Category: Google Pixel

Thanks to a leak from Vodafone Australia, it looks like owners of the Nexus 6P and Google Pixel lineup will be seeing the Android Nougat 7.1.1 update starting next Monday, December 5th.  For the Nexus 6P, the updated build will be NMF26F and will bring app shortcuts to the phone as well as the December Android Security Update.  As readers will remember, the 7.1.1 update has been in beta for a few months now and the second and expected to be final Developer Preview dropped last week.  Google has said very early on that the 7.1.1 update would be coming in early December so the December 5th date lines up well with what has been publicly stated from the company.

Today’s Deal is almost unbelievable.  Right now you can get the Intel i5 powered Google Pixel Chromebook (2013) for just $363.99 on Amazon.  This model retailed for over $1200 when it was the flagship so you are saving a whopping $837 on this sale.  The sales is on Amazon but is being sold by Google.

Don’t remember all the specs of this killer Chromebook?  Here are the highlights:

Google Pixel Chromebook 2013

• 3:2 Photographic Format Display Designed for Web and Multitouch Capabilities
• Dual Core 1.8Ghz Intel i5 Processor and 4GB DDR3 RAM
• Bluetooth 3.0 , Webcam, and Dual Band WiFi Built in
• Weighs only 3.4 lbs. and measures just 0.6″

Now admittedly, the Bluetooth 3.0 specs are a bit behind given we are now at 4.1 or 4.2, but this is a Google Chromebook!  These are hard to get hold of these days, the 2013 or the 2015 model.

The Google Pixel Chromebook is in stock at Amazon and includes free standard shipping.  This sale is not Amazon Prime eligible so keep that in mind as you shop.

This deal is likely to go very quickly so if you are wanting a powerhouse of a Chromebook at an insane price, head over to Amazon now and get your order in on it.

Google Pixel Chromebook 2013 – $363 – Amazon

For those of you who were really wanting one of the Really Blue Pixel phones, there is good news for you this morning.  Google has confirmed to Android Police that the limited color variant of both the Pixel and the Pixel XL will be restocked at some point in the future.  The question is when and how many will actually be available.  That part of the equation is not known but if you are really wanting to get your hands on a Really Blue Pixel, it is suggested that you use the Google Store’s waitlist function to get in line.

Google Pixel in Really Blue

Functionally, as readers likely know, there is no difference in performance between the various color variants.  The Really Blue color however was immediately sought after as it was unique in this world of mostly black, silver (aluminum) and gold phones on the market.

If you want to join the waitlist for the phone, go to the Google Store and sign up to be notified on when it is back in stock.  Obviously there is no guarantee they will be there if you delay once you are notified.  These will go very, very fast (translation:  within minutes if not sooner).  If you want one, be prepared to pay the day they hit the store.

Good Luck!

With orders now starting to arrive to those who ordered the new Google Pixel or Pixel XL, Google has posted both the factory images and the OTA updates for both phones on the Android Developer website.  This follows the trend that the company has had the last two device rounds (Nexus 5X/6P and Marshmallow & Nexus 6/Lollipop).  This means that, like the Nexus lineup before it, the Pixel lineup will have images that those who want to manually update their devices can use as soon as the images are released instead of waiting for the standard over-the-air updates.

For those Verizon customers who are looking to pick up the one of the new Google Pixel phones, be aware that the bootloader will be locked to the carrier.  To this point, Google has kept their Nexus devices with an unlocked bootloader.  For those who aren’t familiar with what a bootloader is exactly, it is the first thing that runs when you power up an Android phone.  It is the boot sequence of the device and the loading of the Operating System.  Carriers generally like these locked because the do not want someone loading a custom ROM on the device to bypass their software or other settings.

After yesterday’s Google event, we know that the new Google Pixel and Pixel XL will be coming with Android Nougat 7.1.  Equally, we also know that some of the features of 7.1 will be exclusive to the Pixel lineup but for the Nexus devices and other devices, the water was left a bit murky.  Thanks to the team over at Android Police, we have a little clearer picture of what is exclusive and what is not to the Pixel lineup.  They have gotten hold of the 7.1 change long which details what is coming for each train.  For Pixel devices, the new Pixel Launcher and Google Assistant are exclusive to the Pixel lineup.  That is in line with what was expected and told to us yesterday at the event.  Customer support via the new chat/screen share function is also an exclusive as is an updated Smart Storage that backs up photos to Google Photos in full resolution to recover storage.  There are also improvements to the Pixel camera and the sensor software used in the Pixel devices.