December Update is out

[Lepa79]

Yep this fits my hypotheses. For some reason that is unknown Google Fi is blocking the update to its customers. With you using a inactive device it was able to apply the update.

Hmmm.

Explains why TMobile has not gotten it yet either. Since Fi uses TMobile.

I side loaded last evening and smooth like butter. Interestingly though, the blur capabilities on Google photos is not there but it is on my Wife's pixel 2 xl. So bizarre. Other enhancements are there though. Only thing missing is blurring ability in Google photos.

 

[GPuba]

I have both the Pixel 3XL and the Pixel 3a, both active on Google Fi. About 45 minutes ago, my 3a received the update OTA. Now I'm waiting on my 3XL to do likewise.

 

[mrpackerguy]

Explains why TMobile has not gotten it yet either. Since Fi uses TMobile.

I side loaded last evening and smooth like butter. Interestingly though, the blur capabilities on Google photos is not there but it is on my Wife's pixel 2 xl. So bizarre. Other enhancements are there though. Only thing missing is blurring ability in Google photos.

I don't have the blur function either after the update. It's there for portrait mode but my understanding was that it was supposed to be functional in all modes

 

[nikholaspappas]

I just received the update. Pixel 4XL, unlocked, dual SIM running Fi and Att

 

[FeinP1118]

Ditto. Ridiculous..

 

[FF22]

I don't have the blur function either after the update. It's there for portrait mode but my understanding was that it was supposed to be functional in all modes

Where would you find this BLUR function? Take a picture. Now REVIEW it. Next, where would the blur be found?

 

[foxbat121]

Where would you find this BLUR function? Take a picture. Now REVIEW it. Next, where would the blur be found?

Blur function is in the Google photos app. It requires an updated version of that app. Probably not related to ROM update itself.

In Google Photos, if you open to view a photo, there will be a pop-up that you can tap on to blue the background. It is only on certain pictures, not all pictures.

 

[Jeremy8000]

I decided that I wanted to torture myself, so engaged Pixel's telephone support to inquire regarding the update.

Roughly 70 minutes after our conversation began, it came to a conclusion with the following depressingly short list of understandings reached:

1. Updates are rolled out to a model group in 5 stages by "region", 20% per stage.
2. Updates can take up to two weeks to be fully rolled out.
3. The "Check for Updates" button does not check to see if an update has been released for that model, but rather only if an update has been released and your phone is a part of a group for which the stage has been released

The Check for Updates issue is, in my opinion, a borderline misrepresentation, at least in terms of how the related help article is likely inferred by the typical consumer - that it would poll to see if an update has actually been released and give the option to 'pull' it manually rather than having it "pushed" automatically on the schedule.

But basically, what it boils down to is, the representative and supervisor I spoke with both assured me that every Pixel 3 XL will have received the update within 14 days - so basically they have 2 days remaining...

 

[Lepa79]

I decided that I wanted to torture myself, so engaged Pixel's telephone support to inquire regarding the update.

Roughly 70 minutes after our conversation began, it came to a conclusion with the following depressingly short list of understandings reached:

1. Updates are rolled out to a model group in 5 stages by "region", 20% per stage.
2. Updates can take up to two weeks to be fully rolled out.
3. The "Check for Updates" button does not check to see if an update has been released for that model, but rather only if an update has been released and your phone is a part of a group for which the stage has been released

The Check for Updates issue is, in my opinion, a borderline misrepresentation, at least in terms of how the related help article is likely inferred by the typical consumer - that it would poll to see if an update has actually been released and give the option to 'pull' it manually rather than having it "pushed" automatically on the schedule.

But basically, what it boils down to is, the representative and supervisor I spoke with both assured me that every Pixel 3 XL will have received the update within 14 days - so basically they have 2 days remaining...

I side loaded OTA in about 15 minutes. I'll stick to that rather than dealing with customer support lol.

 

[Jeremy8000]

I side loaded OTA in about 15 minutes. I'll stick to that rather than dealing with customer support lol.

It's been a long, long time since I've done that - does it still fully reset the device requiring reinstall/configuration (though I know most of it would be automatic)?

 

[FF22]

I side loaded OTA in about 15 minutes. I'll stick to that rather than dealing with customer support lol.

Thank you for using 70 minutes which you will never recover to gain this insight! So does this mean that if I want updates in a more timely fashion, I should again put my Verizon sim in my GoogleFi carrier Pixel 3? And why should I get the update using Verizon when mashing that Update Button served no purpose when on Google Fi? What wave was I in on GoogleFi versus what wave did I surf using the Verizon sim?

Oh, obviously, I don't expect you to answer my questions. I appreciate your posting your experience.

 

[Easton091]

Still no update for my 3xl on Fi.

 

[Lepa79]

It's been a long, long time since I've done that - does it still fully reset the device requiring reinstall/configuration (though I know most of it would be automatic)?

No, side loading OTA packages is simply just like getting updates installed the "regular" way. You just need to load it yourself. Once the upgrade competes, you restart and back to business. That's why it is called "side" loading not flashing. 2 different processes. You don't even need to unlock your bootloader to side load.

 

[Theot]

Suck it Google, T-Mobile or whoever is annoying me delaying updates. I side-loaded today and I'll just do that every month from now on.

On another note, still not sure about the gesture navigation now that I've got it available again with Nova I just don't think it works that well.

 

[zebradude]

No, side loading OTA packages is simply just like getting updates installed the "regular" way. You just need to load it yourself. Once the upgrade competes, you restart and back to business. That's why it is called "side" loading not flashing. 2 different processes. You don't even need to unlock your bootloader to side load.

This was the first time I side loaded the update and I found it much faster.

I am not a fan of system updates that try to run in the background. It seems like whenever I touch the device it pauses the update and it is a slow process. Apple does the OTA update in a manner that takes up less time and when it’s done it’s done. Just my .02 cents.

————-

I still believe that Fi held up the update for the 3XL for a reason unknown to me. If you are able to place a active SIM for another service and it starts the download then the carrier is blocking for some reason.

 

[zebradude]

Suck it Google, T-Mobile or whoever is annoying me delaying updates. I side-loaded today and I'll just do that every month from now on.

The only downside of that process is if a custom version for your carrier comes out after you side load you might miss it.

I am still checking the OTA site wondering if a carrier custom version gets posted.

 

[Theot]

The only downside of that process is if a custom version for your carrier comes out after you side load you might miss it.

I am still checking the OTA site wondering if a carrier custom version gets posted.

Yeah but I'm on an unlocked Pixel, I shouldn't get anything custom for my carrier.

 

[Lepa79]

Suck it Google, T-Mobile or whoever is annoying me delaying updates. I side-loaded today and I'll just do that every month from now on.

On another note, still not sure about the gesture navigation now that I've got it available again with Nova I just don't think it works that well.

Yes, while guesturs are now supported on Nova, they are NO WHERE close to the animation and smoothness on the pixel launcher. I went back to default launcher. I enjoy Android 10 gesture navigation A LOT.

 

[Lepa79]

The only downside of that process is if a custom version for your carrier comes out after you side load you might miss it.

I am still checking the OTA site wondering if a carrier custom version gets posted.

Yeah but I'm on an unlocked Pixel, I shouldn't get anything custom for my carrier.

Google unlocked here as well. Should not be dependent on carrier version. So I am not worries when side loading.

 

[Theot]

Google unlocked here as well. Should not be dependent on carrier version. So I am not worries when side loading.

I did it for awhile with my pixel 2 as well and never had a problem.