Latest news with #PixelPhones
Android Authority
03-07-2025
- Android Authority
Cops in this country think everyone using a Google Pixel must be a drug dealer
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority TL;DR Pixel phones are apparently the phone of choice for criminals, drug dealers, and gang members in Spain's Catalonia. Police say every time they spot someone with a Pixel, they think they must be a drug dealer. The popularity of Pixels among the wrong crowd has little to do with Google phones and everything to do with Android's open nature. Police in Spain, specifically in the autonomous region of Catalonia, are very alert when they spot someone using a Google Pixel phone. As weird as it sounds, Pixels are highly preferred by those involved in organized crime, according to the Catalan police. 'Every time we see a Google Pixel, we suspect it might belong to a drug dealer,' said a police official leading the anti-drug operation in Catalonia, as per Xataka Android (machine translated). But why are Pixels popular among criminals in that region? It really has little to do with how Google makes its phones and everything to do with the open nature of Android, which lets users use alternative operating systems. Specifically, organized crime members in Catalonia use GrapheneOS, a privacy and security-focused operating system that keeps your data out of Google's reach. Criminals and gang members in Spain prefer using GrapheneOS on Pixel phones, and there's a good reason for it. GrapheneOS implements full disk and metadata encryption, a security feature exploited by miscreants. But it works best on Pixels. Even though GrapheneOS can be installed on any unlocked Android phone, the company's FAQ section strongly recommends using a Pixel phone 'due to better security and a long minimum support guarantee from launch for full security updates and other improvements.' The page specifically mentions the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 series, 'for the incredibly powerful hardware memory tagging security feature as part of moving to new ARM V9 CPU cores.' Additionally, like most Android phones, Pixel devices are on Google's Find My Device network, which allows users to remotely lock or wipe their phones, a feature that's ironically valued by criminals. In fact, one of the Pixel's standout features — its cameras — is something these criminals don't even use and often have physically removed, along with the GPS and microphone. In Catalonia, a Pixel sighting now raises more than just tech curiosity, it raises red flags. The police's solution to counter these clever tricks is to infect Pixels with malware to gain full access to apps, media, documents, and more. Even GrapheneOS is not immune to malware attacks. So while Google surely didn't intend for Pixels to become the phone of choice for criminals, their security hardware, mod-friendly nature, and support for GrapheneOS have made them unexpectedly attractive to the wrong crowd. In Catalonia, a Pixel sighting now raises more than just tech curiosity, it raises red flags. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Android Authority
02-07-2025
- Android Authority
Is mandatory battery throttling coming for more Pixels with poor battery health? (APK teardown)
Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority TL;DR Google could potentially force Battery Health Assistance to remain enabled on Pixel phones with poor battery health. Users may not be able to change/disable the feature until they replace their phone's battery. Pixel 9a users have Battery Health Assistance already enabled and mandatory, even on new devices. Pixel smartphones have been a staple recommendation as great Android phones, but lately, we've been hearing more and more about their battery issues. Most battery issues seem to affect the Pixel A-series, making them harder to recommend. Google introduced Battery Health Assistance features with the Pixel 9a, letting the OS automatically (and forcibly) lower the phone's battery capacity and charging speed over time. Other Pixel devices can also optionally use the Battery Health Assistance features, but it seems Google could potentially mandate them for Pixel devices with low battery health. Authority Insights story on Android Authority. Discover You're reading anstory on Android Authority. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. An APK teardown helps predict features that may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release. Google's Settings Services app v1.1.0771997146 modifies some strings related to the Battery Health Assistance feature. These are the old strings: Code Copy Text Unavailable Battery health assistance is unavailable. These have been replaced with these new strings that contain updated language: Code Copy Text Unavailable until battery is replaced Battery health assistance cannot be changed until the battery is replaced. As your battery ages, you may notice slight changes in charging performance and battery capacity. Batteries are consumable components and replacement is recommended for aged batteries. At first glance, it may seem like Google could turn off the Battery Health Assistance feature if battery health drops below a certain point. However, such a move would be counterintuitive. Battery Health Assistance stabilizes battery performance and aging by gradually lowering the battery's maximum voltage in stages. However, you may not like it since it will also reduce battery life and increase charging time. If a user has the feature on for years and they finally reach a point where they absolutely need to replace the battery, disabling Battery Health Assistance would presumably deregulate their battery's maximum voltage back to original levels, which will only worsen the situation. The situation makes a bit more sense when you look closely at the wording. In the updated description, Google says, 'battery health assistance cannot be changed until the battery is replaced' (emphasis added). This points to a possibility where Google effectively forces Battery Health Assistance features to stay enabled once battery health falls below certain levels. Users may be unable to change the state of Battery Health Assistance (i.e., disable it) until they change their phone's battery. This makes more sense and aligns with behaviours seen with the Pixel 4a's 'update of death' and Pixel 9a's compulsorily throttled battery and charging speeds. Google hasn't yet announced this change to Battery Health Assistance, so it remains to be seen what they have in mind. Given the spate of battery-related incidents in the Pixel A-series, it wouldn't be surprising to see Battery Health Assistance mandated once battery health falls below a certain level. We'll keep you updated when we learn more. