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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.
Google is expanding Pixel 3 eSIM support to more carriers around the world
Google is expanding the Pixel 3's eSIM support to more carriers around the world, including in India, the UK, and Germany.
eSIM is the latest and greatest iteration of the SIM card, in that it doesn't even have a physical form. Rather than putting a SIM card in your phone or watch, you can effectively store the SIM data on the device itself. Gone are the days of fumbling about with a tiny piece of plastic and trying to put it in your phone, when instead you can simply scan a SIM card onto your device. Google first tried it out on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, allowing Google Fi users to try it out, and brought it to the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL this year. Now it's not just on Google Fi, as you can get it all around the world—but only on the Pixel 3 series.
Google Camera's Night Sight is rolling out for the Pixel, Pixel 2, and Pixel 3
Night Sight has been the most noteworthy additions of the camera on the Pixel 3, but it wasn't available at launch. Today it's officially available.
The camera is the biggest selling point of the Google Pixel series. They might not have the best hardware or the best prices, but it's hard to beat the camera quality. The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL continue to carry the torch and added some new features as well. Night Sight has been the most noteworthy addition, but it wasn't available at launch. Today, Google has officially announced that Night Sight will be available in the Google Camera app for the Pixel 3, Pixel 2, and Pixel.
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 2 will soon support VoLTE on Vodafone India
The Google Pixel 2 does not support VoLTE on Vodafone India. Google has now fixed the issue, and VoLTE on Vodafone India will be rolled out in an update.
VoLTE (short for Voice over LTE) is the next generation standard for voice calling on 4G LTE networks. It uses IP-based technology to place calls directly over LTE, instead of using CSFB (Circuit Switched Fallback) to place calls and deliver SMS messages on legacy networks such as 2G or 3G. With the roll-out of LTE nearly complete in most markets, VoLTE has become a popular feature since the last two years. The vast majority of networks around the world don't have a necessity to use VoLTE, as they can still make calls and send messages thanks to CSFB. In India, however, the use of VoLTE skyrocketed in 2016 thanks to the rise of Reliance Jio. Jio is an all IP-based LTE network with no fallback for 2G/3G calling. Therefore, users need to have a VoLTE-capable smartphone to use Jio (or use Jio's Jio4GVoice app).
Google Pixel 2 ROM ported for the Xiaomi Mi 8
XDA Member argaur has ported the Google Pixel 2's stock Android Pie firmware as a ROM for the Xiaomi Mi 8 (device code-name: dipper).
The Xiaomi Mi 8 (device code-name: dipper) is the latest iteration of Xiaomi's Mi series flagships. It was launched in May as the successor to the Xiaomi Mi 6. The phone has a high-end list of specifications including the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC, 6GB/8GB of RAM with 64GB/128GB/256GB storage, 6.21-inch Full HD+ (2246x1080) AMOLED display, dual 12MP + 12MP (telephoto) rear cameras, 20MP front-facing camera, and a 3,400mAh battery. It ships with MIUI 9 on top of Android 8.1 Oreo.
Android Pie is here for the Google Pixel & Google Pixel 2
After the last developer preview, Android 9 was widely expected to reach its final build this month. Android Pie is officially here.
It doesn't seem like Android P has been around for too long, but the first Developer Preview dropped about 5 months ago. In that time, Google has released 4 Android Beta updates. This has been one of Google's biggest version updates to date. They've introduced a ton of new features and tweaks. After the last developer preview, Android P was widely expected to reach its final build this month, and now that day has arrived. Android 9.0 Pie is finally official.
[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.
[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.
Google Details the Tamper-Resistant Hardware Security Module on the Pixel 2
In a blog post, Google has detailed how the Pixel 2's tamper-resistant hardware security module delivers "enterprise-grade security". Read on to know more!
With each new version of Android, Google has increased its focus on security. Android 5.1 Lollipop added Factory Reset Protection as an anti-theft measure. Then, the company made encryption mandatory for high-performing devices since Android 6.0 Marshmallow. In Nougat, Google made the switch over to File-Based Encryption. Now, Google has detailed the Pixel 2's tamper-resistant hardware security module, which delivers "enterprise-grade security", according to the company.
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.
Easily Unlock the Bootloader and Root the Pixel 2 with SkipSoft Toolkit
SkipSoft, the unified Android toolkit for Nexus, Pixel, Samsung and OnePlus devices has just been released for the Google Pixel 2. Read on to know more!
SkipSoft is a unified Android toolkit for Nexus, Pixel, Samsung and OnePlus devices that has the ability to do things like gain root access, backup and store applications, download stock images and much more. SkipSoft has now been released for the Google Pixel 2 courtesy of XDA Retired Senior Moderator mskip and you can download it right away. Drivers for your device can be installed directly from the toolkit, but you will need to have ADB and Fastboot tools set up on your computer before you begin tinkering with SkipSoft.
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.
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.
Just a few weeks after the Pixel 2 and 2 XL launch, we've managed to show you how you can easily get many of the Pixel 2's "exclusive" software features on your device. That includes the new Pixel Launcher with the bottom search bar, updated Google Camera app with Portrait Mode and Motion Photo, as well as the new Google Wallpaper app which brings the much-requested Beach Live wallpaper.
Some Pixel 2 Models Are Failing To Flash Factory Images, OTA Updates Failing to Install as Well
Some Pixel 2 models are not able to properly flash the latest 8.1 Developer Preview 1 images from Google. Read on to learn more about this issue!
Seemingly out of the blue yesterday, Google announced the Android 8.1 Oreo preview program for Pixel and Nexus devices stretching back to the Nexus 5X. It took some time for Google to update their preview program sign-up site to support the newly released Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL phones, so many of us took to flashing the factory images.