Google Pixel

Android 12 offers wallpaper-based colors to apps and the system, and it really shines in Material You’s design on Pixel phones. With today’s latest update, Google Pixel devices can now extend those colors to the boot animation.

In addition to a Feature Drop and the latest security patch, the December 2021 update addresses a whole slew of Android 12 issues for the Pixel 3a to 6 Pro. An organized list of those fixes is available below.

Given that this year’s big Android release rolled out to Pixel phones later than expected, there was no quarterly update that bundled together new user-facing capabilities in September. Google is now back with a Pixel Feature Drop to accompany Android 12 and the December security patch.

Smartphone repairs can be frustrating if you don’t live nearby a location that can handle the issue, and for many Pixel users, that’s exactly the problem they face. As such, mail-in repairs are a popular means of fixing broken Pixel devices. For a couple of users, though, that process has turned into a nightmare with mail-in Google Pixel repairs resulting in “hacked” accounts and more.

Over the years, Google has made several attempts to release a wearable that can compete with the Apple Watch. New Pixel Watch rumors today provide additional details.  

Google’s Android 12 update is huge and exciting, but it also came with an unorthodox timeline and quite a few more bugs than usual. Now, it’s becoming pretty clear that Android 12 is also causing some connectivity/signal issues with Google Pixel phones, including the newly released Pixel 6 series.

Every fall, the latest Google Camera features debut on the flagship Pixel before rolling out to older phones. Version 8.4 of Camera now looks to be rolling out to older Google devices with changes that first debuted on the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro.

With the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, Now Playing gained a manual lookup capability that appears as a search button on the homescreen. The next Pixel update to Now Playing will introduce the ability to favorite songs and a bottom bar redesign.

With the launch of the Pixel 6, Google only had phone cases and the 30W charger available as day one accessories. You can now pre-order the Pixel Stand (2nd gen) with delivery scheduled for mid-December.

The final version of Android 12 rolled out in mid-October with the November security patch serving as the first bug-fixer. Some Pixel owners today are being prompted to install the Android 12 OTA again in an update that does not appear to change anything.

The first foldable Pixel phone is set to arrive in 2022, and it will not use the same high-end camera sensors found in the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.

With the launch of the November security patch yesterday, Google did not release factory or OTA images for the Pixel 3. The 2018 flagships officially hit the guaranteed update period in October with Android 12, but Google told us today that one more update is coming.

The November security patch is rolling out now to all supported Pixel phones – the 3/XL is currently dropped – as the first update to Android 12. Pixel 6 and 6 Pro owners received the November update last week, but Google is only today detailing what’s included.

The first update to Android 12 is rolling out today with the November security patch for the Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, and Pixel 6 Pro.

The Pixel 6 has introduced a centralized settings page to manage your phone, app, and Google Account. This Security “Hub” is now appearing on older Pixel phones running Android 12. 

At the 2021 Android Dev Summit, Google announced Android 12L as a “feature drop” for foldables, tablets, and Chrome OS, but it will also be coming to phones, and Pixel devices – in the future – can sign-up for a Beta.