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Android Authority
26-06-2025
- Android Authority
Pixel phones might finally be getting this highly requested feature in India (APK teardown)
Andy Walker / Android Authority Pixel 8a TL;DR Google might be getting ready to introduce Call Screening on Pixel phones in India. The feature lets users identify callers and their reasons for calling before answering the phone, helping thwart spam calls. India might get the manual version of Call Screening instead of the automatic version available in the US. India has over a billion cellphone users and is one of the most affected countries in the world when it comes to spam calls. Hundreds of millions of spam calls are reported daily in the country, yet Pixel phones don't offer Call Screening as an option for Indian users. Pixel enthusiasts in the country have been requesting the feature for years, and it looks like their pleas may soon be answered. Authority Insights story on Android Authority. Discover You're reading anstory on Android Authority. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. An APK teardown helps predict features that may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release. Google introduced Call Screening on Pixel phones in 2018. While India now receives all of Google's flagships, this feature, along with other useful functions like Spam Detection, has been missing from the Pixel lineup in the country. When I previously spoke to Mike Abary, Vice President of Devices & Services Business, APAC at Google, he acknowledged this gap and told Android Authority that the company is actively working to bring these features to India. 'It is not lost on us that we need to make sure that we bring this capability to India, and we have plans to do that. The delay is less about technical challenges and more about policy-related hurdles, which we are working to address,' Abary had said at the time. Call Screening finally ready for its Indian debut? While digging through a recent version of the Phone by Google app, we discovered internal files that strongly indicate Pixel's Call Screening feature is in development for the Indian market. Call Screening allows users to identify callers and their reasons for calling before answering the phone. It also uses AI to provide smart replies during calls, allowing users to quickly respond to common questions without speaking. Buried within the Phone by Google app's internal data folders, we found several resources related to Call Screening and its smart replies feature, including a batch of audio files in Hindi. This suggests that Google is preparing localized support for the feature, an important first step toward an Indian rollout. Unlike in the US, where users can opt for automatic Call Screening, the Indian version of the feature appears to rely on a manual screening method. This would allow users to initiate the screening process by tapping a 'Screen call' button when they receive a call, instead of the phone automatically screening calls. That said, these are just initial findings. Google may just be testing the waters while it awaits regulatory approvals to launch the feature in India. Given that the country has over 22 officially recognized languages, Google has its work cut out for it. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Android Authority
21-06-2025
- Android Authority
Google just changed the search bar on my Pixel home screen, and I hate it
Joe Maring / Android Authority One of my favorite things about Google's Pixel phones is the persistent Google Search bar at the bottom of the home screen. It's such a simple feature, but having that constant access to Google, and right by my thumb, is a huge convenience. Earlier this month, we reported that Google was getting ready to change that search bar by adding yet another shortcut to it — this time, one for Google AI Mode. That shortcut now appears to be widely rolling out to Pixel phones running Android 16, as my Pixel 9a just received it the other day. And I've got to be honest: I hate it. The Google Search bar on Pixel phones is a mess Joe Maring / Android Authority With this latest addition, the search bar now serves four main functions: performing a regular Google Search, using AI Mode, starting a voice search, and launching Google Lens. Having so much functionality crammed into a single area is, objectively, a good use of space. However, as someone who doesn't use any of those extra shortcuts, they aren't helpful at all. I'm sure they're great if you regularly use AI Mode, voice search, and Lens, but if you don't, they just make the Pixel home screen look cluttered and messy. Further, the more of these shortcuts Google adds, the less free space there is to tap the search bar for what I use it for: launching Google Search. It's not that it's impossible to prompt a regular Google Search, but the AI Mode icon is just close enough to the middle of the bar (at least on the Pixel 9a) that I've already accidentally tapped AI Mode instead of the regular search area when quickly tapping it with my thumb. In