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Google's Live Caption feature for Pixel phones now supports calls
Google’s Live Caption tool is not only an important accessibility feature, but it’s also useful in noisy environments like a bar or a subway station. It’s available on Pixel phones and computers through the Chrome browser, and will provide onscreen subtitles for any media that plays audio on your device. With today’s launch of the Pixel 4a, though, Google is unveiling Live Caption for Calls and it’ll be available on the Pixel 2, 3, 3a, 4 and 4a.
Latest Pixel 'feature drop' lets you pause music with a touch-free gesture
Google is trotting out another "feature drop" for Pixel owners, and this latest one might be particularly helpful if you'd rather not fiddle with your phone. For a start, Pixel 4 owners can use a tap gesture to pause or resume music, not just swipes to skip back or forward. That could be extremely helpful if you're cooking and would rather not touch your phone just to stop playback. Most Pixel users can also set the Dark theme to kick in automatically with sunset, and automatically enable rules based on a WiFi network or physical location -- say, silencing your ringtone when you walk through the doors at work.
Google brings automatic call screening to all of its Pixel phones
Over the last couple of years, Google has updated older Pixel devices with features that first appear on its most recent phones. The latest tool to make its way from Pixel 4 to the original Pixel, Pixel 2 and Pixel 3 is automatic call screening, which debuted on the former in December.
Google's powerful Recorder app now works on older Pixel phones
Over its last few Pixel cycles, Google has made a point of bringing some features of its most recent phone to other devices. This week, for instance, Pixel 4's live audio captioning tool expanded to Pixel 3 and 3a devices. Now, owners of older Pixel handsets can check out one of Pixel 4's niftier aspects: the Recorder app that can capture and transcribe audio simultaneously.
Android 10 may reach Pixel phones on September 3rd
It's been months since Google started testing Android Q (now Android 10), so where's the finished version? If you believe Canadian carriers, it's right around the corner. Both Rogers (since pulled) and Telus have posted support documents indicating that all Pixel phones will receive Android 10 starting on September 3rd, ranging from the originals through to the Pixel 3a line. We'd treat these dates with skepticism, but they line up with Google's recent history of releasing finished Android versions in late summer for the Pixel line and other devices with virtually stock software.
The Pixel 3a vs. the Pixel 3 and Pixel 2: What's changed?
It's only May but we're already getting new a Pixel phone, just in time for Google I/O. But this release isn't a full-fledged Pixel 4, which we'll probably see this October. Instead, it's the 3a, a slightly stepped down version of Google's flagship with a discounted price to match. How stepped down is it, exactly? We've lined up all the important details about both the 3 and 3a as well as 2017's Pixel 2 to see what corners got cut. However, to see if it's really worth your time and money, we recommend giving our review of its larger sibling a peep.
Google stops selling the Pixel 2 and 2 XL
Google is no longer selling the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL through its store, in the hope you might instead buy the Pixel 3. As spotted by Android Police, the older devices are no longer visible on the Phones section of the Google Store, and if you try to visit the Pixel 2 page directly, you'll be redirected to the Pixel 3 listing. The devices are also no longer available through the Google Fi store.
Pixel 2 joins the few Chromebooks that can run Android apps
Prior to a few days ago, anyone wanting to run Android apps on their Chromebook had to be an early adopter. Google finally released a stable build of Chrome OS that included a Play store in beta that would allow users to run mobile apps...but only on the Acer Chromebook R11 and ASUS Chromebook Flip. Since the only one other machine supporting Android apps in beta Chrome OS releases was the Chromebook Pixel 2, we predicted it would be next in line — and we were right.
Google's £799 Chromebook Pixel 2 arrives in the UK on April 21st
Google's original Chromebook Pixel was a gorgeous laptop, but the high price-tag and limitations of Chrome OS made it a niche proposition. For its successor, the company wisely kept the design (if it ain't broke, don't fix it) while updating the internals and making it less expensive. It's still a tough sell, but if you want the best hardware for Chrome OS, you'll soon be able to buy one in the UK. Two configurations will be available in the Google Play Store and Dixons shops from April 21st. The standard £799 model features an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 32GB SSD. More than enough to run Chrome and an assortment of Android apps, but if you're pining for some extra power, there will also be a £999 version boasting a beefier Intel Core i7, 16GB of RAM and a 64GB SSD.
