Android
Android 15 issues for Pixel 6 users and Google TV’s new ‘Channels’ section in the UK

Google’s recent Android 15 update has brought significant changes to its Pixel smartphones, but not all of them are welcome, particularly for Pixel 6 users. Alongside this update, Google TV in the UK also received a new “Channels” section, offering easier access to popular streaming services.
Android 15 Update: A Risky Move for Pixel 6 Users
With the rollout of Android 15, many Pixel smartphone users were excited about the new features and improvements. However, owners of Pixel 6 devices have reported serious issues after updating. Several users claim their phones became completely unusable post-installation, leading to frustration and concerns about the stability of the update.
Major Problems After the Update
Pixel 6 owners are facing various issues, particularly with the introduction of the “Private Space” feature. Some users report their phones crashing and becoming unresponsive shortly after enabling this feature. Others have seen their devices randomly shut down during normal usage and fail to turn back on, rendering their phones effectively dead.
History of Update Issues
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Pixel 6 devices have encountered problems after a major Android update. Similar issues were reported following the Android 14 update, leading many to wonder if there’s a deeper compatibility problem between the Pixel 6 hardware and the newer Android versions. This recurring issue raises serious concerns about the stability of updates for this model, potentially pointing to deeper flaws in its ability to handle newer software releases.
Should You Update?
If you own a Pixel 6 and haven’t yet updated to Android 15, it may be wise to delay the installation until Google addresses these problems. As of now, Google hasn’t released an official statement regarding the issues, but users are hopeful that a bug-fix update will be released soon. For those who have already updated and are experiencing these issues, reaching out to Google Support is highly recommended.
Google TV in the UK Introduces a New ‘Channels’ Section
While Pixel 6 users are dealing with software troubles, Google TV users in the UK received a more positive update. A new “Channels” tab has been introduced, aimed at making it easier to access regional broadcast streaming services like BBC, ITV, and others.
What’s New in the ‘Channels’ Section?
The new “Channels” section on Google TV and Chromecast devices offers users a quick way to access popular UK broadcast channels via their respective streaming services. It includes channels like BBC, ITV, STV, UTV, Discovery, and more. While this section doesn’t function as a traditional TV tuner, it aggregates live channels available from streaming apps that are installed on your device.
However, there are some limitations. For example, BBC iPlayer is not yet available on all Google TV Streamer devices, and Channel 4’s streaming service is currently unavailable on Android TV. Users who don’t have the necessary apps installed can still click on the channel icon, which will prompt a Play Store link to install the required app.
How It Works
Once a streaming app is installed, clicking on a channel in the “Channels” section will either take you directly to the live stream or, in some cases, require an additional step. For example, ITV X will take users to the TV guide before launching the live stream, while BBC iPlayer goes straight to the channel. It’s also important to have an active account for the apps to work, as users without one will be prompted to log in before accessing content.
A Step Forward for Cordcutters
This new feature is a significant improvement for those in the UK who prefer to stream their TV rather than rely on traditional aerial setups. While Google TV devices in the UK don’t have the same “Live Channels” support that exists in the US, this update offers a more streamlined way to access live content through popular streaming services. There’s hope that Google will expand the number of supported apps in the future, potentially including services like Plex for even greater variety.
Conclusion
The Android 15 update has brought both excitement and frustration for Google users. While Pixel 6 owners are facing significant issues that could render their devices useless, Google TV users in the UK have seen improvements with the addition of the “Channels” section. As Google works to address the problems with the Pixel 6 update, the new features for Google TV provide a glimpse of the company’s effort to enhance the user experience for cordcutters and streaming enthusiasts.
Android
Android might soon alert you when your time zone changes

Traveling with an Android phone can be confusing when it comes to keeping track of time, especially on long trips. Your device automatically adjusts to different time zones, which is handy but can sometimes leave you unsure about the actual time. Imagine being on an airplane, where the time might switch several times due to the flight’s Wi-Fi, making it difficult to know how long you’ve been in the air.
To solve this, Google seems to be working on a new feature for Android. According to Android Authority, who took a peek at the Android 16 Beta 1, there’s a new setting in the works. This setting would allow you to get a notification every time your device changes its time zone automatically.
You’ll find this new option under the “Settings” menu, specifically in “System” and then “Date & time.” By turning this on, you’d get a little alert on your phone saying, “Hey, you’ve just entered a new time zone!” This would help you keep better track of time without any surprises.
There isn’t a confirmed release date yet for this feature, but it looks like it might make its way into Android 16. This update could make traveling a bit less confusing when it comes to managing your schedule across different parts of the world.
Android
Android 16 might alert you when your time zone shifts

One of the key roles of your smartphone is to keep track of time, and they do this job pretty well. By using information from your phone’s network, Wi-Fi, or GPS, your device can automatically adjust its time when you move to a different time zone. However, sometimes you might want to know right away when this happens, which is why Google is working on a new alert feature for Android 16.
While exploring the first beta version of Android 16, I stumbled upon some lines of code for a new “time zone change” option in the settings under System > Date & time. This feature is designed to notify you when your phone’s time zone gets updated automatically.
I managed to activate this setting in the beta. Here’s what it looks like:
I couldn’t show you the actual notification since I haven’t traveled out of my current time zone, but I know what it will look like. The notification will simply state that “your time zone changed” followed by details of your new time zone.
This is a simple yet useful addition because knowing when and how your time zone has changed can help you schedule meetings or make plans. It also saves you from having to check the settings manually when you need to adjust the time for apps like Outlook.
Handling time zones is not easy, but thanks to Google Play System Updates, Android phones can quickly adapt to new time zone data from the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). With the various ways Android devices locate themselves, they are among the best for keeping the right time.
Though I found this feature in the Android 16 Beta 1, it’s not certain if it will make it into the final version. Features can appear in early builds but not in the official release. Given that Android 16 is expected to roll out in the second quarter of this year, we’ll know soon if this time zone notification feature will be part of it.
Android
New Feature: See through Live Captions on Android

Since the introduction of Expressive Captions last December, Android’s Live Caption feature now includes an option to adjust the background transparency on Pixel devices.
Before this update, captions appeared on a solid light or dark gray background, which could sometimes block parts of the screen. Now, with the new transparency setting, you can see what’s happening behind the captions. This makes the captions less intrusive and more user-friendly, allowing you to keep them on all the time if you wish. Some users even prefer having no background at all, just the text floating over the video.
How to Use Background Transparency
To turn on this feature, simply tap on the Live Caption panel to bring up the options menu. Look for the three dots on the right side, tap on them, and go to “Customization.” There, you’ll see the “Background transparency” switch alongside other settings like “Translate captions” and “Live Caption.”
This update was noticed today with the release of version V.16 of Android System Intelligence for Pixel devices. Check the Google Play Store to see if an update is available for your device. However, this feature isn’t available yet for Android 14 on non-Google devices.
This follows the earlier update in December that brought Expressive Captions to life, adding more emotion through uppercase letters for emphasis, sounds like sighs or gasps, and background noises like applause. This is currently available for US English on Android 14 and newer versions.
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