Tag: google pixel

Google Is Reimbursing Pixel 1 Owners In The US, But What About India?

Since Google unveiled the first Pixel device back in the year 2016 , it has continued to improve the design and features of the smartphone. However, the company particularly focused on the camera which has outshined most other smartphone cameras in the market. Lately, however, incidents are inadvertently pointing towards the fact that Google might not be paying enough attention to its southeast Asian market. Is there a reason behind this, or is the organization just acting ignorant towards the obvious?

Google Pixel XL

Earlier in May 2019, Pixel users around the world reported a variety of malfunctions with their devices. Further probing led to the discovery of the fact that Google had knowingly retailed Pixel smartphones that had faulty solder connections. Google admitted that some phones (less than 1 percent) exhibited an issue with calling and the Google assistant. The anomaly was traced back to a hairline crack on the audio codec’s solder point/connection.

As a conclusion to the aforementioned accusation, the company ended up paying US$ 7.25 million to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by “angry” Pixel users. Google settled the case, and as per reports, it owes Pixel Owners an amount of up to US$ 500 per device. Even if owners are not eligible for the complete reimbursement, some money is surely arriving their way. Except, the company is reimbursing solely US-based Pixel smartphone owners. No, India isn’t on the list. A screenshot sent to us by an anonymous Indian Pixel smartphone buyer clearly depicts the attitude of the company towards the consumer base.

A noteworthy point is that the American technology giant was also receiving reports from countries other than the United States, including India. However, Google has not released any statement regarding refunds for India-based Pixel smartphone owners or any other country for that matter. Is it because of a selfish motive, or is it just a part of the company’s plan to tackle this situation in the best way possible?

A major factor why Google is reimbursing US-based Pixel users can be the enforcement of consumer laws in the United States. The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) of the US puts forward laws that aim to curb unfair, deceptive and fraudulent business practices by collecting complaints and conducting investigations. It is highly probable that in order to avoid such a situation, Google may have decided to take the “refund” road. On the other hand, Consumer laws in India are not enforced as strictly as compared to selective other countries, which may be a probable reason for the same.

Pixel 3 XL

Another point that can be taken into consideration is the number of Pixel devices being sold by Google in both the regions. Talking about US, Google Pixel is one of the fastest growing brands as of February 2019. Even though the company’s current Pixel 3 flagship lineup hasn’t really made a dent in the market, the company maintains a strong position in the United States.

In contrast, Google has not really managed to retail a whole lot of Pixel devices in India. This may be because of the higher price point of Pixel smartphones in India as compared to the States. For instance, the Google Pixel 3a retails for US$ 399 in the US. Roughly converting the price to INR yields an amount of INR 27,900, which is miles apart from the price it is being actually retailed in India i.e. INR 39,999. When a lot of consumers prefer smartphones from Chinese brands that offer more value-for-money, it is less likely that premium brands can make a greater impact in the market. For the same reason, it is possible that Google wants to hold its spot in the US Market.

Also Read: Eleven New Apple iPhone Models Listed Online On The EEC Database

In spite of all facts, figures and speculations, there might be a slight possibility that once an increased number of reports and conflicts start pouring in, Google might consider a similar way out of the “Pixel” situation in India. However, no official statement from the company has been received as of now, indicating that Google may act dry on this particular incident.

May 23, 2019
Users Report Overheating Issue On The Pixel 3

High-end smartphones this year are facing a lot of issues. Something, a high end smartphone is least expected to have. The iPhones faced the Beauty Gate and Charge Gate and now the Pixel 3 is apparently also facing major charging issues. Some users in a discussion forum as well as the Google product forum have complained that their new Pixel 3 is overheating while charging. Some have also reported the Pixel devices to auto shut down due to the over heating issue.

A user reportedly was on a video call on WhatsApp once and on Zoom, both times facing an auto shut down. This was when the phone was plugged in to charge. The device is also reportedly shutting down automatically when the camera is on for a long time (15-20 minutes) due to overheating. Before it shuts down the phone is showing a message “Your phone is shutting off due to heat”. Some users also reported that Google is giving them a replacement phone.

Some have tried to hard reset the phone but the issue still persists. If Google is replacing the phones they might be acknowledging the issue. Some are speculating that it can be fixed with software updates but the act of replacement seems to suggest otherwise. One user has reported that the replacement Pixel 3 is also overheating. The Pixel 3 saw its launch early in October this year along with the Pixel 3 XL.

