There’s one new Pixel ‘upgrade’ you might not love – here’s how to fix it

Google just released its March Pixel drop, which added 10 major upgrades, but the features are still coming for Pixel owners. A recent software update is adding some camera functionality across the board, providing a performance boost for older phones, and adding a change that many people aren’t liking.

Here’s what’s new with Pixel devices.

1. Camera upgrades for both the Pixel phone and tablet

Pixel Camera 9.8 started rolling out today, and while it’s not a major overhaul, it does add some nice features for Pixel phones and the Pixel Tablet.

To start, Google clarified some details about the “raise your hand” gesture that lets you take a picture by holding your palm up. In addition to the front selfie camera, the gesture also works with the higher-quality rear camera.

Also: Goodbye Gemini, hello Pixel Sense? What we know about Google’s AI assistant for Pixel 10

In addition, Pixel Fold users are getting some new functionality in the form of Dual Screen Preview for video recording. This means you can use both the internal and external displays while taking video. Google is also bringing Add Me to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. If you’re not familiar, this feature uses AR to add people to group shots by blending two photos together.

All of this is in addition to the Pixel Feature Drop a few days ago, which added the capability to connect your Pixel phone to a GoPro (or another Pixel phone camera) and stream from different angles.

2. Older Pixels are getting better performance

Pixel 6, Pixel 7, and Pixel 8 series phones, plus the Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold, are getting a big internal upgrade. Google is rolling these devices to the Linux 6.1 kernel (which is what the Pixel 9 series runs on). A kernel is the core software program in a phone’s OS, and it manages things like hardware resources, memory, and CPU.

This should mean both performance and security improvements for these devices.

Also: Google just gave Pixel Watch its most important update yet – and it’s free to use

You don’t have to do anything to get this upgrade, but you can check manually for upgrades from your phone’s settings menu by going to Settings > System > Software.

3. Haptic feedback has changed, and not everyone is loving it

There’s one upgrade that not everyone is thrilled about, though. According to multiple users on Reddit, haptic feedback on Pixel phones is much more intense recently, especially when typing. Users are reporting this on both Pixel 9 series devices and older ones, with many saying the new vibration is tinny and hollow-feeling.

Also: 4 Pixel phone tricks every user should know – including my favorite

Google didn’t announce anything on this front, but enough people are reporting the change, so there must be something to it. You can change the level of haptic feedback (or turn it off entirely if you don’t like the new feel) by heading to your phone’s settings menu, then “Accessibility” and “Vibrations & Feedback.”

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