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An Android Authority columnist praises the Pixel 11 Pro's hardware, cameras and software but says testing uncovered three recurring weaknesses: inconsistent gaming performance, limited battery capacity, and slow wired charging. The writer cites a colleague's investigation finding that the Tensor GPU's rendering approach causes microstutters in games because it lacks native support for certain graphics features.
GrapheneOS says it has traced a regression in Google's Android 17 QPR1 update that causes lag, stuttering, freezes, and app crashes on Pixel devices under memory pressure. The project says the bug originates in Pixel firmware and drivers supplied by Google, meaning it can affect stock Pixel software too, and it has already patched the issue in its own OS release while Google has not yet issued a fix.
A technology commentary argues that widespread dislike of AI reflects frustration with how companies are aggressively pushing the technology, not the technology itself. It notes that US states have proposed or passed over 2,100 AI-related bills in three years, a tenfold increase, and points to open-source alternatives to OpenAI, Google and Anthropic as giving consumers more choice than they had during the social media era.
Multiple Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro/Pro XL owners say Google Maps freezes, flickers, or shows pixelated graphical artifacts when used with Android Auto, over both wired and wireless connections. The issue persists despite clearing app data, reinstalling apps, switching cables, or changing resolution settings, and doesn't affect all users or vehicles.
Android Authority found a new lock screen customization page hidden in the Wallpaper & Style app on the first Android 17 QPR3 beta. The page is mostly empty but shows buttons for wallpaper, colors, clock, widgets, and a new 'media' option not seen in the current menu. Currently, Pixel owners customize lock screens through a swipe-based menu with separate settings for clock, shortcuts, and notifications.
Google has temporarily stopped accepting product vulnerability submissions under its Open Source Software Vulnerability Rewards Program, citing a surge of automated, mostly invalid AI-generated reports. Supply chain reports and previously submitted reports are unaffected, and researchers can still use the Patch Rewards Program or Cloud VRP. Google says it will rework the OSS VRP and provide an update in Q1 2027.
A leak from Android Headlines details a new Google wearable called the Fitbit Edge, shown in black, green, and orange color options. The device reportedly features a small oval display, side buttons, a Fitbit Air-style sensor array, and a pinch-based strap-swap mechanism.
MIT Technology Review has made the full three-day program from its EmTech Future 2026 event available on demand, covering AI, quantum computing, energy systems, and robotics. Featured speakers include Google Quantum AI's Hartmut Neven, MIT's Evelyn Wang, and author Cory Doctorow. Subscribers can access the complete program at a discounted rate of $596.
Google has suspended its Open Source Software Vulnerability Rewards Program as of October 1, citing a sharp increase in automated submissions, most of which were invalid. The company said it plans to provide an update in the first quarter of 2027 and is directing researchers to its other bug bounty programs in the meantime.
Google's Nebraska data centers marked their electricity and water consumption figures as trade secrets in annual reports filed with the state's Department of Water, Energy, and Environment. But the redactions could be bypassed by highlighting and copying the blacked-out text, revealing that the Lincoln facility (Agate LLC) used 52.65 megawatts at peak demand and about 13 million gallons of water last year, while the Papillion facility (Fireball Group LLC) used nearly 548 million gallons. Across six reporting Nebraska data centers, total water use reached 765 million gallons.
A technology newsletter compiled several stories, including a look at 'swarm chasers,' research questioning whether AI models' stated 'thought' processes reflect their actual reasoning, observations that teenagers are losing their sense of time, and concerns from students about Google's expanding use of AI tools in schools.
Google has introduced a feature called Motion Assist that aims to reduce motion sickness when using a phone in a moving vehicle. The feature requires Android 17 or higher and an updated version of Google Play Services, and is available on devices like the Pixel 11 and Samsung phones running One UI 9. Users can enable it by searching 'Motion Assist' in their phone's settings.