Google

Google unveils repair manuals and factory images for Pixel 9 series and Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Published

3 weeks ago

August 28, 2024

Tom Carter

Top 3 Key Points:

Repair Manuals Released: Google has released detailed repair guides for the Pixel 9 series, including the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Factory Images Available: Android 14 factory images for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold are now accessible ahead of its launch.
New Codename Convention: The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is codenamed “comet,” marking a possible shift in Google’s naming strategy.

In December, Google began offering Pixel repair manuals in English, expanding from the initial French-only versions. Now, repair guides for the Pixel 9 series, including the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold, are available for users.

The teardown of the Pixel 9 Pro XL highlighted some tricky aspects, such as screws hidden behind tape. The newly released repair manuals help users navigate these challenges, providing clear instructions for opening and closing the devices. The guides include detailed flowcharts for disassembly and reassembly, considering the dual-entry design of these phones. However, some basic repair knowledge might still be needed to follow along effectively.

An interesting point noted in the manuals is that the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, and 9 Pro Fold do not require UDFPS (Under Display Fingerprint Sensor) calibration.

The Pixel 9 Pro repair manual spans 272 pages, while the one for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is even more detailed, covering 340 pages. Manuals for older models, dating back to the Pixel 5a, are also available, alongside documentation for the Pixel Tablet. Last year, Google introduced the Pixel Diagnostic App, accessible via a specific code entered in the phone’s dialer, which supports these expanded repair guides.

In another update, Google released Android 14 factory images for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold a full week before its official launch. The device will be available in stores starting September 4. These factory images are crucial for restoring a device’s software to its original state if needed. Google advises that sideloading the full OTA image is generally safer and easier, and those are also available now.

There are three builds for the foldable:

14.0.0 (AD1A.240530.030, Aug 2024)
14.0.0 (AD1A.240530.030.A1, Aug 2024, India only)
14.0.0 (AD1A.240530.047, Aug 2024)

The factory images confirm that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is codenamed “comet.” This codename is unique compared to others in the Pixel 9 lineup, such as “tokay” for the Pixel 9, “caiman” for the Pixel 9 Pro, and “komodo” for the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Unlike previous generations, where codenames followed a theme—like reptiles or big cats—this year’s foldable phone is named after a comet, possibly hinting at a new naming convention for foldable devices.

Looking ahead, Google is expected to release Android 15 Beta 4.2 for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and re-release it for the Pixel 9 Pro in the coming week.

Source/Via

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Android

Android 15 delayed, Gemini Live now free for Android

Published

13 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Tom Carter

Key points:

Android 15 for Pixel devices was pushed back to October 15.
Gemini Live, Google’s AI assistant, is now available for free Android users.
Pixel 6 and later devices will get Android 15, but Pixel 6/6 Pro won’t get future updates.

Android 15 Delayed

Google’s latest Android update, Android 15, is taking a bit longer to reach Pixel phones. While it was released for developers in September, it won’t be available for Pixel users until October 15th. This delay is likely due to Google wanting to make sure the update is as bug-free as possible.

Gemini Live Goes Free

In other Google news, Gemini Live, the company’s AI assistant, is now free for Android users. This means you can use Gemini to help you with tasks like writing emails, summarizing articles, or even translating languages.

Pixel 6 and Later

The Pixel 6 and later devices will be the first to get Android 15. However, this will also be the last guaranteed update for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. While they will continue to receive security updates, they won’t get any new features after Android 15.

Google

Google Calendar and Circle to Search expand to more devices

Published

24 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Tom Carter

Key Points:

Google Calendar is coming to the New Tab Page in Chrome for Workspace users.
Circle to Search is expanding to more Android devices, including Xiaomi 14T.
Chrome is getting other new features for enterprise users.

Google Calendar on Chrome’s New Tab Page:

Google Workspace users will soon see their Google Calendar on the New Tab Page in Chrome. This will make it easier to see upcoming meetings and join them quickly. You’ll also see your daily schedule below the calendar.

Circle to Search Expanding to More Devices:

Circle to Search, a feature that lets you search by drawing circles around objects in your photos, is expanding to more Android devices. This feature was previously limited to Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices, but now it’s coming to Tecno and Xiaomi devices.

Other Chrome Updates:

Chrome is also getting other new features for enterprise users, such as a new sign-in flow that provides more transparency and a feature that lets admins set site shortcuts.

These updates are all designed to make it easier for businesses to use Chrome and Google Workspace.

Source/Via

Google

YouTube gets smarter: AI boosts Shorts and Studio

Published

1 day ago

September 18, 2024

Tom Carter

YouTube is making content creation easier and more fun with new AI features.

AI-powered video backgrounds: Create stunning visuals for your Shorts videos with Google’s Veo AI model.
AI-powered video ideas: Get inspiration for your next video with YouTube Studio’s AI-powered brainstorming tool.
AI-powered comments: Quickly respond to your viewers with AI-suggested replies.

YouTube is adding more AI features to help creators make better videos. One of the biggest announcements is the integration of Veo, a powerful AI model, into YouTube Shorts. This means you can create high-quality backgrounds and even short video clips using just a few words.

Imagine being able to describe a scene, like “a bustling city street at sunset,” and having Veo instantly generate a visually stunning background for your Short. Or, perhaps you need a quick clip to transition between two scenes; Veo can create a short video that perfectly fits your needs.

Another exciting feature is the new AI-powered brainstorming tool in YouTube Studio. This tool can suggest video ideas based on your channel’s history and what’s popular on YouTube. It’s like having a creative assistant that always has fresh ideas.

For example, if you’ve been creating cooking videos, the tool might suggest ideas like “Vegan cooking hacks” or “Quick and easy weeknight meals.” Or, if you’re a gaming channel, it could suggest ideas like “Top 5 new games to try” or “Let’s play a classic game.”

YouTube is also working on AI-powered comments. This feature will suggest replies to comments, making it easier for creators to engage with their audience.

For example, if a viewer leaves a comment saying “Great video!” the AI might suggest a reply like “Thanks for watching!” Or, if a viewer asks a question, the AI could suggest a helpful answer based on the video’s content.

These new AI features are making YouTube an even more powerful platform for creators. By automating tasks like background creation and idea generation, creators can spend more time focusing on what they do best: creating great content.