#Pixel
Around 10 million Google Pixel devices are already on Android 12
9To5Google

It's hard to know how many Pixel devices did Google sold out as they don't give out the statistics, but Security Hub app suggests the number figure to us.

Google earlier has listed Security Hub in Play Store, and this app is only available for Pixel devices running Android 12. Interestingly, Google didn't disable the downloads count for the app, which give us an idea on how many Pixel devices are out there, and seems like there are more than 10 million Pixel devices on Android 12 already. According to 9To5Google, the downloads count stuck at 5 million+ since Nov 2021 and recently manage to reach 10 million+.

The statistics, for sure won't be 100% accurate, as they are some people who are savvy in the Android space spoof their phone as a Pixel or run Pixel custom ROMs. Anyway, majority of the number figure are still coming from actual Pixel devices, so it doesn't really make too much difference.

#Workspace
Google Workspace offers Essential Starter edition for free, but there's no Gmail
Google Cloud Blog

There seems to be an alternative replacement to G Suite legacy free edition (but not really as there are still some difference), as Google announced Workspace Essential Starter edition, which doesn't have limited trial period and credit card isn't required too.

With this Workspace tier, you get access to these Google's productivity applications: Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, Chat. There will only be 15GB free storage for each account, and you probably had realised there's one core product missing from the list: Gmail. If your organisation or team need it, you will need to find one alternative service out there.

Those who are interested in making the switch or want to give it a try can sign up over at Google Workspace site. It will be available globally for sign up in the coming weeks.

#News
Google announced Chromebook repair program for schools
Google Blog

Google today just reported that over 50 million students and teachers are using Chromebooks, at the same time they introduced Chromebook repair program for schools in the US.

Google hope to "build towards a more sustainable device ecosystem," hence they announced the program. Google has created a site all about it, which provide full-repair guide for several models of the Chromebooks made by Asus and Lenovo. Schools can also easily identify commonly repaired components of the Chromebooks.

Besides this, Google also mentioned Chromebooks use up to 46% less energy comparing to other devices.

#Pixel6 #Photos
Magic Eraser in Google Photos is crashing for some Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro devices
Android Police

UPDATE: Google has released an update to fix the issue.

Google introduced Magic Eraser in Google Photos only for their Pixel 6 series. It's cool that you can remove items from the photos easily, but recently an update to the Google Photos app make the feature unusable.

Owners on Reddit and Twitter have been reporting such issue starting yesterday. When they used the Magic Eraser functionality, the app crashed. Some users tried basic troubleshoot to solve the issue, like clearing cache, rebooting the phone, but all of these doesn't help. Android Police mentioned that they are able to reproduce the issue with Google Photos app version 5.76.0.425427310 on their Pixel 6 unit.

Apparently this is not the first time that Google made such mistake, earlier they removed Magic Eraser feature for both Pixel 6 devices, but later it has been restored within a matter of time.

If you own a Pixel 6 and still have the feature working, you might want to make sure that you don't update Google Photos until Google fixed the issue.

#Pixel6
Pixel 6 sales figure in last December were highest since Dec 2019
The Friday Checkout (YouTube Video)

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet earlier reported that the Pixel 6 is a successful commercial sale for the company. If you are wondering how successful it is, here are some more information about it.

Marton, or better known as TechAltar, got some exclusive information from Counterpoint Research of the Pixel 6 sales figure, and later published it on his second channel. He said that in Q4 2021, Pixel 6 sold 7% more than the Pixel 5 in Q4 2020, and specifically in December the sale figure is up by 14% comparing to last December, which is also the highest sales record since December 2019.

Counterpoint Research also left a quote to him, saying that the Pixel 6 sales "were somewhat held back by shortages" at first, but later it improved as the supply slowly restored through Q4. The device is also selling up by 63% quarter-over-quarter, but since Google only released Pixel 5a in US and Japan, the stats isn't really surprising.

