Five years ago today, Google launched the Pixel 3a at I/O 2019 with a cheeky “Purple-ish” color variant and, with its latest batch of iPads, Apple is channeling that color again.
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Almost four years ago, Google deviated from the well-worn flagship path and released the Pixel 3a and 3a XL. The mid-rangers provided all of the best bits of the Pixel 3 but without the asking price to match.
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Announced over three years ago at I/O 2019, Google today rolled out the final Pixel 3a and 3a XL update. May 2022 was officially the cut-off date for guaranteed Android version and security updates, but Pixel phones have historically gotten one more release after that.
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Today marks the last guaranteed update for Google’s midrange phones from 2019 following its launch three years ago at I/O. However, similar to past generations, Google will be releasing one last update for the Pixel 3a and 3a XL.
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Android 12L is by no means a major update, but it does deliver one big new feature in its app taskbar. Here’s how to try the Android 12L taskbar on Google Pixel devices including the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.
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After a brief beta period, Google’s big-screen focused Android 12L update has arrived, and you can install it first on Pixel smartphones. Here’s how.
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Last week, Google announced Android 12L as a big update for foldables and tablets. It’s also coming to phones, with Pixel devices receiving the update in Q1 of next year. The Android 12L Beta Program is set to start in December, and today Google added the Pixel 3a and 3a XL to the list of supported devices.
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Last week and ahead of the Pixel 6 series set to come (hopefully) very soon, we asked you just what you think the “best” Google Pixel device has been so far. Well, the results were not too unsurprising overall but interesting nonetheless.
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After a few developer previews and the big Google I/O reveal, Android 12 is now available in beta to anyone who wants to give it a shot. Here’s how to get the Android 12 Beta on your Google Pixel smartphone.
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Google Photos is ending its perk of free unlimited storage starting on June 1, 2021. It was a huge selling point for the service for years, which, understandably, has many wishing they could keep it. The good news, though, is that Google Pixel owners will still be eligible for a few Photos perks. Let’s break it down.
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For those of you with the Pixel 3a, it looks like the December 2020 update may have done some weird things to the corners of your screen/display.
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Much like the potential upgrade path from the Pixel 4 series to the Pixel 5, suggesting that someone shoul09d “upgrade” from the Pixel 3a to the Pixel 4a is a bit silly. Despite maybe being a little overdue, we’re here to examine whether this might be something to consider for those shopping for a new smartphone on a budget.
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Coinciding with the launch of the Pixel 5, the Google Camera app got an update to version 8.0, bringing a clean redesign to the app. Today, Google Camera 8.1 has begun rolling out, bringing that same design to older Pixel phones.
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One of the Google Pixel 5 features that got a lot of acclaim in early reviews was Portrait Light, the ability to adjust the light source of a photo after it’s been taken. Now, before that phone is even released in the United States, the feature is already rolling out to older Pixel phones.
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The Pixel 3a and 3a XL may have been superseded by the Pixel 4a — and recently released 4a 5G — but that doesn’t mean they are not great devices. While they still offer a “premium” Pixel experience at a lower cost, it looks as though some Pixel 3a and 3a XL owners are having issues upgrading from Android Pie to the newly released Android 11.
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Following this year’s release of Android 11, the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will be approaching their end of life. To help fans of the phone squeeze a few more years of life out of their device, the team behind LineageOS is adding support for the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, with the Pixel 3a and Pixel 4 series not far behind.
Update: The Pixel 3a and Pixel 4 series are now supported, too.
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The Pixel 3a launched last May at Google I/O and it’s still not clear when its rumored replacement will be announced or launched. The US Google Store today lists the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL as being “out of stock.”
Google’s Pixel 4 was far from a success according to some recent reports, but that didn’t take away from Google’s momentum when growing the lineup. Today, IDC reveals that the Google Pixel line had its “best performance ever” in 2019, shipping 7.2 million units.
Google’s Pixel smartphones are getting a new camera update today with Google Camera 7.4. The update doesn’t change a whole lot on the surface, though, outside of a tweak to video recording.
Earlier this month, Google’s first mid-range Pixel phone officially marked its one-year anniversary. While the Pixel 4a launch is up in the air, the Pixel 3a today is seeing its deepest discount yet from the Google Store to $279.
Google’s Pixel lineup finally expanded its reach in 2019 with the debut of the Pixel 3a on more US carriers, and the Pixel 4 followed closely behind. That included a wide debut on T-Mobile and Sprint, but right now, T-Mobile has removed the Pixel 3a and Pixel 4 from its online store completely.
The Google Pixel 3a still remains one the best affordable Android phones you can buy, simply because it offers the best bits of the Pixel series with only a few compromises.
Over the weekend, we saw our first Pixel 4a leak alongside a fabric case. The Google Store has now discounted the Pixel 3a Case by 50% for the next month and is throwing in a free glass screen protector.
Google’s Pixel smartphones are very smart and, as Google likes to call them, helpful. Now, the device is picking up another handy trick. With the latest Pixel Launcher update, folder names will automatically be suggested based on apps.
