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Google’s 7-year update guarantee: how long your Pixel will stay current

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Pixel 9 Pro

Top 3 Key Points:

  1. Google promises 7 years of updates for the Pixel 8 and 9 series.
  2. Older Pixel models receive varying update timelines.
  3. Google’s update policy leads the industry, surpassing competitors like Apple and Samsung.

Choosing a new smartphone isn’t just about finding the right price or the most exciting features anymore—software support is now a critical factor. Google has emerged as a leader in this area, offering one of the longest update guarantees in the smartphone market.

7-Year Updates for New Pixel Models

Google’s commitment to long-term software support is evident with the launch of the Pixel 8 series. The company has extended its update guarantee to an impressive seven years, covering both the Pixel 8 and the latest Pixel 9 series. This means that devices like the Pixel 9 Pro will continue receiving the latest Android versions and security patches until at least August 2031, ensuring your device stays secure and up-to-date for a long time.

Support for Older Pixel Models

Older Pixel models also benefit from Google’s update policy, though the duration varies by model:

  • Pixel 7 and 7 Pro: Android updates will continue until October 2025, with security updates extending until October 2027.
  • Pixel 6 and 6 Pro: These models will receive Android updates until October 2024, with security patches available until October 2026.
  • Pixel 6a: Android updates are guaranteed until July 2025, and security updates until July 2027.
  • Pixel 5a: This model will receive only security updates, continuing until August 2024.

How Google Stacks Up Against Competitors

When it comes to software support, Google is setting a new standard. While companies like Apple, Samsung, and Fairphone also offer extended update periods, Google’s seven-year guarantee for its latest models is currently unmatched. This commitment ensures that Pixel users enjoy a longer-lasting and more secure smartphone experience.

In summary, Google’s update policy not only enhances the longevity of its devices but also establishes the company as a leader in the industry, providing customers with peace of mind that their investment will remain viable for years to come.

Android

Google Pixel 10 series codenames leak: here’s what to expect

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Google

Top 3 Key Points:

  1. Pixel 10 Codenames Revealed: Codenames for the Pixel 10 series include ‘Frankel’, ‘Blazer’, and ‘Mustang’.
  2. Pixel 9a and Pixel 10 Release Timeline: Pixel 9a is expected in May 2025, and Pixel 10 series is set for Fall 2025.
  3. Commitment to Compact Pro Models: Google plans to continue with smaller Pro models, following Pixel 9 Pro’s success.

The next generation of Google Pixel phones is already making waves, even before the current lineup fully hits the market. We now have insider details on the codenames for Google’s upcoming Pixel 10 series, which are expected to launch in Fall 2025.

Pixel 9a and Pixel 10 Codenames

The upcoming Pixel 9a, expected around Google I/O in May 2025, will carry the codename ‘Tegu’. Meanwhile, the Pixel 10 series will introduce a variety of devices, each with its codename. The Pixel 10 itself is codenamed ‘Frankel’, while the larger Pixel 10 Pro is dubbed ‘Blazer’. For those who prefer an even bigger screen, the Pixel 10 Pro XL will go by the codename ‘Mustang’.

Not to be left out, foldable fans can look forward to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, codenamed ‘Rango’. Just like previous foldable models, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold will launch alongside the rest of the Pixel 10 series in the fall.

Compact Pro Phones Remain in the Lineup

Google’s decision to release a smaller flagship phone, the Pixel 9 Pro, in 2024 was well-received. Unlike Apple’s iPhone Mini models or Sony’s Xperia 5 series, Google’s compact Pro phone doesn’t cut corners—it offers the same premium features as its larger counterpart, with only minor differences in screen size and battery capacity. The success of the Pixel 9 Pro has encouraged Google to continue offering this option in the Pixel 10 series.

While other brands like Samsung offer smaller flagship phones, they often lack the full specs of their larger counterparts. Google’s smaller Pixel Pro stands out by maintaining flagship-level performance in a compact form, ensuring it meets the needs of users who want power without the bulk.

What’s Next for Google Pixel?

As we look ahead to 2025, the Pixel 10 series seems poised to continue Google’s trend of offering powerful, innovative smartphones. While the Pixel 9a will arrive in early 2025, the fall launch of the Pixel 10 lineup promises to deliver something for every type of smartphone user, from compact models to foldable devices.

