Google Pixel
- What are the must-do changes that you've made to your Pixel?
Physical changes are also welcome, so things like skins, cases, screen protections etc... are fine to discuss.
For me, in this order:
- Wi-Fi calling: it was very surprising that this was not on by default, and enabling it helped a bit with the battery life on my Pixel 7a;
- Try custom launchers: I was happy with the phone but the very first annoying thing is the damn Google search bar and how there was no way to just hide it like any other widget. So I ended up installing KISS Launcher (it's FOSS and still maintained);
- Bite the bullet and install GrapheneOS: you get more security, sandboxed Play Services, a more fine-grained permissions system and you can still install the default Pixel apps from the Play Store while cutting off their internet access, and most importantly you get rid of the Google bar (also enabled Wi-Fi calling as previously done).
- Share your best Pixel photography tips and tricks! ๐ธ
The Pixel phone cameras and their AI photo enhancements using Google's Tensor chip are among the things where Pixel phones shine and which make their owners fall in love with them. In case you didn't see it already, please take a look at all of the beautiful shots by the members in our Pixel photography megathread and feel free to contribute your own! ๐
Whether you're a photography geek or just starting out, this thread aims to be a place to share tips and tricks to make the most out of your Pixel phone's camera and its AI magic to capture stunning shots.
Please feel free to share your favorite tricks regarding but not limited to:
-
Accessories: what are your must-have accessories that level up your photography experience?
-
Composition techniques: rule of thirds, golden ratio... do you use any of these techniques?
-
Digital zoom: do you ever use it?
-
Google Camera settings: what are your go-to settings in the Google Camera app for different scenarios? Or do you prefer using another app?
-
Gripping: how do you like to hold your device when shooting photos and videos?
-
Lenses: which lenses do you use the most? Do you find yourself using macro and wide angle more, or telephoto (maybe even for close ups)?
-
Lighting: how do you deal with different lighting conditions to get the perfect shot?
-
Portrait shots: how do you get that perfect bokeh effect in your portrait shots?
-
Post-processing: which Google Camera filters do you use the most? Do you use any other Android apps for additional post-processing or do you post-process on PC?
Model-specific tips are of course also welcome. Don't forget to state what phone model you have when posting!
Can't wait to see what photography hacks you've got up your sleeves! ๐ธโจ
-- with love by AlmightySnoo & hackitfast
(photo featuring the Google Camera app by Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian)
-
- Show us your Pixel photos! ๐ผ๏ธ
We'll keep it in a single sticky thread for now and see how it goes. Please don't forget to indicate which model you used to take the photo! ๐
---
EDIT: Won't be pushing Pixelfed anymore. As someone in the comments already said, it reduces the quality of your photos. And Lemmy.world isn't a small instance anymore and should handle the photos so we'll ignore the recommendation below, unless of course you don't mind the lossy compression that's being applied :-)
If you want a tiny bit of lossless compression before posting your photos, if you're on Linux you could feed them to jpegoptim.
---
The following is of course not necessary, but if it's not too complicated for you it might be preferable to host your photos on a Pixelfed instance if they are too large to help lessen the burden on the lemmy.world instance!Basically, once you upload your image on a Pixelfed instance, you can embed your image here by right-clicking (or long tap if on your phone) on the Pixelfed pic, choosing "copy image link" (or opening it in a new tab and copying the URL if your mobile browser doesn't show this), and then you paste the URL here inside an image tag like this:![](PASTE_URL_HERE)
- Meta Thread ๐๏ธ
Discussions and suggestions about how the community is run, the moderation, the rules etc... go here!
- Google Pixel 8a arrives โ price, specs and AI featureswww.tomsguide.com Google Pixel 8a arrives โ price, specs and AI features
Here's what you need to know about the latest midrange phone from Google
It's alive!
- Google Pixel 8A leak reveals seven years of security updateswww.theverge.com Google Pixel 8A leak reveals seven years of security updates
The release of the Pixel 8A is inching closer.
- Google widely rolling out new April OTA for Pixel 7, Fold, and 8 owners [U]9to5google.com Google widely rolling out new April OTA for Pixel 7, Fold, and 8 owners [U]
Google released new Android 14 QPR2 builds with the April 2024 patch for the Pixel 7/Pro, 7a, Fold, and 8/Pro, though there no update...
Received this today. I thought it was some emergency security fix given the odd update time.
- So now I have to open Bluetooth to toggle it on and off instead of a one-click toggle. Real shit "feature upgrade"
And there's no way to fix it short of flashing a new rom,as I understand. Just have to deal with the extra step now.
I was not impressed with this phone and they just keep making it less-user friendly.
I mean how the fuck are they justifying not letting you see which devices are connected to your hotspot?
Ri-diks.
