This morning we've discovered the existence of Google's 2018 edition(s) of the Google Pixel smartphone. Wording in an official AOSP code commit suggests that more than one Pixel device will be revealed in 2018, but that Google's not quite gotten to AOSP testing just yet. Once Google developers begin testing AOSP builds on their 2018 Pixel devices, we'll see their code-names (fishy, fishy code-names) for the first time.
Google Pixel 3 will likely appear at a similar time as last year's devices - but a few extra devices were tipped this afternoon, too. Included in the mix are three models: Ling, Triton, and Sardine - that's according to Roland Quandt, who also suggests the devices will run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 mobile processor. There might be three, there might be two, or there might just be one.
This morning the first signs of life in the world of Pixel 3 appeared in Google-made code. Not one whole heck of a lot of concrete info is out just yet, but this can serve as a starting point for preparing for the next big release from Google. We begin with a bit of the ol' AOSP code commit perusal.
Google is pushing ahead with plans to release a mid-range Pixel smartphone, according to sources who have leaked the company's alleged plans. The mid-range model is said to be one of multiple devices Google has in the pipeline for launch this summer, with the company specifically targeting it at emerging markets like India. The mid-range Pixel will be cheaper than existing Pixel 2 handsets.
In recent days, Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL owners started complaining about an issue with the phone's battery life, namely that it had decreased substantially following the models' February update. According to impacted users, the phones also experience warmer temperatures, a pair of problems that are frustrating users. Now Google has confirmed that it is investigating the issue.
Following a recent software update, some Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL owners are reporting issues with warm phones and decreased battery life. Reports are appearing at various online destinations, including Google's own Pixel forums, Twitter, and Reddit. For most users, a higher temperature appears to be the primary complaint.
The Android versus iOS war may often be phrased in terms of Pixel vs iPhone, but new sales stats for Google's Pixel suggest there's a long way to go before Apple needs to be worried. The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL launched last year to no shortage of enthusiasm from Android fans, replacing handsets that had been equally lauded by vocal users.
This Android Security team developer Gian G Spicuzza spoke about what's new in Android Oreo for security. This next generation smartphone OS is made to be secure for the most personal device in the life of a person with both hardware security support, platform hardening, and process isolation. Device identifier changes join new layers of app security with Android Oreo as well.
Today we're having a peek at a Toast wooden smartphone cover for the Google Pixel 2 XL. This is the second time I've used a smartphone with Toast wood on its exterior. Both times I've been above and beyond the average amount of impressed. The custom cuts, the feel, and the unique nature of the fit - for all of these reasons, I cannot recommend Toast any higher. These products do their job well, and they look good doing so.
Google kicked off the whole monthly security bulletin practice to assure Android users, or at least owners of its Nexus and Pixel devices, that they will get timely and critical security fixes before all hell breaks loose. In a rather odd turn of events, however, Google missed that window when it rolled out the November set of security patches without a fix for the KRACK vulnerability. Fortunately, that whole scare seems to have blown over on its own before Google could finally get the fix out the door today.
The folks at IHS Markit released their first analyzation of initial sales for the iPhone X this week, and we're running down the numbers. We're also having a peek at what's happened to the Android universe since Apple revealed their "10." The first and most important part of this set of information is the IHS Markit forecast of iPhones shipped by Apple in Q4 2017: a cool 88.8 million units*. That'd be Apple's most iPhones sold in a single quarter in their whole history.
The Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL have a special processor inside developed by Google for their visual brains specifically. These devices hadn't had this processor activated before this week - now it's ready to roll. What follows is our analyzation of what's been improved. Spoiler alert: photos look a whole lot more awesome.