Pixel phones

AppWizard
June 25, 2025
Google has introduced the Pixel Studio app for the Pixel 9 series, allowing users to access custom AI-generated images and stickers. The custom AI stickers feature was launched with the June 2025 Pixel Feature Drop and is exclusive to the Google Pixel 9 series, including the Pixel 9, Pixel 9a, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. This functionality is available for devices set to English, Japanese, or German. Users must update to Android 16 and may need to update Gboard and Pixel Studio via the Google Play Store to access the feature. To create custom AI stickers, users can open the keyboard in any app, tap the emoji symbol, press the AI sticker button, and follow the prompts to generate and save their stickers. Custom AI stickers cannot depict anything resembling a person. The base-model Google Pixel 9 supports the latest AI innovations, including custom AI stickers.
AppWizard
June 17, 2025
Android 16 is causing significant issues for Pixel users, particularly with navigation gestures and buttons freezing, lagging, or becoming unresponsive. Pixel 8 Pro owners report delays of up to 30 seconds when swiping or navigating back, while Pixel 9 Pro XL users face similar problems with the swipe-up gesture. Complaints have surged on forums, especially Reddit, where users describe their navigation actions failing altogether. The issues affect models from Pixel 6 to the 9 series. Artem Russakovskii from Android Police shared a screen recording highlighting the severity of the bug. Google has not addressed the problems, and users are advised to use the bug report tool to voice their concerns in hopes of a patch being released.
AppWizard
June 10, 2025
Android 16 has been officially launched, with Google Pixel phones being the first to adopt this stable version. Key features include live notifications for real-time updates, a "desktop windowing" feature for larger screens, and custom keyboard shortcuts. The stable version was released on June 10, earlier than previous years. Enhanced communication capabilities for users with hearing aids allow clearer call quality and volume control from the phone. Security improvements include Advanced Protection against scam apps and online threats. Android 16 will roll out to Pixel 6 and newer models, with updates for other brands expected later this year. The Google Pixel 9 features a Tensor G4 chip, a 6.3-inch Actua Display, a dual-camera system, a 4700mAh battery, 12GB of RAM, and a commitment to seven years of OS and security updates, along with an IP68 water-resistant design.
AppWizard
May 31, 2025
The Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 update introduces new features, including Material 3 Expressive and a "Themes" tab in the Wallpaper and Style app, indicating potential customization through unreleased "Pixel Customization Packs." While the full capabilities of Pixel themes are unclear, they may include new wallpapers, fonts, and app icon designs, addressing the current limitations of app icon customization on Pixel phones. Future updates promise customizable app icon shapes, but lack of support for third-party icon packs remains a significant drawback compared to competitors like OnePlus and Samsung. The introduction of Pixel themes raises hopes for enhanced personalization, particularly regarding icon pack support, which has been a long-standing request from Pixel users.
Tech Optimizer
May 30, 2025
McAfee has integrated its Scam Detector feature into all core antivirus plans, achieving a 99% accuracy rate in identifying scams, including deepfakes on video platforms. The tool provides real-time scanning for text messages, emails, and video content on platforms like YouTube and TikTok, and extends protection to applications such as WhatsApp, Messenger, and Gmail. On Android, it automatically scans SMS messages, while iPhone users can perform manual scans. The feature includes customizable sensitivity settings and an on-demand check option for users to analyze messages or screenshots. Access to the Scam Detector requires a paid McAfee antivirus subscription. In contrast, Bitdefender offers a free tool called Scamio, which scans links, texts, screenshots, and QR codes for scams but does not detect video deepfakes. Google has developed an AI-based scam detector for Pixel phones that scans audio from incoming calls for scam language. Norton has also integrated its Genie Scam Protection into its plans, focusing on identifying scam language and requiring a subscription for comprehensive coverage. McAfee's Scam Detector is less accessible than free alternatives like Scamio.
AppWizard
May 29, 2025
Instagram has released an update (version 382.0.0.49.84) to address battery drain issues affecting users of Pixel phones. This problem was reported after a Pixel software update earlier in the month and has impacted various Pixel models from the Pixel 6 to the Pixel 9. Users can access the update through the Google Play Store, and those who do not see the update may already have the latest version installed.
AppWizard
May 22, 2025
Google I/O 2025 has concluded, and the Android 16 QPR1 Beta has been launched, introducing the Material 3 Expressive design language. This update is the first Quarterly Platform Release following the stable Android 16 Beta program and is primarily aimed at developers and testers. It enhances user experience with a fresh visual design, which will also extend to Wear OS 6. Key features of the update include a redesigned user interface with increased space for widgets and apps, new system icons in the status bar, a colorful quick settings panel, expanded customization options, and enhanced controls for home and lock screens. The beta is available for various Pixel devices, including Pixel 6, 7, 8, and 9 series, as well as Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet.
AppWizard
May 22, 2025
The Google Phone app, currently available only on Pixel phones in the US, features Call Notes that allow users to transcribe and summarize calls. A recent teardown revealed that Google is exploring an option for automatic deletion of Call Notes, similar to the existing feature for call recordings. Users may be able to set automatic deletions for Call Notes after seven, 14, or 30 days, and there will be an option to delete all Call Notes at once. The feature is expected to help users manage their notes more efficiently. There is potential for the Call Notes feature to expand to other markets and languages in the future.
AppWizard
May 20, 2025
Google's Pixel devices now include a Linux Terminal app, introduced with the March 2025 Pixel Drop update. This app allows users to access a version of Debian on their smartphones, enabling them to execute commands, install packages, and perform internet-related tasks similar to a desktop Linux terminal. The app is available for Pixel phones running Android 15 or newer and is currently exclusive to these devices. To activate the app, users must enable Developer options, toggle on the Linux development environment, and install the app, which has a download size of approximately 565MB. The feature is experimental and may have bugs, such as persistent notifications and connectivity issues. The app operates within a virtual machine, isolating it from the device's data but allowing access to the Downloads folder.
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