Tag: security update

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Mobile Syrup

Pixel 5 user reportedly gets April security patch a week early

A Canadian Pixel 5 user has managed to get Google’s April security update a bit early. Reddit user ‘-BEA5T- ‘ posted that they received the update early and even proved it with a screenshot.

The screenshot shows that their ‘system is up to date’ and includes the date of April 5th. The update will hit these devices next week, so seeing it roll out early is interesting, especially since some users are only receiving the March 2023 update.

-BEA5T-  shared that their Pixel 5 is running on build number ‘TQ2A.230405.003.’

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by u/-BEA5T- from discussion Pixel 5 received April 5 2023 security patch this morning
in GooglePixel

It’s not unheard of for a smartphone company to release a patch early. Samsung does it occasionally; however, it’s also possible that this is just a glitch.

Google hasn’t released anything official about anything about April’s security update.

Source: Reddit ‘-BEA5T- ‘ Via: Android Authority 

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Mobile Syrup

Pixel phones getting July security patch, chill frog wallpapers

The July 2022 security patch dropped for Google’s Pixel line starting July 6th. The patch will be available on the Pixel 4, 4XL, 4a, 4a 5G, 5, 5a (not in Canada), 6, and 6 Pro.

9to5Google noted that it should be one of the last security updates before the next major version of Android arrives. Per Google’s Android 13 Beta overview, the fourth and final beta version will arrive in July ahead of the final Android 13 release. Although the company doesn’t provide an arrival date for Android 13, it’ll likely become available shortly after the final beta arrives.

Anyway, the July security patch for Android 12 includes fixes for 12 security issues. And frogs, for some reason.

The security issues range from high to critical, and you can check them out here. There’s also a Pixel-specific bulletin you can view here. 9to5 says that aside from the security fixes, the update enables additional Voice over LTE (VoLTE) features on some networks for the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro (this change doesn’t affect Canada).

As for the frogs, Google added three new wallpapers to its ‘Pixel Curated Culture’ wallpaper collection featuring — you guessed it — frogs. The three frog wallpaper come from artist Aubii of Autumnalwood (you can check more of her work on Instagram).

The three wallpapers actually appear to connect together into one larger image depicting three frog friends walking in the woods. One frog is ‘Grinnin,’ another is ‘Vibin,’ and the last is ‘Smilin.’ Each image includes the following description:

“Adventurin’ is great, but it’s just so, so fun when accompanied by your best (froggy) buddies.” – Aubii of Autumnalwood

These wallpapers mark the 17th edition of Pixel Curated Culture wallpapers and join 48 other backgrounds for Pixel phones from the Pixel 3 series to the Pixel 6 line. Interestingly, most of Google’s Curated Culture wallpapers celebrate something specific — for example, last month had Pride Month wallpapers, and past versions have celebrated Indigenous peoples, mental health, and more. These frog wallpapers appear to just be that — frog wallpapers.

Source: 9to5Google, (2)

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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

Pixel 6 series will finally get December/January update on January 17, according to Canadian carriers

The Pixel 6 and 6 Pro will finally get Google’s December/January Android security patch next week if Canadian carriers are correct.

According to Fido’s and Telus’ OS update schedules, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro will receive the anticipated security update on January 17th.

Google initially rolled out the update back on December 13th. The December update was delayed more than a week, but it came with 80 fixes and other improvements. However, it also included a nasty bug that cause the phone to drop calls. Because of this issue, Google paused the rollout of the update.

When the beginning of January rolled around, many hoped the January and December update would hit their Pixel 6 devices, but that wasn’t the case. Only Pixel devices ranging from the Pixel 3a to Pixel 5a received the patch.

But hopefully, next week’s update solves these problems.

The update’s standout features include improved fingerprint sensor stability and performance, fixes for screen flickering and full 23W wireless charging from the Pixel Stand 2.

Further, there are also several specific camera updates:

  • General image quality improvements in camera preview/capture
  • General improvements for camera stability and performance
  • General improvements for auto-focus response in certain capture modes
  • General improvements for colour consistency in viewfinder preview
  • Fix for issue causing blank viewfinder preview in certain conditions

You can check out the complete list of fixes from the December update, here.

The January security patch provides a fix for an Android issue that can prevent emergency calls. The update also fixes Wi-Fi call dropping issues, incorrect data usage accounting, a memory leak in the system UI and more.

You can find all the fixes for the January update, here.

Hopefully, the above carrier release timeline is accurate because otherwise, there will be a lot of upset Canadian Pixel 6 owners.

Source: Fido, Telus