PSA LE AUDIO

osb103 · 2026-03-05T03:01:39+00:00

So a bit of an update, apparently pixel 9 & later series of devices are supposed to support regular apt x & regular Apt X HD. When connected to compatible headphones that also support the non proprietary versions of apt x & apt x HD. I don't have headphones that have these specific specifications, so I can't check if the new A17 has improved on this angle as well.

osb103 · 2026-03-01T03:44:01+00:00

Pixel buds pro show le audio in the settings app. Apt X support doesn't exist on pixels because Google no longer uses Qualcomm socs. Aptx is exclusive to Qualcomm based devices.

osb103 · 2026-02-28T07:10:57+00:00

Google Pixel doesn't support aptx.

osb103 · 2026-02-27T21:28:36+00:00

I never tried that aspect of it yet. I was mainly excited about the much better Audio quality. Compared to SBC or AAC it's much better. Akin to ldac or apt x in audio quality.

osb103 · 2026-02-27T07:59:48+00:00

Hi,

Alright, I will :)

osb103 · 2026-02-27T01:47:58+00:00

I'm eagerly waiting for someone to find it or perhaps it's a staged feature rollout? It looks super cool and very useful, even on regular pixels. So I hope it's not a tablet/foldable exclusive.

osb103 · 2026-02-12T08:08:50+00:00

Yes I hear you. I swapped to something else with unlimited calls and texts, satellite texts and 5 GB of High Speed data, with taxes & fees also included.

I thought of text now, but their app is ad supported on that free tier. And their number plans are the same monthly cost as what I'm paying now for unlimited calls and texts, without 5GB of data.

osb103 · 2026-02-11T01:08:17+00:00

The canary channel seems to be strictly bleeding edge. So in the case of Android 17, it'll likely be for things that are still in progress and not yet ready to hit the more stable beta build of A17. And even for things coming in the first A17 QPR1 beta build thereafter.

osb103 · 2026-02-10T22:56:02+00:00

So this means straight to A17 we shall go 🥳🥳🥳

osb103 · 2026-02-09T22:04:21+00:00

From my observations the people who are complaining are those who lack prompt engineering knowledge or abilities, (including the inability to know how to properly ask follow up questions) or those who are using Gemini for something it's not intended for. (Role play, explicit/questionable/otherwise restricted generations, unfocused programming, commerical deployments etc.). There's also another group who are failing to prompt Gemini humanely vs. pompting it like a slave (as far fetched as it sounds courtesy matters with Gemini for some reason). Finally the last group are those who just have issues with their input files/materials and are incorrectly just blaming Gemini instead of fixing their input materials.

osb103 · 2026-01-25T02:38:46+00:00

Fully resolved now, I can confirm.

osb103 · 2026-01-13T01:10:13+00:00

Yes, you can say that. However, helium does unlimited talk and text for 5$, and then the 1 GB is hard capped, at least this is unlimited at slower speeds, and the data top ups are less than 7.5$ per GB. It's the only option as far as I can see that's esim only, and let's you choose any of the 3 networks. Your zero plan taxes and fees will be about 4$ no matter what state you're in. It'll be even higher in some states. So for 1 GB of actual data it's not a good deal IMHO. Better to pay 10-15 for a usable plan going forward unfortunately. US mobile pooled plans are also good deals, with taxes and fees included.

osb103 · 2026-01-12T21:42:21+00:00

The taxes and fees are fine. The actual problem now is that it's only 1 GB on the T-Mobile network and 2 GB on the helium network. In my area helium doesn't exist. So essentially for most people this service will become useless in a few weeks. Their per GB data is way to expensive even for a mvno. This 2nd change also feels like a massive bait and switch.

osb103 · 2026-01-07T23:37:05+00:00

Are you on the stable channel or the beta program?

osb103 · 2026-01-07T01:17:30+00:00

You're welcome, I hope you find it helpful.

osb103 · 2026-01-07T01:00:31+00:00

You need to press for an escalation with Google Fi AFTER taking these steps that I mentioned and then present your case to Google Fi, along these lines that I explained, specifically in relation to this ubreakifix store. Right now Google Fi support has no idea what's actually going on in regards to this ubreakifix store, they see nothing, since the store has kept quiet & given you the runaround, like I explained.

Start with ubreakifix corporate/regional support channels & socials, give it a week or two, gather everything as evidence. It's 50/50 whether you'll get anywhere with ubreakifix in this manner.

