Google has started rolling out a new software update for its Pixel phones, which is also the first for its latest flagship models, the Google Pixel 8 and Google Pixel 8 Pro. The update notes don't mention the arrival of any new features, but the update fixes major issues that users have complained about in various online forums, and it applies to both the Pixel 8 series and previous models.
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At the top of the list is a fix for display and graphics-related issues, including the “green flash” issue when the screen turns off under certain conditions. Google mentions a specific scenario where the green screen issue occurs, but users have been reporting it for a while now.
Additionally, the issue nicknamed “green goblin” appears in various ways on Pixels. One user shared an image of his Pixel 8 Pro on Reddit with a vertical green line on the screen. Others are reporting their screens randomly flashing or having a permanent tint across the panels, either partially or across the entire screen. The reports date back at least two years and appear to affect phones as far back as the Pixel 6 series.
See also: Google Pixel: Access problems after Android 14 update
Google also confirms that it has fixed NFC. Once again, Reddit is reporting a collection of complaints documenting unexplained NFC issues with wireless payments. The Pixel 7 series seems to be the epicenter of the NFC issues, but complainers are also reporting issues with previous generations of models like the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4. The most recent complaint states that the Pixel 7 Pro’s NFC system failed after updating to Android 14.
Google also says it has fixed an issue that occasionally caused wallpapers to misalign. It appears that this issue was first added during the testing phase of Android, and was addressed, but it seems to persist in stable versions of the software.
See also: Google Pixel 8 / Pixel 8 Pro: They may support software updates for up to 7 years
Curiously, the update notes don't mention anything about fixing the recent storage access issue that periodically affected Pixel 8 owners after installing the recent Android 14 update. Google said it was investigating the issue and made a proactive fix available through Google Play, but for users who had their devices stuck in a reboot or factory reset loop, there doesn't seem to be any way to address the situation at this time.
Source: digitaltrends.com
