Hey there, Pixel fans! This past weekend was jam-packed with exciting developments, from cosmic selfies to immersive audio breakthroughs. Let’s dive into all the juicy details.
Android 16 Beta release date
First up, Android 16 Beta is right on schedule! Google changed things by moving the first Developer Preview from February to November, with the beta program kicking off in January. This earlier start means we could see the full release as soon as Q2 of 2025. Excited? You should be!
Here’s a quick rundown of the key dates:
- Beta 1: Already rolling out to early adopters.
- Beta 2: Changes due by January 22.
- Beta 3: Set to drop on March 12, hitting the first Platform Stability milestone.
Google’s engineers are busy fine-tuning these releases. They’re even debating which features to sneak into Beta 2 or hold for Beta 3. Either way, we’re in for a treat!
Eclipsa Audio: Surround sound for the masses
Next, let’s talk about Eclipsa Audio — Google and Samsung’s new open-source spatial audio format. If you’ve ever dreamed of creating your own immersive soundscapes, your time has come.
Eclipsa Audio promises to democratize spatial audio creation, making it accessible to everyone, not just the pros. Google’s even releasing a free plugin for AVID Pro Tools this spring. Until then, you can play around with the Binaural Web Demo Application right in your browser.
Here’s where you’ll soon experience Eclipsa Audio:
- YouTube: Upload your spatial audio tracks.
- Samsung’s 2025 TVs: Crystal UHD and Neo QLED 8K models.
- Chrome and Android: Native playback coming soon.
Expect more devices to jump on the Eclipsa Audio train later this year. It’s going to be a game-changer for audiophiles and creators alike!
Space selfies: Mark Rober’s out-of-this-world project
Now for something truly out of this world — literally. YouTuber Mark Rober launched a satellite powered by a Google Pixel on the SpaceX Transporter-12 mission. The goal? To snap a selfie of a Pixel phone displaying fan photos, with Earth as the backdrop.
Rober, who once worked on NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover, faced some serious challenges. He had to make the Pixel hardware radiation-proof and fit it into a compact satellite. The result? SatGus, a mini satellite that’s now orbiting Earth, ready to send back stunning space selfies.
Want to upload your own photo to SatGus? Subscribe to Rober’s CrunchBox service or sponsor a box for $30. Once the satellite is fully operational, it’ll beam your photos back via SpaceX’s Starlink. SatGus is expected to orbit for one to three years before gracefully re-entering Earth’s atmosphere.
Fix for buggy back gestures incoming!
Lastly, for those wrestling with buggy back gestures on Android 15, relief is on the way. Google is working on a fix that should roll out soon, so hang tight!
That’s it for today’s Pixel update! Stay tuned for more news, and keep those selfies ready for SatGus. Until next time, happy Pixel-ing.
Hillary Keverenge
2486 Posts
Tech has been my playground for over a decade. While the Android journey began early, it truly took flight with the revolutionary Lollipop update. Since then, it's been a parade of Android devices (with a sprinkle of iOS), culminating in a mostly happy marriage with Google's smart home ecosystem. Expect insightful articles and explorations of the ever-evolving world of Android and Google products coupled with occasional rants on the Nest smart home ecosystem.
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