Google Pixel

Physical changes are also welcome, so things like skins, cases, screen protections etc... are fine to discuss.

For me, in this order:

• Wi-Fi calling: it was very surprising that this was not on by default, and enabling it helped a bit with the battery life on my Pixel 7a;
• Try custom launchers: I was happy with the phone but the very first annoying thing is the damn Google search bar and how there was no way to just hide it like any other widget. So I ended up installing KISS Launcher (it's FOSS and still maintained);
• Bite the bullet and install GrapheneOS: you get more security, sandboxed Play Services, a more fine-grained permissions system and you can still install the default Pixel apps from the Play Store while cutting off their internet access, and most importantly you get rid of the Google bar (also enabled Wi-Fi calling as previously done).

The Pixel phone cameras and their AI photo enhancements using Google's Tensor chip are among the things where Pixel phones shine and which make their owners fall in love with them. In case you didn't see it already, please take a look at all of the beautiful shots by the members in our Pixel photography megathread and feel free to contribute your own! 😁

Whether you're a photography geek or just starting out, this thread aims to be a place to share tips and tricks to make the most out of your Pixel phone's camera and its AI magic to capture stunning shots.

Please feel free to share your favorite tricks regarding but not limited to:

• Accessories: what are your must-have accessories that level up your photography experience?

• Composition techniques: rule of thirds, golden ratio... do you use any of these techniques?

• Digital zoom: do you ever use it?

• Google Camera settings: what are your go-to settings in the Google Camera app for different scenarios? Or do you prefer using another app?

• Gripping: how do you like to hold your device when shooting photos and videos?

• Lenses: which lenses do you use the most? Do you find yourself using macro and wide angle more, or telephoto (maybe even for close ups)?

• Lighting: how do you deal with different lighting conditions to get the perfect shot?

• Portrait shots: how do you get that perfect bokeh effect in your portrait shots?

• Post-processing: which Google Camera filters do you use the most? Do you use any other Android apps for additional post-processing or do you post-process on PC?

Model-specific tips are of course also welcome. Don't forget to state what phone model you have when posting!

Can't wait to see what photography hacks you've got up your sleeves! 📸✨

-- with love by AlmightySnoo & hackitfast

(photo featuring the Google Camera app by Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian)

We'll keep it in a single sticky thread for now and see how it goes. Please don't forget to indicate which model you used to take the photo! 😁

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EDIT: Won't be pushing Pixelfed anymore. As someone in the comments already said, it reduces the quality of your photos. And Lemmy.world isn't a small instance anymore and should handle the photos so we'll ignore the recommendation below, unless of course you don't mind the lossy compression that's being applied :-)

If you want a tiny bit of lossless compression before posting your photos, if you're on Linux you could feed them to jpegoptim.

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The following is of course not necessary, but if it's not too complicated for you it might be preferable to host your photos on a Pixelfed instance if they are too large to help lessen the burden on the lemmy.world instance!

Basically, once you upload your image on a Pixelfed instance, you can embed your image here by right-clicking (or long tap if on your phone) on the Pixelfed pic, choosing "copy image link" (or opening it in a new tab and copying the URL if your mobile browser doesn't show this), and then you paste the URL here inside an image tag like this:

![](PASTE_URL_HERE)

Discussions and suggestions about how the community is run, the moderation, the rules etc... go here!

> iFixit has listed repair parts for the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, and 9 Pro XL, with the year-over-year comparison revealing some pricing changes...

> Google is updating Safety Check in Chrome, with a big focus on getting rid of unwanted website notifications through one-tap unsubscribe.

> Delayed notifications are one of the most enduring issues with Google Pixel phones, and Google seems to be aware of the issue.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/19727459 > Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 redesigns the Settings app with some Material You tweaks and better organization.

> We have found evidence suggesting that Google is preparing to bring two Pixel 9 exclusive photo editing features to older Pixel phones.

> Google's Pixel Watch 3 is officially here with some exciting refinements. Find out how Google fixed Battery Saver mode on the latest model.

> Google has ported its Pixel Recorder app to Wear OS for the Pixel Watch 3 and it's just as good as it's on Pixel phones.

I have Firefox Mobile as my default browser. I clicked the Activate now button from the email in the Gmail app. It just opened the Play Store.

I copied the url from the button into Google Chrome and it just opened the Play Store.

I set my default browser to Google Chrome and clicked the button and the activation process started and I got it to work.

Has anyone got the free Google Fi LTE activated on the Google Pixel Watch 3 without having Google Chrome as the default browser?

> The 2nd-generation Pixel Stand is listed as "no longer available" across Google Stores around the world.

