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Google promises to sell Pixel replacement parts in partnership with iFixit
Google Pixel phones will soon have official replacement parts available to purchase, thanks to a partnership with iFixit.
Many smartphone manufacturers have been attempting (with mixed results) to decrease the negative environmental impact of their devices, and part of that means keeping existing phones working for as long as possible, so they don't end up in landfills after just a year or two. Samsung announced last month that it will start selling replacement parts for Galaxy phones and tablets "this summer," and now Google is working towards the same goal for its smartphones.
This video clearly shows why Google shelved muskie, the Pixel 2 XL manufactured by HTC
A hands-on video of HTC's canceled Pixel 2 XL, codenamed muskie, shows us why Google probably chose to go with LG's alternative.
When we first heard rumors about the Pixel 2 lineup back in 2017, we learned that the company was working on two devices codenamed 'walleye' and 'muskie'. Soon thereafter, we learned about a third device called 'taimen', which led many to believe that Google was planning on launching three Pixel devices. But that didn't end up being the case, as Google only launched two devices that year — the HTC-made Pixel 2 (walleye) and the LG-made Pixel 2 XL (taimen). The HTC-made Pixel 2 XL (muskie) was canceled altogether, and a new hands-on video sheds some light on why that may have happened.
January 2019 security update is out for all Google Pixel devices
The first security update of the year, January 2019 patch is now available for all Google Pixel devices. Nexus devices are nowhere to be found.
New year, new updates. Google just released the first security update of 2019. As always, it fixes a bunch of vulnerabilities on the kernel and system level. Unfortunately, the January security update hasn't been released for any of the Nexus devices. We will keep an eye out for those devices. Along with the Pixel 3, Pixel 2, and Google Pixel, the Pixel C also got the update, but it's still Android 8.1 Oreo since the device will not be updated to Android Pie.
Download: Google Camera with Night Sight for Google Pixel 3, Pixel 2, and Pixel
Night Sight is Google Camera's new feature that improves low-light/night pictures. Get it now for the Google Pixel 3, Google Pixel 2, and Google Pixel.
Earlier this month, Google unveiled the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. Thanks to a ton of leaks, there wasn't much left for Google to surprise us with. However, there was one new Google Camera feature that didn't get leaked before launch: Night Sight. Night Sight uses a long exposure time and some Google software magic to greatly enhance low light photography. The feature didn't ship with the Google Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL but is said to come sometime next month in an update. An earlier port of the Google Camera 6.1 APK that shipped with the Pixel 3 claimed to have enabled Night Sight, but it appears that the feature was only partially working. Now, we have what seems to be a more functional version of Night Sight in a barely-modded Google Camera app that works on the Google Pixel 3, Google Pixel 3 XL, Google Pixel 2, Google Pixel 2 XL, Google Pixel, and Google Pixel XL.
Google Pixel 3 (non-XL) uses an OLED panel from LG like the Pixel 2 XL
The Google Pixel 3 (non-XL model) has been found to have an LG OLED panel, like last year's Google Pixel 2 XL. The Pixel 3 XL has a Samsung OLED panel.
One of the mysteries left unsolved after the announcement of the Google Pixel 3 and Google Pixel 3 XL has finally been answered. Yesterday, it was revealed that the larger Pixel 3 XL features an OLED panel manufactured by Samsung. Today, we now have confirmation that the smaller Pixel 3's display is manufactured by LG Display. This news comes courtesy of iFixit, which tore down the Pixel 3 and identified the panel.
[Update: Fixed in May update] Android 8.1 Oreo Multi-Touch Bug will be fixed in June Update
Google has fixed the erratic multi-touch behavior that affects some devices in Android 8.1 Oreo. A merged commit fixes resampling for multiple pointers. However, the fix will not arrive in the May security update because of changes being locked down a month before. It will arrive in the June update.
The Google Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL are included in the list of devices affected with a multi-touch bug in Android 8.1 Oreo. When two fingers are placed on the display, erratic touchscreen events are generated between the two fingers. The issue is prevalent in games, but it's also visible in other apps such as Google Photos. Users who have experienced the touchscreen issues describe them as frustrating. What makes the situation worse is that it's seemingly widespread, judging by the number of reports on the Google Issue Tracker page.
Every Google Pixel 2 XL owner should try the compact navigation bar from the OnePlus 5T
Google Pixel 2 XL owners should try out the more compact navigation bar like the one on the OnePlus 5T. It makes for much better one handed use, since you don't have to reach so far to hit the back or recent apps button.
