Google Pixel 6 Pro First Impressions: Top tier flagship, but make it Daft Punk

Google Pixel smartphones are often widely considered the iPhones of the Android world, and in the case of the Google Pixel 6 series, it couldn’t ever be closer to the truth. The Google Pixel 6 series is powered by Google Tensor, a chipset made by Google, and the software, Android 12, is obviously made by Google too. We got our hands on the Google Pixel 6 Pro, and it’s already looking to be an awesome device.

Currently, we’re limited by embargo in what we can talk about when it comes to the Google Pixel 6 Pro, but we’ll be sure to go more in-depth in our review as soon as we can.

About this hands-on: I received the Google Pixel 6 Pro for review from Google Ireland on the 20th of October, 2021. Google did not have any input into the contents of this article.

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Google Pixel 6 Pro: Specifications

Specification	Google Pixel 6 Pro
Dimensions and Weight	210g
Display	6.71-inch LTPO AMOLED QHD+ (1400 x 3120) Centered hole-punch 120Hz display refresh rate HDR10+ support High brightness mode Full 24-bit depth for 16 million colors Gorilla Glass Victus
SoC	Google Tensor octa-core chipset Titan M2 security chip
RAM and Storage	12GB LPDDR5 RAM 128GB/256GB/512GB UFS 3.1 flash storage
Battery & Charging	5,000mAh battery 30W fast charging 23W fast wireless charging
Rear Camera	Primary: 50MP f/1.8 Samsung GN1 primary camera, OIS Secondary: 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera, 114-degree FOV Tertiary: 48MP f/3.5, telephoto, 4X optical zoom, 20x digital zoom
Front Camera	11.1MP f/2.2
Ports	USB Type-C port
Connectivity	5G NR (Sub-6GHz) NFC Ultra-wideband (UWB) Bluetooth 5.2 Type-C port WiFi 802.11.b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz + 5GHz)
Other features	Optical under-display fingerprint reader IP68 water and dust resistance Stereo speakers
Software	Android 12 Three years of OS updates Five years of security updates

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I love the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s design

The Google Pixel 6 Pro features a pretty unique design, with the camera visor on the back standing out when compared against the competition. It houses the phone’s 50MP Samsung GN1 primary camera, the 12MP ultra-wide camera, and the 48MP telephoto camera. It also has some other important camera hardware there too, like the microphone and the flash. Admission: I actually prefer this camera bump when compared to other phones with a large camera bump on one side, as it going across the entire device means that it won’t rock on a desk when using it. It also looks like the visor on Thomas Bangalter’s Daft Punk helmet, which is pretty cool.

Design-wise, this is my favorite Google phone yet.

The display is curved and the phone itself is thick, making it rather unwieldy to hold in one hand. It’s also pretty slippery, and the Stormy Black model that we have is very much a fingerprint magnet. I’d definitely recommend getting some kind of case for it, as this is a difficult phone to properly grip on to. The back of the Stormy Black model is dual-tone, with the top part of the device above the camera visor being a lighter gray than the part below it.

I'm a big fan of the Pixel 6 Pro's camera design, and it definitely does something to iterate upon the formulaic glass slab that we see each and every year.

The front of the phone is unimpeded aside from the front-facing camera thanks to its uniform bezels, making it a pleasure to use and look at. It’s somewhat “boxy” in its design at the top and bottom, and it’s reminiscent (for me anyway) of some older Samsung Galaxy Note devices. There’s also a speaker grille at the top of the display that serves as an earpiece or stereo speaker.

I’m a big fan of the Pixel 6 Pro’s camera design, and it definitely does something to iterate upon the formulaic glass slab that we see each and every year. I don’t really care about camera bumps, but I know many people do and this is about as good as it gets if a smartphone is going to have one. It’s big, but it’s not much thicker than other offerings from other companies.

The buttons are tactile and clicky, though I’m slightly disappointed that the power button no longer has a fun and unique color. The placing of the buttons is also kind of strange — the power button is above the volume rocker, making it slightly awkward to take a screenshot. The SIM card tray is also on the left-hand side and the USB-C port is on the bottom, beside the speaker grille. Speaking of the USB-C port, too, there’s no charging brick in the box.

