Tag: Pixel 6

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Mobile Syrup

Google’s April update is now available for supported Pixel devices

Google’s April software update for its supported Pixel devices is rolling out now. Supported Pixel devices in the Pixel 3a series, Pixel 4 series, Pixel 4a series, Pixel 5 series and the Pixel 6 series.

Yes, finally, the Pixel 6 series is getting the update at the same time as other devices.

This update includes the following :

Battery and Power
  • Additional improvements for wireless charging performance with certain accessories (Pixel 6 & 6 Pro only)
Camera
  • Fix for issue causing front-facing camera preview in certain apps to appear zoomed in  (Pixel 6 & 6 Pro only)
  • Fix for issue occasionally causing green screen to appear in camera preview (Pixel 6 & 6 Pro only)
User Interface
  • Fix for crash in System UI while using apps in Picture-in-Picture (PIP) mode in certain conditions
  • Fix for issue causing error message to display when setting up certain live wallpapers
  • Fix for issue causing notification shade and Quick Settings to appear invisible after changing wallpaper in certain conditions
  • Fix for issue occasionally causing animation to display incorrectly when canceling a search in the app drawer
  • Fix for issue occasionally preventing navigation in overview screen while TalkBack is active
  • Fix for issue occasionally preventing recents button to show the overview while using 3-button navigation with third-party launchers

Additionally, the security patch mentions about five fixes that moderate from high to moderate severity.

The update should be hitting your device over the air. If you can’t wait for the over-the-air update, the OTA files and factory images are now available.

Recent Pixel 6 updates have either launched late or included a series of random bugs, so if you’re rocking one of those devices, hopefully, this patch isn’t too problematic.

Source: Google, (2) 

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Mobile Syrup

‘At a Glance’ connected device integration for Bluetooth headphones now rolling out

Google’s ‘At a Glance’ is now rolling out a Connected device Bluetooth integration for headphones.

A Reddit (mattbxb) user spotted their Bluetooth headphones connected and fully charged in the At a Glance section. The user says it only appeared briefly, but 9to5Google suspects it only shows up during the initial connection.

9to5Google says that this is a server-side update, so not everyone currently has the feature. To check, you can long-press the top of your home screen > tap customize > tap the setting gear icon, which reveals the ‘Connected Devices’ option and testing timer and stopwatch, bedtime and fitness.

Google announced this feature during its last Pixel Feature Drop, which only recently hit Pixel 6 devices. Alongside this functionality, there’s also a battery widget.

Image credit: Reddit (mattbxb)

Source: Reddit (mattbxb) , 9to5Google

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Mobile Syrup

Users notice vibration intensity issue after Pixel 6’s March update

In December, the Mountain View, California-based company released an update that severely impacted the calling experience for Pixel 6 series devices. Now it looks like the March update has also come with its own little bug. According to Droid-Life, the March Pixel 6 update has caused the haptic and vibration intensity in the Pixel 6 to diminish.

Droid-Life says that a reader was the first to point it out, but since then, they’ve started hearing it from multiple readers and seeing the issue appear in a handful of threads. Some users are reporting that vibrations are getting so weak that they are missing notifications or calls, even when the intensity is turned up to its highest setting. Others have said that the vibration intensity depends on the app as well.

However, Droid-Life has suggested that this might be a new feature and not a bug. Some users have noticed that the vibration seems to have a soft build-up and then peak to a higher intensity, and say they like this new pattern. While other users have said, this issue initially appeared in the Android 12L beta and has made it to the 12L stable version, which was packed with the March update.

And weird enough, Google’s community post now says that it fixed an issue causing weaker haptic feedback, which was not there initially. The new line, according to Droid-Life, was added on March 8th.

At MobileSyrup, our Pixel 6 users have not noticed any differences with their handsets, so perhaps this issue isn’t hitting everyone.

Let us know in the comments below if you’ve noticed any problems with your Pixel 6’s vibration intensity.

Source: Droid-Life 

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Mobile Syrup

Dirty Pipe exploit could let someone take over your phone, fix is on the way

There’s a new Linux vulnerability out there that could give attackers full of control of your Android smartphone.

However, the exploit goes beyond just Android phones — it potentially impacts anything running Linux, including Android phones, Chromebooks, smart home devices, and more.

Although it sounds dire, it’s worth keeping in mind that most people don’t need to panic. For one, the issue has already been patched (although the fix may not have reached your devices yet). The exploit also only impacts some newer Android phones, such as the Pixel 6 series and the Galaxy S22 series (more on that below, along with a way to check if your device is affected).

The exploit, dubbed ‘Dirty Pipe,’ impacts the Linux kernel. The kernel is the core of an operating system and typically acts as an interface between apps and hardware. Because of that, any app that can read files on your device can potentially use the exploit to mess around with files, run malicious code, or gain administrator privileges. Ultimately, attackers could use the exploit to take over a device.

