Google ‘teases’ a ‘mini Pixel,’ seen as company poking fun at rumoured ‘Pixel Ultra’ smartphone

Google is all set to launch new hardware on October 9th and leading up to the date, the company is having fun at its expense—or as a jab at all the rumor-mongering surrounding the possibility of a larger notch-less Pixel Ultra being launched alongside what’s more or less confirmed as the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. The Made by Google Instagram shares design mockups of a “mini” phone complete with physical models and a sketch that shows a phone that’s small enough to fit on a keychain. This could be seen as the company taking on the Pixel Ultra and thinking of going at the opposite end of the spectrum. 

While it is a joke, we can’t help but want a more pocket- and smaller hand-friendly phone. We wouldn’t mind a mini Pixel, to be honest. Probably not that small but something that would be easier to lug around and use with one hand. 

Source: 9to5Google 

Google fixes fast-charging issues of the Pixel and Pixel XL in October security update

The release of Android Pie resulted in some issues with the 2016 Pixel and Pixel XL. It basically broke fast-charging between the original Pixel devices as well as some third-party power adapters that didn’t have USB Power Delivery. Thankfully, the October security update, which started rolling out today, is fixing this issue. On top of this, the update fixes Android Auto stability and brings “improved performance for certain protected media formats” on the Pixel 2. You can check if the update has made your way by going to Settings > System > Advanced > System update. 

Source: The Verge 

Google Pixel and Pixel 2 to get three new AR Sticker Packs

Google is introducing more AR Sticker Packs for Pixel owners to add to the handful it currently has. While not tied to specific movies or events (like the Stranger Things and Star Wars packs as well as the 2018 Winter Olympics), these should add a bit more fun to those who own Pixel and Pixel 2 phones. The new packs are called “Japan,” “Music,” and “Sports.” These AR Sticker Packs are accessible via Google Camera and are exclusive to variants of those two Google-branded phones. If you want to check these stickers out in action, you can see our quick video with the Stranger Things AR Sticker Pack. 

Source: XDA Developers

Android Auto can be used wirelessly, but only available to a select few

For those wishing to be untethered when they use Android Auto in their cars, your prayers have been answered… sort of. There are a few caveats. One is that it only works with select Pixel and Nexus devices as well as specific head units that are Wi-Fi-certified. The smartphones you need would be the Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Nexus 5, or the Nexus 6P. JVC and Kenwood have a few head units that are Wi-Fi-certified but a lot of these haven’t hit the market yet.

If you’re one of the select few that does have access to these devices, setup is pretty painless. You first have to connect your phone via USB to set the feature up. But once you’ve done that, you can connect your phone to your dash wirelessly the next time. Google says they do plan to support other phones in the future. So we’re keeping an eye out for that.

Source: Android Authority