#Maps
Google Maps reach 10 billion downloads
When you go for travelling, when you went to a place you are strange to, you probably just took out your phone and check where are you at. And yup, it Google Maps.

Being one of the most used services by the majority, it not strange to see it reach 10 billion downloads. It the third app to reach the milestone, behind Google Play Services and YouTube.

The app also come with most Android devices with GMS services. To be honest, you won't really find other map apps being pre-installed. It also a great tool to discover places, so when you feel bored, just open it and find more places around the world. Anyway, hope Google Maps make your life easier. (Android Police)

#News #GooglePlay #PlayStore
Google Play to allow other billing payment method in South Korea
A few months ago, South Korea pass over a document to the law stating that app stores aren't allow to use their own billing system. Today, Google has decided to allow it in order to comply with the law in the country.

Developers can add an alternate payment method in the billing system, but they are required to keep Google Play billing system. Also there will be a cut from the alternate billing method, which Google will take 11% of the revenue from them.

Google also warned that “alternative billing systems may not offer the same protections or payment options and features of Google Play’s billing system.” Some stuff like subscription management, Google Play gift cards, Play Points won't be available with alternate billing method. (9To5Google)

#Google
Desktop site on Google Search will be rank according to 'page experience' starting in February 2022
9To5Google

Google announced they will show search results according to page experience ranking, coming soon in February 2022.

Page experience and some other metrics, is usually how an end user interacted with a website, and Google is ranking search results with this method. "Loading performance, interactivity, and visual stability" of a site is how Google will be determined the ranking. Google will also continue to factor to “HTTPS Security” and “Absence of intrusive interstitials."

The mobile search results has been using this ranking method since August, and will be coming to desktop in February 2022. Google will also provide desktop tools before it start to rollout, with the update widely available by the end of March.

#Auto #Pixel6
Android Auto removed from Pixel 6's launcher, but you still can find it in settings
9To5Google

If you are a Pixel 6 owner and frequently used Android Auto, you most likely probably has realised the Android Auto app icon is been removed from your launcher.

You can manually find through the settings or search for it in the system Settings app, tap on the result and it should redirect you to its App Info page. Next, tap “Additional settings in the app” from there. Another alternative way is to access it via Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Android Auto.

The removal of it could be something Google had been doing for Android 12. Anyway, most owners reported that it had been removed, with a few one still reporting they still have it appearing in the app launcher.

#Pixel6
Fingerprint scanner icon will be missing on AOD if you change the animation speed on your Pixel 6
9To5Google

Pixel 6 comes with on-screen fingerprint scanner. It shows where the fingerprint scanner located at with a fingerprint icon on top of it when your device is in always-on-display, but if change the animation speed on your device, the icon indicator could go missing.

Spotted by someone on Reddit, to fix the issue, just go to Developer settings in the device and switch back animation speed to 1x. With animation speed off, the icon indicator is still there though. It could be fix in a future software update by Google.

#News #Pixel
Make use of your Pixel's hole-punch with 'Energy Ring'
Android Police (article) | Play Store (app link)

You probably had heard of "Energy Ring," the app which can make use of a device's hole-punch camera to display battery amount. Well, now it is available for use on all Pixel devices with a hole-punch design: Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 5a, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G.

You can customise the "battery ring" color when it reach a certain amount of percentage. When device is charging, you will also see a unique animation of it. Fully charge the device to see a complete circle, and as you use it, the circle will start to slowly shrink.

Not just limited to Pixel devices, you can use it on devices with a hole-punch. Do try it out if you like the idea of displaying battery amount in this way.

#Pixel #PixelFold
Google Pixel Fold coming in 2022, camera setup will be a downgrade from the Pixel 6
9To5Google

Google Pixel Fold will be arriving in 2022, with the camera sensor using the classic 12.2MP IMX363 sensor which is used on the past Pixel phones since Pixel 3.

In a Google Camera teardown, they found out that the device codename will be called "Pipit," with Google moving away from the previous codename "Passport." There also another camera which the foldable will featured, a 12MP IMX386 sensor, which is used on the Pixel 6 as an ultra-wide lens, so presumably this could be the ultra-wide lens for the Pixel foldable.

It also has two 8MP IMX355 sensors, one tagged as"inner" and another one tagged as "outer." Past Pixel phones since the first Pixel till Pixel 6 (excluding Pixel 6 Pro) all featured the same front camera, so no doubt this could be the front camera for the foldable too. What's not clear is whether the camera will be under-display or hole punch design.

Summary:
• Rear: IMX363 (12.2MP)
• Rear wide: IMX386 (12MP)
• Front x2: IMX355 (8MP) - Outer & Inner display both available

#News #Pixel6
It's not just you, Pixel 6 phones are randomly calling your contacts
Android Authority

Halloween has passed and Google still want to celebrate it till now, lol. If you own a Pixel 6, the device might randomly called someone from your contacts, creepy!

Someone on Reddit has posted a thread about the glitch which randomly call someone during the night, and a lot of people actually faced it on their Pixel 6. On the Pixel Phone support thread, it the same story, with many people reporting butt dial when their phone is in the pocket.

Some users also noted that it keeps calling the same number rather than a random contact, which some people suggests to delete the said number as a workaround to get rid of the issue.

#Pixel6
JerryRigEverything released Pixel 6 Pro durability test video, and the results are still acceptable
YouTube Video

The Pixel 6 Pro gone through a durability test by JerryRigEverything, and it passes the test, but there one catch.

First, he started with the display scratch test. The Pixel 6 Pro used a Gorilla Glass Victus display, the results are similar as other phones, scratches started showing at level 6, and deeper grooves at level 7 on the mohs hardness scale.

The phone sides and bottom are built with solid metal material, and on the top it is made of plastic. The back panel is made with glass, and all the cameras are also protected under the glass too. The side of the camera hump is made of plastic though.

Later, he gets to the display burn test, after burning it for around 15 seconds, the damage is made over there and didn't get remove afterwards, which is the catch over here. With the optical fingerprint scanner scratched, it still works well. Finally the highlights of the video, bend test. Bending from the back or front have a very slight bend, with no damages made.

In conclusion, Pixel 6 is still quite a solid phone, not easily breakable, but don't get your display burnt, or else you may need to get a display replacement and factory reset to use the fingerprint scanner.

#Messages #Photos
Google might integrate Messages & Photos to send MMS video in better quality
9To5Google

Google wants to improve the video quality when you sent over MMS.

In Google Messages app version 10.4, there a new settings given the name "Google Photos," which allow users to share high quality video when having a SMS conversation. It unclear how will this works, it could upload the video to Google Photos and send a link to the other user, and probably allow user to play the video natively in the Messages app.

A lot of stuff are still a riddle here, Google Photos now count toward your account storage (if you don't have a eligible Pixel for unlimited uploads) which if you upload a lot of videos, it could be a downside of using this feature. Anyway when Google starts rolling out the feature, we will know how it works.