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The Google Pixel 6 Pro is the most unique-looking Google phone in years

The Google Pixel 6 Pro is the most exciting Pixel smartphone in a long time, and I’m looking forward to properly putting it through its paces and testing it out. We aren’t allowed to talk about a whole lot just yet, but we’ll be sure to share more information as soon as we can. The Pixel 2 set the baseline for the design of Google’s phones for the next couple of years, thanks to its dual-tone design, and the company stuck with a similar design right up until the Pixel 5a. With reports of Google going all-in on the Pixel 6 series, this device is looking likely to define the trajectory of the Pixel series for the coming years.

Google Pixel 6 Pro

The Google Pixel 6 Pro is a fantastic-looking smartphone, and you can pre-order it now.

Pre-order from Amazon

Pre-order from AT&T

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OnePlus 8T and 8 series get a new OxygenOS update with October 2021 security patches

Back in August, OnePlus rolled out OxygenOS 11.0.8.8/11.0.9.9/11.0.10.10 to the OnePlus 8 series. The update added a new Bitmoji AOD feature, optimized the portrait mode effect of the front camera, and bumped the Android security patch level. Now, the company is rolling out a new stable channel software update for the OnePlus 8, 8 Pro, and 8T, bringing October 2021 security patches, bug fixes, and other minor improvements.

Screenshot: OnePlus forum user M1579115545680

According to the announcement posts on the OnePlus Community forums, the latest update for the OnePlus 8 series comes in the form of OxygenOS 11.0.9.9 (for the OnePlus 8/8 Pro) and OxygenOS 11.0.10.10/11.0.11.11 (for the OnePlus 8T). In terms of changes, though, the new release doesn’t have a lot to offer. The changelog can be found below:

• System
  • Added the Files by Google, find files faster with search and simple browsing
  • Updated Android security patch to 2021.10
  • Improved system stability
  • Fixed known issues

As always, the new OxygenOS update for the OnePlus 8 lineup is rolling out to users in a staged fashion, so it’ll initially reach a small percentage of users. Once the company confirms that the update doesn’t have any major issues, it should start rolling out to more users.

XDA Forums: OnePlus 8 || OnePlus 8 Pro || OnePlus 8T

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Download the latest stable Oxygen OS update for the OnePlus 8 series

If you haven’t received the OTA update on your device so far and you wish to skip the wait, you can download the firmware package from the links below and flash it manually. To do so, download the appropriate firmware package corresponding to your variant from the links below and place it in the root directory of your phone’s internal storage. Then, navigate to Settings > System > System Update > Local Update and select the update package to begin the installation.

Currently, the update is only rolling out for the global variants, but it will soon make its way to users in India and Europe. This article will be updated when we locate additional download links.

OnePlus 8:

• Global:
  • Full 11.0.9.9 OTA
  • Incremental from 11.0.8.8
•  Europe:
  • Full 11.0.9.9 OTA
  • Incremental from 11.0.8.8
• India:
  • Full 11.0.9.9 OTA
  • Incremental from 11.0.8.8

OnePlus 8 Pro:

• Global:
  • Full 11.0.9.9 OTA
  • Incremental from 11.0.8.8
•  Europe:
  • Full 11.0.9.9 OTA
  • Incremental from 11.0.8.8
• India:
  • Full 11.0.9.9 OTA
  • Incremental from 11.0.8.8

OnePlus 8T:

• Global:
  • Full 11.0.10.11 OTA
  • Incremental from 11.0.10.10
•  Europe:
  • Full 11.0.10.11 OTA
  • Incremental from 11.0.10.10
• India:
  • Full 11.0.10.10 OTA
  • Incremental from 11.0.9.9

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Thanks to XDA Senior Member Some_Random_Username for the tip!

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Latest Galaxy Watch 4 update brings new watch faces, gesture controls, and enhanced fall detection

In August this year, Samsung hosted its most significant Galaxy Unpacked event of the year. The company unveiled its latest foldables — the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 — at the event, along with the Galaxy Watch 4, Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, and the Galaxy Buds 2. Today, Samsung hosted a follow-up Galaxy Unpacked event where it announced a couple of new features for the Galaxy Watch 4.