It seems like the Pixel 6 series could be Google's most successful Pixel phone ever after seeing this impressive statistics, but this is only just the beginning. It will be interesting to see how the sales figure continue to perform for the next few months.

#Apps #Photos #Pixel6
Google released Photos app update to fix Magic Eraser crashing issue
r/GooglePixel | Previous post

After a few hours posting the incident, Google has responded over at Reddit that they have released an update to Google Photos which fixed the issue.

Users will need to update Google Photos app over to version 5.76.0.426251772 "or higher" in order to have Magic Eraser functionality working. The update is rolling out in Play Store and might take a few hours till the update is available for everyone.

Donwload (5.76.0.426251772):
Play Store

#Slides
Google Slides recently hit 1 billion installs in Play Store
Google Docs and Google Sheets has entered the 1 billion installs club for awhile, just Google Slides is being left behind with only 500 million+ installs, but just recently, it managed to reach the milestone.

Google Slides app for Android is released back in June 2014, it reached 500 million downloads milestone in May 2019. The app let you edit slides on the go with just your phone, also support opening PowerPoint file.

Anyway now all the three Google productivity office suite apps has reached 1 billion downloads, it will be exciting to see when Google Drive is going to hit 10 billion installs milestone.

Follow @PixelHubUpdates

#Apps #Messages
Google Messages navigation drawer and Photos integration is slowly rolling out for some
9To5Google | Previous post

Discovered a few days ago by 9To5Google, the navigation drawer and Photos integration in Google Messages is starting to roll out.

When opening Messages app, you will see a screen prompting you to “Share videos as they’re meant to be seen,” which Google explained they will use Photos to upload media and send links. You will be given option to sign in or use without an account. You can toggle whether to send it as link in the Settings, “Manage links in Google Photos” will give you option to delete shared content by revoking the link.

The redesign Google Messages app with Google Photos integration is rolling out for some users on version messages.android_20220128_02_RC00.phone.openbeta_dynamic. At the time of writing, it isn't widely rollout yet.

Download (20220128_02_RC00):
Play Store | APKMirror

#ChromeOS
Chrome OS to support sharing and receiving Wi-Fi credentials via Nearby Share
Chrome Story

You can already use Nearby Share to share Wi-Fi credentials on Android 12, and Google is planning to bring it over to Chrome OS.

A merged commit in Chromium repository shows that Google is planning to bring the ability to receive Wi-FI credentials via Nearby Share (via Chrome Story). Besides that, there is another commit which shows that Chrome OS will let you share it out to other device too.

All these features are all still under development and might take quite a while for them to start working.

#Chrome
A new logo for Chrome after nearly 8 years, and will be customised for every platform
Elvin

Google Chrome has been using the same logo since 2014 on all platforms, and guess what, an update to the logo is on its way, and will be uniquely designed for each platform.

The new logo has removed all the subtle shadows which is previously on the outer ring, but there are still subtle gradient in order to avoid "unpleasant color vibration" between green and red. The proportions of the logo also got some minor changes, with the inner blue circle got enlarged.

Besides that, every platform will have its unique design, Windows will get an "obviously gradated look," while Chrome OS use brighter colors, and 3D look is used for macOS. Non-stable channel except Canary will have the banner placed on the top-left corner, meanwhile iOS will use “blueprint-like” design for the logo.

The new logo is currently being tested out on the Canary channel, and it might get introduced on version 100 if everything goes well.

#Duo
Google Duo hit 5 billion installs milestone on Play Store
Android Police

No matter you use it or not, Google Duo application has reached 5 billion downloads count on the Play Store.

This app come preinstalled with most of the recent Android phones, so even if you personally don't use the service, and the app is installed on your phone by default, this still help increase the downloads count by one.

These day the service didn't really gain any new features, other than the Material You redesign which is rolled out a few months ago, that's pretty much it. Google also plan to merge it with Meet, but has later cancelled to do so. Anyway, let's see how Google will continue improving the service in the near future.

