Google pulled a Google on Pixel Studio image generation, meaning the feature was killed just like countless other projects before it. Now that the AI image-generating feature is gone, there are still quite a few ways to create custom stickers on a Pixel phone.
What you need to know
- Google now counts Android backups like SMS, call history, and settings toward your Google storage quota.
- New backup controls let you choose exactly which data, including call history and settings, gets backed up.
- Google says the average Android backup is only around 40MB, so most users won't notice a major impact.
Google has started counting your Android phone's backup data against your Google account
Google and Android are pretty much synonymous, given that the former owns and develops the latter. However, over the years, Android has more or less grown into its own entity, spanning not just your phone but wearables, vehicles, and more. Meanwhile, Google as a company continues to expand its reach beyond just Android and Search, and lately it's been all about AI.
What you need to know
- Google announced Android 17 QPR1 Beta 6 is rolling out for enrolled Pixel testers a week after Beta 5 dropped.
- The patch is lighter, focused mostly on fixing issues Pixel testers have been reporting on the Issue Tracker.
- Beta 5 carried a significant number of fixes for Pixel users, such as solutions for vanishing widgets, the Game Dashboard, and more.
The next beta for Android 17's first quarterly upd
What you need to know
- Mishaal Rahman, an employee of Google's Community engagement for Android, teased Android 17's upcoming foldable gaming mode.
- This gaming mode would split a foldable's screen during gameplay, featuring the game at the top half and a virtual gamepad below that.
- It's a full gamepad, featuring all the buttons you'd expect from a PlayStation or Nintendo controller, and users will be able to customize it.
- Rahma
What you need to know
- Google posted its release notes for Android 17 QPR1 Beta 5, which brings its June security patch and a fix for vanishing widgets.
- The company is also working in several game-related fixes for the Game Dashboard and downloads, alongside a camera fix.
- Android 17 hasn't been flawless for Pixel users, as its stable launch quickly introduced problems for 5G and its display.
Android 17's first quarterly rele
What you need to know
- Android 17 quietly adds LHDC v5 support, giving Pixel users another high-quality Bluetooth audio option.
- Compatible earbuds from brands like Nothing and OnePlus can now stream higher-bitrate audio on Pixels.
- Users may need to manually enable LHDC v5 in Developer Options and turn on Hi-Res Audio in the companion Bluetooth earbuds app.
Google Pixel phones offer many customization tools, but up until recently, the Pixel UI home screen was more restrictive. Google only recently made it possible to remove the At a Glance widget from your home screen, for instance.
What you need to know
- Android 17 is causing major touchscreen headaches for some Pixel users, including ignored taps, dead zones, and reversed scrolling across the system.
- Owners of the Pixel 10, Pixel 9, Pixel 8, and Pixel 7 series have all reported similar issues.
- Google is aware of the issue, but its first fix isn't working for everyone.
With stable Android 17 finally rolling out to Pixel devices, there are a ton of new features for us to try out.