Max Kellermann discovered Dirty Pipe, but also found a way to fix it and already submitted the fix to the Linux kernel project. Additionally, Dirty Pipe was reported to Google’s Android Security team, who introduced the fix to the Android source code. Similarly, the Chrome OS team seems to have a patch poised to roll out in a mid-cycle update to Chrome OS 99. In other words, the Dirty Pipe fix is ready, it just might not have hit your phone or laptop yet.

How to check if my phone/laptop is at risk

Thankfully, checking whether your device could be exploited using Dirty Pipe is fairly easy. We’ve included instructions below:

  • Android: Open Settings > About phone > Android version > Look for Kernel version. If the number is 5.8 or higher, your device is potentially at risk.
  • Chrome OS: Open a new tab > Type ‘chrome://system’ in the address bar > Scroll to ‘uname’ > Look for the ‘Linux localhost’ text and check if the number is higher than 5.8.

In both cases, the number represents the Linux kernel version. Dirty Pipe was introduced in Linux kernel version 5.8 back in 2020, but the exploit wasn’t found until recently. If your device has kernel version 5.8 or higher, it’s potentially at risk for Dirty Pipe (unless you’ve received a patch for it already).

Most Android phones use an older version of the Linux kernel and likely won’t be impacted. However, as mentioned above, the Pixel 6 series and the Galaxy S22 series are impacted. 9to5Google noted that Android devices that launched with Android 12 have a chance of being impacted.

How to protect yourself from Dirty Pipe

Although there are no known instances of attackers using Dirty Pipe to gain control of phones or computers yet, it’s likely only a matter of time before it starts to happen. The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to make sure your devices are up to date.

As mentioned up top, there are already Android and Chrome OS patches, but they haven’t rolled out yet. Hopefully, they roll out soon — keep an eye out for new security patches and make sure to install them right away.

In the meantime, 9to5 suggests only running apps that you trust on your device. Moreover, it may be a good idea to avoid installing new apps until the patch is made available.

Source: Max Kellermann Via: 9to5Google

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Mobile Syrup

Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro renderings reveal Pixel 6 series-like design

Google’s Pixel 7 is still several months away from release, but that hasn’t stopped early leaks from appearing about the device.

As always, approach this latest leak with an air of skepticism given it doesn’t stem from a reliable source. That said, it’s backed by OnLeaks, a relatively reliable source of leaks MobileSyrup often cites.

ChooseBestTech in collaboration with @XLeaks7 has created CAD-based renderings of the Pixel 7 based on leaked information. The dimensions of the device — 155.6 x 73.1 x 8.7 mm (11.5 with camera bump) — indicate that the smartphone is slightly thinner than the Pixel 6.

The Pixel 7’s back camera module also blends into its side chassis, making it look more fluid and like one unit. The leak suggests that the camera module will likely feature the same colour as the frame. Additionally, the back camera array reportedly features two lenses and a flashlight, similar to the Pixel 6.

The mmWave 5G antenna will reportedly be placed on the top of the device, similar to Apple’s iPhone 12 and iPhone 13.

Otherwise, the phone will sport a punch-hole camera, an in-screen fingerprint scanner, speaker grills, a USB-C port and a SIM tray.

OnLeaks, in collaboration with @Smartprix, also created a 360-degree video of the device alongside 5K renderings of the Pixel 7 Pro. The Pixel 7 Pro, on the other hand, will look just about the same, except for its 6.7-inch or 6.8-inch curved display.

On the rear, the smartphone reportedly sports three cameras. It also reportedly measures in at 163×76.6×8.7mm.

Source: OnLeaks, ChooseBestTech

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Mobile Syrup

Google releases new surprise update for Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro

Google released a surprise update for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro today, just days after the devices received their last security update.

According to Android Police, the developer dropped the new builds with “slightly different version numbers” compared to the last release.

The version uploaded earlier this month is listed as ‘SQ1D.220205.003.’ This latest update is listed as SQ1D.220205.004 for both the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, as reported by 9to5Google.

Android Police speculates the update could be a bug fix, given an onslaught of complaints on Wi-Fi performance days before the February update went live.

Source: Android Police, 9to5Google

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Mobile Syrup

Developer gets Windows 11 to work on Pixel 6 running Android 13

A Pixel 6 running Windows 11 is at the top of my list of things I’ve never wanted.

However, that hasn’t stopped developer ‘kdrag0n’ from running Microsoft’s desktop operating system on Google’s Android device using a  Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) found in the Android 13 developer preview. 

kdrag0n says that they focused on performance and that the Windows Virtual Machine is “actually really usable.”

kdrag0n goes on to outline that they were able to run Doom on the Pixel 6 using the phone’s Windows Virtual Machine and that they utilized their computer’s keyboard for input.

XDA Developers explains that Android 13 makes it easier to access the kernel-based virtual machine that’s available on the device, and that they took advantage of this exploit to unlock the full virtual machine on the Pixel 6.

Microsoft first launched its Windows Phone operating system back in 2010, but it was eventually killed off roughly seven years later in 2017. 

Source: @kdrag0n Via: XDA Developers

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Mobile Syrup

App downloads suggest roughly 10 million modern Pixel devices run Android 12

We may finally have an idea of roughly how many ‘modern’ Pixel devices running Android 12 are out there — about 10 million, according to app details on the Play Store.

