Hey there, Pixel fans! Get ready to dive into the latest and greatest updates from the Google Pixel universe. From bug fixes to futuristic lock screen tweaks, there’s a lot to unpack. So grab a cup of coffee (or tea!) and let’s jump in.
Android 15 QPR2 Beta 3: Polishing Pixels to perfection
Google just rolled out the third beta for Android 15’s second quarterly platform release (QPR2), and it’s packed with fixes that’ll make your Pixel purr. Here are the highlights:
- Call crashes? A thing of the past. No more unexpected restarts when you’re mid-conversation.
- App resume woes? Fixed. You can now pop back into apps from the overview without mysteriously landing on the home screen.
- Language picker quirks? Bye-bye! Switching languages won’t hide your keyboard anymore.
- Click-free videos. That annoying background click while recording? Gone.
- Wireless charging glitches? Fixed. It’s smooth sailing for your device on the charging pad.
- Exercise-induced crashes? Not anymore. Your Pixel now plays nice with connected Wear OS devices.
- Plus, a bunch of other stability, connectivity, and UI fixes that’ll make your Pixel experience buttery smooth.
This update is the final beta before the stable release, expected in February or March 2025. If you’re a beta tester, enjoy the ride — and don’t forget to share your feedback!
Emergency SOS: A European debut?
Some eagle-eyed Pixel 9 users in Europe are spotting the Emergency SOS (ESOS) feature after updating to Android 15 QPR2 Beta 3. They can access it via Settings and even try out the satellite pointing demo.
But wait… is it actually live in Europe? Google hasn’t confirmed any partnerships with emergency services providers like Garmin. So while Skylo supports Europe, we’re left guessing if Emergency SOS is officially rolling out. For now, this feature remains a U.S.-exclusive — officially, at least.
European users, keep an eye on your updates. Maybe Google has a surprise up its sleeve!
Android 16: A lock screen glow-up
Android 16 is already teasing some exciting features, and one of them is all about decluttering your lock screen. Say hello to the compact notification shelf!
If your lock screen’s been drowning in a sea of notifications, this feature is here to save the day. Instead of a cluttered mess, notifications can be collapsed into a tidy little pill below the clock. Tap it, and your full notifications panel slides open. It’s clean, simple, and lets your wallpaper shine through.
Here’s what’s new in Android 16’s notification settings:
- Compact or full list: Choose between a minimal pill or a complete list of notifications on your lock screen.
- Hide seen notifications: Automatically hide notifications you’ve already glanced at.
- Silence the silent ones: Remove quiet notifications (like conversations) from cluttering up your lock screen.
While these features aren’t live in Android 15 QPR2 Beta 3, they’ve been spotted lurking in the code. Fingers crossed they make it into the final Android 16 release!
Wrapping it up
Whether it’s smoother performance with Android 15 QPR2 Beta 3, potential Emergency SOS expansion in Europe, or the lock screen facelift coming in Android 16, it’s an exciting time to be a Pixel user. Keep those updates coming, Google — we’re here for all of it.
What’s your favorite upcoming feature? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned for more Pixel-packed news.
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