Google Pixel

As it enters its sixth full year on the market, Google’s Pixel seemingly has some work to do in keeping its loyal customers. According to a new report, brand loyalty for Google Pixel phones has dropped considerably over the past two years.

Most people hate the sound of ads, but whether they’re on the internet, billboards on the road, or commercials on TV, they’re a highly effective way of getting information to the public. Smartphone makers turn to all of these avenues to sell their latest models, but their effectiveness varies wildly. Google Pixel smartphones are approaching their fifth anniversary and while sales struggle, I don’t think Google’s ad dollars are pulling much weight.

From getting major Android releases that improve privacy first to monthly patches and the Titan M chip, security is often an under-discussed selling point of Pixel phones. The latest security advantage sees Pixel devices on Android 11 get Common Criteria’s Mobile Device Fundamentals Protection Profile certification.

For the past several years, Google has not provided meaningful details about the progress of its smartphone division beyond occasionally touting the popularity of its cheaper devices. A new report today sheds some light on the Pixel line, including the 4a, in India.

Back in February, Google announced that Fit for Android can measure heart and respiratory rate using just your phone. These new Google Fit camera tracking capabilities will start rolling out to Pixel phones on Monday.

With an upcoming update, Google’s Pixel phones will no longer have both light and dark versions of their boot screen, ditching the stark bright white version almost entirely.

With the March Feature Drop, Google announced that Pixel owners can access all of their phone’s camera features underwater when using a scuba diving case. Besides needing to get a third-party accessory, a “Dive Case Connector for Google Camera” app was released today.

The next software update for the Pixel 3, Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, and Pixel 5 is now available. Coinciding with a Pixel Feature Drop, the March security patch also includes the usual set of bug fixes.

While Android 11 is no longer the newest version of Google’s OS, it will remain the stable release for the first part of this year. To help remedy that, the March Pixel Feature Drop is now here along with the latest security patch and several bug fixes.

Earlier this week, we spotted recorder.google.com go live for playing, searching, and sharing audio online. The required update to Google Recorder — version 2.2 — for Android is now beginning to roll out on Pixel devices to enable backups and web access. 

In 2019, Google introduced a powerful Recorder app with real-time transcriptions for Pixel devices. The latest version, released alongside the Pixel 5, added editing and social sharing through video clips. A Google Recorder web app is coming soon with the ability to backup audio on your Pixel.

Google puts the value on its smartphones on software, not hardware, through special features. One of the most interesting features on Pixel phones is Car Crash Detection, and for one man, the feature saved him from being trapped in heavy machinery for hours.

We reported last year that Google’s roadmap for future Pixel smartphones included a foldable model, and now there’s a bit more to add to the story. According to a new report out of Korea, Google has requested a foldable OLED display from Samsung.

For years, Google’s Pixel phones have enjoyed three years of updates, the longest lifespan this side of the Android/iOS divide. Now Samsung has pushed the envelope, offering four years of security updates, beating Google’s Pixel phones at their own game.

The Mandalorian remains a big hit half-way through its sophomore season. Google has partnered with Lucasfilm on a free Android app to bring iconic and realistic moments to life using AR and 5G.

With the launch of the Android 12 Developer Preview seemingly around the corner, we’ve learned that Pixel phones may be gaining a new face-based option for Auto-Rotate.

With Android Enterprise, Google for the past several years has worked to get devices running its operating system into more corporate environments. Made by Google is now advertising Pixel phones as “Built for business.”