels, however, that doesn’t mean Google won’t offer any updates past that point — they’re just not guaranteed.

Those interested in learning more about how long Google promises support for its Pixel phones can check out this support page. After the Pixel 3a and 3a XL lose support in May, the Pixel 4 series will be the next to lose support in October 2022.

Source: 9to5Google

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Mobile Syrup

It costs up to $200 more to buy a Pixel 6/6 Pro from carriers than from Google

Google’s Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are fairly popular, but it remains rather difficult to get your hands on these new smartphones. Estimated delivery times range from late November to early January depending on the model and colour you pick, if the version you want is even in stock at Google’s online store.

While it may be tempting to buy the phone from a Canadian carrier instead, it’s worth keeping in mind almost every carrier charges more for an outright Google Pixel 6 or 6 Pro than it costs to get it from Google.

Now, it’s important to remember that the above pricing is for buying the Pixel 6/6 Pro outright from a carrier. In most cases, customers who choose to get one of these phones on a plan from a carrier will end up paying about the same for the phone after two years (with some exceptions I’ll get into below).

For example, Rogers charges $936 for the Pixel 6 outright, but if you sign up for a Rogers plan and finance the Pixel 6 through the carrier’s device financing program, you’ll pay $33.29/mo (over 24 months, that works out to $798.96).

Interestingly, Rogers also advertises the $33.29/mo financing cost as a “discount” from the regular $39/mo financing cost for the Pixel ($39/mo over 24 months is $936). Bell similarly claims on its website that the financing cost is cheaper, but is a little less secretive because it clearly states that it’s cheaper than “our device full price.” I didn’t see similar claims on Telus’ website. However, the Vancouver-based telecom also had a slightly higher financing cost for the Pixel 6 that worked out to $828 over two years.

Watch out for bring-it-back “deals”

Another thing worth considering is that Rogers, Bell and Telus all offer some variation of a ‘bring-it-back’ program where customers can choose to pay a reduced financing fee if they give back the phone at the end of their two-year term, or pay the difference. Using Rogers as the example again, the monthly cost becomes $28.29/mo or $678.96 total over two years. Although Rogers doesn’t list the bring-it-back price on its website, based on the difference in cost between the two options it seems like customers would need to pay $120 at the end of their contract to keep the phone if they wish.

Although the numbers will be slightly different with each carrier, the general idea is the same — you’ll pay roughly the same for the Pixel 6 or 6 Pro on contract as you would buying it directly from Google. If you try to buy the phone outright from most carriers, you’ll end up paying significantly more. While this rule generally holds true, it’s almost always worth running the numbers before buying any phone and comparing the total cost to an outright purchase direct from the manufacturer.

For example, we did a similar look at iPhone 13 pricing, which interestingly was around $30 to $45 more at a carrier compared to direct from Apple (depending on model and some other factors).

Finally, some carriers actually do offer slightly better pricing than Google if you sign up for a two-year term. Namely, Freedom Mobile, Shaw Mobile and Vidéotron. We have a full breakdown for subsidized pricing available here, but in short if you choose to get a Pixel 6 or 6 Pro from any of those carriers on a two-year plan you’ll end up paying less for the phone than buying it directly from Google (depending on the plan you pick, which is an important factor in the overall cost).

As always, make sure to factor in the costs of the phone you want to get, the mobile plan you want and any other costs when looking at buying a new device. Sometimes it’s worth paying a little extra for a phone if you can score a great plan (or forking out for an outright device to keep one).

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Google to fix Pixel 6 Pro screen flicker issue in December update

Google says a fix is on the way for the odd screen flickering bug plaguing some Pixel 6 Pro units.

As a refresher, as Pixel 6 and 6 Pro pre-orders started arriving, some people took to Reddit to share images of weird screen flickering when the phone was turned off and people pressed the power button. Reports were mainly focused on the Pixel 6 Pro, although some also experienced the issue with the Pixel 6 too. A couple reports also claimed the issue happened when the phone was on, but again most users experienced the screen flicker when the phone was turned off.

According to a Google support post published on November 1st (via The Verge), a fix for the Pixel 6 Pro’s “residual light” issue will arrive with the December software update.

Google describes the issue as “slight, transient display artifacts when the device is turned off, and when they press on the power button with slight pressure but not enough to turn it on.”

Further, the support post advises users to “not cycle the power button” and instead “hold the power button down long enough to turn [the phone] on” when they want to use it.

Finally, Google says that the flicker problem “does not represent an issue with the phone hardware.”

That should come as good news for anyone encountering the screen flicker problem on their Pixel 6 Pro. If the issue isn’t caused by hardware, then a software fix should remedy the problem. Unfortunately, Google didn’t say anything about some of the other display glitches users have reported, such as green tints.

Source: Google Via: The Verge

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Google’s Pixel 3 hits end-of-life status

Pour one out for Google’s Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL.

Following three years of software updates, Google’s Pixel 3 series has officially hit end-of-life status, with last month’s October Security bulletin being the final patch the smartphone will receive. This followed Android 12 hitting the smartphone just a few weeks ago

Google’s Pixel 3 series first released back in October of 2018. While the smartphone series was generally praised for its excellent value, the Pixel 3 XL also featured a rather massive display notch.

The Pixel 3 features a 5.5-inch OLED display, while the Pixel 3 XL includes a 6.3-inch POLED screen. Both devices also come equipped with a 12.2-megapixel rear-facing camera and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845 chip.

Google recently released its Pixel 6 series to a significant amount of critical acclaim. The smartphones feature impressive camera software, a new sleek design and most importantly, great value. For more on the Pixel 6 series, check out our reviews of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.

Via: XDA Developers