For several few years now, smartphones have been getting bigger and bigger. With many smartphones featuring a 6" display, it's almost hard to believe that the first commercially available Android phone, the HTC Dream/T-Mobile G1, had a measly 3.2" screen.
Pixel 2 XL XDA Display Analysis: A Well-Calibrated Package with Some Critical Mistakes
The Google Pixel 2 XL's display has been a point of controversy since the phone's launch. Our in-depth analysis highlights the good, the bad, and the ugly.
In recent months, the Pixel 2 XL has been the subject of many controversies, with conflict brewing over the phone's display even before its release. After the dust had settled, it became something of a refrain: The Pixel 2 XL's screen is plagued with issues, including premature burn-in, angular color shift, “muted” colors, “black crush”, and “black smear”. While some of these issues can be chalked up to poor display production, some aspects require a more thorough look. We will attempt to cover the Pixel 2 XL's display performance in as much depth as we can.
[Update: Fixed by Factory Reset] Some Google Pixel 2 Owners are Reporting a Bootloader Unlock Bug
Some Google Pixel 2 owners are reporting that they are unable to unlock the bootloader of devices they purchased from the Google Store.
The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are flagship devices meant to showcase the Google software experience. But the phones have had their share of issues, ranging from the Pixel 2's inability to flash factory images and OTAs and high-pitched earpiece noises to the Pixel 2 XL's display burn-in and audio recording issues.
How to Unlock Bootloader and Root the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL
XDA Recognized Developer / Recognized Contributor nathanchance has posted guides on how to unlock, flash and root the Google Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL.
Many enthusiasts expected that achieving root on the first-generation Google Pixel would be just as easy as rooting Google's Nexus devices, but that didn't turn out to be the case. Android Nougat's A/B partition system created a lot of headache for developers in the beginning, and the Pixel's incompatibility with the most common exploits only added to challenge. Needless to say, there was reason to worry about Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL. But luckily, development seems to be moving along just fine.
Modified Pixel Launcher adds Features to the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL
If you have a Google Pixel 2 and are interested in modifying your home screen, check out these cool Pixel Launcher mods you can install now.
Modifying the Pixel Launcher, the default home screen on Google's Pixel-branded smartphones, isn't a new idea. Launchers like Lawnchair add custom icon support and other extras to the Google Launcher for the Pixel and Pixel XL. The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL launched with a newer version of the Google Launcher, though, and crafty XDA Senior Member sharkie405 has modified it with features not found in the original version.
Google Pixel 2 XL Charging Speed is Functionally Capped at 10.5W
A new report by Nathan K. shows that charging speed on the Google Pixel 2 XL is functionally capped at 10.5W, despite being rated for up to 18W. Read on!
For a long time, it seemed to consumers that as battery capacity increased in smartphones, charge time would naturally increase as well. To solve the problem, many companies worked on various methods of quicker charging. Over the years, we have seen the rise of various standards such as USB Power Delivery, Qualcomm Quick Charge, Samsung's Adaptive Fast Charge, Huawei's SuperCharge and OnePlus's Dash Charging just to name a few.
TWRP Recovery Alpha Available for Pixel 2 and 2 XL
TWRP recovery is available in alpha form for the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, but with significant risk and limitations.
Less than a month after Google's official announcement of the Pixel 2 and 2 XL, XDA Senior Recognized Developer Dees_Troy announced alpha support for the popular TWRP recovery for the Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL late Monday night.
Google to Add a New Color Mode to the Pixel 2 XL, Doubles Warranty for Pixel 2/2 XL Owners
Google will bring a new saturated colour mode to the Pixel 2 XL via a software update. Also, Google has doubled warranty for all Pixel 2/2 XL owners.
Last year, the first-generation Google Pixel and the Pixel XL used AMOLED displays from Samsung. At that time, Google targeted a NTSC colour gamut and Android had no colour management, so all colours looked saturated by default. although the company did provide a sRGB mode in the Developer Options. With this year's second-generation Pixel 2 phones, Google has chosen different OLED panels for the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. While the Pixel 2 uses a Full HD Samsung AMOLED display which is very similar to that of the 2016 Pixel, the Pixel 2 XL uses LG's new WQHD+ (2880x1440) 18:9 aspect ratio P-OLED display.