Since August, Samsung has rolled out a couple of software updates for the Galaxy Watch 4. However, none of the previous updates have added any significant new features to the Wear OS smartwatches. That changes today, as Samsung is now rolling out a major software update for the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic. The latest update brings a host of new watch faces to the smartwatches, a new gesture control feature, and enhanced fall detection.

 

The update has reportedly started rolling (via TizenHelp) out to Galaxy Watch 4 users in South Korea, and it should roll out in more regions in the next few days. As mentioned earlier, the update includes several new watch faces and it even includes a new option that lets you use GIFs as watch faces.

The update also packs a fix for the heart rate tracking issue that was introduced in a previous release. In addition, it enhances the fall detection feature with a new sensitivity option, brings gesture support for additional actions, a new mute button to mute calls, and enhancements for the AR Emoji, Together, Bitmoji, and Cute Character features.

The update reportedly has the firmware version R8**XXU1DUJA and measures 477MB in size. If you haven’t received it yet, you can manually check for it by heading to the software update section in the Galaxy Wearable app.

What do you think of the new Galaxy Watch 4 watch faces and features? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 Bespoke Edition lets customers mix and match back panels and frame

Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked Part 2 is underway, and the company has announced a new Bespoke Edition of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3. The company’s “Bespoke” concept first debuted on its home appliances, and it allows customers to express themselves and create devices that are truly their own. Rather than being boxed into any one colorway, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 Bespoke Edition can come in up to 49 unique combinations of colors.

“Today’s customers are multi-faceted, and we believe their technology should reflect their unique lifestyles,” said Stephanie Choi, SVP & Head of Marketing of the Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics. “Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition opens new experiences for customers to reflect who they are, through the technology they use the most.”

Read more: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra: To fold or not to fold, that is the question

Customers can mix and match five different colors, and they can switch between them on the top and on the bottom. Users can choose front and back colors of yellow, white, pink, black, and blue. Customers can also choose a phone frame option of black or silver. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 Bespoke Edition starts at $1099.99 and also comes with 12 months of Samsung Care+ protection, which includes coverage from accidental damage. It’s only available with 256GB of storage.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 Bespoke Edition will be available in South Korea, the U.S., the U.K., Germany, France, Canada, and Australia. It’s not a limited edition and will only be available on Samsung’s website. Customers can pre-order this device starting from today. The company also announced “Bespoke Upgrade care”, so that users can change their device color whenever they want to. Simply register to replace your device panel with new colors on Samsung’s website, and you can update the outer panels on your device to match your style.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3

Check out the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 on Samsung.com!

View at Samsung

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Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Buds 2 are now available in special Maison Kitsuné Edition

Samsung today unveiled special editions of the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Buds 2. The new Galaxy Watch 4 Maison Kitsuné Edition and Galaxy Buds 2 Maison Kitsuné Edition are made in collaboration with Maison Kitsuné, a French-Japanese fashion label.

Galaxy Watch 4 Maison Kitsuné Edition

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic review: The best Wear OS watch yet

The Galaxy Watch 4 Maison Kitsuné Edition has Moonrock Beige and Stardust Gray straps. Moonrock Beige straps feature delicate engravings and a Fox-shaped hole. Meanwhile, Stardust Gray straps feature the stylized Maison Kitsuné lettering. The watch also comes pre-installed with a few custom-designed watch faces.

Galaxy Buds 2 Maison Kitsuné Edition

Similar to the Galaxy Watch 4, the Galaxy Buds Maison Kitsuné Edition also comes in Moonrock Beige and Stardust Gray variants. The leather case has a Maison Kitsuné Fox Head logo imprinted on the top. The right earbud features the Fox’s head while the left bud shows its tail. As part of the collaboration, a curated playlist was also created by the brand’s music label Kitsuné Musique.

Both products come in a special box featuring the iconic Maison Kitsuné Fox logo. Finally, users will be able to install the exclusive Maison Kitsuné phone theme by tagging an NFC card that comes inside the box of the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Buds 2.

Samsung today also unveiled the Galaxy Z Flip 3 Bespoke Edition. It allows customers to mix and match back panels and frames and choose from a palette of 49 possible color combinations to design their Galaxy Z Flip 3 Bespoke Edition.

