Tag: Google

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Mobile Syrup

Canadian Pixel 6/6 Pro devices won’t have new call features are launch

Unfortunately (and unsurprisingly) for Canadian Pixel 6 and 6 Pro owners, the new calling features won’t be available at launch in Canada.

Google confirmed to MobileSyrup that ‘Direct my Call’ and ‘Wait Times’ “will be rolling out in Canada,” but didn’t provide any detail about when that would happen.

The company’s popular ‘Call Screen’ feature has been available in Canada for a while, but only in English. The ‘Hold for Me’ feature has also started showing up for Canadian users in recent months.

In other words, it’s not totally uncommon for Pixel call features to skip Canada on release and roll out at a later time. Google tends to be pretty good and bringing these features to Canada, although it doesn’t always.

Still, the confirmation that neither of the fancy new call features will be available in Canada right away is a bummer, although I’m not sure how many people are buying the Pixel 6 or 6 Pro specifically for Direct my Call and Wait Times.

Anyway, Pixel 6 and 6 Pro users will want to grab a day-one software update once they finish setting up their phones to make sure they get all the fancy new features that are coming to Canada, such as Magic Eraser. Those interested can also read about the Pixel 6 review here and 6 Pro review here.

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Mobile Syrup

Testing out the Google Pixel 6’s Real Tone feature

I reviewed Google’s new Pixel 6 Pro and it’s honestly one of my favourite phones I’ve used ever. And my favourite feature of this new handset, is its camera’s ‘Real Tone’ functionality.

Real Tone recognizes darker skin tones and complements, rather than brightens, them. All smartphone cameras on the market are designed for people with lighter skin tones, and thankfully, the Pixel 6/Pixel 6 Pro aim to change this.

In this video, we asked a few people with darker skin, “how do you think the phone’s camera handled your skin tone?” Take a look at the video below to see some reactions.

TL;DR: While the device didn’t automatically brighten darker skin tones, it did often add highlights to the subject’s face. Although not perfectly replicating what the subject looks like in real life, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as it adds a subtle model-like beauty to shots.

Some may dislike the highlight, which is why I’m flagging it here, but everyone I asked appreciated the additional glow.

For skin tones similar to mine, the phone did a really good job at matching the colour, they were near-perfect.

While filming the video I noticed that the phone does a lot better at taking pictures of tones with a user’s face in the picture. Simply taking a picture of my arm, the colour tone was a bit off. But photos with my face involved the colour accuracy was just about perfect.

Check out my full review of the Pixel 6 Pro, here. 

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Mobile Syrup

Did you pre-order Google’s Pixel 6/6 Pro?

Google has finally unveiled its Pixel 6 and 6 Pro flagship smartphones.

Both devices offer great specs and top-of-the-line features, including Google’s Tensor chip, 12GB of RAM for the Pro model, a trio camera setup (also for the Pro model), large batteries and more. The pair of smartphones also feature a sleek new design and up to 256GB of storage. Additionally, the Pixel 6 Pro sports a 120Hz display refresh rate, while the Pixel 6 sports a 90Hz refresh rate.

With all of this in mind, the most intriguing aspect of the Pixel 6 series is its reasonable pricing: the Pixel 6 Pro costs $1,179 and the Pixel 6 costs $799.

Did you buy a Pixel 6/6 Pro, and if so, which device and why? The Pixel 6 Pro is already sold out in the Canadian Google Store, so a lot of people are definitely interested in the handsets.

I’m currently testing the Pixel 6 Pro for my review (coming soon), but I would love to hear your thoughts on Google’s latest flagships.

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Mobile Syrup

Canada’s Competition Bureau is investigating Google’s ad business

Canada’s Competition Bureau is launching a formal civil investigation into Google’s online advertising sales practices.

In a Friday press release, the independent law enforcement agency quietly announced it had successfully filed and obtained a court order through the Federal Court of Canada.

The court order will require that Google produce records and written information relevant to the Bureau’s investigation.

As to what the investigation is looking into, details remain somewhat vague.

The statement says that the investigation’s goal is to determine whether the American multinational tech behemoth has “engaged in certain practices that harm competition in the online display advertising industry in Canada.”

By harm, the Bureau is specifically referring to “impeding the success of competitors; and resulting in higher prices, reducing choice and hindering innovation for advertising technology (ad tech) services, and harming advertisers, publishers and consumers.”

