5G Pixel 6 line receives functional update to kill bugs dead

While Google today pushed out the February security update for the Pixels, it also included some bug-exterminating functional updates for Google's Pixel line of smartphones. One update, for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, is one we've already reported about. Google writes that "Fix for issue causing device reboot when using [the] camera in certain conditions, which refers to the update for the recent Magic Eraser bug.

For those of you who missed the news, last week the Magic Eraser feature on the new Pixel models caused the Google Photos app to crash. The Magic Eraser removes distractions and other unwanted parts of a photograph and Google has been heavily promoting the feature. As a result, we expected the company to swiftly take care of the matter which it did the very next day.

Simply installing the latest version of the Google Photos app from the Play Store was the solution that returned the Magic Eraser to the Pixel 6 series. As for what caused the issue in the first place, it seems that an update to the Photos app was what caused Magic Eraser to misbehave.

Other functional updates for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro include two for Bluetooth-related problems. One fixes an issue that caused audio playback to cut out when using certain Bluetooth devices. The other delivers improvements to the audio quality of a Bluetooth connection when using certain audio codecs.

The next update was issued to all compatible Pixels ranging from the Pixel 3a series to the Pixel 4 line, the Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 5, Pixel 5a (5G), Pixel 6, and Pixel 6 Pro. This fix stops the virtual QWERTY keyboard from showing up over input text under certain conditions.

Lastly, an update disseminated to the Pixel 4, Pixel 4XL, Pixel 4a (5G), and Pixel 5 for C Spire and Cellcom helps eliminate connectivity issues with "specific carrier networks." To install the 27.22MB update, go to Settings > System > System update.

Google Pixel 6

The Pixel 6 is also available at BestBuy with our without carrier plan activation. All storage and color versions are in stock.

$599

Expired

Google Pixel 6 Pro

Same BestBuy conditions apply to the Pixel 6 Pro too. You can get an unlocked version or a version with a carrier plan.

$899 ⁹⁹

Buy at BestBuy

Google has been whittling down the bugs found on the Pixel 6 series and at the same time, trying to improve the in-display fingerprint scanner that has been the subject of many complaints due to its lagging speed. The biometric reader has been greatly improved since the phones were released on October 28th. There remains speculation that the Pixel 6 Pro will receive a facial recognition feature in a future update.

The security patch levels included in the update include 2022-02-01 and 2022-02-05. The update started rolling out to eligible Pixel model starting today and Google says, "The rollout will continue over the next week in phases depending on carrier and device. Users will receive a notification once the OTA becomes available for their device. We encourage you to check your Android version and update to receive the latest software."

You might have heard that Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said last week that the Pixel line enjoyed its best quarter of all time during the fourth quarter of 2021. This might not have come as a surprise to Google. You might recall that the company told its suppliers to increase their shipments by 50% compared to 2019 levels as it expected record breaking sales  for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.

According to 9to5Google, the Security Hub, first installed on the Pixel 6 and then made available to other Pixel phones via the Play Store, shows 10 million installs. This would seem to indicate that  there are as many as 10 million modern, active Pixel phones currently in use. The app includes a meter that displays the security profile of your Pixel phone.

The Security Hub will give you one out of a possible four readings pertaining to the security of your phone: "No problems found," "Security can be improved" (green), "Security may be at risk" (yellow/orange), or "Security is at risk" (red).

10 million active handsets might not seem to huge compared to the one billion active iPhones believed to be in use. But Google's journey has to start somewhere and the firm seems to be on the right path.