Google Pixel

Google just released the fourth beta for Android 17 today, and now, 9to5Google and Android Authority point out that it contains mentions of a new lighting feature that we might see on the next round of Pixel phones.

Google’s latest affordable phone launched in Japan today, more than a month after its release elsewhere. The wait might have been worth it though, since Japanese buyers can get the phone in an exclusive isai blue finish, designed in partnership with Heralbony, a creative company that works with artists with disabilities.

In addition to bringing the refurbished Pixel 8A to its online store, Google also announced that it’s listing its entire used phone lineup on Amazon, which includes the Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 7A, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7 Pro.

Android Headlines has published renders from leaker OnLeaks reportedly revealing the design of the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold expected to be announced later this year. The design remains mostly unchanged from last year’s more durable Pixel 10 Pro Fold, but there’s a slightly redesigned camera bump with the actual lenses protruding more, and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold will be slightly thinner at 10.1mm when folded, and 4.8mm when open.

Google is testing the second Android 17 beta on compatible Pixel devices in line with its accelerated release timeline. The release notes say it adds desktop window-like app bubbles so users “can organize, move between, and move bubbles to and from anchored points on the screen,” although testers report they haven’t seen them working yet.

9to5Google spotted reports across Reddit that Pixel phones’ Take a Message live voicemail transcription is leaking audio from the recipient’s microphone back to the caller. It doesn’t seem to be affecting every Pixel — 9to5Google couldn’t replicate the bug — and could be limited to older handsets. Google says it’s investigating.

The Mous Pixel Watch Charger, available through Google’s online store for $50, is the first third-party charger that works with the Pixel Watch 4’s side-mounted charging pins. It’s larger and potentially more stable than Google’s $30 Pixel Watch Quick Charge Dock, and can connect to other Mous charging pads.

For everything from the Pixel 6 on up, there are a lot of bug fixes and improvements on the list for this month’s update, as well as two “Critical” severity security bugs patched.

First announced as part of the November Pixel Drop, the feature gives Google Maps a simplified black and white interface when you press the power button while navigating with your phone in portrait mode. Google says the feature can extend battery life up to 4 hours while still displaying basic directions including upcoming turns.

Android Police spotted that just opening the file send menu is enough to disconnect your phone from Wi-Fi following the new Quick Share update that lets Pixel 10 users send files to iPhones over AirDrop. Switching focus to another app is enough to reconnect though, so this bug feels harmless enough.

The latest ads featuring Apple and Google’s mobile flagships could combine for a Nike football cleat and appeared within hours of each other today, before likely going into rotation over the holiday.

Android Authority spotted a new home screen toggle in an Android Canary build. Google shrunk the mandatory widget a little earlier this year, but users want the option to remove it entirely. Then again, Google tested this toggle in 2023 too, and never gave it a release.

A new Theme Packs app has appeared on the Google Play Store that says it’ll instantly update the wallpaper, icons, sounds, GIFs, and more on Pixel devices in a single tap. The first seasonal pack is themed around Wicked: For Good, but as Droidlife notes, it’s not ready yet: the app doesn’t do anything if you install it.