Also Read: The Google Pixel 3 And Pixel 3 XL

Pixel 3 Features

The Pixel 3 offers a P-OLED capacitive touchscreen and has 64 GB and 128 GB options with 4 GB of RAM. It has a Li-Po 2,915 mAh battery with fast charging. It has a 12.2 MP, f/1.8 main camera and a 8 MP, f/1.8 + 8 MP, f/2.2 selfie camera.The phone also offers QI wireless charging and runs Android 9.0 out of the box. The price of the base model of the Pixel 3 is Rs 69,850 on Amazon at the moment.

November 10, 2018
Google Pixel 3 & 3 XL Go On Sale In India
The Google Pixel 3 & Google Pixel 3 XL which are the latest flagship smartphones from Google, were launched last month in the US. And now, the devices are making their way to India via online and offline channels. The Pixel smartphones represent what an Android device should feel and perform like. They are the successor to the Pixels 2 devices which are known for their robust build quality and fantastic camera performance. Both the devices have similar specifications except for the bigger screen size and a notch on the Pixel XL.

Click here to buy the Google Pixel 3 & Pixel 3 XL

Design & Features

The Pixel 3 XL has a 6-inch display with a notch and an 82.8% screen-to-body ratio, while the Pixel 3 has a 5.5-inch display without a notch and 77.2% screen-to-body ratio. Both the Pixel 3 & Pixel 3 XL have a glass and aluminium hybrid rear back. For protection, the displays have Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The power button and the volume buttons are placed on the left while the SIM tray is on the bottom on both devices. The rear of the devices houses the 12.2 MP camera with the dual-LED flash and the fingerprint sensor. The rear camera can shoot 2160p videos @ 30fps and 720p videos at super slow 240fps. Talking about the front camera, the phones have dual 8 MP cameras, one being a PDAF sensor and a second, ultra-wide sensor. The front cameras can also record 1080p videos @ 30fps.

The Pixel 3 & Pixel 3 XL are IP 68 rated which makes them dust and water resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 mins. They have an always-on screen which displays date/time and unread notifications. The smartphones have a Type-C USB port for charging and data transfer. Sadly, the 3.5 mm audio jack is absent from both phones but Google offers a 3.5mm to Type-C adapter within the box.

The Pixel 3 & Pixel 3 XL have a distinct active edge feature which allows the user to squeeze the bezels to activate Google assistant or trigger other user set options.

Google Pixel 3 / Pixel 3 XL Tech Specs
- Display: 5.5 inch, 2160 x 1080 pixels, 18:9 aspect ratio / 6 inch, 2960 x 1440 pixels, 18.5:9 aspect ratio
- Operating System: Android 9 Pie
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
- RAM: 4 GB LPDDR4x
- Storage: 64 GB/128 GB
- Rear Camera: 12.2 MP (f/1.8), Dual-LED Flash
- Selfie Cameras: 8 MP (f/1.8) + 8 MP (f/2.2)
- Security: Rear Mounted Fingerprint Scanner
- Connectivity: 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 ac 2.4G + 5G, Bluetooth 5 .0, NFC, GPS, USB Type-C
- Battery: 2,915 mAh / 3,430 mAh
- Dimensions: 145.6 x 68.2 x 7.9 mm / 158 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm
- Weight: 148g / 204g
Also read: Rouyu Reveals World’s First Foldable Smartphone, Flexipai

Price

The Google Pixel 3 & Google Pixel 3 XL will be available from 1st November, which is today and starts at a price of Rs 71,000. The smartphones are available in two colors (Just Black, Clearly White) and two storage capacities (64 GB, 128 GB). Additionally, the smartphones will be soon available in a third “Not Pink” color. Prices for the various models are as follows:
- Google Pixel 3 (Clearly White, Just Black, Not Pink)
  - 64 GB – Rs. 71,000
  - 128 GB – Rs 80,000
- Google Pixel 3 XL (Clearly White, Just Black, Not Pink)
  - 64 GB – Rs. 83,000
  - 128 GB – Rs 92,000
Click here to buy the Google Pixel 3 & Pixel 3 XL
November 1, 2018
Google Pixel 3 Users Report Multiple Issues

The Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL devices are the latest flagship smartphones by the tech giant. Google launched the devices a few weeks back.They carry on the legacy of Pixel devices with great camera performance and the best stock Android experience. However, it is not all smooth sailing for the Pixel devices as a lot of users are now complaining about various issues in the phone.

