Google’s Pixel ecosystem continues to evolve this week, both in expected and surprising ways. Earlier in the week, Pixel owners faced yet another round of mixed fortunes: mysterious device deaths, new personalization options, and record-breaking sales.
To recap briefly:
- Pixel 6–8 phones are mysteriously dying, and it’s now a formal EU consumer case, raising questions about the long-term reliability of Tensor chips.
- Pixel Sounds got a Material You redesign, complete with new natural soundscapes, while a free Pixel 10 offer and Wear OS music refresh added some cheer.
- Pixel 10 set record sales in the U.S., and LineageOS 23 expands to older Pixels.
Now, Google’s newest moves build on that momentum, and a few of them might just make your Pixel feel brand-new again.
Google launches new “Theme packs” app on Play Store
A brand-new Theme packs app has quietly landed on the Play Store for Pixel devices, promising to “personalize your Pixel in one tap.”
Once installed, users can instantly refresh their setup — wallpaper, icons, sounds, clock, even Gboard GIFs — through seasonal theme bundles. The first pack, “Wicked: For Good!”, includes three sub-styles — For Good, Glinda, and Elphaba — inspired by the hit musical Wicked.
The app (package name com.google.android.apps.pixel.customizationbundle) currently targets Pixel 6 and newer, and though it’s not fully live yet, it appears integrated with the Wallpaper & style settings. After downloading a pack, users can preview and choose what gets applied, from wallpaper to sounds.
The app went live on November 4, and while Google hasn’t confirmed a release date for its full rollout, it could hint at the next Feature Drop’s focus on deeper customization.
Pixel 9 & 10 owners won’t need T-Mobile’s new satellite 911 texting
In the U.S., T-Mobile just made its Text to 911 via satellite feature free for everyone, even Verizon and AT&T users. The catch? You’ll need to sign up first through the carrier’s enrollment page.
The service uses Starlink’s 650+ low-Earth orbit satellites to connect users in remote areas directly to emergency services, a literal lifeline when cellular towers aren’t available. But if you own a Pixel 9 or Pixel 10, you’re already covered. Both phones come with built-in satellite SOS and emergency texting, meaning there’s no need to enroll with T-Mobile’s version.
For everyone else, the free T-Mobile system could be a valuable backup, especially for hikers or travelers using older Pixels without Google’s native SOS functionality.
Pixel Watch 4 officially goes on sale in India
After debuting globally in October, Google’s Pixel Watch 4 is finally available in India, marking the company’s strongest wearable push yet in the region.
Prices start at INR 39,900 for the 41mm Wi-Fi model and INR 43,900 for the 45mm variant, both available via the Google Store and soon on Flipkart and select offline outlets.
The Pixel Watch 4 brings an upgraded Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chipset, Wear OS 6, and a 3D curved AMOLED display that peaks at 3,000 nits. It also includes UWB, ECG, skin temperature, and body response sensors, plus a satellite SOS system (currently limited to the U.S.).
Battery life ranges from 30 to 40 hours, with fast charging delivering 80% in under half an hour.
Hillary Keverenge
2473 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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