- Google Pixel 9 series to get emergency satellite connectivity, new modemwww.androidauthority.com Exclusive: Google Pixel 9 series to get emergency satellite connectivity, new modem
The Pixel 9 series will come with upgrades to the modem, as well as emergency satellite connectivity. See all the details here.
- Hotspot speed issues
Just curious if anyone else has had this problem or knows a fix for it. On my pixel 8 using the hotspot I'm only able to get about 500 Kbps on whichever device I connect to. I've tested it on multiple devices and they are all getting the same speed. The phone itself is getting 150-300 mbps download over 5g cell on tmobile and even higher on wifi. I've tried multiple fixes that I've found online including turning off Bluetooth, updating the phone, turning off wifi calling and adaptive network and even setting up a custom APN but nothing has worked so far.
Just wondering if this is a known issue as I haven't found anything from Google about it.
- Pixel Launcher now lets you switch search providers in EU9to5google.com Google Pixel Launcher rolling out option switch to a different search provider in EU
Google is rolling out a Pixel Launcher update that delivers the ability to switch the default search provider from Google, but only in the EU
Was very excited about this but turns out I can only use DuckDuckGo app, not DuckDuckGo in Firefox. I'm afraid this feature won't really be usable for me since I rely on FF add-ons and synchronization.
- Googleโs Pixel 8A leaks in all colors โ including a bold greenwww.theverge.com Googleโs Pixel 8A leaks in all colors โ including a bold green
Its announcement at Google I/O keeps getting closer.
- Google shows off the Pixel 8a in ad for Fi Wireless9to5google.com Google shows off the Pixel 8a in ad for Fi Wireless
Google has, likely by mistake, shown off its upcoming Pixel 8a mid-range phone in an advertisement for Google Fi Wireless.
>The ad shows Googleโs new mid-range device in blue and off-white color variants, and itโs abundantly clear that it is the Pixel 8a. For one, the device in question has two cameras and a blue color, something the standard Pixel 8 wouldnโt fit. Itโs also lacking a microphone near the cameras.
The ad in question:
- 6 photography tips to capture the solar eclipse with your Pixelblog.google 6 photography tips to capture the solar eclipse with your Pixel
On April 8, a total solar eclipse will cross parts of North America. Hereโs what you need to know to capture it with your Pixel phone.
In case some of you want to take pictures tomorrow ๐
- How to make 'now playing' always work?
On my pixel 6, I don't know what update changed this, but you have to tap the music symbol on the lock screen to get it to ID a song. I want it to listen all the time like it used to so I can no-hassle scrobble vinyl to last.fm. Any ideas?
- How to ensure pixel 8 pro stops backing up?
Hi all,
I have backups turned off everywhere I can find the ability to do so on my pixel 8 pro, but am regularly (multiple times per week) getting notifications that my Google storage is almost full. Lo and behold, every time I check drive, I suddenly have a backup that I have to delete, again and again. Does anyone have any tips? It's really making me regret getting a Google phone, since I don't need my phone connected to my email.
Thanks in advance! :)
- Google is mishandling the Pixel lineup.
Most, if not all of the new image and video stuff is done in the cloud, so why is it that only the Pixel 8 and up are getting them? It's hard to recommend a Pixel, or buy another one when they seem to only be focused on selling the newest phone.
That sounds normal, but really it's not. Samsungs and iPhones have features only on the newest devices, yes. But if the hardware of the previous gens allow, the older phones get as many new features as possible.
The Pixel 4a got Magic Eraser (a feature introduced on Pixel 6). To have a Pixel 7, and get almost none of the new software-based features leaves a sour taste in my mouth.
A phone bought less than a year ago shouldn't feel so abandoned! Even the $300 Xiaomi I had was better supported.
- What old pixels should i avoid?
It's about time to move on from my 2xl, I'm shooting for a used/referb for under $250.
- The Google Pixel 8A may get a brighter, 120Hz displaywww.theverge.com The Google Pixel 8A may get a brighter, 120Hz display
The Pixel 8A is more like Googleโs non-pro phone than ever.
- Googleโs Pixel 9 will reportedly come in three sizes this fallwww.theverge.com Googleโs Pixel 9 will reportedly come in three sizes this fall
The Pro cameras will come in both a small and โXLโ size.
- Lock Screen Shortcuts Too Sensitive
When I got my Pixel 8 Pro, which I generally love, and Lock Screen Shortcuts were a new thing, I configured on for flashlight and one for DND. At first, I felt like the buttons weren't sensitive enough and they were difficult to activate unless I got my finger JUST right, didn't move, and held it the perfect amount of time.
Then, the last update, I am constantly seeing my flashlight turn on or my phone is randomly in DND. I think now the buttons are too sensitive. I guess someone noticed the issue I had above and way overcompensated.
Anyone else?
