Joe Maring / Android Authority
One of the reasons I love using a Pixel is the steady stream of updates it receives — not only being first in line for major Android OS upgrades, but also the monthly Pixel Drops that bring new features to my phone every 30 days.
More often than not, Pixel Drops range from great to fantastic. But the latest November one has left me feeling quite disappointed. While there are some really cool new features in the November Pixel Drop, they’re overshadowed by what can only be described as marketing bloatware.
Here’s what’s wrong with the November Pixel Drop and why it might be the first sign of more bad things to come.
What do you think of the new Pixel November Drop? 1978 votes It's awesome. Lots of cool features to try! 5 % It's fine. I'm enjoying a few new features. 6 % It's disappointing. There's nothing here I want. 60 % I'll reserve judgment until I actually get most of these features. 16 % Wait, there's a November Drop already? 12 %
The problem with the Wicked theme packs
Yes, I’m talking about the Wicked: For Good theme packs. They’re the first thing Google tells you about after downloading the November Pixel Drop, and they’re front and center in Google’s marketing for the software update, too.
There are three of these Wicked theme packs to choose from, with each one giving your Pixel a Wicked-themed wallpaper, accent color, app icons, GIFs, and notification sounds. It’s harmless enough on the surface, and if you’re a Wicked fan, you probably love that these theme packs exist.
While that’s all fine and dandy, it’s worth having a conversation about why these theme packs are problematic.
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