Find My Device version 3 is rolling out now to prepare for the launch of Android's Find My Device network.

A new line has been added to the page for marking a device as "lost". It reads: "Mark the device as lost to be notified if the Find My Device network locates it."

The app also has a BUNCH of new strings pertaining to new features of the Find My Device network, including the ability to temporarily share the location of devices with other people (for 24h, and optionally with only one other person), editing the contact info of accessories that others can read by tapping their phone (in case they're lost), categories of devices (bag, bike, camera, headphones, keys, etc.), set the ring volume of a device (factory default, high, low, or medium), play a sound on located trackers, view the battery level of an accessory, and more.

Also interesting is the responsible use notice:

"Google’s Find My Device helps you locate the shared device and your devices safely. The app should always be used in a responsible, safe, and legal way.

To maintain a safe experience, you must adhere to the Find My Device Acceptable Use Policy. Using Find My Device to track individuals without their consent may be a crime punishable by law. Law enforcement may request identifying information in these cases"

Reminder: The Find My Device app just provides the UI for seeing the location of devices/sending commands. The actual Find My Device service is handled by Google Play Services. The FMDN is part of a separate Play Services module that has not been marked to roll out to users yet.

So no, updating your Find My Device app to v3 won't enable FMDN support, but it is an important step for its eventual rollout.

#Updates #PixelWatch
September 2023 Pixel Watch update changelog:
Release date: September 11, 2023
Build: RWDC.230905.003

Wear OS Security Bulletin - September 2023

What’s Included
• The September 2023 software update includes the latest security patches for Pixel Watch users.

OTA rollout for all devices will begin on September 11, but devices within Canada will start rolling out on September 18.

Source: Pixel Watch Support Forum

Follow @PixelHubUpdates

#Android #A14QPR1
Android 14 QPR1 Beta will be released next week, September 18th
r/android_beta

Google has announced that the beta for Android 14 QPR1 will start next week, September 18th and will have the latest bug fixes and improvements set to be released in December 2023.

If you are currently enrolled in the Beta Program, you will automatically receive the Android 14 QPR1 update.

For those who wish to exit the Beta Program without the need to wipe their data, follow these steps:
- Opt out of the program before September 18th
- Ignore the downgrade OTA update
- Wait for the final public stable release of Android 14 (UP1A), which is expected soon. The OTA message will be labeled 'Downgrade' in the denoscription

If you have already received the Android 14 QPR1 update and no longer wish to participate, you can opt out of the Beta Program and wait for the official Android 14 release.

To return to Android 13, simply install the downgrade OTA.

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#News #Pixel #RightToRepair
Genuine Pixel Tablet parts are now available in the iFixit store

Google's collaboration with iFixit is growing even further, with the Pixel Tablet now joining the list of devices with parts being available at the partner store.

You can purchase the display, battery, camera (rear only), housings, charging ports, speakers and other miscellaneous parts with kits available for you to repair your device by yourself.

Unfortunately, with this Google has announced they will not be providing Pixel Watch parts or repaired, which leaves you on ice if your watch breaks.

You can find the parts for the Pixel Tablet on iFixit's website

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#Updates #Pixel
September 2023 Security Patch has been released!
Release date: September 18, 2023
Build: TQ3A.230901.001, TQ3A.230901.001.B1 (Pixel Tablet), TQ3C.230901.001.A1 (Pixel Fold)

Android Security Bulletin - September 2023 | Pixel Update Bulletin - September 2023

While everyone's waiting for the Android 14 release, Google has decided to release the September 2023 build of Android 13 with security patches.

Note: Pixel 4a 4G has been dropped.

Download for Google Pixel devices:
Pixel 4a (5G): Factory Image | OTA
Pixel 5: Factory Image | OTA
Pixel 5a: Factory Image | OTA
Pixel 6: Factory Image | OTA
Pixel 6 Pro: Factory Image | OTA
Pixel 6a: Factory Image | OTA
Pixel 7: Factory Image | OTA
Pixel 7 Pro: Factory Image | OTA
Pixel 7a: Factory Image | OTA
Pixel Tablet: Factory Image | OTA
Pixel Fold: Factory Image | OTA

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#Pixel4a
R.I.P Pixel 4a (4G)

With the September 2023 security patch, Google has stopped updating the Google Pixel 4a (4G) after the last guaranteed update in August.

The device, released in 2020 was a $349 midranger which was compact and had a great price to performance ratio featuring a Snapdragon 730G chip, a 5.8" AMOLED display with thin bezels and the same flagship-grade main camera as Pixel 4.

Google supported the 4a with three years of OS updates from Android 10 to Android 13 QPR3 on the August 2023 security patch.

Users of the Pixel 4a may receive one additional update with bugfixes just like older devices but it is not guaranteed.

Follow @PixelHubUpdates

#Android #A14QPR1
Android 14 QPR1 Beta has been released!
Release date: September 20, 2023
Build: U1B1.230908.003
Security patch level: September 2023
Play Services version: 23.32.17

Google has released the first Android 14 QPR1 Beta for Pixel 5a to Fold devices. Enroll into the beta program to get OTA directly from Google. Here's the list of fixes.

Download:
• Factory Images
• OTA images

Follow @PixelHubUpdates

#Android #A14QPR1
Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1 Changelog

• Fixed an issue where the system UI sometimes crashed after notifications were posted or interacted with.
• Fixed an issue that caused devices to crash in some cases.
• Fixed an issue that caused the recording view to freeze while recording video.
• Fixed an issue where a device sometimes couldn't be interacted with after rebooting.
• Fixed an issue where device alarms were sometimes reset after installing a system update.

Follow @PixelHubUpdates

Say goodbye to your laptop’s crappy webcam, because you can now use a Pixel as your PC’s webcam! If you want to know more about how Android 14’s new webcam feature works, check out this article I wrote for Esper which goes DEEP into the topic!

Android now shows battery information in settings! You can now go to Settings > About phone > Battery information to see the manufacture date and cycle count of your device’s battery. Not every device will report this info, though.

Sadly, this page doesn’t show the battery stat that I think most of you are interested in: the state of health, ie. the remaining estimated full charge capacity relative to the rated capacity in %.

Pixels are getting a new lock screen clock in Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1! Here’s a look at the new “Metro” clock style:

You can now set a different live wallpaper on the lock screen and home screen in Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1, as I previously reported would be happening! You can learn more about this change in this previous post I made.

As I previously reported, Android is getting support for saving an app pair, and more progress has been made on this feature. In Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1, you can now actually save and launch an app pair. However, it doesn’t have an icon and can’t be renamed.