Camera Problems

One of the most common complaints by users is that their Pixel 3 device is not saving they pictures they take. A lot of users on Reddit, are claiming so. With the Pixel series being well known for its excellent camera performance, this feature puts a blot on that image. But, a few users have said that this is due to the Doze Battery feature. Disabling this feature has fixed the problem for some users.

Continuing with issues related to the camera, users have also reported poor audio quality while recording video. Users complain that the audio seems to be of a low quality and has poor output. However, this does seem pretty unlikely. Google laid a lot of emphasis on the fact that they have made several enhancements in the audio recording capability of the Pixel 3. They aim to reduce background noise while enhancing dialogue or what is being spoken.

Performance Issues

Issues have appeared in terms of performance as well as a lot of users are complaining about Memory Management in the Pixel 3. Apparently, the device is killing off apps which are running in the background to free up RAM. This includes music and podcasts apps which are closing without any warning. This could be due to the fact that the Pixel 3 has only 4 GB of RAM which isn’t really something seen in flagship devices in 2018. Additionally, users also complain about the device failing to automatically connect to Wi-Fi networks even when they are in range. Users have also complained about speed drop issues in the Wi-Fi network.

Also Read: OnePlus 6T Ultimate Limited Edition Leaks

As of now, there has been no word from Google about these issues though quite a number of people are talking about it. We hope Google can solve the issues via an OTA update. Not counting these issues, the Pixel 3 is arguably the best camera smartphone out there with a smooth user experience.

October 22, 2018
Google Boasts Pixel 3 To Be Their Most Secure Phone Yet

Google has introduced the Titan M security chip with its Pixel 3 and 3XL smartphones. The company claims that with this chip, the Pixel 3 and 3 XL have become their most secure phones yet. BlackBerry was known for their security for a while when smartphones were just taking off, making them one of the best selling smartphone brands as enterprises used their solution. Shortly after, Apple took the crown. This goes on to prove that security is a major concern for both enterprise as well as personal users.

Google seems to have invested a lot of time and energy into securing their phone. This arrives on the heels of a major security vulnerability. Huge amounts of data was leaked recently for a lot of users of Google’s social networking website – Google Plus. The company’s introduction of the enterprise-grade security chip – Titan M into the smartphone is a welcome change for users who fear for their data security. Google is looking to secure the phone both in terms of software and hardware. The company has promised to provide monthly security updates and yearly OS updates.

Pixel 3 Specifications

The Pixel 3 features a 5.5 inch display with a screen resolution of 2160 x 1080 pixels and runs on the Android 9 Pie operating system. It also features 4 GB of RAM and a single 12.2 MP camera CMOS image sensor at the back. The phone also has several sensors like a Light sensor, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer and Gyroscope.

Also Read: Google To Shut Down Google+ After Data Breach

Google wishes to protect secure transactions in third-party apps and secure sensitive transactions. The use of Google Play Protect to help safeguard your phone from malware is also a great feature to have. Along with this, it has a tamper-resistant hardware security module which protects your lock screen and strengthen disk encryption. The Titan M, in short, provides security in the bootloader, offers lock screen protection & disk encryption on-device, secures transactions in third-party apps and offers insider attack resistance.

October 18, 2018
‘Top Shot’ Leaked For Google Pixel 3

With just a few days to go for the Launch Event, yet another leaks reveals more about the Google Pixel 3. While extensive leaks have already covered the vital specs of the device, this new leak shows off some features of the device. They were spotted in what seems to be a catalogue for Google devices. The Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL will feature a ‘Top Shot’ feature and a ‘face down’ feature. Also spotted in the same leak is the upcoming Google Home Hub device.

Also Read: New Leak Shows Off Sand Pink Pixel 3 And Pixel 3 XL

The new Top Shot feature in the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL lets you capture the perfect shot every time, according to the leak. The content reads “Capture smiles, not blinks, and take group selfies with everyone.” What this could possibly mean is that the new feature can detect when you blink, thus taking better selfies. It also would be able to identify smiles. This is probably going to be done through AI integration with the camera. The group selfie feature also confirms that one out of the two front facing cameras on the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL will be a wide angle lens.

