Google Pixel

For some reason, until now, asking to change your house’s temperature with a Nest thermostat worked just fine with Google Assistant on a Home device, but not from a Pixel. However, as Android Police reports, this should not be the case anymore…

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Screen protectors aren’t for everyone, but for those who spend a lot on their device and want to better protect it from scratches and the occasional drop, a good tempered glass screen protector is well worth the investment, along with a solid case. I’ve tested several tempered glass screen protectors since buying the Google Pixel XL, but none have really impressed me, until I tried one from Orzly…

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Just the other day, Google officially kicked off the rollout of the latest version of Android, 7.1.1 Nougat, to both Nexus and Pixel devices. With that update, Google brought along some new “moves” which have made a big difference to one of Google’s long available but neglected features — Ambient Display.

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Today Google officially released Android Nougat 7.1.1 for the Google Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel C, and several Nexus devices. With the over the air firmware update file now out in the wild, you can sideload the update instead of waiting for it to eventually come to your device…

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Update 12/27: Following a small update aimed at devices on UK carriers, Verizon has just listed a new build (NMF26U) for the Pixel and Pixel XL. This update is likely minor with release notes only mentioning security patches. Interestingly, the Google Developer site has not been updated with links to the factory image or OTA.

Following a brief developer preview, Android 7.1.1 is now available for Nexus and Pixel devices. The update brings features that have been on the Pixel since October to current Nexus and Android One devices, as well as the Pixel C. Meanwhile, the Pixel and Pixel XL gain some new Moves and other bug fixes.

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The Pixel and Pixel XL are, indubitably, fantastic smartphones. Some (me included) would argue that they’re actually the very best on the market, at least in the Android realm. However, if there’s one thing very few people have been enthusiastic about, it’s the phones’ design. Besides its similarities with the iPhone, the Pixel phones are simply bland, save for the distinctive glass panel at the back.

So if there’s not much beauty to show off, this could be a great opportunity to give full priority to protection, especially given the presence of glass, however little of it. Our friends over at MobileFun have reached out to us to show a few options, so go after the jump to see if there’s anything for you…

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One of the best features of the Google Pixel, by a long shot, is the fantastic rear camera. The 12.3MP sensor is capable of taking some breathtaking pictures and some incredible video, however, it’s not perfect. We’ve already seen that the Pixel has some lens flare issues under certain lighting conditions, but now, some users are reporting some strange issues with the camera app.

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Now that Black Friday and Cyber Monday are wrapped, we’re starting to see some data roll in that shows the most popular purchases of the weekend. New data from Localytics shows that, in terms of smartphones, the Google Pixel beat out the iPhone 7 as the most popular purchase this weekend, but it’s not as simple as that…

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With initial Pixel pre-orders exceeding expectations and promising activation numbers from Verizon, Google is on track to sell three million phones with revenues of $2 billion in 2016. The Morgan Stanley estimate comes as the Pixel reportedly captured 10% of the premium smartphone market in India.

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Earlier this month, the Pixel and Pixel XL received their first update since launch in the form of the November security patch. Users of both devices on multiple Canadian carriers are now reporting receiving a further update that’s labeled as “Security Update + Bug Fixes” on one support site…

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Unlike with past releases, Google is actually pushing the Pixel to customers, and it’s pushing it hard. Ads air on TV seemingly every time you turn it on, and in the US, most of those ads pick up Verizon’s name at the end…

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If there’s one thing that’s undeniably true about the Pixel, it’s that it has a higher level of fit and finish than any Nexus smartphone — or maybe even perhaps Android smartphone — preceding it. A couple of ways this is most obvious is the phone’s collection of high-quality wallpapers, and its unique specially-designed sounds that are both distinctly Google-y and pleasing to the senses.

Today, Google has published an article on its Google Design blog explaining how the team used these seeming minor details to create an experience with the Pixel that’s “confidently minimal” and stays true to Google’s design principles of “simplicity, intelligence, customization, and trustworthiness.”

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Google has taken security pretty seriously on the Pixel and Pixel XL which includes file-based encryption. For consumers, this is great since it makes for a more secure device. However, for developers, it makes things a bit complicated.

For anyone looking to flash ROMs, file-based encryption poses a challenge to installing a custom recovery. However, after some work was done to get around that, some developers have been able to get the popular custom recovery, TWRP, working on both Pixels.

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After the success with the Nexus 6P in 2015, many assumed that Huawei would jump on the chance to build the next Nexus device, which later turned out to be the Pixel. However, as previous reports have stated, Huawei skipped that chance due to conflicts with Google, specifically with the branding.

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Along with third-party case makers, Google has slowly been releasing official case options through the Google Store for the Pixel and Pixel XL. Now, Google has added four more options for Pixel and Pixel XL users.

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