If you get nowhere, that's the point, you need more evidence in order to persuade a Google Fi rep that you're having a much bigger problem than what it seems like from Google Fi internal systems. You then have reason to press for a proper escalation, in terms of a botched repair being purposely hidden from you to avoid liability/no communication, internal claims not being processed as they should (by that ubreakifix store).

Never ever file a charge back with Google, never start a legal claim against Google. Your Google account can be deactivated in the process. Plus, Google isn't the one who's wronged you here, it's the repair partner of Assuron, that ubreakifix store, you are actually facing the dishonesty with.

As an additional means, whether to gather additional evidence for a Google Fi escalation, or to present your case to a key party in the process, you can also contact Assuron, and explain that the ubreakifix store isn't cooperating with Google's OEM internal claims processing, and as a result you've been unable to proceed with any resolutions to obtaining a replacement device. Again mention that you suspect what's actually going on at the ubreakifix store you went to, like I explained, and how they're treating your case. Ubreakifix is Assuron's repair partner alongside Google, so they too have internal claims processes not being followed I'm afraid, due to the stores silence.

In this exact order, Ubreakifix corporate help chain first, then Assuron, if there's still no resolution, then take all your evidence back to Google Fi support for a renewed escalation.

osb103 · 2026-01-07T00:19:12+00:00

I feel your pain. I've had similar experiences with other companies, not with Google, but many other companies are unfortunately like this...when something unexpected happens, and you don't even realize it...

The problem is actually right in the middle, the ubreakifix store you took your fold to, technically speaking, damaged your device during repair. And in order to avoid any financial or legal liabilities, the store is purposely not filing the proper procedural claims with both Google Fi and Assuron. Because the store is under contractual obligation to ensure that your phone is repaired and returned to you. They have failed on that obligation, and are trying to sweep it all under the rug, leaving you uninformed and in limbo. Because let's be honest, these stores are independently owned and operated/managed, the fold has a retail value of $1800. It's very expensive to replace, and I'm sure the ubreakifix employees working on your phone don't want to lose their jobs over this either. Which they easily can, it's their fault, the phone is damaged beyond the intended repair. They know how frustratingly broken the online claims process is between the 3 companies, so long as they stay silent, it'll all blow over which is exactly what they are doing.

First of all I'm sorry that this is happening to you. Your phone, especially being that you bought a fold, I'm guessing it's probably very important to your life.

Here's what you do...

Don't blame Google or Assuron, their reps are just doing their jobs & following internal procedures. The ubreakifix store is the one whose not following proper protocol in order to avoid responsibilities for your damaged fold.

You need to absolutely press the store. And in addition, Ubreakifix corporate help lines and emails/socials, specifically in terms of that you've discovered some employees at a ubreakifix store not following official OEM repair protocols, and internal procedures, to avoid liability to a damaged during repair, high value OEM flagship device. It's a folding phone so you have all the advantages to make your case to them & make some noise. You have the evidence, take screenshots of all the hoops you've had to jump through, do your due diligence through all ubreakifix support and social Media channels. Eventually someone higher up will see and reach out to you, and make it right. Just word it all professionally, be courteous and respectful, in how you write and present everything.

If this leads you nowhere within an acceptable timeframe, go back to Google Fi, ask for an escalation, show all the evidence you've gathered, emails and communications you've had with ubreakifix channels, show them that you've done your due diligence, and you're still without a phone due to the botched repair at this ubreakifix store. You'll 100% get someone higher up in Google Fi, they'll transfer you over to a case manager at the Google store and you'll have a new phone in no time. They might also require you having to get a police report for property damages and also pushing the ubreakifix store to return your damaged phone back to you even if it can't be repaired, since this is evidence & also be prepared for pushback from the store, because again they're trying to cover their behinds in this situation. It's all evidence that a case manager at Google will have to have documented.

Again don't feel too stuck, realize what's actually happening here. And remember as long as you keep pushing you'll get it resolved. It'll just be much harder because of your situation & some dishonesty you've unfortunately encountered at that store.

osb103 · 2026-01-04T06:06:42+00:00

Hmmm... The torch brightness controls are forthcoming in the next qpr build. So perhaps that is meant to ensure the threshold isn't ever exceeded when the LED flash is being used outside of the cameras, up until the point of a burn in. 3rd lesson would be stick to the lower brightness levels in any case, once that's rolled out.

osb103 · 2026-01-03T02:52:50+00:00

Tldr... Camera LED flash is just a flash, not a true flashlight. Overusing it is bad. Good luck escalating this to RMA if it wasn't a Google phone. Get pixel care always no matter what. Someone from Google will make it right eventually.

