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Google will pay owners of faulty original Pixel phones up to $500
A group of OG Pixel and Pixel XL owners filed a lawsuit against Google back in 2018 accusing the company of knowingly selling devices with faulty microphones. Now, the tech giant has agreed to settle the class-action complaint and will pay those customers up to $500. Some early adopters of the first Google-branded smartphones started reporting that one or more of their devices' three mics stopped working shortly after the devices were released. The company admitted in early 2017 that users were experiencing problems due to a "hairline crack in the solder connection on the audio codec."
Google's conversational Duplex AI rolls out to some Pixel owners
After months of hype, Google's reservation-placing Duplex AI is available to the general public -- if only just. The company has confirmed to VentureBeat that Duplex is rolling out to a "small group" of Pixel phone users in "select cities." It wasn't specific about those cities, but it likely includes the previously announced cities of Atlanta, New York City, Phoenix and San Francisco. Google is starting with a "slow rollout" to ensure a "good experience" for both Pixel owners and businesses,
Google and uBreakiFix provide free Pixel repairs to hurricane victims
If you own one of Google's Pixel phones and it fell victim to Hurricane Florence, relief might be at hand. Google is partnering with uBreakiFix to offer free repairs for any Pixel phone damaged in the storm So long as you can visit one of uBreakiFix's locations in North Carolina, South Carolina or Virginia, the repair shop will fix cracked screens and water damage at no cost. You don't need an appointment to take advantage of the offer.
Google is working on a fix for the Pixel XL's fast charging issue
On Monday, reports of a problem with Pixel XL devices' fast charging system surfaced after users updated to the latest Android operating system, Pie. As a result of all the reports, Google says it's aware of the issue and is working on a timely fix.
Pixel XL may lose fast charging after Android Pie update (updated)
Android Pie has been out for a week; now Google's latest mobile operating system has a problem. Users of the company's own Pixel XL from 2016 are reporting issues with fast chargers after they've updated to Pie. People aren't seeing the "Charging rapidly" message they used to see before the update.
Wireless Android Auto is available for Google phones
JVCKenwood was a tad premature in announcing head units with wireless Android Auto given that phones weren't officially ready for it, but that support is finally here... more or less. Google has enabled cord-free Android Auto in vehicles that have an Android Auto Wireless-compatible infotainment system (built-in or aftermarket), but only if you have a relatively recent Google phone running Oreo -- that means a Pixel, Pixel 2, Nexus 5X or Nexus 6P. Sorry, folks, your LG- or Samsung-branded phone will have to wait. You'll also need a USB cable for the initial setup, so don't leave the wire at home the first time around.
Lawsuit claims Google 'knowingly sold' Pixels with microphone issues
Shortly after Google released its first branded smartphones in 2016, the Pixel and Pixel XL, some early adopters reported a microphone issues. While they were fixed in phones produced later, the problems disabled all three mics on the devices and often cropped up at odd times, like when holding the devices in different ways or in cold temperatures. Now the search giant faces a class-action lawsuit alleging that the company knew about the issues but sold the phones anyway.
Google Lens comes to Assistant on Pixel phones
You no longer have to fire up Google Photos if you want to use Lens to glean information from the world around you. Users have noticed that Lens is now available in Google Assistant on both original Pixel and Pixel 2 phones. Tap a camera button while using the AI helper and you can have it perform a search when you take a photo. It can identify what you're looking at, scour the web and launch other apps. You can rate results, too, so you'll hopefully refine Lens' results over time.
Google Lens is rolling out to first-generation Pixel phones
Google is working on some impressive artificial intelligence tricks. And, many of them are finding their way to the public. We can already interact with the company's digital assistant on our phones and through Google Home. Now, Google Lens is arriving on the original Pixel and Pixel XL. As Android Police notes, a number of users have spotted the feature in the Photos app on the first-gen handsets. We knew Lens was coming, but we didn't know when. In case you missed its unveiling in May, Lens uses computer vision to understand what's in your photos, videos, and the world around you. In the words of Engadget's Devindra Hardawar: "It's basically Google search for everything outside of screens."
How Google’s smartphones have evolved since 2007
Google is expected to show off a ton of new hardware at a press event in San Francisco this week, and -- as expected -- most of the hype is centered around a pair of new Pixel phones. Now, the Pixel line itself is only a year old, but Google's smartphone ambitions have been part of the company's vision for over a decade now, and we felt that was worth celebrating ahead of Wednesday's big reveal. Join us as we take a look at Google's surprisingly long history in smartphones, starting with a device many of us had forgotten about completely.
Google is buying HTC's Pixel team for $1.1 billion
After weeks (months, and years) of speculation, HTC has announced that its "Powered by HTC" R&D division -- the team behind Google's Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones -- will be purchased by Google for $1.1 billion in cash. According to HTC's CFO Peter Shen, this will mean about half -- yes, half -- of the 4,000 people in his company's R&D team will be joining Google, but he emphasized that HTC will continue developing its own range of smartphones, including its next flagship product. The agreement also grants Google a non-exclusive license for a large part of HTC's intellectual property. The deal is expected to be approved and closed by early 2018. Curious about what all of this means? You could do worse than to check out our guide to the subject from last week.