Specifications

The Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL will have a main 12 MP f /1.8 camera. The devices also have a dual front camera setup. Both the devices will run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset. The devices will have a 5.4 inch 2160 x 1080px and 6.71 inch 2960 x 1440px display respectively. Both Pixel devices will have 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of Storage in the base variants. However, they may be offered in up to 256GB storage sizes. The smaller standard sized Pixel will be powered by a 3000 mAh battery while the larger XL will get a 3400 mAh battery.

Th catalogue also mentions that you can just flip your Pixel 3 device face down to turn off notifications. This could be one of the features that is included in Google’s Digital Wellbeing program which aims to curb your smartphone addiction. What this feature would do is basically switch your device to Do Not Disturb when you flip it. The feature is called ‘Flip to Shh’. It had already shown up in some of the Beta versions of the Digital Wellbeing program.

Google Home Hub

The Google Home Hub is a smart display designed to work with Google Assistant. The device is pegged to have a 7 inch screen and ‘crystal clear audio’. The device focuses on getting things done hands free and working with voice search. You can get your commute , calendar, reminders and more on your home screen. It will also enable you to control your lights, cameras, TVs and more utilise the Google assistant to the fullest. Most of these features are available in Alexa enabled devices and the Apple HomePod. While the Hub has an advantage over these devices in terms of a display, pricing is going to be key for Google.

The launch event for Google is set for October 9. It will see the launch of many devices other than the Pixel 3 Smartphones and the Home Hub.

October 6, 2018
New Leak Shows Off Sand Pink Pixel 3 And Pixel 3 XL

The yearly launch cycle of the Google Pixel devices this year is on Oct 9th. New images have surfaced for the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL showing off what appears to be a new colour. The new Pink Sand colour is in addition to the usual Black and White colours of the Pixel devices. The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL have been subjected to a host of leaks over the past months. A few stolen devices ending up in the hands of reviewers. We have seen unboxing videos and even reviews of the phones which usually are a tight kept secret from companies.

From the information that is available, the Pixel 3 devices are expected to have two front facing cameras. While the phones will have a main 12 MP f /1.8 rear facing camera on both the standard and XL variants. The Google Pixel 3 Xl will also be the first Pixel device to have a notched display. The front cameras and ear piece on the Pixel 3 XL will reside along with the required sensors in this notch.

Pixel 3 XL Sand Pink

Both the devices will run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset. The phones will have a 5.4 inch 2160 x 1080px and 6.71 inch 2960 x 1440px display respectively. Both pixel phones will have 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of Storage in the base variants. However, may be offered in up to 256GB storage sizes. The smaller standard sized Pixel will be powered by a 3000 mAh battery while the larger XL will get a 3400 mAh battery.

Also Read : Xiaomi Mi Max 3 Retail Box Revealed By Xiaomi CEO Before Official Launch

Rumors point towards a one more different Green/teal colour also known as “Mint.” But industry experts claim that the Pixel devices will only be launched in three colours. The launch for the Pixel 3 phones is around the corner and we know almost everything there is to know about the phones. There is, however, still a slim chance that Google has been trolling the internet with these leaks. And the real Pixel devices will be completely different in design. We wouldn’t hold our breath on that though.

The Pixel phones should start around the US$ 699 price tag. This would peg them at around Rs. 50,000 in the Indian market. India is also expected to get the Pixel phones by the end of October 2018.

October 5, 2018
Google Pixel 3 XL Detailed Unboxing Video Surfaces, Tells It All

There have been multiple instances when the upcoming Google Pixel 3 XL has leaked. The device will be the latest flagship offering from Google. An earlier leak covered extensive hands-on images of the device. Earlier, the non-released device was up for grabs on the black market for 2000$. And a famous Russian leaker got his hands on one unit. Now, he has made a video demonstrating a hands-on experience with the phone.

Specifications:

The device has a massive 6.7 inch screen along with a notch and thin bezels. It is powered by the Snapdragon 845 chipset with the Adreno 630 GPU. Details about the RAM and storage are still unclear. Though, Google might go with 8GB of RAM and 256GB or 512 GB of storage.

Reports claim that the new device has haptic feedback capabilities. This feature is already available in the likes of iPhone X and iPhone XS.

Pic supposedly taken on the upcoming Google Pixel 3 XL

The source even posted a camera shot that is supposedly captured on the upcoming Google Pixel 3 XL and the quality sure looks good. Google pixel 2 XL definitely had one of the best camera any smartphone on the market offered and we think the new device will follow the tradition. Also, it is expected that Google will improve the camera quality even further in the coming generation.