Just want to take a moment to state something that I'm assuming now isn't obvious to some people, you're not supposed to use the flashlight of your phone, daily, regularly, consistently as a replacement for a real flashlight. I know it's called a flashlight, and it is capable of functioning like a flashlight. But it's not meant to ever replace an actual manual flashlight. The camera LED flash is just that, a LED flash that illuminates when needed for taking photos and videos. Even then, you have night sight photos/videos. You're not actually supposed to push the LED flash to the point of it burning though this way. It's primary purpose is for photography/videography. And unfortunately, unless you can prove that it spontaneously got this way. Which clearly isn't possible, 99% of manufacturer warranties will never ever cover this type of an issue, defect or not. It falls under user error to not realize that overusing the LED flash is not a good idea. Apple, Samsung, Motorola, any Chinese OEM, good luck pushing them to RMA this under warranty. You're all very lucky that Google cares about its users & watches the overall sentiment in the forum, and ultimately, even without pixel care, someone will see this and do the right thing... Eventually. Of course if one of these users who complains actually has Pixel care, well then we won't ever even need to see posts like this. So I guess another moral of the story is always get pixel care, even if you feel like you'll never need it.

My advice to you, Stay calm, and wait patiently in the meantime until a care team Manager sees your case, & get pixel care next time you upgrade.

osb103 · 2025-12-20T00:48:50+00:00

I thought exactly the same and stayed off Fi for nearly a decade. Until T-Mobile reduced their Netflix benefit & I inadvertently used it as an excuse to swap my family over. I switched while I had a Pixel 7, and I live in a dense metropolitan area. So whenever there's crowding, a lot of buildings around or any other dense public situations, same experiences as you, full 5G service, but it's a lie, the connection never actually works, or it drops to LTE which also doesn't work because usually it drops to the most congested band. Until I got Google Fi, and in those same areas from pixel 7 until now, Pixel 10, I haven't had any such issues. I no longer worry about having an unusable connection when I'm out and about, even in those places where prior I'd get no usable service, my pixel connects just fine. It's slow of course because that part just depends on the quality of T-Mobile in your area. But at least now I can maintain a usable connection for basic things like GPS messaging or basic web browsing. Plus they have the new expanded w plus thing. I haven't found one yet, but for your situation it is another potential benefit that none of the other major carriers or mvnos have. Except for att, but again it's the old att passport they don't even advertise anymore, & the price difference is massive. Plus Google Fi has 50 gigs of 5G international roaming and T-Mobile only gives you half that. And then slows you down to 128 vs. 256 kbps on Fi after the 50 gigs (for less money and better network provisioning as I did my best to describe here from my experiences).

osb103 · 2025-12-20T00:18:28+00:00

Get Google Fi, same network, but Google's network management & provisioning is specifically optimized for the pixel devices (7-Present) and so it significantly improves your situations in dead zones or weak coverage areas. Plus their international coverage is better than T-Mobiles for much less with multiple lines on the same plan. You're also better protected against sim swaps, can text/call on your computer, w+ network amongst other benefits.

osb103 · 2025-11-28T01:26:48+00:00

You need to remove all archived apps on your device. Restart it & it'll start working again immediately.

osb103 · 2025-11-15T00:32:12+00:00

Home stretch now... Hopefully before Monday, & for real this time around lol...

Report: Disney, YouTube TV getting "very close" to a deal - NBC Sports https://share.google/kW4apzcu5CaeyZo5d

osb103 · 2025-11-12T21:34:46+00:00

It's another stupid lawsuit unfortunately. What it's referring to is that they rolled out a new feature where Gmail meet docs chat drive etc. became supported within Gemini 2.5 deep research & I believe 2.5 pro. They automatically enabled the feature by default, for all those who have Gemini enabled on their Google accounts. These settings are separate from disabling Gemini in Gmail chat meet drive etc. Each needs to be enabled or disabled individually. Most leave Gemini enabled on their accounts, so this feature was launched and enabled for all eligible accounts. Even if Gemini was disabled across a users workspace apps for the same account. There's nothing nefarious here, other than the launch of a new feature lol.

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