Early reporting from The Wire Report suggests that the Bureau is looking for evidence of antitrust polices and strategies, based of a number of aggressive-sounding keywords (e.g. “crush”, “kill”, “hurt”) listed in the official court order:

The release also mentions the Competition Bureau’s previous investigation into Google’s advertising practices, which launched in 2013.

The three-year investigation was discontinued in April 2016, the Bureau concluding “that there is no compelling evidence to suggest this conduct has excluded rivals or harmed Canadian publishers or advertisers, or that it has resulted in a substantial lessening or prevention of competition in this market.”

If the Competition Bureau has gone to the trouble of opening another investigation and obtaining a court order, it seems likely that new evidence or allegations have emerged since then.

Source: Canada.ca

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Mobile Syrup

Google reducing Play Store subscription cut to 15 percent starting January 1

Google will lower the cut it takes from subscriptions on the Google Play Store to 15 percent “starting from day one.”

The change marks a significant shift for the company, which previously charged a 30 percent cut of subscription revenue in the first 12 months before dropping to 15 percent for subscriptions that continue beyond that point. The change will come into effect starting January 1st, 2022.

Additionally, Google said it would change the service fee in the ‘Media Experience program,’ which will see the fee drop as low as 10 percent for ebooks and on-demand music streaming services.

However, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman pointed out on Twitter that the change doesn’t apply to in-app purchases, such as for digital goods sold in games.

While the change is overall good, it’s also worth keeping in mind the likely catalyst. Google positions the change as addressing “developer needs,” but it comes as Google faces down antitrust lawsuits over its Play Store practices.

Just this year alone, lawsuits have accused Google of illegally trying to control Android app distribution, paying developers to keep them on the Play Store and attempting to keep Netflix using in-app purchases by offering the company a special deal. Google also reportedly considered purchasing Epic Games to make the “contagion” of distributing apps outside the Play Store go away. While Google says the change is to help developers, it may also be an effort to avoid scrutiny over its Play Store practices.

It’s also worth noting Apple has been dealing with antitrust allegations over its App Store in recent months as well. The Epic Games vs. Apple lawsuit resulted in Apple being required to allow developers to use other payment processing systems if they wish. A similar ruling in another lawsuit saw Apple allow developers to use email to offer alternate payment methods to customers.

Both Apple and Google previously rolled out new rules that reduced the cut each company took from 30 percent to 15 percent for developers who made less than $1 million USD. The move was criticized both for poor implementation and for being an attempt to stave off regulator scrutiny.

Source: Google

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Mobile Syrup

Things are not looking great for the future of YouTube on Roku

The back and forth between Roku and YouTube is getting close to the deadline that could result in YouTube pulling its app from the smart TV OS.

The two companies have been arguing over their arrangement since April 2021, but Axios reports that if this goes on until December 9th, the YouTube app will disappear from the Roku Channel Store. However, Google mentioned that it would allow Roku to continue to provide the app to people who already have it downloaded.

Roku is claiming that Google is asking for a higher ranking in Roku’s search results, and the company wants Roku to implement new search, voice and data features that are apparently not requested from other smart tv operating systems.

Google says that it’s simply looking to renew its existing deal with Roku.

Taking a step back, it’s hard to see what is actually happening here. But since Google will make or lose millions depending on this deal, a conclusion could definitely be reached in December. Sure, Roku stands to lose access to YouTube, but it’s unclear how much that matters for a lot of Roku customers.

However, it’s still better for everyone if the companies reach a deal. It’s also surprising that Google appears to be picking on Roku so much since the purple company is one of the more dominant players in the streaming video market. Google stands to lose a lot by not having its services on Roku.

Source: Roku, Axios

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Mobile Syrup

Google launches new case style for Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro

Google is introducing a new type of case designed for its recently revealed Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro smartphones.

The Pixel 6 series’ cases are dual-layered and feature raised edges to guard the device. They’re also made of shock-absorbing materials that wrap around each corner of the Pixel 6 series.

Google says it made the cases transparent so that you can still see the Pixel 6/6 Pro, while creating a new colour with the contrasting hue.

With my ‘Stormy Black’ Pixel 6 Pro and ‘Soft Sage’ case, this combination makes an odd grey colour I’m not the biggest fan of. However, the right combination of colour and case could probably still look great.

Both the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro cases cost $39.

