Google has updated the Pixel Troubleshooting app to introduce a new feature that lets Pixel 6 through Pixel 9 users monitor their phone’s temperature in real-time. This capability offers enhanced insights into how your device is performing and what actions you can take to manage its temperature effectively.

How to Check Device Temperature

You can access this new feature through the following steps:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to Battery > Battery diagnostics (scroll to the bottom).
3. Look for the “Phone is very warm” section.

Previously, this section simply indicated that “All settings are optimized.” Now, it provides a live temperature readout, which is updated in real time.

Temperature Indicators and Messages

The device temperature is classified into four distinct categories, represented by color-coded labels:

• Cold
• Normal
• Warm
• Elevated

Each category comes with tailored messages to help users understand the phone’s status and take necessary actions:

• Cold:
  “Your phone’s estimated temperature is lower than normal. It may shut down suddenly.”
• Normal:
  “This estimated temperature is typical with normal phone use.”
• Warm:
  “Your phone is slightly warm, but this is normal during use. To prevent further temperature increases, screen brightness and network speeds may be reduced.”
  For devices charging:
  “Charging is paused, and screen brightness and network speeds may be reduced.”
• Elevated:
  “Your phone’s estimated temperature is higher than normal. Your phone will try to cool down by temporarily limiting performance and pausing certain features.”

Tips for Managing Device Temperature

Google offers several tips to help you maintain your device’s temperature:

1. Provide airflow: Ensure your phone has proper ventilation.
2. Use proper cases: Stick to cases designed specifically for your Pixel device.
3. Close power-intensive apps: Shut down apps like games or video streaming to allow the phone to cool down.
4. Keep it protected in cold environments: Use an insulated case or keep it in an inner pocket close to your body.
5. Let it rest before heavy tasks: Before gaming or video calls, let the phone stabilize to prevent damage.

These suggestions aim to optimize your phone’s performance and extend its longevity.

Technical Insights

Google notes that the temperature reading is an estimate derived from multiple internal sensors. The information can also be accessed by searching “Device temperature” directly in the Settings app.

Availability

This feature is available with version 1.0.693922709 of the Pixel Troubleshooting app. It works on the Pixel 6, 7, 8, and 9 series running Android 15 (November release or later). However, it is not yet supported on the Pixel Tablet.

The update is gradually rolling out via the Google Play Store. If it’s not available on your device yet, you can check the app listing directly to see if you can manually update.

Why It Matters

Real-time temperature monitoring enhances the user experience by offering greater control and transparency over device performance. As smartphones handle more demanding tasks, such tools are essential for maintaining reliability and preventing hardware issues.

The Pixel’s temperature-checking capability is another example of how Google is leveraging software updates to improve user experience on its devices.

Source – 9To5

YouTube TV for Android just introduced a new resizable, picture-in-picture (PiP) style mini player, offering a smoother and more user-friendly experience. Meanwhile, some Pixel users are battling a frustrating notification bug caused by a glitch in Google Assistant’s Quick Phrases feature. Here’s a breakdown of both updates.

YouTube TV’s Resizable Miniplayer on Android

YouTube TV is catching up with its main YouTube app by rolling out a redesigned in-app miniplayer for Android phones and tablets. This update brings a picture-in-picture (PiP)-style player that improves usability and aligns with the broader YouTube ecosystem.

What’s New in the Miniplayer?

• The new miniplayer now functions like a PiP window within the app.
• It includes play/pause buttons, 15-second rewind/skip controls, and a close option in the corner.
• A central button allows users to expand the miniplayer back to full-screen mode.
• The player supports pinch-to-zoom, letting you adjust its size and even stretch it to span the full screen width.

This upgrade is a significant improvement over the old miniplayer, which displayed only a narrow bar at the bottom with limited controls. Now, browsing through YouTube TV while watching live TV or videos feels much more intuitive.

Update Rollout Details

The redesigned miniplayer is included in version 8.47.0 of the YouTube TV Android app. This change unifies the interface across YouTube apps and makes multitasking while streaming content more enjoyable.

Pixel Phones Hit by Persistent Quick Phrases Bug

While YouTube TV is improving, Pixel users are dealing with a persistent bug linked to Google Assistant’s Quick Phrases. This issue is causing repeated and stuck notifications that interfere with regular phone use.

What Are Quick Phrases?

Quick Phrases simplify voice commands for tasks like stopping alarms or answering calls. For example, saying “Stop” can silence an alarm, and “Answer” can pick up a call—no “Hey Google” needed.