As spotted by 9to5Google, a recently-added app called ‘Security Hub’ currently lists over 10 million downloads on the Play Store. As explained by 9to5, the Security Hub app shipped with the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, and later became available for Pixel 4, 4 XL, 4a, 4a 5G, 5, and 5a devices running Android 12. Devices older than the Pixel 4 don’t support the Security Hub app, even if they’re on Android 12.

In November, the Play Store listed the download count for Security Hub as 5 million, but 9to5 reports the number jumped up to 10 million a few days ago.

Considering the limits around which Pixel devices have the Security Hub app, it gives us a very, very rough estimate of the number of recent Pixel devices running Android 12. It’s especially interesting given that Google just reported an all-time quarterly sales record for Pixel (likely off the back of the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro). The search giant did not share specific sales numbers, however.

Needless to say, 10 million isn’t a lot when it comes to smartphones. Samsung shipped an estimated 76.5 million smartphones and Apple shipped an estimated 52.4 million units in just one quarter of 2021. Heck, estimates for the arguably incredibly niche foldable segment point to some 9 million units shipped for all of 2021.

Granted, it’s entirely possible that not all of the Pixels ranging from the 4 series to the 6 series are running Android 12. But, I find that unlikely — one of the main benefits of getting a Pixel over another Android device is the frequency of updates and first access to new versions of Android. Roughly 10 million devices across three years of products isn’t a great look.

Source: 9to5Google

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Mobile Syrup

Google Photos update causes crash when using Pixel 6 Magic Eraser tool

Headline Pixel 6/6 Pro feature ‘Magic Eraser’ is the cause behind crashes following a recent update to the Google Photos app.

A new bug reported by Android Police and spotted by users on Reddit and Twitter causes the Google Photos app to crash when launching the Magic Eraser tool. Specifically, the bug appears to impact Google Photos ‘version 5.76.0.425427310’ on Pixel 6 devices.

I tried recreating the bug on my Pixel 6, which is running Photos version 5.75.0.424739917, but opening Magic Eraser didn’t cause a crash. At the time of writing, the 5.76 version update wasn’t available to my device.

Android Police notes that the typical quick fixes aren’t working. For example, rebooting the phone, clearing the app’s cache, and restoring the Photos app to factory settings all don’t fix the problem. As it stands, it seems like once you’ve updated the Photo app, you’re stuck with the problem. If you’re still on an older version of Google Photos, you may want to hold off on any updates until there’s a fix.

This isn’t the first time Google has had problems with the Pixel 6 and Magic Eraser. Back in November, a Google Photo update removed Magic Eraser from Pixel 6 devices, but the search giant quickly fixed the error. Hopefully, there’s a similar quick fix with this problem.

Frustratingly for some, this is yet another bug in a rapidly-growing list of problems with Google’s latest flagship devices. Despite the numerous problems some have experienced with the phones, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro also apparently helped set a quarterly sales record for Google.

Source: Twitter, Reddit Via: Android Police

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Mobile Syrup

Pixel 6 helped Google set an ‘all-time quarterly sales record’

Google’s parent company, Alphabet, dropped its Q4 2021 earnings Tuesday evening. The numbers were impressive as usual, with 41 percent year-over-year growth. You can read all that here if you want. What’s more impressive, however, is that the Pixel 6 apparently set an all-time quarterly sales record.

Now, there are a few caveats here before we dig in. First, Google doesn’t break out specific numbers for hardware. Instead, as Android Police notes, the hardware is included in ‘Google Services,’ which covers Android, Chrome, Google Maps, Search, Google Play, and YouTube. In other words, there are a lot of big money makers in there for Google and no real way to estimate how much of that was from the Pixel line, or even the Pixel 6 specifically.

With that in mind, let’s look at what Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said in the Q4 2021 earnings call:

“In Q4, we set all all-time quarterly sales record for Pixel. This came in spite of an extremely challenging supply-chain environment. The response from Pixel 6 from our customers and carrier partners was incredibly positive.”

Pichai also attributed some of the Pixel 6’s success to new artificial intelligence (AI) features, such as the new real-time translation tool. You can listen to the whole earnings call here.

While we can’t necessarily back up that statement with numbers (yet), Android Police did note that the Google Services segment is up, reporting over $69 (heh, nice) billion USD (about $87.5 billion CAD) in revenue in Q4. In 2020, the same segment reported $52.8 billion (roughly $66.99 billion CAD (heh, double nice)).

Considering Google launches Pixel flagships in the fall, usually around October or November, the company’s Q4 results usually include Pixel launch sales (even if we don’t get the exact numbers). And while I doubt that all of the difference between Q4 2021 and Q4 2020 came from Pixel 6 sales, we can likely attribute some of that increase to sales.

With all that in mind, it seems the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are proving popular with customers. Considering the various supply issues, software problems, and myriad other concerns with the phones, the sales record is even more impressive. Hopefully this marks a change for Google, which has previously struggled with its smartphone line.

Source: Android Police