Google Pixel phones News

The Google's Identity Check feature is designed to tackle scenarios where someone might gain access to your device even if they know your passcode, PIN, or password.  

Google had previously made the source code for Android 12 available only to developers. Android 12 upgrade is currently only available for Google Pixel phones. Users may also see when apps are accessing their microphone and camera via privacy indicators and a new Privacy Dashboard.

Though the issue does not seem to be widespread but is causing afflicted Pixel 5 devices to be downgraded to Widevine`s L3 status, instead of the usual Widevine L1, which is what authenticates to allow for HD and HDR playback for Netflix, among other things. The issue appears to have been exacerbated by the recent April security update for the phone, although it's not clear if the two are actually linked. The content is secured using a three-level system.L1 is the most secure and ensures that all content processing and cryptography is handled within a trusted execution environment on the device`s processor.

Pixel 5a 5G will be available later this year in the US and Japan and announced in line with when last year`s a-series phone was introduced, a Google spokesperson said. The upcoming mid-range smartphone was expected to be launched at this year`s Google I/O developer conference alongside the rumored Pixel Buds A. The Pixel 4a 5G, which bears major similarities to the Pixel 5a 5G including Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chip that`s in such short supply right now, was released in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Taiwan, UK, and the US, according to Google's device availability page.

`Slider` is a shared platform for the first Whitechapel systems on a chip (SoC). `Whitechapel` is an effort on Google`s part to create their own systems on a chip (SoCs) to be used in Pixel phones and Chromebooks alike. A new patent has claimed that the upcoming Google Pixel 6 will feature an under-screen selfie snapper.

Google has hired Indian-origin chip architect Manu Gulati, who was working with Apple for the last eight years in a key role, to build its own chips for the upcoming Pixel phones, media reports said.