Google has launched a Pixel Referral Rewards program, allowing participants to earn up to $500 in Google Store credit by sharing referral codes for Pixel phone purchases according to 9to5Google. Those interested in the program can find the details on the Google Store from December 2024. Participants can share up to ten referral codes with friends and family, while those using the codes receive a 10% discount on their purchase.

Update: The landing page seems to have been removed.

Google launches Pixel Referral Rewards program for discounts and credits

The program is designed to reward users, referred to as “Code Givers,” with $50 in store credit for each code that leads to a purchase. “Code Receivers” using the referral code qualify for a 10% discount on the highest-value Pixel phone in their shopping cart at the time of checkout. It is important to note that these codes are single-use and become invalid once applied at checkout.

According to Google, the store credit will be issued once the Code Receiver’s order surpasses the return period, typically around 30 days post-purchase. The referral program remains accessible until June 30, 2025, with current promotions highlighting that the discount can be combined with other offers. However, users cannot utilize the discount during peak shopping times such as Black Friday or new product launches, which limits its application.

We might know what Google Pixel 10 looks like

Eligibility and program details

To participate, users must either receive an email invitation or await broader eligibility expansion in the future. Those who have received an invitation can access their unique referral codes from the Google Store’s account menu. Each time a code is shared or copied, its status will be visible on the referral page, allowing Code Givers to track usage.

A significant aspect of the program is that a participant can accumulate up to $500 in store credit by successfully referring ten purchases. The promotional nature of the referral codes is designed to incentivize users to promote Google’s Pixel products among their social circles.

Recent reports from indicate a strong performance for Google Pixel sales, particularly noting the highest-ever quarterly sales for the brand in Q3 of 2024. This suggests an increasing consumer interest in the Pixel line, which may have influenced the decision to initiate a referral program aimed at boosting visibility and sales further.

As users engage with the referral program, both Code Givers and Code Receivers benefit, integrating community engagement into Google Store’s sales strategies. While the technical setup for accessing and sharing codes has been reportedly smooth, some users encountered a 404 error when attempting to access the “Refer your friends” option on the U.S. Google Store during the rollout.

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Barely eight months ahead of the anticipated launch, the first phone case allegedly designed for the Google Pixel 10 has surfaced, hinting at potential changes in its camera design. Renowned leaker Sonny Dickson shared the image of the case, raising questions about its authenticity. While Dickson is noted for his leaks in the Apple community, the reliability of his information concerning Google remains to be fully established.

First case for Google Pixel 10 surfaces, hints at camera changes

The appearance of this case arrives at a particularly early stage in the Pixel 10 leak cycle. Apart from a significant specifications leak regarding the upcoming Tensor G5 and G6 processors, no CAD models or substantial design information has yet emerged. The case design suggests continuity in the overall Pixel aesthetic, similar to existing offerings for the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro. The upper portion features a sizeable horizontal cutout intended for the camera visor, a characteristic element that has seen slight variations in previous iterations of the Pixel series.

Though the case retains the standard rounded corners of the Pixel line, no specifics regarding new camera features or technology have been disclosed. It remains unclear whether this case represents an accurate depiction of the Pixel 10’s design or if it is merely a speculative product from a third-party manufacturer. The unusual timing of this leak—occurring before the conventional release of official CAD-based renderings—could indicate the onset of more design leaks for the Pixel 10 and its Pro version in the near future.

The current scenario leaves several questions open regarding the Pixel 10’s specifications and capabilities. As industry observers await further information, the presence of this case allows for preliminary analysis regarding potential design choices, although concrete details about internal functionalities are still absent. The leaks surrounding the Pixel 10 are just beginning, and the tech community is poised for additional insights as the product’s launch date approaches.

Pixel Watch users will love this new Google update

Implications of early leaks on Pixel 10

The emergence of the Pixel 10’s case brings several implications for the smartphone market and Google’s positioning within it. It underscores the persistent interest surrounding the Pixel brand, which continues to be a subject of speculation and anticipation. The consistent design elements observed in the case could suggest that Google is looking to maintain brand recognition, even while potentially upgrading internal components such as cameras and processors.

The Pixel line’s identity has often been closely associated with its camera capabilities. Therefore, modifications which may not be visually apparent will be closely scrutinized once more information becomes available. This early leak, while not definitive, highlights the strategic importance of camera technology in Google’s continued competition within the premium smartphone segment.

With many details still unfolding, stakeholders in the tech industry remain watchful for more confirmations coming from reputable sources. Dickson’s established background in Apple leaks adds a layer of intrigue, but until additional evidence emerges about the case’s authenticity or the eventual features of the Pixel 10, the speculative nature of the leak leaves much to be desired for definitive insights.

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Google has extended software update support for the Pixel 6, Pixel 7, and Pixel Fold by an additional two years, allowing for five years of Android OS and security updates.

