Google Pixel's Hold for Me feature shows up for some Canadian Pixel owners

It looks like the Pixel-exclusive Hold for Me is finally making its way here. This feature lets you use Google Assistant on your phone to hold the line until you're ready to speak or answer. It will stay on the line until a human being is detected on the other end, so you don't have to suffer through call hold music. Some Pixel owners in the country are now gaining access to the feature.

Hold for Me is powered by Google Duplex, the AI system that lets Assistant make appointments and check store hours over the phone for you. It works for Pixel models starting from the Pixel 3 until the Pixel 5. But it looks like the Android 12 Beta has been a precursor to activation on their devices, and the Google Phone app beta version required is 70.0.3.394259711.

Source: 9to5Google

Google invites more users to join 'Pixel Superfans' community

Google has operated a community for Pixel's "biggest fans" since around 2019. And now, Made by Google is sending out a new round of invites to join the "Pixel Superfans'" community on Facebook Groups. Emails are being sent out with a questionnaire that includes inquiries on what Made By Google products you own. It isn't clear, though, what the criteria for joining are.

Joining the Pixel Superfans will give you access to "special Google events," like the recent tour of the Google Store Chelsea a day before it opened. Those in the community even got a chance to meet the team behind the Pixel devices. Other perks include getting deconstructed Pixel 4a, 4a 5G, and 5 prints as holiday gifts. And they can take part in Q&A sessions where they get the "opportunity to tell [Google] what matters most to you."

Source: 9to5Google

Google refutes rumour by confirming the Pixel 5A 5G is coming

Unfortunately, we have to let you know that it isn't coming here. According to a statement released by Google to The Verge, the Pixel 5A 5G won't be cancelled, as recent rumours suggested. However, it'll only be available" later this year in the U.S. and Japan and announced in line with when last year's a-series phone was introduced."

The rumours released earlier claimed Google wouldn't make the Pixel 5A 5G because of chip shortages. And the claims might not be far off as Google is limiting its release. If the timeline is the same as the Pixel 4A 5G's release, expect it to be announced around August. But maybe the company might tease it during this year's Google I/O? After all, the company let the cat out of the bag this early.

Google's December feature drop brings Pixel 5 features to older Pixels

The December update for Pixel devices is now available, and it brings some features from its latest Pixel to older devices. In the US, Pixel 3 devices and later models will get Assistant's "Hold for Me" feature, which lets the voice assistant wait for someone to come on the line if you're put on hold. Older Pixel devices also now get access to Extreme Battery Saver mode, which allows you only to run the most crucial apps so you can extend battery life further.

As for the new Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G, these get some improvements, too. Google makes GPS on these smartphones more accurate on foot, but it isn't rolling out to all available countries yet. There are also new context-aware battery features, like Adaptive Battery and Adaptive Charging.

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