The Notification Glitch

The problem arises when Quick Phrases notifications refuse to disappear, even after completing the task. Here’s what users are reporting:

• Alarms and Timers: The “Say Stop” prompt remains on the screen after alarms are turned off.
• Incoming Calls: A toast notification asking users to “Say ‘Answer’” stays on the screen even after calls are answered or dismissed.

This issue has been spotted across various Pixel devices, including the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 Pro XL, on both stable and beta versions of Android 15.

How It Impacts Users

The stuck notifications can lock up areas of the screen, block the caller ID, or persist on the lock screen, making them not only annoying but also disruptive.

What’s Causing the Bug?

The glitch appears to stem from the Google app, which powers features like Gemini and Google Assistant. Since the issue is tied to this app, it’s not dependent on specific Pixel models or Android versions.

Workarounds and Fixes

Until Google releases a permanent fix, users can try the following solutions:

1. Restart the Device: A simple reboot can temporarily clear the notifications.
2. Force-Stop the Google App:
   • Go to Settings > Apps > Google.
   • Select Force Stop to reset the app.
3. Disable Quick Phrases:
   • Open Google Assistant settings.
   • Navigate to Quick Phrases and turn them off for specific tasks.

While force-stopping offers a temporary solution, disabling Quick Phrases altogether prevents the issue from recurring.

Conclusion

With YouTube TV’s improved miniplayer, Android users get a better viewing experience. However, Pixel owners facing the Quick Phrases bug are left waiting for Google to roll out a fix. In the meantime, temporary solutions can help manage the glitch, but it’s clear that a robust update from Google is needed to resolve this annoyance completely.

Google Pixel Watch’s New Concentric Face Still Missing, but Hints Appear Again

Google recently showcased an updated version of the Concentric watch face for the Pixel Watch, but it hasn’t officially launched yet. This refreshed design first appeared in October during the unveiling of the Pixel Watch 3 and features a ring of complications—something missing from the current fullscreen Dial I and Dial II layouts.

Last week, Google teased this updated Concentric face again during its Black Friday promotions, this time in always-on display (AOD) mode. The design appears nearly identical to the existing version but adds functionality for up to four complications.

Why the Concentric Face Matters

Complications are small widgets that display useful information, like weather, heart rate, or battery status. Adding these to the Concentric face transforms it from a purely aesthetic option to a more practical one, which could make it a favorite for daily use.

This isn’t Google’s first attempt at redesigning Pixel Watch faces. Earlier this year, they revamped the Track face and introduced new ones like Active and Field. While the Track redesign brought more complications, some users felt it strayed too far from Google’s Material You design philosophy.

The delayed release of the Concentric update, despite being shown months ago, is surprising. Some speculate it could arrive with the next Pixel Feature Drop. However, the recent random launch of the Performance Loop Band suggests Google’s rollouts can be unpredictable.

Google Assistant’s Quick Phrases Bug Frustrates Pixel Users
Meanwhile, a growing number of Pixel users are reporting issues with Google Assistant’s Quick Phrases feature. Introduced with the Pixel 6, Quick Phrases let you perform simple actions without saying “Hey Google.” For example:

• Say “Stop” or “Snooze” to control alarms and timers.
• Say “Answer” or “Decline” for incoming calls.

Recently, users have noticed that the on-screen Quick Phrases prompts—like “Say ‘Stop’ or ‘Snooze’”—linger even after the command is recognized. In some cases, the prompt appears randomly, sometimes after an alarm or while using apps like Gboard.

Troubleshooting and Workarounds

Users have tried disabling Quick Phrases under Google app > Settings > Google Assistant > Quick Phrases, but results are mixed. Restarting the phone temporarily clears the issue for some, but the problem often reappears.

Reports suggest the bug is present across multiple versions of Android, including stable Android 15, QPR1 Beta 3.1, and QPR2 Beta 1. It seems linked to the Google app itself, with both stable (version 15.46) and beta (15.47) versions being affected. Since Google Assistant is powered by the app, this is likely an app or server-side issue.

Quick Phrases: A Feature in Need of Updates

Since its launch, Quick Phrases haven’t received significant updates. The last major addition came a year ago, enabling call controls for the Pixel Buds Pro. This lack of updates and the recent bug underscore the need for Google to enhance and stabilize the feature.

What’s Next for Google Users?

• Pixel Watch Users: Stay tuned for the next Feature Drop, which could finally bring the updated Concentric face. In the meantime, new bands like the Performance Loop Band are available to enhance the watch’s functionality and style.
• Pixel Phone Users: If you’re experiencing Quick Phrases issues, temporary workarounds might help, but a fix will likely require a Google app update.

Google’s hardware and software ecosystem continues to grow, but these hiccups show there’s room for improvement in ensuring seamless updates and bug fixes.

Source – 9To5Google, 9To5Google