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LineageOS 15.1 Support Expanded to the Google Pixel and Pixel XL

Google Pixel XL

LineageOS has rolled out support for the 2016 Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL in their latest firmware build of Android Oreo 8.1.  In LineageOS terms, that build 15.1.  The addition of the two Google phones adds to an ever increasing number of devices that the independent Android development group, which rose from the ashes of CyanogenMod, supports.

Like other phones, in order to use LineageOS on your Pixel or Pixel XL, you will need to have the bootloader unlocked and be comfortable with manually installing a software build.  It isn’t an overly difficult process but if you aren’t familiar with the process or comfortable with it, its best to stay away.

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Refurbished Google Pixel and Pixel XL as Low as $210 at Amazon

Google Pixel XL

Today over at Amazon, you can pick up an amazing deal on the original Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL phones.  The 2016 flagship phones on the Google store front have been refurbished  and come with a 90 day warrant.  This all adds up to some outstanding prices.  Here are some highlights of the deals:

All of these prices are huge savings from the original retail prices for these phones and are substantially less than previous sales on refurbished models.

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June 2018 Android Security Update Patches Released

Android Oreo System Update

With it being the first Monday of the first full week of June, as expect, the Android team within Google has released this month’s Android Security Update patches.  The full builds along with the OTA builds are now available for those who want to sideload while devices should be getting the update via the System Update settings on their phone later today.

As usual, there are two patches in this month’s update.  The first, date June 1, 2018, consists of 22 total patches, five of which are considered critical.  This patch mostly deals with the base Android platform itself and the patches address things like Media Framework and System level patches.

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May 2018 Android Security Update Released for Pixel and Nexus Devices

Android Droid Logo

As expected today, Google has released the May 2018 Android Security Update for the Pixel and Nexus devices.  The update, which consists of two patches, is rolling out now to compatible Google devices.  With it being the Monday of the first full week of the new month, it was expected we would see these patches land today.

As has become the norm, there are two patches for this month’s Android Security Update.  The first, dated May 1, 2018, consists of 7 patches, all of which are marked as High priority.  The patches in this build deal with general Android items like frameworks, runtimes and other base elements to the platform.

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Original Google Pixel Lineup removed From The Google Store

Google Pixel XL

It is a day that everyone knew was coming.  Today the Google Store stopped selling the original Google Pixel and Pixel XL.  Not only was it removed from the main store, but it was also removed from the phone options list for Project Fi, Google’s MVNO.

The 2016 Pixel phones were breakthrough devices in many ways, bringing a completely reimagined launcher, a stunningly good camera (rated the best at the time of its release) and, of course, all the pure Android goodness that Google intended.

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Google Confirms Overcurrent Bug on Pixel XL With Oreo 8.1 to be Fixed

Google Pixel XL

Google has confirmed that a bug impacting the original Google Pixel XL in Android Oreo 8.1 will be fixed in the coming weeks.  The bug can cause the phone to overcurrent, meaning it takes on too much power during recharging, and in theory could pose a fire hazard.

Google’s John McNulty, Head of Safety and Compliance Engineering for Google Consumer Hardware, took to the product forums for Pixel users and assured the bug would be fixed but thanks to multiple layers of protection, a fire risk remained very low.

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Google Camera App Update Adds Double-Tap Gesture Setting & Dirty Lens Notification

Google Camera Double-Tap Settings

The Google Camera app for the Google Pixel lineup of phones has a new update rolling out that brings some UI changes as well as some new features.  The update is version 5.2 for those keeping score at home and has been released to the Play Store.  You should see the update over the course of the next few days.

From a UI perspective, the top menu bar has been cleaned up with the grid control settings moved to the menu in the app as a setting.  Given that the grid view is normally something you set and forget, this makes sense and makes the upper bar in the app a bit less cluttered.

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Google Releases The March 2018 Android Security Update Patches

Android Droid Logo

As expected with it being the first Monday of the first full week of the month, Google has released the March 2018 Android Security Update patches for the Pixel lineup of phones as well as the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P.  The full factory images for those who want to side load them are available as well as the OTA updates.  The automatic sending of the OTA updates should begin later this week for those that don’t want to bother with a side load.

As usual, there are two patches this month although there is also a second bulletin announcement regarding fixes specific to the Pixel 2 lineup.  In the March 1, 2018 dated patch, there are a total of 16 fixes, 8 of which are considered critical.  These fixes in the first patch deal with Android issues broadly and mostly have to do with media framework and system level issues that could allow for remote code execution.

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