The time for Night Sight for Google Pixel devices is here, and the release time is imminent. Google revealed this morning that they were prepared to release this next-gen camera feature for their Pixel 3 family of devices in the coming days, but before then - features. Google shared a bunch of new information on the Night Sight feature and on how to make the most of it as it's released to the public.
The November update for Pixel and Nexus devices have just rolled out and the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P phones have received those as well. While that is normally good news, the update belies some rather sad news. Unless something terribly wrong requires an immediate fix, this is probably the last update the two phones will ever receive officially. And with the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P reaching their end of life, so too ends the line of Google’s Nexus devices.
Google just loves making magic using algorithms, accomplishing through software what would normally require hardware to pull off. From HDR to bokehs, Google’s Pixel phones have rivaled smartphones with more cameras precisely because of that. With the Pixel 3, Google teased a new Night Sight feature that has yet to officially arrive even on the Pixel 3. Good thing, then, that this is Android and Pixel owners of all generations can unofficially marvel at the feature before it even becomes officially available.
Today Google launched the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL with a couple of pretty enticing freebies onboard. One was a half-year of YouTube Music Premium for free, the other was unlimited photo storage with Google Photos (including original size photos and video, etc). Let's talk about the limits to these enticing bits before you jump in headfirst!
The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are official, and as you've probably guessed there aren't any big surprises for Google's 2018 Android 9 Pie flagships. What have probably been the most leaked devices in recent Android history deliver just what you'd expect from a flagship this year, including - for better or worse - a notched display.
Google's upcoming Pixel 3 series of smartphones might be one of the most-leaked devices in recent history. The big reveal event for the device is on Tuesday, October 9th, but for weeks now we've gotten early looks at the design, specs, and features. But topping all this off is that the unreleased, unannounced device was found on sale at a local store in Hong Kong. It was a new, in official retail packaging Pixel 3 XL, and by all accounts it's as real as it gets.
Google's big Pixel event is only two days away now, but unfortunately almost all the company's big product announcements have been leaked over the last week or so. Not only have we gotten early looks at the new Pixel 3 smartphone, but also the upcoming Pixel Slate tablet. Long-rumored to be Google's first Chrome OS-powered tablet, final images of the device have surfaced revealing the UI, detachable keyboard, and other details.
This morning each of the three different Google Pixel 3 colors leaked in press photos. We're getting a good look now at Black on Black, White on White, and Pink. The Pink color might actually be called "Sand" - we're not entirely sure just yet. There's also a possible fourth color in the mix in Mint - but that might just stay stuck as the colorful accent color for the White.
One of the perks of owning a Google phone is that you are guaranteed regular monthly updates for up to two or three years, depending on what kind of update. What you're not guaranteed, however, are completely bug-free updates. Owners of the first Pixel and Pixel XL "Made by Google" phones learned that the hard way when they discovered almost two months ago that the Android 9 Pie update broke fast charging capabilities. Now two months later, the fix is hopefully rolling out to everyone.
Accidents do happen and, unlike the phones of yesteryears, are smartphones today are as fragile as they are expensive. OEMs often frown upon third-party or even self-repairs but the likes of Google have little choice but to outsource repairs to the likes of uBreakiFix. That is, until now. Still unannounced but already live, Google silently added what it has simply dubbed as the "Repair Center" so that you can send in your Pixel phones directly to Google to be repaired by, well, hopefully Google.
The Google Pixel 3 had another leak last night, this time in the video realm. The video was actually seen in screenshots a couple weeks ago from a source other than that of the leak today, but now we're getting the full picture. Unfortunate for us, the features shown here aren't particularly new when it comes to Android 9 Pie - not when we're on a Pixel 2. Instead, it's almost as if we're seeing what's already possible on a Pixel 2 XL, but here on a Pixel 3.
This week the Google Pixel 3's Live Wallpaper collection leaked, and one shows the Mololo Barrier Reef. When the wallpaper is loaded to an Android smartphone properly, a tiny white boat can be seen. In the Live Wallpaper version of this image, this little boat drives around the screen, moving in and out of the reef, all cute-like.