by Anura Guruge
on January 4, 2024.
That was kind of cute getting the ‘January 5, 2024’ Pixel 14 update at 8:38am on January 4, 2024.
This was for my brand new Google Pixel 8 Pro — which I only started using two days ago.
I think Google is pushing this update out, aggressively, to Pixel 8 users. I am not complaining. Rather nice not having to wait.
by Anura Guruge
on January 4, 2023
It took 26 days from the day I handed in my trade-in to USPS.
As you can see from the tracking (above) USPS ‘LOST’ it 6-days later.
I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT!
I think it is a SCAM with USPS in cahoots with Google. Tell the suckers, e.g., me, that it is ‘lost’ & buy time. Maybe they will forget.
Well, I wasn’t going to let them get away with it.
I contacted the ‘Google Store’ on Dec. 23, 2022. I was told that I had to wait one additional day, i.e., 2 weeks + 1, before they could escalate it.
I waited till after Christmas. Called them again on Dec. 26, 2022. In the end I called them in total about 6 times, contacted them via CHAT & also sent e-mails! My perseverance paid off!
So, I suggest that IF you are also waiting for your trade-in credit, CALL THEM. Call them again, & again until they finally relent.
by Anura Guruge
on December 21, 2022
Amazing — but despicable — the lengths that Google is going to avoid having to honor ‘Pixel 7‘ trade-ins. Wow.
In my case I am trading in a ‘Pixel 6 Pro‘ with 256GB of memory. Google said I would get in excess of $540.
Now it is LOST.
12-days with USPS & not delivered. This is crazy. This is unacceptable.
Bloody Google. I don’t know why I bother. This might be the last straw.
by Anura Guruge
on December 17, 2022
The fingerprint sensor on my LATEST Google ‘Pixel 6 Pro‘ (that I got in June 2022) was working GREAT until I got the December 2022 update for the phone a few days ago.
The fingerprint sensor has now basically stopped working!
OK, I am not as aggravated as I should be BECAUSE I already have a new Google ‘Pixel 7 Pro!’ The last few years I have been treating MYSELF to the latest Pixel phone at Christmas. Since it is my Christmas present I haven’t unboxed it yet. I like to start using the new phone on January 1 of each year. So, I was waiting. When fingerprint doesn’t work I keep on telling myself that this is but for another couple of weeks!
But, this is NOT funny. I feel bad for those who can’t upgrade or get another phone. Come on Google. This is NOT cricket.
by Anura Guruge
on January 7, 2022
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I have been steadfast about this since the rumors surfaced last November. IF voice support was the only enhancement, then I was NOT going to be interested. That has proven to be the case. Furthermore, to my amusement, Garmin has opted to way overprice the Venu 2 Plus.
The Venu 2 at $350 (today) is not too badly priced — maybe overpriced by about $25. But, even at $350 the Venu 2, which is a capable, good looking watch, with a GREAT AMOLED display, is competitive.
The Venu 2 Plus at $500 is just a JOKE.
It isn’t as if you can use any of the voice features without a nearby phone. So, it is just the convenience of doing voice from your wrist without having to fish out your phone. I am NOT going to fork out $150 for that. PLUS, they made the Venu 2 Plus smaller than the full-size Venu 2 I wear. So, it is smaller, has worse battery life & costs $150 more. No thanks Garmin.
Garmin is losing its way. The odds are that we will have a Google ‘Pixel’ watch. Plus, ‘Wear OS 3‘ will be available on more watches in the next 6 months. Garmin will get squeezed. I really want to transition to a Wear OS watch. I am all Android bar my watch. I want to rectify that.
So, my 5 year association with Garmin appears to be on thin ice, very thin ice.
by Anura Guruge
on November 29, 2021
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During the last few weeks, as you can see from the top image, there has been sporadic news of a soon to be release Garmin ‘Venu 2 Plus’ — with three physical buttons (as opposed to the two buttons in the original version). The current speculation is that this third button is to activate a built-in microphone & that voice support will be the key feature that separates the PLUS model from the original. IF SO, the new ‘Plus’ will be no interest to I. I do NOT need voice support on my smartwatch.
I quite like the Venu 2. It is good looking & quite functional.
I don’t need — & never have needed — voice support. So, if that is all that Garmin has to offer, I will give the Plus a miss. My goal in 2022 is to get a Google ‘Wear OS 3‘ watch. But, as ever, I will keep you posted.
by Anura Guruge
on November 4, 2021
Android phone integration & support is built-in so to speak — given that the ‘Infotainment’ system is from Google & totally Android-based.
One of the very first things you have to do (after you select the language of choice etc.) is to sign into one of your GMAIL accounts — just like if you were setting up an Android phone. I used the same Gmail as I use as my primary on my Pixel 5.
Once Bluetooth was enabled & paired, the XC60 immediately recognized my Pixel 5. Didn’t have to do anything. Receiving calls, making outbound calls & notifications ALL worked first time, without any problems. It was very smooth.
As you can see Google Maps is also built in. My XC60 has maps in the display behind the steering wheel. So, I can have two maps, one with horizontal orientation & one with portrait.
I haven’t even bothered with Android Auto. Not sure what I would need it for. So, I am just giving you a heads up.
by Anura Guruge
on September 28, 2021
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I have been wearing, 24×7, a Garmin ‘Venu 2’ since April 27, 2021.
I, having unsuccessfully tried out TWO Samsung watches in the past, had toyed with the idea of giving the new ‘Watch 4’ a try — before I dismissed it as being a really dumb idea. For a start, the less than 24-hour battery life will NOT meet my needs.
But, I happened to see this YouTube video, & it intrigued I. I watched most of it — FF through some of it.
That it categorically says that the Venu 2 is a BETTER fitness watch was a relief. SMILE.
Fitness tracking is the main reason I wear a smartwatch. So, if the Venu 2 is better, that makes me happy. Notifications etc. are of little import to I.
I would, some day, in the next year, like to standardize my life with a Google ‘Wear OS 3‘ watch. I am a great believer in Android & I am a big Google user. So, it would make sense for I to have a Wear OS watch to go with my Google Pixel phones.
But, for now I am going to stick with my Garmin Venu 2.