Verizon's Pixel phones will be among the first to get Android Oreo
Carriers are notorious for their protracted phone update processes, particularly Verizon. It's not uncommon for Big Red subscribers to wait weeks longer than others to get an upgrade -- and its promises that Google Pixel owners would get updates quickly were met with skepticism. Well, it looks like the provider might have been true to its word. Verizon has revealed that it's delivering Android Oreo to Pixel and Pixel XL handsets on its network. You won't have to twiddle your thumbs while owners with unlocked phones take advantage of picture-in-picture video and other Oreo perks.
Google’s next Pixel phone looks pretty basic
The recent leaks showing features of Google's upcoming Pixel phone indicated that it would look a lot like the previous versions, with a 6-inch AMOLED display and an HTC U11-like squeezable frame. It has also been rumored that the rear camera cutout is significantly larger. Venturebeat's Evan Blass, who has a solid track record with leaks, has obtained a photo of the smaller Pixel device. The image shows that the Pixel won't have smaller top and bottom bezels, unlike many other newer phones on or coming to the market. Blass notes that neither Pixel will have a dual camera configuration, either, unlike the trend with Apple's iPhone 7 Plus, LG's G6, Samsung's Note 8 and Huawei's P10.
Google's 2017 Pixel XL may pack a squeezable body
For all the buzz surrounding Google's next Pixel phones, there hasn't been much talk of what they would actually look like beyond generic hints. However, you might be getting a much better glimpse at the future flagship. Android Police has obtained leaked info that it says is detailed enough to produce a 3D render of the sequel to the Pixel XL, codenamed "Taimen." The LG-made device reportedly borrows the styling cues of the original phone, but packs a G6-like 6-inch, 2:1 ratio display (here AMOLED instead of LCD) with a minimal bezel. More importantly, it would include a squeezable frame akin to HTC's U11 -- you'd give your phone a firm grip to interact with Google Assistant. That sounds about as gimmicky as it does on the U11, but we'd want to try it ourselves before delivering a verdict.
Google reveals when it'll stop supporting Pixel and Nexus phones
Wondering when you should upgrade your Nexus or Pixel? Google has updated its support page to reflect when it will no longer offer telephone and online support for the devices, and you can use that info to make a decision. In the past, the big G promised that its phones will get Android updates for at least two years and security updates for at least three years after they're released. Once it security updates stop, phone and online support stop, as well.
Google fixes random Pixel freezing with latest update
Google's Pixel and Pixel XL phones debuted to strong reviews, but not all has been perfect since -- supply has been a problem, as has quality control. Case in point -- some smartphones have been freezing at random times, requiring a complete reboot to clear the problem. Luckily, Google has just released a new OTA update that "should address many of the freezing issues that have been reported."
The Galaxy S8+ vs. the competition: Big sibling battle
Samsung knows you like big phones. However, the Galaxy Note's gone MIA this year for understandable reasons, leaving the new Galaxy S8+ to step up with its 6.2-inch screen and curved edges. But the Galaxy S8 line isn't the only big-and-bigger handset duo out there right now, with Apple and Google already staking their claims with similar pairings. The screen of the S8+ certainly dwarfs those on the Pixel XL and the 7 Plus, but is that enough of an advantage? Check out the specs of these three larger flagships to get a better idea of the new phone's capabilities, and stay tuned for our full review of the S8+ in the coming weeks!
Some Google Pixel phones are having microphone issues
Following hundreds of user complaints, Google has confirmed that some of its Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones are having microphone problems that require a warranty replacement. Owners have reported failures of one or more of the three mics on the devices, resulting in either no audio input at all or failure of the camera app's audio recording function. "The most common problem is a hairline crack in the solder connection on the audio codec," said Google employee Brian Rakowski. "The other related problems are due to a faulty microphone."
Google's 'really blue' Pixel and Pixel XL come to the UK
When Google announced the Pixel and Pixel XL, it showed off three colors: silver, black and "really blue." Only two of those made it to the UK, however, with the third and whackiest option remaining a US exclusive. Well, not anymore. The blue Pixel is available for pre-order today through EE and Carphone Warehouse "until stocks last." Yeah, it's being described as a "limited edition," so like the regular Pixel we're not expecting much in the way of stock. It's available in both the 5-inch X and 5.5-inch XL varieties, although you're stuck with 32GB of storage (no 128GB option, boo.) Google says the phone will come to stores on February 24th, so even if you miss the pre-order blast, there's still a chance of picking one up.
New in our buyer's guide: the Pixel and Pixel XL, and more!
Nope, we're not done adding phones to our buyer's guide. Hot on the heels of inducting the new iPhones (and before that, the Galaxy S7 and HTC 10), we're tossing in both of the new Google phones, the Pixel and Pixel XL. While we're at it, we decided the PlayStation VR deserved a spot in our gaming section right alongside other premium virtual reality headsets like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. At the opposite end of the price spectrum, the $50 Amazon Echo Dot is a great value at that price. Lastly, GoPro -- a staple company in this list -- earns a spot for its newest flagship action camera, the Hero5 Black. Find all that in more in our buyer's guide, and stay tuned for our next round of additions, likely sometime after CES.