Google extends update support for Pixel 6, 7, and Fold

According to a silent update on its support page, devices including the Pixel Fold will receive updates for five years, starting from when they became available on the Google Store in the U.S. This change retroactively extends support for older models that were previously limited to three years of OS updates. Google first announced longer support for its newer Pixel models with the release of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 series, which already have a seven-year commitment covering security and major OS upgrades.

The Pixel 6, released in 2021, will now receive updates until 2026, while the Pixel 7 and Pixel Fold, both launched in 2023, are set to receive updates through 2028. Previously, older Pixel devices were at a disadvantage, receiving only a few years of updates compared to newer releases.

Pixel Watch users will love this new Google update

Google’s upgrade commitment also ties into the upcoming Android 16 Developer Preview. Traditionally, Google has rolled out the first developer beta around February, but for Android 16, it has advanced this schedule, with the first beta released in mid-November. Although specifics on the final rollout remain unclear, the new timeline indicates a possibility of an earlier release, potentially arriving before the end of Q2 in 2025.

The decision to extend support is likely to be well received by users of the Pixel 6, Pixel 7, and Pixel Fold, as it allows them to hold onto their devices longer without the need for replacements. In the past, many Android users faced challenges with devices that became outdated quickly due to limited software updates. However, with this latest announcement, Google is actively changing that narrative.

In a broader context, the Android ecosystem has seen brands like Google and Samsung committing to extended update policies. While Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 models benefited from seven years of updates, older models now enjoy the enhanced five-year support as well.

This feature might make you buy a Galaxy S25

The Pixel Tablet will not receive similar updates; the extension applies exclusively to the Pixel 6, Pixel 7, and Pixel Fold. As Google raises the bar for device support, it signals a shift in expectations within the mobile technology landscape. Consumers now have an increased incentive to invest in Pixel devices, knowing they will be supported longer than before.

As the Android 16 Developer Preview continues to evolve, many users are eager to see how the new features and improvements will integrate into their existing devices. Engaging with the beta version allows enthusiasts to experience upcoming changes early, though the full ramifications of these updates will only become clear once the final version rolls out.

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If you are currently facing the Google Pixel update issues, you are definitely not alone. Many users took the matter to social media, and media publications made news about the current issue that causes app crashes and storage problems. Don’t worry, Google is also aware of it. Here is a closer look into Google Pixel update issues!

In the tech world, updates usually bring excitement with new features. But for Google Pixel users, the latest update in January 2024 has brought problems instead. This has caused worry among Pixel smartphone owners and people who follow tech news. This issue shows how tough it can be for big companies like Google to keep up with technology while making sure everything works well.

Google is now working hard to fix these problems. The issues are affecting many different Pixel phone models and causing various problems, from small bugs to big ones that make the phone hard to use. This has led to questions about how well Google tests its updates before releasing them. In this article, we’re going to look at what’s going wrong, how it’s affecting people who use these phones, and what Google is doing about it. Let’s see the details of the current Google Pixel update issues.

Google Pixel update issues cause app crashes and storage problems

After the recent January 2024 update, things have gone a bit haywire for Pixel users. People owning various models like the Pixel 5, 6, 6a, 7, 7a, 8, and 8 Pro are having a tough time. They’re facing trouble accessing their phone’s internal storage, and it’s not just about storage. These issues range from being unable to access the internal storage of their phones to more extensive problems like camera malfunctions, inability to take screenshots, and the failure of simple apps to launch.

The root of these challenges appears to lie in the recent Google Play system update. Interestingly, this issue is not isolated to one or two models but is impacting a wide range of Pixel smartphones. This suggests that the problem is software-related rather than specific to any hardware. As of now, Google is still in the process of identifying the exact cause of these complications.

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For users, Google Pixel update issues have been problematic. Some attempted a factory reset as a solution, but this approach comes with the significant downside of losing all personal data. This fix is hardly ideal. Moreover, the January 2024 Play update hasn’t been fully rolled out yet, so those still on the November 2023 version might want to hold off updating for now. For those who have updated and are experiencing issues, functionalities like playing music, watching videos, or accessing files might be compromised.

Google is working on it

Now, everyone’s eyes are on Google. How will they fix this? The last time something like this happened, they had to roll out a new system update. If your phone isn’t stuck in a never-ending boot loop, there’s some hope to get your data back with an over-the-air (OTA) update.

Google has halted the rollout of the January 2024 GPSU following reports of devices having file access issues.

Over the past few days, several users on Reddit, particularly those with Pixel phones, have faced issues with file access. The internal storage isn't being mounted,… pic.twitter.com/XiqUhkZBWD

— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) January 23, 2024

Google reveals “Circle to Search” for Pixel and S24

According to 9to5Google, a Google spokesperson has stepped up and said, “We’re aware of this issue and are looking into it.” That’s a start, right? It means Google knows there’s a problem and is on it. Let’s be optimistic and hope they find a fix soon. It’s a bit of a wait-and-see situation now.

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