Google addresses Pixel and Pixel XL microphone issue, suggests user to replace their units

By tech2 News Staff /  10 Mar 2017 , 12:45

Google’s in-house smartphones, the Pixel and the Pixel XL have been well received. The handsets not only provide the best Android experience but also come with one of the best smartphone cameras.

However, the smartphones have not been perfect. Back in January we heard about an issue where certain Pixel and Pixel XL owners had complained about bad speaker performance with crackling noise. The issue was thankfully resolved as it was a software issue, rather than a hardware issue, which was fixed via a software update.

Now a new issue has turned up which could be a more serious issue. Certain Google Pixel owners have shown concern on Reddit and Google’s support forums saying that their units are having trouble with the microphone. The unresponsive microphone is a rather serious issue as users are unable to make phone calls.

Following the numerous complaints, Brian Rakowski from Google joined the discussion and confirmed that there is an issue and is probably hardware related. It was likely caused by a crack in the solder connection on the audio codec.

Rakowski further said “It’s possible that some replacement phones were not properly qualified before we understood this issue, but that’s no longer the case, additional steps to reinforce the connection at time of manufacture on phones built since January.”

So basically a software update is not an option anymore. Google will replace the faulty units and is taking steps to make sure that replacement units don’t have any similar issues.

Leak suggests that Google is building a water resistant Pixel 2 and a cheaper Pixel 2B smartphone

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The Google Pixel XL

By tech2 News Staff /  31 Jan 2017 , 11:49

Rumours suggest that a Google Pixel 2 with water resistance, better camera and more powerful hardware is already being tested.

The Google Pixel lineup is meant to be a departure from the norm for Google. A phone that sheds Google’s developer and search giant connotations to one that manufactures premium, high-end smartphones.

When Google did finally unveil the Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones in a rather low-key event, we were unimpressed with the design. The hardware, however, was top-notch and in later testing we found the performance, particularly that of the camera, to be stellar.

The high asking price was disappointing, however.

Since then, the Pixel programme has been beset with issues, notably one that involves a crackling speaker, which has turned out to be a hardware issue with no quick fix.

As good as the device might be, sales remain unaffected. As we’ve mentioned in the past, Pixel sales have been tepid at best. Google has only sold around 2.5 million Pixel devices compared to the 70 million Apple and 80 million Samsung smartphones that were sold in the same period.

Will the Pixel 2 change all that?

A source has apparently told 9to5Google that Google is already testing prototypes of a Pixel 2 smartphone. Notably, the source suggests that the Pixel 2 will be waterproof (the original Pixel is only dust and splash resistant) and that a lot of work is being put into the camera.

The Pixel’s camera is already exceptional, but Google is apparently hoping to better that, particularly in the low-light department.

Apparently, Pixel 2 phones with Snapdragon, Intel and MediaTek chips were also being tested. It’s not clear as to the winner of said tests, but the source does tell 9to5Google that MediaTek has been dropped from the running.

In an interesting development, it seems that Google might also be working on a more budget-friendly Pixel 2B smartphone. This makes sense, especially in developing markets like India. While the upcoming Pixel 2 will have a hard time battling it out with rivals Samsung and Apple in the high-end space, a mid-range or budget-friendly Pixel 2B might not struggle so much.

OnePlus may launch OnePlus 3T with Snapdragon 821 and Sony IMX398 sensor ; to cost $80 more

By tech2 News Staff /  27 Oct 2016 , 15:55

OnePlus is currently working on an enhanced version of the OnePlus 3 with a newer processor and a better display. The new version is known as OnePlus 3T and could launch is expected as soon as December this year. OnePlus 3T will come with Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 and a larger LCD as reported earlier. However, the new device will not come at the same price as the OnePlus 3. Instead, it will cost $80 more than the OnePlus 3 as hinted by tipster Evans Blass.

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The hardware refresh for the OnePlus 3 is in response to newer smartphone flagships like the Google Pixel, Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe, Xiaomi Mi Note 2, Xiaomi Mi MIX and other smartphones. Snapdragon 821 will keep OnePlus flagship stay competitive until the time Snapdragon 830 launches next year. This move will give time for people to wait for the OnePlus 4 that is likely to be equipped with Snapdragon 830. In addition to the processor upgrade, there are rumours that the company may switch to LCD screen panels as it faces a shortage of AMOLED display panels. But OnePlus co-founder, Carl Pei took to Twitter to clarify that the company is not moving away from Optic AMOLED display panel.

