Due to a recent DOJ decision, Google’s lucrative relationship with Apple’s iPhone is in jeopardy, and that means the Pixel is even more important than ever to the company’s success. In 2024, it seems like the company will be leaning into AI. It’s got the Pixel 9 Pro with plenty of Gemini AI features, plus the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The company’s also launching a new Pixel Watch 3 as well as the Pixel Buds Pro 2.
Recent Pixel phones have a reputation for running hot. While largely fixed in the Pixel 9, the 6, 7, and 8 can get quite toasty. Now, a new troubleshooting tool can tell you just how toasty with a realtime estimate of the phone’s internal temperature along with steps the device is taking to reduce heat, like pausing charging. Kinda cool.
An unreleased version of the Pixel Watch face with a ring of complications appeared in a Black Friday promo post on the Made by Google YouTube account that 9to5Google spotted.
The outlet saw the same watch face in a video about the Pixel Watch 3’s design that Google published last month that has since been made private.
November’s Pixel Watch update is here to address last month’s botched Wear OS 5 rollout for older devices, but the curious thing is the update note says the next one is months away:
Pixel Watch 1, Pixel Watch 2, and Pixel Watch 3 devices will receive the November 2024 software update, with the next update planned for March 2025.
It’s odd since Google generally pushes out an update every month. There’s also simply no reason given. Well, a lot can happen in four months.
That’s the gist of a report from Android Authority. According to leaked documents, Google’s custom chipset isn’t delivering the value the company had hoped for. Overheating is also cited as the top reason for Pixel returns — ouch. As such, Tensor G6 might emphasize lowering production costs and improving thermals over raw performance gains. Sounds like a real hot topic.
If you’re worried about damaging your Pixel Watch’s glass screen, Google now sells a Zagg “flexible polymer hybrid” screen protector, as 9to5Google spotted.
It works for all three generations of the watch, the glass of which held up poorly in Victoria Song’s Pixel Watch and Watch 2 reviews.
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Instead of a swipe up to answer screen, Android Authority reports that an alternate screen found in a recent APK features a decline button on the left and an answer button on the right, resembling Apple’s iPhone setup.
Some Android OEMs like Samsung use a similar screen (with the answer button on the left), but so far, not Google.
The official Pixel Buds web app is now available for Windows (version 11) and macOS (running Sonoma 14 or newer) allowing more desktop users to manage firmware updates, battery levels, and specific controls like ANC and multipoint connectivity.
Prior to this update, Pixel Buds users needed a Chromebook or Android phone to access advanced features.
[support.google.com]
I forced the update after it came out yesterday but rebooted into a mostly blank screen saying “add tile,” which also happened to a few other people who posted about problems on Google’s support forum and Reddit.
After a fastboot reset (video walkthrough here), I was up and running, but you may want to hold off on this one.
9
Verge Score
With a slew of improvements led by a far more comfortable design, Google’s latest earbuds are a compelling upgrade for Pixel owners.
At a Climate Week NYC panel, Google policy manager Nicole Azores said the company is considering how to change its watch design, which currently has to be replaced entirely if damaged.
Here’s a snippet from Wired’s reporting which notes that Apple’s and Samsung’s watches are repairable:
Watches and wearables are still fairly nascent, and we are thinking through how to make this repairable,” Azores said on the panel. “We’re thinking about repairability on a broader scale, not just on phones and tablets, and we want to make sure that all of our products eventually become repairable.
8
Verge Score
The Pixel Fold’s successor features an updated format that makes it a joy to use.
8
Verge Score
The Pixel 9 is the Android flagship for anyone who just wants a dang phone.
This repair-friendly design lets you remove the device’s display for screen replacements, or just the backing if you need to change the battery. But it seems Google hasn’t perfected this yet, as the display broke when iFixit carefully removed it.
And just like the Pixel 8, its successor comes with pull tabs that can make the battery a pain to remove.
