#pixel smartphone

Do you have a Pixel smartphone? Did it receive an update in the last few days?

Then you need to disable the Now Playing app right now!

"What is this and why?" I hear you ask? As part of the newest update to Pixel phones says this app now will tell you what music is playing around you from your lock screen. At all times. Without you having to opt in.

Android 12 Beta 3 is here for your Pixel smartphone

Here’s a new compilation of Android 12 Beta that you can download to your Google Pixel phone right now. This new version introduces Android 12’s final API (API level 31) and adds some new features that you can play around with before reaching the final beta and then stable Android 12. Android 12 Beta 3 is available for supported Pixel smartphones just like before, so the Pixel 3, Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, and Pixel 5 can pick it up. Google has already released factory images and OTA files, and the Android beta program will release Beta 3 here soon.

Android Beta Program

The easiest way to get the Android 12 Beta 3 compilation is through the Android Beta program. The Android Beta app lets you add a supported Pixel device to any new Android version. Google is testing and send it wirelessly to your phone like a regular update.

To sign up for the Android 12 Beta, go to the Android Beta website here.

If you are already in the Android beta program, you can get this update wirelessly. So start checking by going to Settings > System > System Update > Check for Updates.

Factory image/OTA file

If you can’t wait for the beta update to come out wirelessly, you can always flash the factory image or OTA file manually. This process isn’t terribly difficult, but it does require ADB and a bit of command line action. These files have almost always published and installed faster than on-air updates, so you decide what to do. Your friend will flash the OTA file because your phone will not be erased at the factory.

Google gets another feather added to its hat. This time it has decided to acquire the division at Taiwan’s HTC Corp that develops the U.S. firm’s Pixel smartphones, with $1.1 billion, regarding this measure to be its latest push into hardware manufacturing.

Google guarantees Pixel smartphones updates until late 2018

Owning a Nexus, and more recently a Google Pixel smartphone, comes with privileges including guaranteed software and security updates for the next two to three years, something that most mobile makers fail to deliver even on to their top-tier handsets, thus making their customers feel frustrated, especially because we are talking about the security of the device, as well as the private data that…