OnePlus will be staying with Optic AMOLED displays for the foreseeable future. — Carl Pei (@getpeid) October 13, 2016

Though it is not clear if the company will stick to the Full HD display or it will upgrade to a 2K display, which is ideal for the upcoming Google VR technology, DayDream.

Additionally in another Weibo discussion, a user revealed that the OnePlus 3 may pack in a Sony IMX398 sensor. The new sensor is currently featured in the Oppo R9s and even though it sticks to the traditional phase detection autofocus, it is supposed to be quicker when it comes to focusing on moving objects.

benchmark tests... Apple iPhone 7 and Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge destroy the Google Pixel XL

By tech2 News Staff /  06 Oct 2016 , 13:39

Many have been waiting for this and it’s finally here. We are talking benchmark results fresh off the just launched Google Pixel smartphones. If Google has priced its Pixel devices to compete with Apple’s iPhones, they might as well have some raw power to give Android users some bragging rights. Sadly however, this was not the case.

We already knew about the iPhone 7’s killer benchmark results. Tests showed a single core score of 3430 while multi-core cores revealed around 5600 points. Pixel also seems to have been benchmarked a couple of times on Geekbench 4. But the results are far from inspiring. The Pixel XL (bigger one of the two) shows a single core of just 1685, while multi-core scores seemed much better at 4004 points. While single core scores really do not matter that much when it comes to Android, it is a

Google releases a Quick Switch Adapter to help you transfer data from iPhone to Pixel

By tech2 News Staff /  05 Oct 2016 , 13:15

The Google Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones were announced at the ‘Made By Google’ event in San Francisco. Pre-order for these devices will start from 13 Oct on Flipkart, Croma and Reliance Digital along with the Google store. The base model is priced at Rs 57,000.

In order to make switching from an iPhone to a Pixel easier, Google has bundled in a Quick Switch Adapter. While switching between Android phones is easier since your data is backed up on your Google account, doing that from an iPhone can get a bit more time consuming.

You will need to use the old data cable of your iPhone, with one end connected to the lightning port and the other USB port connected to the adapter which is connected to the USB Type C port on the Google Pixel/PixelXL.

Once the connection is established, the Pixel smartphone will guide you through a set of instructions on how to go about. The transfer process is compatible with iPhones as well as iPads which run iOS version 8 and above.

You will need to switch off iMesssages and FaceTime from your iOS settings before removing the SIM card from the iPhone/iPad. You also need to ensure that the Pixel/PixelXL is at least 50 percent charged before the transfer process begins. In the process you are asked to log into your Google account and you are asked what all you want to transfer between the phones. Options include contacts, calendar events, photos, videos, music, SMS messages and iMessages.

Google Pixel and Pixel XL: Here’s everything we know

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By Sheldon Pinto /  03 Oct 2016 , 10:32

It’s just a day to go until Google unveils a new breed of “refined” Google smartphones that are expected to be called the Pixel and the Pixel XL. While it isn’t clear, whether Google will retain the Nexus brand post the launch, the Pixel brand is all about Android growing up and taking this year’s Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus head on!

And Google has got its secret sauce just right this year, or so it seems. Smartphones with a premium looking design with metal and glass. Check! The latest hardware. Check! The latest and specially customised software experience. Double Check! And there’s even the smarter Google Assistant built right into the smartphone. Good luck Siri!

With that said Google seems to have a rather attractive product in a time when every new smartphone launch we have witnessed lately seems unimpressive. The Pixel smartphones come at the time when the smartphone industry seems to be plateauing with little or no innovation, apart from software.

So what do we know about these upcoming smartphones. Well, thanks to the recent leaks (and we’re expecting some more), all the major details are already out including some of the finer bits.

Design and Construction
We have seen them in plenty of leaks and considering all of them (renders and photographs) look identical, it’s easy to conclude that this is the stuff we will see in a few days at the launch. Both Google Pixel and Pixel XL look identical. Google may have taken a page out of Apple playbook here, but yes, for the first time Google may announce two identical looking smartphones, just that the Pixel XL is an inch bigger (overall size) than the standard Pixel model.

For long, both smartphones are said to be manufactured by HTC and even though Google is rooting for its “Made by Google” campaign, we highly doubt that Google may have manufactured the smartphones by itself.

Image: Carphone Warehouse (via 9to5Google)

The designs do not look intriguing. We have seen better designs from HTC (10) and Samsung (Galaxy S7 Edge and Note 7) this