- March update, Bluetooth Audio, and alarm clock
Before this latest update (android 14 March update; pixel 7a), I used to get alarms both on my Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids, and the phone speakers. That's also true for the timer function.
But now it seems they're going only to the hearing aids, not the phone, which is problematic because at night the hearing aids sit in a charger, not my ears, but are (quite annoyingly) still connected to the phone. Which means the last few days I missed my morning alarm.
The other morning, while trying to figure out what was going on, I selected the alarm tone, and it only kind of played on the phone (my hearing aids were still in the charging case). It played for less than a second then off. A little later, it played and then off.
When I first upgraded to the march update, I noticed Bluetooth cycling on and off a few times (but I don't recall seeing it afterwards).
Anyone have similar experiences? Known bug? Some settings I'm not aware of that I should try?
- Latest Google Pixel update finally fixes notification history9to5google.com Latest Google Pixel update finally fixes notification history
After months of being partially broken in the most frustrating way, the latest Google Pixel update fixes notification history.
- Google Pixel 9 will be trackable even when powered offwww.androidheadlines.com Lost Your Phone? Don't Panic, This New Pixel 9 Feature Could Save the Day
Exciting news for Google Pixel fans! The upcoming Pixel 9 series will feature a 'Powered Off Finder' API, allowing you to track your device even when it's turned off.
- Google finally enables display output on the Pixel 8, here's what it could mean for a DeX-like modewww.androidauthority.com Google finally enables display output on the Pixel 8, here's what it could mean for a DeX-like mode
With the latest Android beta, Google has finally enabled display output over USB-C on the Pixel 8 series. Here's why that's important.
- Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2 is out for Pixel devicesdeveloper.android.com Release notes ย |ย Android Developers
Release notes and known issues for the latest Android 14 builds.
From the release notes, it provides the following fixes:
> - Fixed an issue that sometimes caused a device to crash or restart unexpectedly. > - Fixed an issue that sometimes caused a device to crash or restart unexpectedly while updating apps after the device was flashed. > - Fixed issues that caused a device to display a blank, black screen after booting from flash. > - Fixed an issue that caused a device to crash and display a blank, black screen after switching to a secondary user. > - Fixed issues when always-on display mode was enabled that interfered with the "Double tap to wake" gesture and prevented the device from unlocking if the user tried to use their fingerprint to unlock the device. > - Fixed an issue that sometimes caused battery information to not display correctly in the system settings, status bar, and on the lock screen. > - Fixed issues that prevented device-to-device transfers and backup and restore from working. > - Fixed various issues that were impacting system stability, performance, and camera.
The new beta targets the following devices:
- Pixel 5a;
- Pixel 6 and 6 Pro;
- Pixel 6a;
- Pixel 7 and 7 Pro;
- Pixel 7a;
- Pixel Fold;
- Pixel Tablet;
- Pixel 8 and 8 Pro.
- Your Pixel is getting even better...
Hot damn that's a large update! Anyone know what's in it?
E: It's QPR2.
- I traded in my Pixel Fold.
I simply didn't like the device. At first I loved it, but after the honeymoon period I found myself slowly regretting my purchase.
The phone is simply too heavy. The thing weighs an absolute ton. I'd have to rest it on a pillow when browsing because using the phone for more than a couple minutes would start to hurt my wrists.
The inner screen felt largely useless. Apps were rarely formatted for the aspect ratio of the interior screen, and even some apps that had foldable support on Samsung's offering were bizarrely absent on the Fold namely Facebook.
Apps aside even consuming media using the tablet display felt bad, again, because of the square aspect ratio severely limiting the viewable space. Movies and shows had black bars that made the viewing area only marginally larger, if at all, than a slab device.
The Tensor 2 just isn't a great chip. It makes no sense that Google launched a 2023 flagship device that's twice the cost of a Pixel 8 Pro only months before said Pixel Pro with LAST YEAR'S processor. What the hell? We didn't even get the extended phone updates that the Pixel 8 Pro received guaranteeing 7 years of support vs 3. $1800 for a phone with half the support and an outdated processor missing all the AI capabilities Google is currently leaning into heavily going forward.
Not even the camera was as good as the Pixel 7 Pro's. $1800 for a phone that's technically worse than last year's $800 model with the same chipset all for the folding gimmick that hardly adds anything to the experience but weight.
I had never been happier to get rid of a phone and go back to a slab with the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Honestly I don't think I could be convinced to go back to a foldable as for my use case I couldn't find a purpose for a "kind of" tablet.
- Pixel 8 pro experience
How is everyone enjoying their Pixel 8 experience?
Around the black Friday sales time, I tentatively switched from a Pixel 6 pro to an 8 pro. I was pretty nervous about the switch as my experience with the 6 pro was good but not great (specifically the battery life) and I didn't want the same to happen with the 8 pro. However, a few months on and I can say that my experience has been outstanding.