There was another big piece of news that the source revealed. There is possibility that Google might offer a new Ultra version of the device. It will have an edge to edge display without the notch. But there is no concrete information as of now, this being a possibility.

Finally, Google will clear up all the clouds around the upcoming device and officially announce all the details and features on coming October 9 at their launch event in New York City.

September 28, 2018
Google Pixel 3XL Spotted With A Notch In White Colour

Google launched the Nexus 6P smartphone on 29th September 2015. Despite the fact that the Nexus line of smartphones did well in the market, Google pulled the plug on the lineup. The very first device in this lineup was the Google Nexus One, manufactured by HTC. After the discontinuation of Nexus, Google launched the Pixel smartphones. The Pixel devices replaced the Nexus devices to become the premium flagship smartphone offered by Google. However, Google still relies on other manufacturers to provide the hardware for the smartphones. The Google Pixel, first in the Pixel line of devices, launched on 20th October 2016 was manufactured by HTC as was the Pixel 2. However, the bigger variant of the Pixel 2, the Pixel 2XL was manufactured by LG. Since the Pixel is fairly new, there is no doubt that Google will release a third Pixel device. A series of images for the Google Pixel 3XL surfaced which gives an idea of how the smartphone may look like.

Google Pixel 3 XL Clearly White

The Google Pixel 3 could launch on 4th October this year, along with the Google Pixel 3XL. From the images, we can clearly see that Google has embraced the concept of a notch-display. While this may be a good news for some, most other expected Google to take a route which was different, may be pop up cameras. This would have allowed the company to use an almost completely bezel-less display instead of a notch. What is also worth noting is that prior to the White version, which Google likes to call “Clearly White”, photos of the smartphone’s black variant also surfaced. Google calls it, “Just Black”. As was the case with the previous Pixel devices, the Google Pixel 3Xl does not have a headphone jack either.

Also Read: OnePlus 6T Could Feature A Pop-Up Selfie Camera

Pixel 3XL Notch

It also looks like Google could bring face-unlock features with the Google Pixel 3Xl and maybe even the Pixel 3. The images reveal dual front-facing cameras, while the rear camera still has just the one sensor. The Pixel 2 series had a similar setup for the main camera yet it was one of the best performing smartphone camera of 2017. Google emphasized on AI capabilities and features of the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2XL. We expect that the Google Pixel 3 will also be marketed as a feature-packed AI smartphone.

Google Pixel 3XL Black via XDA Developers

Thanks to a completely stock version of the OS, Pixel smartphones are among the first to receive the latest Android updates. We expect the trend to continue with the Google Pixel 3XL and the Pixel 3 as well. Once the smartphone launches we’ll take a closer look at how it performs especially in the camera segment. Judging by the pricing of the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2Xl, we expect the Pixel 3 series to also come at a hefty price point. Stay tuned for further updates for the Pixel 3 series.

Have something to add? Leave a Comment Below!

July 30, 2018
Google Pixel 3 XL Renders Reveal A Thick Chin, A Notch And Colourful Power Buttons

With a few major smartphone launches of 2018 done and dusted, we are now looking forward to three more. Samsung will launch the Galaxy Note9 in August followed by Apple hosting its annual launch event in September. In October, Google will launch the Pixel 3 and Google Pixel 3 XL. The Pixel 3 XL has been in the news recently and new renders of the device reveal its design and the possible colour variants it’ll be available in.

Rumours of the Pixel 3 devices sporting a notch revved up after the first developer’s preview of Android P rolled out. Many believed that Google adding support for a notch is a hint at the fact that its own smartphone lineup will adopt the design. It now seems more and more likely that the Pixel 3 XL, at least, will sport a notch. The smaller Pixel 3 will have an 18:9 aspect ratio and uniform bezels.

The new renders showcase a not-so-impressive design of the Pixel 3 XL. Again, this is subjective and some people might love the design. While the notch itself is no longer an issue as so many Android devices now sport it, the chin is. According to the renders, Google would want to retain the dual front-facing speakers (one of the few impressive features of Pixel 2 devices). With that, the company will also have to maintain a rather thick chin. With a notch, a thick chin feels redundant and not the smartest design decision.