>Google has changed how Battery Share, the company’s implementation of reverse wireless charging, works on the Pixel 9, no longer allowing it to function while the phone is being charged over a wire.

Edited to add the full quote in post body.

After having the XL versions of Pixels before this one, the size isn't so bad. Its usable in one hand and I've been really liking the flat edges/screen.

The battery is almost the same as my 6 Pro toward the end of its life.

The display resolution looks really good in person. I really appreciate the brighter screen so that more than makes up for the lack of sharpness compared to the 6 Pro.

Cameras are great as usual for these phones. I didn't realize how many features they added on to Pixels since the 6 line.

The AI features are gimmicky and I'll just leave it at that.

A solid 8/10 phone for me. Definitely feels like an upgrade even for a base model.

How's everyone liking/disliking theirs?

> Android 14 September security patch is rolling out today for the Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Tablet, Fold, 8, 8 Pro, 8a, 9, 9 Pro...

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/19387476 > Plus, one of Android's most essential accessibility features is also getting an update with Gemini infusion.

> The software at the center of the controversy is now gone.

> The next budget phone from Google will feature with the same Tensor G4 processor as the Pixel 9 but an older modem.

> Some owners have noticed that the Pixel 9 Pro XL will sometimes not register corner screen taps, like when trying to close Gboard...

> Google's phones have always been about the experience, and the Pixel 9 series include several safety features that work for your benefit.

> The Google Pixel 9 has a higher threshold for fast charging, so slow chargers won't show "charging rapidly" on the lock screen.

> Satellite SOS is a great feature to have on the Pixel 9, so this guide takes you through what to know before using it.

> Repair manuals for the Pixel 9 series are now available. Back in December, Google started offering Pixel repair manuals in English...

> Google introduced a bunch of new AI features with the Pixel 9 series, but some of them don't work on devices with an unlocked bootloader.

If you go to websites like Swappa right now, you can find brand new Google Pixel 9 models for less than $600. Considering Google is trying to sell these phones above $800, I think the market already decided what this series of phones should cost really.

> The Pixel 9 thoroughly updates the setup process, with a "carbon copy" of your Google Messages history that includes a "full RCS transfer."

Anyone here have a new 9? I wanted to listen to some music on my Pixel Buds Pro 1s and noticed the volume was quite low.

Looked around at various settings, but nothing weird. Swapping to my 8 and I get normal volume. Switching back, low again.

> The Pixel 9's "Help me create a list" feature for Google Keep is now available on all Pixel phones and Google One AI Premium users.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/18913779 > The Google Pixel 9 is the first Google phone in the US to support call recording, thanks to the new Call Notes feature.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/18741347

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/18741197 >One of the big new features of the Google Pixel 9 series is Satellite SOS, a feature that will be available at launch, but might not work exactly how you think.

> The Verge has independently confirmed leaked screenshots of the clause in this year’s Team Pixel agreement for the new Pixel phones, which began circulating on X and Threads last night. The agreement tells influencers they’re “expected to feature the Google Pixel device in place of any competitor mobile devices.” It also notes that “if it appears other brands are being preferred over the Pixel, we will need to cease the relationship between the brand and the creator.” The link to the form appears to have since been shut down.

> When asked, Google communications manager Kayla Geier told The Verge that “#TeamPixel is a distinct program, separate from our press and creator reviews programs. The goal of #TeamPixel is to get Pixel devices into the hands of content creators, not press and tech reviewers. We missed the mark with this new language that appeared in the #TeamPixel form yesterday, and it has been removed.”

> So then what is Team Pixel, exactly? Officially, it’s a program handled by PR agency 1000Heads that seeds early units to influencers and superfans to drum up interest as brand ambassadors. While Google partners with 1000Heads, it doesn’t directly run the program, and there are distinct differences with the traditional reviews program, For example, journalists and influencers in the official reviews program often get briefed and given products under embargo before or during an event. Team Pixel participants get the devices shortly after launch, but before the public — all in exchange for some coverage on social media. For smaller creators, this can be a big leg up in terms of access.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/18709244 > Google offers 128GB of storage for the Pixel 9 Pro and XL, but that's nowhere near enough for a flagship built to last seven years.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/18708881 > A new report reveals that many Google Pixel phones sold over the past few years have a “Showcase” app installed...

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/18624888 > The Google Pixel 9 series sports a new Tensor G4 processor. Here's everything that you need to know about it.

> It's time to say goodbye to the Pixel Fold, as Google pulls its from its virtual store shelves alongside the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro.

>The Pixel 9 series brings a faster charging speed than any other previous versions, so Google opted to launch a new 45W fast charger that pairs along nicely. However, it is not included with the phones.