I never have to worry about battery life; the screen is bright and amazing; the face unlock is reliable and fast; and, it just feels like a more premium build compared to my 6 pro.
If you made the switch, what's your experience been like?
(Edit: P.S. I know I asked this question at launch in this sub but I love hearing long-term reviews ๐ )
- Battery life showdown โ Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max vs OnePlus 12 vs Pixel 8 Prowww.tomsguide.com Battery life showdown โ Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max vs OnePlus 12 vs Pixel 8 Pro
It all comes down to the power efficiency of their chips
Results look disappointing for the Pixel 8 Pro in this test as it lands last for battery life and does a bit better than the iPhone 15 Pro Max in terms of charging speed.
About how they perform their battery life test:
>This is done by using a light meter to calibrate their displays to 150 nits, then running a script that simulates web surfing over 5G cellular connectivity. This is done until their batteries are depleted.
- Google Pixel Fold 2 360-Degree Video And 5K Renders Reveal; No More Horizontal Camera Visor - Smartprixwww.smartprix.com Exclusive: Google Pixel Fold 2 360-Degree Video And 5K Renders Reveal; No More Horizontal Camera Visor - Smartprix
In partnership with one of the most trusted leaksters in the industry, @OnLeaks, we present before our readers their first look at high-quality Pixel Fold 2 renders.
Looks like the previous render leak was (unfortunately) spot on about the camera changes.
- Favorite bands for the Pixel Watch (1&2)?
Been really liking the OEM Stretch bands from the Google Store. Great for daily use and sleep tracking. Pretty expensive so I waited for a sale.
- A new "Watch Unlock" feature seems to be rolling out
I just had this notification come up, not sure if it's exclusive to
Pixel Watches(appears to be Pixel Watch exclusive currently) and Pixel phones - but seems to be a more "intelligent" version of Trusted Devices since supposedly the range is shorter, and it requires your watch to be unlocked.Seems nice. If your phone is unlocked by the watch, a screen on the watch will appear for a few seconds that lets you relock the phone (and I suspect prevents it from unlocking again until the PIN is entered).
Obligatory "trust your surroundings" disclaimer if you enable this. I haven't had the opportunity to test the range yet, but I'll certainly enjoy it at home at the very least.
Google has a support document on this feature here - provided by @scottrepreneur@lemmy.world
- Mystery Google phone sparks Pixel 8a speculation: A big battery upgrade on the horizon?www.androidauthority.com Mystery Google phone sparks Pixel 8a speculation: A big battery upgrade on the horizon?
An unnamed Google phone has popped up on a certification website with a near 5,000mAh battery. Speculation suggests it could be the Pixel 8a.
tl;dr: a testing certificate for a Google phone going by the model name "GH2MB" (similar to those of the Pixel 7a) is suggesting that the Pixel 8a might be getting a 4,942mAh battery. For a comparison, the Pixel 7a has 4,385mAh, the 8 has 4,575mAh and the 8 Pro has 5,050mAh.
- The next Google Pixel feature drop tipped to include privacy and Bluetooth upgradeswww.techradar.com The next Google Pixel feature drop tipped to include privacy and Bluetooth upgrades
Here's what's coming... probably
tl;dr about the expected privacy feature: Pixel owners would be able to quickly see which apps have access to the camera or the microphone.
Screenshots from Android Central:
- How to install GrapheneOSwww.androidpolice.com How to install GrapheneOS
A step-by-step guide to get you started with the best privacy/security ROM on Android
Just Android Police giving a shout-out to GrapheneOS :-)
(see also our previous thread about GrapheneOS)
- Google Pixel Fold 2 leaks with wild new rear camera, new hinge, taller display9to5google.com Google Pixel Fold 2 leaks with wild new rear camera, new hinge, taller display
Following leaked renders of the Pixel 9 series, it seems the Pixel Fold 2 is joining the โprominent camera bumpโ...
Leaked photo from Android Authority:
- Turn off Circle to Search
In case you erroneously run into Circle to Search and you want to disable it like me.
- I have a Superfans code for $50 off a Pixel 7a/8/8 Pro if anyone wants it.
CLAIMED
Send a PM and I'll send you the code. Mods feel free to take down if this isn't allowed. - Google Pixel Update - February 2024
Quoting their changelog:
> Camera > - General improvements for system stability and performance in certain conditions (Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8) > > Display & Graphics > - Fix for display getting corrupted in certain conditions (Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8) > - Fix for issue with outer display in certain conditions (Pixel Fold) > > Framework > - Fix for stability or performance with certain third party apps (Pixel 5a (5G), Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro) > > Wi-Fi > - General improvements for Wi-Fi stability and performance in certain conditions (Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8)
They also fixed a few CVEs (including one critical): https://source.android.com/docs/security/bulletin/2024-02-01