The back of the Google Pixel 3 XL, as rumoured, will be made of glass. This means the flagship smartphones will finally incorporate wireless charging. However, the company will maintain the dual shade design on the back which is definitely a stand-out feature among the more and more generic-looking flagship smartphones. The power buttons are also colourful, something we saw with last year’s Pixel devices as well.

The notch on the Pixel 3 XL is interesting for many reasons. Apart from it being a result of definite inspiration from Apple, it could house a dual-camera setup. Google famously claimed that its software does the job and it won’t require a dual-camera setup, unlike many other smartphones. However, things might change with the Pixel 3 XL. It is possible that the second lens could be a 3D sensor for facial recognition, in which case, nobody would complain about the notch.

It is still early days for concrete Pixel 3 rumours but, these renders do look close to what might be the final product.

June 15, 2018
Google Pixel 3 Notch Revealed In Leaked Image Of A Screen Protector

Google launched the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL in October 2017. The Pixel 2 XL was the modern-looking sibling of the two while the smaller Pixel 2 retained a 16:9 aspect ratio. With the Pixel 3 lineup, there have been rumours that Google will embrace the notch. These rumours gained weightage recently when Google introduced support for notch with Android P developer’s preview. According to a leaked image of the Pixel 3 XL screen protector, Google is indeed planning to go the notch route.

A sketchy-looking leaked image of the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL screen protectors has surfaced online. The image reveals that both the smartphones will have front-facing stereo speakers, something we saw on the Pixel 2 devices as well. However, the more interesting bit is that the Pixel 3 XL will sport a notch similar to the OnePlus 6 and Huawei P20 Pro.

The chin appears to be prominent as well which might not go down well with consumers. The iPhone X showed us that having a notch means you can reduce the size of the the other three bezels considerably. Having a notch and a chin aesthetically as well, does not look that great. However, at least the chin will solve a purpose here as it will house a speaker. Google Pixel 2 lineup had great sounding speakers and we expect Google to build up on that.

The Pixel 3 will also get an upgrade to an 18:9 aspect ratio. The smartphone won’t sport a notch but, it will have a relatively thick forehead which will house a front-facing speaker. The chin appears to be of the same size as the Pixel 3 XL. Apart from the size, the main differences between the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL will be in the display type and battery size.

Pixel 2 XL

The Google Pixel 2 lineup, despite their great camera performance, was marred by a plethora of hardware issues. With the Pixel 3 lineup, Google would want to rectify that and launch two impressive flagship smartphones.

May 29, 2018
Google Ends Software Support For Nexus 5X, 6P

Google released the first developer version of the Android P, which will be the successor of Android 8 Oreo. However, less than 1.5% of Android phones run on Android 8 Oreo right now. To improve this, Google introduced Project Treble which enables the faster Android updates, without interfering with the OEM.

Google follows the 2 years update policy, where the smartphones and tablets will receive two major OS upgrades. However, this changed with the launch of the Pixel series of smartphones. To keep up with Apple (which offers four major OS upgrades), the Pixel devices will receive three major OS upgrades. Similarly, the Pixel will update to Android P and Android Q and the Pixel 2 will also be updated to Android R.

However, this is not applicable to the Pixel C tablet, Nexus 5X and the Nexus 6P. These devices have received two major software update and they are no more eligible to receive Android P. However, all three devices are eligible to receive monthly security updates until September 2018.

As these devices are very popular amongst the developers, the devices might receive unofficial build of Android P via third-party developers.

Android P Features

The Android P is expected to overhaul the user interface completely. In fact, the biggest change is the native support for the infamous notch. In fact, one can test these features by installing the developer version on a supported device.

The dock in Android P will also look like a dock now. The four app icons along with the Google Search bar will have a cloudy background, distinguishing it from the rest of the screen. A microphone icon has been added to the Google Search bar to access Google Assistant or do a quick voice search. The volume slider has been moved to the side of the screen and shrunk in size.

Another feature added is something that has been there in custom skins for a while. A user can now take a screen from the power menu, that pops up by long pressing the lock/unlock button. This will come in handy during one handed usage. Visually, there are not many changes in the first developer preview of Android P. However, this can change by the time the official version rolls out. Google might introduce a few visual changes or keep it the way it is. Time will tell.

