#Pixel #Pixel6
Pixel 6 keyboard is smarter than you think
The voice typing on the Pixel 6 support inserting punctuation is a big deal, and things doesn't just stop here. The keyboard on Pixel 6 support grammar correction too. Google did actually implement this on Google Docs first, and now it arriving to Gboard on the Pixel 6.

Google said that the feature "works entirely on-device to preserve privacy," which hints it is using the Private Compute Core. The grammar correction feature will also support all apps except those in WebView. It only support English language for now, with more languages support coming in the future.

Google mention it is only available on the Pixel 6, but well, I could see this feature expanding to other devices too, anyway time will tell. There much more technical details on how Google achieve it, if you are interested, check it out over here. (Google AI Blog)

#Module #Pixel6
Pixel 6 Pro (Raven) Prop - Oct 2021
Updated: 28/10/2021

Changelog:
• Initial release of Pixel 6 Pro prop module

Notes:
• ID: SD1A.210817.015.A4
• Enable Pixel 6 Pro exclusive features like wallpapers, Gboard features & new UI, Google Translate Material You design and more!
• There might be an error notification showing "Couldn't install system update," just turn off the notification and done

By @PixelProps
Follow @PixelHubUpdates

#Android #A12
Android 12 set to always open non-verified links in the default browser
XDA Developers

Android 12 has released to all eligible Pixel phones last week. besides gaining major changes like Material You, there are minor improvements here and there.

This week’s in Android Dev Summit, Google detailed some under the hood changes in Android 12. There one useful change though, it is about how the OS handles the App Links, which is a type of deep link enabling web URLs to open content in supported apps.

Verified links will automatically open in the corresponding apps for a more straightforward experience. For non-verified links, it will directly open in your default browser instead of popping up app selection dialogue.

If you want to learn more about other changes in Android 12, you can watch this video to learn more about it. By the way, Google also announced Android 12L as the next Android version, which will be optimise for tablets and foldables.

#YouTube
YouTube borrowing Twitch feature, adding ‘Gifted Memberships’ and ‘Live Redirect’ for streams
If you would like to support your favourite creator in YouTube, the upcoming Gifted Memberships" and "Live Redirect for Gaming" will make it possible.

“Gifted Memberships” is somewhat similar to YouTube current channel membership system. This tier allows fans to support creators with paid-for tiers, providing access to live chat emoticons and special badges when commenting on a specific channel.

Live Redirect for Gaming can send viewers to another livestream seamlessly once yours ends. This helps create a much greater sense of the gaming community on the platform.

Besides, YouTube also confirmed that there will be further exploration into “other perks for YouTube Gamers through [their] subnoscription services,” which could possibly include recent free access to YouTube Premium for Discord Nitro users for example.

These features aren't live yet, with YouTube teasing “more updates” in the near future. (9To5Google)

#Photos
Google Photos Locked Folder arriving on iOS early 2022
9To5Google

Google Photos Locked Folder is first introduced on Pixel phone early this year, it is an extra layer of security which keep your photos & videos privately in a folder. Later this year, Google announced to bring it to other Android devices soon. Now, Google plan to bring it to iOS devices.

It will start rolling out "early next year." Once those photos & videos are move into that folder, it won't be viewable anywhere else, including in the cloud. To view the folder, you will be require to use your device biometric or PIN to unlock it.

#Workspace #Gmail
Gmail restoring big "Compose" button on the web
Gmail got a refresh in the desktop web a few months ago, one of the changes is that the compose button is shrinking down the "Compose" button into one singular button. After the changes, Google received many users feedback and they are reverting to the old "Compose" button design.

The enlarged "Compose" button will appear above the "Mail" section in the sidebar, with the icon keeping a simple outline-pencil design.

Starting from November 3, all Google accounts will receive this changes, and will take up to 15 days to appear for everyone. (Google Workspace Updates)

#Doodle
Google Doodle celebrates Halloween 2021
2021 Halloween set at October 31, and Google Doodle is here to celebrate it.

The Google logo has become orange in color, with both the letter O changed into two purple birds standing at one halloween pumpkin and a cooking pot respectively. The letter at the end "l" and "e" has a spider net linking between it.

This Doodle doesn't reach many Africa and Asia countries, with a few Europe countries not included too. Anyway if it doesn't reach you, here a look at it.

Follow @PixelHubUpdates

#Apps #Photos #MY
Google Photos 5.65 introduces "Your memories" widget with different frame options

UPDATE: The frame options is available for every device running Android 5 & later version. Check out here for more info.

The option to select different frame for "Your memories" widget in Google Photos is rolling out.