Google’s commitment to providing high-performance phones across a range of sizes shows a clear focus on meeting diverse user preferences, ensuring the Pixel series stays competitive in the ever-evolving smartphone market.

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Android 15 brings new features to Android Automotive: dock, bluetooth upgrades, and cross-device notifications

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Android Automotive

Top 3 Key Points:

  1. Android 15 introduces a new home screen dock and enhanced Bluetooth capabilities for Android Automotive.
  2. Notifications may soon sync across multiple Android devices, according to code found in the latest beta.
  3. Improved audio controls and better support for multi-camera and radio systems are part of this update.

Android 15 for Android Automotive Adds New Features

With the release of Android 15, Google has also updated its Android Automotive platform, bringing several useful new features to vehicles. While Google hasn’t officially provided all the details, some key improvements have already been spotted.

New Features in Android Automotive
Android Automotive is different from Android Auto. Instead of connecting to your phone, it’s a version of Android that runs directly on a vehicle’s dashboard, powering the whole in-car experience. In Android 15, one of the biggest updates is the addition of a home screen dock, much like the one seen on Android Auto and tablets. This dock lets you “pin” your favorite apps for quick access, which will be helpful for drivers who want fast access to certain controls or apps.

Another feature coming to Android Automotive is an improved lock screen and a new “Ambient View” option that displays a screensaver when the system is idle.

Bluetooth and Audio Upgrades
Android 15 also brings enhancements for audio, including a new option to route sound to external Bluetooth devices like earbuds or headphones. This will give users more control over how they listen to media or calls in the car. Additionally, the update offers full support for HD and DAB radio, giving manufacturers more options to improve in-car audio quality.

Syncing Notifications Across Devices
In addition to improvements for cars, Android 15 may soon solve a common issue for people with multiple Android devices: unsynced notifications. A new “sync across devices” feature was spotted in the latest beta, suggesting that Google is working on a way to keep notifications synchronized between phones and tablets. If this feature rolls out, dismissing a notification on your phone would automatically clear it from your tablet, eliminating the need to manage duplicate notifications.

Although it’s unclear if this feature will be available on all Android devices or just Google Pixel phones, it’s promising to see Google working on features that help Android users manage their devices more smoothly.

What This Means for Android Users
This update continues Google’s long-term goal of creating a connected Android ecosystem. By improving how Android devices and services work together, Google is aiming to make life easier for users, no matter what type of device they use. Android 15’s improvements for Android Automotive, Bluetooth, and cross-device functionality are a step in that direction, and more features are expected to follow.

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Android Launcher developers unite to urge Google for improvements and Chrome’s address bar switch set for final return

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Google

Top 3 Key Points:

  1. Android launcher developers collaborate to push Google for better user experience due to ongoing issues.
  2. A survey was launched to gather data, aimed at fixing bugs and improving third-party launcher compatibility.
  3. Chrome for Android is likely to reintroduce the bottom address bar switch, ending user frustrations.

Third-party Android launchers like Nova, Lawnchair, and Niagara have long been popular for customizing home screens, but recently, their quality has suffered. Due to Android updates, users are facing issues such as lagging animations, gesture failures, and missing features like screenshots or RAM data. This degradation in performance has frustrated both users and developers.

In response, leading launcher developers are teaming up to address the situation. They’ve launched a survey to gather data on the various issues affecting launchers across different Android devices. The goal is to compile this information and present it to Google’s Android team at an event in October. Developers hope this feedback will prompt Google to take action and improve the overall launcher experience.

Smart Launcher shared the survey link on X (formerly Twitter), encouraging users to participate. The more feedback collected, the stronger the case for Google to address these issues. The survey covers basic information like Android version, device, and launcher type, aiming to give a clear picture of the problem.

At the same time, Google Chrome for Android is working on a feature that has been requested for years: moving the address bar to the bottom of the screen. Although this feature existed in the past, Google removed it several times, frustrating many users, especially those with larger phones. Recent code leaks in the Canary version of Chrome suggest that the bottom address bar may soon return, possibly for good.

This feature is already available on iOS, and its reintroduction could satisfy Android users who have been asking for it. While Google hasn’t confirmed an official release date, the change would improve one-handed usability, making the mobile browsing experience more user-friendly.

For now, both launcher developers and Chrome users are eagerly awaiting updates from Google. If the company listens, these changes could enhance both the customization and browsing experience on Android devices.

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