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

Google is rolling out significant updates to its ecosystem, enhancing user experience through advanced AI-powered responses in Google Assistant and expanded features in Google Wallet for Wear OS devices. Here’s what’s new and how it changes the way you interact with your devices.

Gemini-Powered Google Assistant: A Smarter, More Conversational Experience

Google Assistant, now backed by Gemini large language models (LLMs), is delivering improved, more natural interactions on smart speakers and displays like the Nest series. This marks a shift towards a more human-like conversational assistant, offering richer, context-aware responses.

What’s Changing?

1. New Voice for Complex Queries:
   Some Nest users are experiencing a fresh Assistant voice that feels warmer and better-paced, reserved for conversational tasks. For simpler questions, like asking about the weather, the standard voice remains.
2. Enhanced Interaction:
   The Gemini-powered Assistant excels in follow-up questions, allowing a back-and-forth conversation. For example, when asked, “What’s up?”, users report receiving detailed, thoughtful replies compared to the simpler responses seen before.
3. Natural Language Understanding:
   This upgrade enables the Assistant to handle pauses, adjust to multiple or rephrased questions, and adapt better to user intent.

Features in Development:

Google Home app hints at upcoming updates that users can expect soon:

• Richer Responses: Summarized yet clear explanations for complex topics.
• Improved Voices: More lifelike tones for easier communication.
• Enhanced Flexibility: Ability to adjust responses dynamically to your changing queries.

Google Wallet for Wear OS: Corporate Badges, Campus IDs, and More

Google Wallet on Wear OS is evolving into a versatile tool beyond payment cards. Soon, it will support “access cards,” including work badges, campus IDs, and hotel keys, making it an essential companion for wearable device users.

Key Features Coming to Wear OS Wallet:

1. Access Cards Integration:
   Users can store corporate badges, student IDs, and hotel keys on their Wear OS devices, making entry to workplaces, campuses, and hotels hands-free and seamless.
2. Expanded Support for Passes:
   Following the introduction of loyalty cards and QR code-based passes last year, Google Wallet now groups and archives passes, allowing for easy organization and retrieval.
3. International Reach:
   Google Wallet’s web interface, launched earlier this year, now serves over 90 countries. This platform lets users manage saved payment methods, view transaction histories, and access digital passes from one centralized hub.

Rollout Timeline:

The new features will debut with version 24.47 of Google Play Services. While not widely available yet, users can expect a gradual rollout over the coming weeks.

Why This Matters

These updates reflect Google’s focus on making everyday tasks more intuitive through AI and enhanced device connectivity. The smarter Assistant powered by Gemini LLMs ensures smoother conversations, while the expanded Wallet features on Wear OS bring convenience to both personal and professional settings.

Stay tuned for further updates as Google continues refining its ecosystem, blending cutting-edge AI with practical everyday tools.

1. Pixel Tablet 2 Canceled but Packed with Promising Features

Google’s much-anticipated sequel to the Pixel Tablet, codenamed “Kiyomi”, has reportedly been shelved. Despite its cancellation, leaks reveal several exciting upgrades that could have addressed the shortcomings of its predecessor. Here’s what the Pixel Tablet 2 might have offered:

• 120Hz Display: A significant jump from the 60Hz panel of the first-generation Pixel Tablet, providing smoother visuals.
• 4K Display Output Support: Aimed at enhancing productivity and media consumption through DisplayPort connectivity.
• Improved Brightness and Design: The tablet’s 10.95-inch screen would have been 10% brighter with thinner bezels, maintaining a sleek form factor.
• Upgraded Camera: A 10MP Samsung S5K3K1 sensor for selfies and an 11MP autofocus-enabled rear camera, though still lacking Face Unlock support.
• Bigger Battery: A slightly larger 7,200 mAh battery for extended usage.
• Other Enhancements: Thread support and the Tensor G4 chip with 5G connectivity.

Although the Pixel Tablet 2 as we know it is canceled, sources suggest Google may still have plans for future iterations.

2. Quick Phrases Glitch Troubles Pixel Users

Pixel phone owners are experiencing a frustrating glitch in Google Assistant’s Quick Phrases feature, which lets users perform tasks like silencing alarms or answering calls with simple voice commands like “Stop” or “Answer.”

The Issue:

• Persistent Notifications: Users report that Quick Phrases prompts like “Say Stop” and “Say Answer” refuse to disappear even after the task is completed.
• Lock Screen Intrusion: The notifications appear on the lock screen, obscuring important information like caller IDs.
• Widespread Impact: The glitch affects various Pixel models, including the Pixel 8 and 9 series, across both stable and beta versions of Android 15.

Workarounds:

• Restarting the device often resolves the issue temporarily.
• Disabling certain toggles in the Quick Phrases menu can mitigate the problem.
• Force-stopping and reopening the Google app might also help.

Google is yet to release an official fix, so some users have resorted to disabling Quick Phrases entirely.

3. Google AI Overviews to Get Fact-Checking Boost

Google’s AI-generated overviews, part of its Gemini assistant, are helpful but often require manual fact-checking. Recognizing this, Google is testing a feature to improve transparency by linking directly to sources within AI-generated summaries.

Upcoming Enhancements:

• Linked Sources: Relevant web pages will be directly embedded within AI overviews, making it easier to verify information.
• Expanded Source List: Users can view all references and related content via an expandable menu, a design already seen in Google’s mobile-web AI overviews.

Currently, this feature is in beta testing in Google app version 15.47.28, with no confirmed release date.

4. Gemini Enhances Lock Screen Functionality

Google’s Gemini AI assistant is rolling out a new feature that allows users to make calls and send messages without unlocking their devices.

Details of the Feature:

• How It Works: Found in Gemini Settings > Gemini on Lock Screen, the feature uses the Google Assistant to bypass the unlock screen for outgoing calls and messages.
• Setup Requirements: Users must enable calling and messaging apps within Gemini to activate this functionality.
• Rollout Status: Currently available in Google app version 15.48 beta for select users, with broader availability expected soon.

This feature complements Gemini’s existing capabilities, making it a more versatile assistant.

Conclusion

From the scrapped Pixel Tablet 2 to the ongoing development of Gemini’s features, Google continues to innovate despite occasional setbacks like the Quick Phrases glitch. As AI becomes more integrated into everyday tasks, the company’s focus on accuracy and usability ensures its tools remain valuable to users worldwide.