You will be getting 6 different frame options, Star, Flower, Circle, Square, Pill, Fill respectively according to the images attached.

The frame option is rolling out via server side with the app version 5.65. For now, we didn't see anyone on older Android version got it, only seen Android 12 screenshots of it, but we will keep an eye on that. (Reddit)

Download (v5.65):
Play Store | APKMirror

Notes:
• Server side rollout

#Pixel #Pixel6
Google Pixel 6 Pro getting fixes for display flickering issue with December update
9To5Google

Many users face display flickering issues when their device is power off, and Google heard it and announced that they will release fixes by December.

Google said it “does not represent an issue with the phone hardware.” They also said users "may notice slight, transient display artifacts when the device is turned off, and when they press on the power button with slight pressure but not enough to turn it on."

Anyway, the fixes are coming in December so it not coming later today. Google also added that if you want to turn it on and use it, just hold the power button till the display light up.

#News #Pixel
Get back notification lights on your Pixel with this app
Android Police (article) | Play Store (app link)

Since the Pixel 3, Google doesn't include the notification light in the upcoming Pixel models anymore. Anyway, on the first Pixel or Pixel 2, Google didn't even make use of the notification light like lighting it up when charging for example.

Well, there one app which can solve the issue. Developed by Jawomo, the aodNotify app is being ported to the Pixel series. Before that, he has make the apps to be compatible with other OEM phone models too.

He explains that the app is possible to bring over to the Pixel because the Pixel 6 phones has "a proper Always On Display and a dedicated low power Tensor Context Hub engine." On older model like the Pixel 5 and 4a, the app will hook into these phones' low-power solution that enables Always On Displays, which ensure the impact on the battery is at the minimum level.

Now Pixel owners can finally enjoy aodNotify's features. You can choose to display as a circular light around the punch hole camera, edge of the screen or class LED light style. Different color options allow you to further customise it. You can also preview notifications without waking the device.

You can also pair it to use with Pixel's Always On Display feature. If you don't want, you can also choose to display notification light only. Besides, most importantly, you can tell the app to make it appear when charging your device.

So far, the app is only optimise for the Pixel 6, Pixel 5, and Pixel 4a, further improvements and more proper Pixel devices support will be coming soon. Pixel 1 currently won't be able to use the app as it doesn't have Always on Display feature, which the app require to enable it. Give it a try if you miss notification light, link above for the application.

#Updates #Pixel
November 2021 Security Patch rolling out!
Changes

This is the first Android 12 security update for the Google Pixel devices. Unfortunately, Pixel 3 series is being kicked out of guaranteed update support.

Download for Google Pixel devices (Unlocked model):
Pixel 3a (SP1A.211105.002): Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 3a XL (SP1A.211105.002): Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 4 (SP1A.211105.002): Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 4 XL (SP1A.211105.002): Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 4a (SP1A.211105.002): Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 4a 5G (SP1A.211105.003): Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 5 (SP1A.211105.003): Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 5a (SP1A.211105.003): Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 6 (SD1A.210817.036): Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 6 Pro (SD1A.210817.036): Factory Images | OTA

*Rest of the carrier builds, check Google's official factory images & OTA images website.

Source:
Pixel Phone Support Forum

Follow @PixelHubUpdates

#News #Android #A12L
A Google representative talks about Material You, Android 12L and the "L" definition with XDA
XDA had an interview with Sameer Samat, the VP of Product Management for Android and Google Play. They will talk about the Material You in Android 12, Android skin related topic, Chrome & Wear OS and Android 12L.

First, they discussed about Material You & dynamic colors in Android 12. Sameer said they "had a vision in mind how we wanted the device and the Android ecosystem to come together around you, and your choices, from the wallpaper to all the other elements" when XDA asked about the theming stuff in custom ROMs and why not Google implemented it in the earlier time.

Then they continued with Android skin discussion. Sameer said "Android is a big ecosystem of device makers, and the Android operating system is there to support that huge ecosystem." Later they discussed about Chromebook or Chrome OS, but we will just skip through it and come to Android 12L.

Android 12L as we may know, is going to be optimise for tablets and foldables. Sameer told that all major app developers working together can make sure large screen form factors to work well. He continued that the Android team will release tools to help developers build their apps easier on large screen devices, and in the next 18 to 24 months, "for these form factors is going to be super exciting."

Lastly, probably most people are wondering for, is what does the ‘L’ in Android 12L stand for? Sameer just answered "It’s kind of mysterious, isn’t it? Maybe we should leave it mysterious." Seems like the riddle has not come to an end.

If you wanted to read the whole interview content, check it out over here. (XDA Developers)