Google Pixel

Pixel phones already offer cough and snore detection when you sleep, as well as always-on Now Playing song detection, and Google is now planning to add loud sound alerts in At a Glance.

The Android 13 May security patch for the Pixel 4a, 4a 5G, 5, 5a, 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7 and 7 Pro is rolling out today on time after delays the past two months.

After originally only supporting Apple devices, BMW is launching support for digital car keys on Android, starting with devices from Google’s Pixel line and select Samsung Galaxy models.

“Now Playing” made its debut on Google’s second Pixel series and, in the time since, has continued to be one of many features that add a bit of delight and utility to Google’s software. Now, Google is working on expanding “Now Playing” on Pixel to include a new “Summary” page that breaks down songs you’ve heard.

Phone calling is one of the biggest areas where Google uses AI to differentiate the Pixel experience. More advanced Pixel Call Screen capabilities that take advantage of conversational AI are now being teased.

Like last month with QPR2, the Android 13 April security patch for the Pixel 4a, 4a 5G, 5, 5a, 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7 and 7 Pro was delayed, but is now rolling out after a week-long delay.

Historically, Pixel security patches are released on the first Monday of the month at 10 a.m. PT. Following last month’s situation, Google has yet to release the April 2023 update for the Pixel 4a to 7 Pro.

Earlier this week, Adaptive Charging was updated with a status notification and a one-time off button. In the process, Google might have updated Pixel Adaptive Charging to no longer require an alarm to work.

Pixel Adaptive Charging has been a contentious feature since it launched in December of 2020, and Google is now updating it with a notification to note when it’s active.

Following this morning’s expansion, Google is heavily using its Pixel, Nest, and other consumer-facing brands to invite people to use Bard.

Google has been under fire for not yet releasing Bard, its generative AI similar to OpenAI’s GPT-3 and GPT-4, but testing is underway. Now Google is opening Bard up to some of its Pixel Superfans.

Last Monday, Google rolled out Android 13 QPR2 with the March 2023 security patch to the Pixel 4a-5a and the 7 series. This March update is now rolling out to the Pixel 6, 6 Pro, and 6a.

Besides the Samsung Exynos modem issue, Android 13 QPR2 with the March 2023 security update fixes a vulnerability with the Pixel’s Markup screenshot tool.

Google’s Project Zero team discovered severe 0-day vulnerabilities with the Samsung Exynos modems used on the Pixel 6 and 7, Samsung phones and wearables, and other devices that warrant disabling VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling until patched.

Following the stable launch of QPR2 on Monday, Google is rolling out Android 13 QPR3 Beta 1 today to Pixel phones.

Curved screens have been showing up on Android phones for the better part of a decade now, and they’ve always proved to be a divisive design choice. For its upcoming Google Pixel 8 Pro, it seems the company has opted to do away with a curved display and go for a flat one instead. How do you feel about the change?

After a week-long delay, Google today is rolling out Android 13 QPR2 with the March security patch and the first Pixel Feature Drop of 2023.