Items tagged with google pixel
When's the last time you saw a full-featured smartphone launch for well under $500? There have been a few to hit the market in this price range recently, usually with significant caveats, but in general the trend is towards more expensive flagship devices that are commanding upwards of $1000 quite often. Google's new Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL, however, buck this trend with HD OLED displays, big batteries, and the same great camera configuration that made Google's higher-end Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL the Android phones to beat, when it comes to smartphone photography. The new Pixel 3a is a 5.6-inch device, for folks who prefer their phone be a bit more pocketable, but the Pixel 3a XL sports a 6-inch...
Read more...
Owners of the original Google Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones who have devices that were manufactured before January 4, 2017, may get some money from Google. Google has agreed to a proposed settlement for a class action lawsuit that was brought by owners of the original Pixel devices who claim they were sold devices with defective microphones. The settlement could see owners getting up to $500 from Google. Google finally admitted that there was an issue with the microphone in some of the smartphones in March of 2017 when it said that less than 1% of Pixel phones had a hairline crack in the solder connection on the audio codec. That crack caused issues for affected users when calling and when...
Read more...
It has been a little over five months since Google has released an update for its Google Camera app. The latest update started to roll out this week to Pixel users. Google Camera 6.2 software includes a number of new features such as dark mode and preparations for upcoming features like the “Cheetah” time lapse. With regards to “dark mode”, the app’s interface has always been black, but users would be faced with a white screen whenever they altered their settings. This white screen now comes off as more of a dark grey. Google Camera "dark mode"-- Image from 9to5 Google Users were initially greeted by a black screen when they transitioned between camera, video, portrait,...
Read more...
If you're looking for a great [and aging] flagship Android smartphone, B&H Photo is currently running a pretty good deal on the original Google Pixel. The Pixel launched in late 2016 and brought with it a sleek new design direction for Google's first-party smartphones and introduced us to Google's spectacular camera system. Right now, you can grab the 32GB variant for $329.99, while the 128GB variant rings in just $399. Both of those prices include free expedited shipping and you'll only pay tax if you live in the state New York. While these smartphones no longer feature bleeding edge hardware, their specs are nothing to scoff at. Both smartphones feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon...
Read more...
The smartphone business is quite cutthroat, and has seen a shifting dynamic among the top players in recent years. We've seen a steady rise in power from Chinese OEMs that are looking to challenge the market dominance of Apple and Samsung. But what about Google? The company has long sold its Nexus-branded smartphones and more recently introduced its Pixel family. The smartphones are highly regarded in the enthusiast community, but how well are they actually selling? According to IDC, Google's Pixel shipments for all of 2017 doubled compared to 2016. The finally tally for 2017, according to IDC, was 3.9 million units. Compared to the Essential Phone, which by all accounts was a flop following...
Read more...
Google is allegedly making a big power play in the smartphone display market with a nearly $1 billion investment into a key supplier. According to a new report hailing from South Korea, Google will invest $875 million into LG Display in an effort to ensure that it has a steady stream of screens for its future Pixel Android flagships. The search giant will reportedly rely on LG Display to produce curved panels, which are all the rage with the latest flagship smartphones. The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ both use curved OLED display, and the upcoming iPhone 8 is also expected to use a curved OLED display — a first for the iPhone family. According to the report, the strategic partnership with LG Display...
Read more...
We first brought you news about Google's Instant Tethering feature last month, and it now looks as though it's officially rolling out to Pixel and Nexus smartphones. More specifically, Instant Tethering is available on the Pixel, Pixel XL, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P and Nexus 6.In order to enable the functionality, you have to be running Android 7.1.1 (or newer). So, how does Instant Tethering work? If your Pixel or Nexus smartphone has an active cellular connection, any supported device (that is logged into the same Google account) can automatically connect to the host's Wi-Fi hotspot."When you unlock a tablet such as the Pixel C, it will notice if there is no internet connection available, and will...
Read more...
When Google set out to develop and market its first Phone by Google branded device - not co-branded with a partner - and spiritual successors to its legacy Nexus brand, the company drew a line in the sand. Not only was the target to develop smartphones that demonstrated best of breed functionality and performance for the Android platform, but these devices would have features and capabilities not found in other Android devices on the market. To date, very few other smartphones, save for the LG V20 for example, are running Android 7 Nougat and there are only a handful of phones on the market currently that support Google’s Daydream VR headset technology. Google Daydream VR is a compelling...
Read more...
Last week, many people were taken aback when it was announced that Verizon Wireless would be taking control of Android OS updates for Google Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones. Given that carriers are notoriously slow when it comes to providing major OS updates for smartphones, news that a Google-branded phone could be at the mercy of Verizon for updates was met with utter shock. While those initial fears were definitely warranted giving past performance, it appears that everyone was getting worked up over nothing. Verizon confirmed in a statement today to Ars Technica that Verizon-branded Google Pixel devices will receive OS updates at the same time as unlocked versions that can be purchased directly...
Read more...