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Google only promises three years of Android updates for Pixel 6/6 Pro

Thanks to a Google support page, we now know that the company’s fancy new Pixel 6 and 6 Pro will only get three years of Android OS upgrades (i.e. Android 12) just like previous Pixel phones.

It’s a real bummer to hear given that Google’s been talking up how the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro will get five years of security updates, a more impressive promise that comes much closer to Apple’s frankly ludicrous level of support (2015’s iPhone 6S got iOS 15 this year, marking six years of software support).

Android Police spotted the Google support page, which says that the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro will get “Guaranteed” Android version updates “until at least” October 2024. Google also guarantees security updates until October 2026 on the same page.

There is a glimmer of hope here — Google says “at least.” That could mean the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro will get updates beyond that timeframe, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.

What makes this particularly frustrating is that thanks to the new Tensor chip in the Pixel 6 line, Google has much more control over the Pixel hardware stack. PCMag’s lead analyst Sascha Segan tweeted that Google has previously had issues with the lack of drivers and support from chipmakers like Qualcomm and MediaTek for newer Android versions on older phones — something that Google implied it wanted to fix with Tensor.

While I don’t want to detract from the positive of five years of security updates, I also want to make it clear that three years of OS upgrades is simply not enough. Google has put itself in a position to do better — now, it actually should.

Source: Google Via: Android Police

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Mobile Syrup

Google’s 512GB Pixel 6 Pro isn’t available in Canada

Google’s recently revealed Pixel 6 Pro isn’t available in the 512GB variant in Canada.

In the U.S., the Pixel 6 Pro is sold in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB storage options, but north of the U.S. border, we’re stuck with 128GB and 256GB variants.

It’s unclear why Google didn’t opt to release the 512GB version of the Pixel 6 Pro here, but it likely has something to do with the ongoing chip shortage or that the Canadian market is much smaller than the United States’.

In the U.S., the 512GB model starts at $1,099 USD, which comes to roughly $1,359 CAD.

On the other hand, the Pixel 6 is available in 128GB and 256GB variants both in the U.S. and Canada. If you’ve been trying to buy the sought-after new smartphones through the Google Store, it’s likely the experience hasn’t been entirely smooth. Some would-be Pixel 6 buyers have reported error messages and sometimes inaccurate out-of-stock messages in the store.

The Pixel 6 starts at $799 and the 6 Pro starts at $1,179. Both smartphones will release in Canada on October 28th.

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Mobile Syrup

How to watch Google’s ‘Pixel Fall Launch’ event and Pixel 6 reveal

After months of leaks and rumours, Google is finally ready to launch its latest Pixel 6 lineup with its in-house Tensor chips.

Dubbed the ‘Pixel Fall Launch; event, the showcase is expected to stay true to its name as we don’t expect any other major announcement other than the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.

Scheduled for October 19th at 10am PT/1am ET, the event will go in-detail about the new Tensor Chips, show what the new device’s cameras are capable of and how they’ll perform when paired with Google’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) models. Google finally revealed the smartphones’ pricing and availably is also expected.

The event will be broadcasted live on the Pixel Event website and its YouTube channel with ASL interpretation.

Here’s when people in different time zones can watch the event:

  • 10 AM PT  – Canada and USA West Coast
  • 1 PM ET – Canada and USA East Coast
  • 6 PM BST – London
  • 7 PM CEST – Europe
  • 10:30 PM IST – India
  • 1 AM CST – China
  • 4 AM ACT –  Australia

From what we know so far, the Pixel 6 Pro is expected to feature a curved screen, similar to the S21 Ultra and Samsung’s ISOCELL GN1 50-megapixel sensor. The ultra-wide camera will use a 12-megapixel IMX386 sensor, while the 4x optical telephoto camera on the 6 Pro will use a 48-megapixel IMX586 sensor.

The phone will reportedly support up to 20x zoom with photos and videos (except 4K, where zoom is capped at 7x) and 4K/60fps video recording. However, we still don’t know how the new cameras will perform when paired with Google’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) models.

Further, the new Pixel devices will reportedly be capable of 33W wired charging. For reference, Google’s Pixel smartphones currently only support cable charging up to 18W.

If you can’t tune in live on October 19th, make sure to follow along with MobileSyrup. We’ll have the latest news and updates from Google on our homepage as well as on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. For everything we expect to see during Google’s Pixel event, follow this link.