#Duo
Google Duo could gain Breakout Rooms, streaming and recording meeting features
XDA Developers

Google Duo just managed to reach 5 billion installs milestone, and seems like Google is preparing to bring new features to the service.

By this point, you most likely have experienced with video conferencing services, and one of the feature which divide participants into smaller groups is breakout rooms. Apparently, Google is going to bring it over to Duo, strings in the app suggested:

<string name="breakout_ended_dialog_noscript">Breakout room has ended</string>
<string name="breakouts_active">Breakout rooms are in session</string>
<string name="breakouts_in_session_banner_text">Breakout rooms are in session</string>

Besides, streaming and recording feature will also be added into the service too:

<string name="broadcast_active">This meeting is being streamed</string>
<string name="broadcast_active_prejoin_text">This meeting is being streamed</string>
<string name="broadcast_and_recording_active">This meeting is being streamed and recorded</string>
<string name="broadcast_and_recording_active_prejoin_text">This meeting is being streamed and recorded</string>
<string name="broadcast_initializing_content_denoscription">Live stream will start soon</string>
<string name="broadcast_initiated">This meeting is being streamed</string>
<string name="broadcast_initiated_by_participant">{PARTICIPANT_NAME} has started streaming</string>
<string name="broadcast_live_content_denoscription">This meeting is being streamed</string>
<string name="broadcast_live_indicator_text">LIVE</string>
<string name="broadcast_stopped">Streaming has stopped</string>

All these hidden features are discovered in version 159.0.425779378 and not rolled out to any users. When it make its appearance to the public, we will let you know about it.

#Updates #Pixel
February 2022 Security Patch Changelog

Camera
• Fix for issue causing device reboot when using camera in certain conditions *[1].

Bluetooth
• Fix for issue causing audio playback to disconnect while using certain Bluetooth devices *[1].
• General improvements for Bluetooth audio quality with certain media codecs *[1].

Framework
• Fix for issue causing keyboard to display over input text in certain conditions *[2].

Telephony
• Connectivity fixes for specific carrier networks *[3].

---------------------------------------------------------------

Device Applicability
*[1] Included on Pixel 6 & Pixel 6 Pro
*[2] Included on Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 5, Pixel 5a (5G), Pixel 6 & Pixel 6 Pro
*[3] Included on Pixel 4, Pixel 4XL, Pixel 4a (5G) & Pixel 5 (C Spire, Cellcom)

Source:
Pixel Phone Support Forum

Follow @PixelHubUpdates

#Updates #Pixel
February 2022 Security Patch is rolling out!
Changes

The second update of this year is out! This time Pixel 6 & 6 Pro users are not waiting longer for the update like for the last 2 months. Check your OTA for the update! This month also brings minor fixes, as Android 12L and Android 13 Developer beta's are around the corner

Download for Google Pixel devices:
Pixel 3: Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 3 XL: Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 3a: Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 3a XL: Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 4: Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 4 XL: Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 4a: Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 4a 5G: Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 5: Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 5a: Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 6: Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 6 Pro: Factory Images | OTA

*Build ID
Pixel 3/XL: SP1A.210812.016
Pixel 3a/XL, Pixel 4/XL, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 5, Pixel 5a: SQ1A.220205.002
Pixel 6 & Pixel 6 Pro: SQ1D.220205.003

Source:
Pixel Phone Support Forum

Follow @PixelHubUpdates

#Pixel #Pixel3
Pixel 3 & 3 XL get it's last update?

UPDATE: It is confirmed that this will be the last update for the Pixel 3 series.

As promised, Google releases it's last update for the Pixel 3 series in Q1 after the guaranteed software period.

The build ID is SP1A.210812.016 which matches the October 2021 patch of the Verizon Pixel 5/4a 5g/4a/4 XL/4/3a/3a XL.

The changelog does not mention anything for the Pixel 3 series, this is very weird.

Pixel 3: Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 3 XL: Factory Images | OTA

Follow @PixelHubUpdates