Pricing & Availability

The Galaxy Watch 4 Maison Kitsuné Edition comes in a single 40mm Bluetooth variant priced at $399. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Buds 2 Maison Kitsuné Edition will be available for $249. Both products will go on sale starting today in limited quantities in “select markets.”

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Amazon’s Appstore on Windows 11 will only offer a small selection of Android apps at first

When Microsoft announced Windows 11, it promised Android app support, something that still hasn’t been delivered. It was delayed beyond the launch date, and the official word at this point is that Insiders will be able to test the feature soon. Now, the Redmond firm has published documentation for the Windows Subsystem for Android.

The page has a wide range of information, from Android app development on Windows to information about the Amazon Appstore. However, toward the end there’s a note that not all Amazon Appstore apps are available on Windows 11.

“In order to be available on a Windows 11 device, an Android app must be published to the Amazon Appstore. Currently, only a small set of apps selected by Microsoft and Amazon are available.”

Obviously, the statement doesn’t say that this is a permanent thing. The new support page is in preparation for this to be pushed to Windows Insiders, not the general public. The company might be planning to light up the entire store by the time it goes live for everyone, or even at a later date. And of course, we’re asking Microsoft about this.

It would be a bit strange if it ended up only being a carefully curated list of apps. As mentioned above, there’s lots of information there about developing Android apps that will run on Windows 11, so anyone can make one. This could also have to do with Amazon’s agreements with its developers.

Whatever the reason and whatever happens when this is generally available, it’s clear that the Amazon Appstore will only offer a limited selection of apps when it launches for Insiders. That seems like it will be soon too, being that this page is published.

There are a few other bits of information on the page, such as a requirement for screens to be at least nine inches with a 720p or greater resolution. In other words, we’ll look forward to seeing people hacking their old Windows phones to get this to work. Also, Microsoft said that it’s only going to pull the Amazon Appstore down to your PC if you try to install it or another Android app. It’s not going to come by default.

The page does not say what Windows 11 build you’ll need in order to get the Windows Subsystem for Android. Obviously, it’s going to be offered to the Dev channel first.

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Apple issues guidelines for app developers to accommodate the MacBook Pro’s notch

Apple released the latest MacBook Pro models during its “Unleashed” Mac event this week, and they come with a notch that houses the camera and other sensors. To account for the notch, Apple has now issued updated Human Interface Guidelines for app developers. These guidelines include everything app designers and developers need to know about the safe areas, how the menubar behaves when crammed with content, and more.

(1/6) Are you a designer/developer curious about how your app’s menu bar will behave on those shiny new MacBook Pros? We’ve got some updated guidance!

Human Interface Guidelines: https://t.co/i3LwgS63dkhttps://t.co/eYQOLchvjD pic.twitter.com/FRaeaqa9kQ

— Linda Dong (@lindadong) October 19, 2021

According to Linda Dong, a designer at Apple, new guidelines have been issued regarding the full-screen mode and menubar. These guidelines highlight how the system behaves when an app is set to full screen mode and how items fit in the menubar on the new MacBook Pro models. She states that the OS will try its best to fit all items in the menubar while avoiding the notch.

If developers turn on Compatibility mode in full screen, their apps will completely avoid the notch. So a black bar with the same width as the notch will appear on top, and the app will run right below it in a perfect rectangle. This can make focusing on app contents in some cases easier, considering the notch can appear out of place if the app blends around it.

As you evaluate your opinion on the MacBook Pro’s notch, keep in mind that it houses more than just a 1080p camera. It also houses the TrueTone sensor (colors consistent in all lighting conditions), light sensor (adjusts brightness/keyboard illumination), and “camera on” LED. pic.twitter.com/XpKvhvtEWn

— David Pogue (@Pogue) October 19, 2021

If you’re wondering how the cursor behaves around the notch, it passes right underneath it. So you can hide the mouse pointer under it. The notch is relatively big because it houses a 1080p camera, a True Tone sensor, a light sensor, and the camera-in-use green LED.

Does the new notch on the MacBook Pro models bother you? Let us know in the comments section below.

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