Google posts December 2018 security updates with lots of improvements for Pixel phones

Monday, 3 December 2018

Google posts December 2018 security updates with lots of improvements for Pixel phones

Google Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL hands-on video

The start of a new month means new Pixel and Nexus updates, and that's precisely what Google's got for us today.

Google today posted is December 2018 updates for Nexus and Pixel devices. These updates will roll out over the air to the Pixel phones, the Pixel C tablet, the Nexus 6P, and the Nexus 5X. Google also offers factory images and OTA images for you to manually flash if you'd like.

Along with these updates, Google has shared security bulletins to detail the vulnerabilities that the updates patch. The 2018-12-01 security patch level fixes vulnerabilities to the framework, media framework, and system. Meanwhile, the 2018-12-05 security patch level addresses vulnerabilities to the system, HTC components, kernel components, and Qualcomm components.

Finally, Google is rolling out some functional patches to its Pixel line of phones. These include improved memory performance for the Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, and Pixel 3 XL; improved camera capture performance for the Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, and Pixel 3 XL; and improved Always On Display triggering for the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL.

Here's a list of Google's functional patches and the Pixel phones that they're for:

Improved memory performance in certain circumstances: Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, and Pixel 3 XL
Improved camera capture performance: Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, and Pixel 3 XL
Improved notification visibility when using Pixel Stand: Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL
Improved Android Auto compatibility: Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, and Pixel 3 XL
Adjusted camera autofocus behavior: Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL
Improved hotword performance when using Pixel Stand: Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL
Improved Always On Display triggering: Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL
Improved USB-C audio accessory detection: Pixel 3 XL
Adjusted volume behavior when toggling Bluetooth: Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, and Pixel 3 XL
Improved audio performance when using Android Auto in certain vehicles: Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL
Improved contouring on HDR color on certain media apps: Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL
Improved camera shutter performance: Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL
Improved unlocking performance when using Bluetooth: Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, and Pixel 3 XL