March 8, 2018
Google Pixel 2 Now Available for Rs. 41,999

Google Pixel 2, the flagship smartphone from Google is one of the best photogenic smartphones in the market. In fact, It scores perfect 100 points on DxOMark. The Pixel 2 was originally launched for Rs. 61,000, which is now available for just Rs. 41,999. If you are looking for a smartphone with flagship level processing, faster OS updates and best-smartphone camera, then Pixel 2 is the to consider.

How to get Google Pixel 2 for Rs. 41,999?

Due to unimpressive sales number, the phones retail price was brought down to Rs. 49,999. Now, with flat Rs. 8,000 cashback from Citibank, the final price comes down to Rs. 41,999. The cashback is applicable to all the Citibank cardholders.

This offer is applicable only on Flipkart, which is the authorised online reseller for the Google Pixel 2 and Google Pixel 2 XL.

Login to Flipkart, add Pixel 2 to card, check-out and make payment using Citibank card. This deal is applicable for EMI plan as well

One has to make a complete payment of Rs. 49,999. The cash back will be credited back to user’s account in next 90 days.

Specifications:

The Google Pixel 2 comes with a 5.0-inch 1080p pOLED display, protected by 2.5D curved tempered glass on the top. It has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset, 2.4GHz octa-core processor, Adreno 540, 4GB RAM and 64GB/128GB onboard storage. The two-tone colour of the phone is also reminiscent of the original Pixel from 2016.

The two-tone colour of the phone is also reminiscent of the original Pixel from 2016, which runs on Android Oreo 8.1. As is with every Google phone, the new Pixel 2 will be first in line to receive Android P update in 2018. The fingerprint sensor sits at the back of the device but, this time around the “glass window” is smaller.

This year, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL use a technology called “dual-pixel” which divides every pixel into two. Google has decided to go for a single camera setup similar to last year’s Pixel phones. The rear-facing camera is a 12.2 MP sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and 1.4 micron pixel size. On the front is an 8MP camera with an f/2.4 aperture.

Google has introduced new features in the camera department like the addition of AR. You’ll be able to add 3D characters and emoji into photos and videos and see them move around as you’re capturing the scene. That includes things like a sleepy coffee cup, but also some recognisable characters.

February 16, 2018
Google Lens Support Starts Rolling Out To Pixel And Pixel 2 Devices

Google has started rolling an update for Pixel and Pixel 2 devices which brings the Google Lens feature to these phones. 9To5Google reported that the some users have noticed the Lens feature in the Google Assistant app.

The first users have spotted the visual search feature up and running on their Pixel and Pixel 2 phones.

In Photos, Lens can be triggered when viewing an image or a screenshot. However, in Google Assistant, it is integrated right into the sheet that pops up after holding down on the home button, or squeezing the frame of the Pixel 2. Once triggered, the Lens runs an image based search and pulls out web page links, options to open another app or links to buy a certain product.

When Lens was firs unveiled, Google CEO Sundar Pichai described Google Lens as a set of vision based computing capabilities that can understand what you’re looking at and perform actions based on that information. If you trigger Lens while pointing your phone to a book, it will scan the cover of the book and pull links to buy or read the particular book online. Google says Lens has an accuracy of over 95%.

While the rollout is still minimal, and extensive rollout to all the Pixel and Pixel 2 devices is expected to happen in the coming days.

November 20, 2017
There Is No Ultra Pixel!

A recently leaked series of images and video that show glances of what was supposedly the “Ultra Pixel”, claiming that there will be in fact three pixel devices, the Pixel , the Pixel XL and the Ultra Pixel to compete with the iPhone 8 , the iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone X.

However, the leak has now been put to rest from the designer who designed the concept and made the render video. Youtuber BRECCIA who was the “leaker” of the “Ultra Pixel” has just put out a video on how the world believed his concept, and was also proud that big international Youtubers were considering his designs to be real.

Prolific leakers @evleaks and @Onleaks had denied the possibility of the “Ultra Pixel” and at the end of it all, this ended up being a big troll in the face of today’s online journalism which has become more mainstream than most would expect.

Also, ” Ultrapixel” is an HTC trademark, and even though Google has an Ongoing deal with HTC, that won’t be finalized for many months, and Google will not be able to use HTC’s trademark.

Re: “Ultrapixel”

“Does not exist. Only the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL…on Oct 4.”

– Someone who knows https://t.co/WuHuWH73rH

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) September 28, 2017

Watch the video from BRECCIA below and enjoy your weekend !

October 1, 2017