the Pixel 6 era, the search bar only had the voice search icon at the far right — and I was OK with that! I could still tap just about anywhere to start typing a search, and for those rare instances when I want to say my search aloud, it was nice having the voice mode shortcut. When Google added the Google Lens icon around the time of the Pixel 7, I was slightly annoyed, though I thought for sure that's where the additional icons would end. Yet here we are, a couple of years later, with the AI Mode icon proving me wrong. Do you like the new AI Mode shortcut on the Google Search bar? 0 votes Yes NaN % No NaN % Please, Google, let us change this Joe Maring / Android Authority Now, is this the end of the world? The biggest issue facing Google's Pixel phones? Of course not. Still, I think it's fair to argue that this latest change to the Pixel search bar isn't a good one. I'm fine with Google offering users more ways to utilize the search bar, but we should have some input on what additional shortcuts we'd like to see. Hell, Google offers exactly that with its regular Search widget, allowing you to change the shortcut at the end of it — whether it's one for AI Mode, Google Translate, Google Weather, or none at all. Yet, for whatever reason, the Search bar on Pixel phones lacks that customization. Little issues like this are all the more annoying because of how arbitrary they are. Google's Pixel phones are supposed to offer the best of Google on an Android phone. While there's obviously a lot that Google gets right, little issues like this are all the more annoying because of how arbitrary they are. I should be able to control what the Google Search bar on my Pixel looks like. The tools are there for the regular Android widget, so why can't I use them on my Pixel? If you have a Pixel running Android 16 and you like AI Mode, I am happy for you. But for the rest of us, I can only hope Google lets us get rid of this new shortcut sooner rather than later.
Android Authority
19-06-2025
- Android Authority
Android 16 for Pixels brings too many bugs for a 'stable' update, but at least one is getting fixed
Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Android 16 is causing a very annoying bug where Pixel phones take too long to wake up. Google is aware of the issue and is working on a fix, and temporary workarounds are also available. This is one of several bugs reported by users after the Android 16 update, but there are many more, including freezing lock screens and unresponsive gestures. Android 16 is the flavor of the season, and Pixel owners are already enjoying the latest Baklava update. Granted, plenty of headline features are missing from this release, but there are still enough changes in here to call Android 16 a big update to the platform. Unfortunately for some Pixel owners, this update is also bringing in new bugs, like this annoying one where the phone takes too long to wake up. Google is aware of this and is working on a fix for it, but there seem to be plenty more that need highlighting. Pixel phones are slow to wake up after Android 16 Reddit user jdawg0024 highlighted that waking up their Pixel 9 Pro XL has become unreliable after updating to Android 16. Their phone stays unresponsive for about five seconds every time they try to wake the display, either by double-tapping the display or by pressing the power button. The phone functions normally once it has woken up, but if the screen turns off again, the issue repeats itself. As you can imagine, this does sound very annoying. It's the kind of bug that negatively impacts the user experience in a very noticeable way, but not enough to become a dealbreaker, so most people carry on using their device but stay frustrated. Plenty of other users chimed in to affirm that they are facing the same issue, and we can see many others complaining across multiple Reddit threads. For what it's worth, we couldn't reproduce the issue across a couple of Pixel devices on Android 16, including a Pixel 9 Pro XL. The official PixelCommunity account responded to the complaint, advising the user to reboot their device to fix the issue temporarily: We are aware of this issue and a fix will be released in the coming weeks. For the time being, you can reboot your device to temporarily fix the issue. Some users suggest disabling Tap to check phone and Lift to check phone in Settings > Display & touch > Lock screen, then restarting your device and re-enabling both features. This seemingly fixes the issue, though some users also say it only does so temporarily. Still, you can try it and see if it works for you. The Android 16 update appears to bring a lot of new bugs This isn't the only bug that users are facing with Android 16, though, but it's the one that is the most widespread. Based on scores of user reports across Reddit and X, we could also gather that users are facing the following issues with the Android 16 update: Lock screen frequently freezes Slow/unresponsive fingerprint unlock Unresponsive screen gestures Erratic auto-brightness Erratic/unresponsive proximity sensor Auto-rotate stops working Apps freezing and not responding to touch input Camera freezes, often requiring multiple shutter button taps to take a photo Android Auto drops connection Circle to Search stops working For most of these issues, restarting the device temporarily fixes the problem. As part of the troubleshooting steps, you could attempt a factory reset to see if the issues are resolved, though remember to back up your data, as it will all get wiped. If problems persist, you can consider rolling back to Android 15 and wait for the next stable release that hopefully fixes the issues. You can and should also file a bug report with Google to add your voice to the complaints. These expensive phones are getting a 'stable' update after an extensive beta program, so such a long list of bugs is unacceptable. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
