Technologies

The Latest Android 16 QPR1 Beta Is Out Now. Here’s How to Get It on Your Pixel

The overall update is minor, but it comes with the latest security updates for your Pixel.

The latest Android 16 QPR1 Beta is available for Pixel owners who’ve signed up to receive the latest releases from Google. Since it’s just a .1 update, it doesn’t bring any new phone features to the table, but a handful of bug fixes, as well as the June Security patch — something the QPR1 2.0 update from earlier this month was missing.

Although Android 16 is now officially available, it lacks the visual overhaul, Material 3 Expressive, that Google showed off during the Android Show this past May. Luckily, Google transitioned its Android Beta Program to Quarterly Platform Releases, and a large chunk of Material 3 Expressive found its way to Pixel devices that installed the first QPR1 update.

Below, we’ll show you what’s new in the latest QPR1 release and how to enroll your supported Pixel device in the Beta program to get these updates moving forward. For more, don’t miss when we expect the Pixel 10 to launch.

What’s new in the latest QPR1 Beta?

The sparse release notes for QPR 2.1 reiterate that there isn’t much to gawk at in this release. The QPR 2 beta added in support for enhanced windowing on connected devices, bringing a desktop-like experience. It’s nowhere near as slick as what Apple is doing on the iPad with iPadOS 26, but it is nonetheless a welcomed addition when you need more space to work with and have a display you can connect your phone to.

Here’s what’s new in the Android 16 QPR1 2.1:

Fix for the «Approve» button in the Device Admin settings being transparent and invisible.
Fix for the lockscreen sound toggle showing as off, but sounds still playing.
Fix for the Android back button intermittently failing to function.
Fix for a launcher crash when swiping up from the bottom.

In addition, and as mentioned before, this release also comes with the latest June security patch.

Android 16 QPR1 has some Material 3 Expressive baked in

The latest QPR1 builds include several pieces of the Material 3 Expressive design overhaul. It’s a fresh take on the OS while still looking like a natural progression of what was there before. It’s easier to find important actions within the OS, and the new design will eventually make its way to apps when developers adopt the new design language. Google has already shown off a few of the apps it plans to update with Material 3 Expressive, including Gmail, Fitbit and Google Photos.

While the public release will include more of Material 3 Expressive, the biggest visual changes are present here. The launcher, notifications, quick settings and lock screen all «pop» like never before.

What Pixel devices can install the Android 16 QPR1 2.1?

In order to install the Android 16 QPR1, you’ll need a compatible Pixel. Here’s the full list of supported devices.

Pixel 6, 6a, and 6 Pro
Pixel 7, 7a, and 7 Pro
Pixel Fold
Pixel Tablet
Pixel 8, 8a, and 8 Pro
Pixel 9, 9a, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold

How to install the Android 16 QPR1 2.1

Installing the Android 16 QPR1 2.1 build is easy.

If you’re running the last Android 16 QPR1 release, you don’t need to do anything. You should be able to check for a system update and the QPR1 2.1 beta should begin to download.

If you’re new to installing Android 16 on your device, here’s how to get things moving:

Go to the Android Beta site and log in to your Google account.
Click or tap on «View your eligible devices» or just scroll down to the section.
You should see the devices associated with the Google account you’ve logged in with.
Under the device on which you’d like to install the Android 16 update, click or tap the «+ Opt in» button.
Agree to the terms of the beta program and click or tap «Confirm and enroll.»

Once your device is enrolled, you can check to see if the update is waiting for you. It typically doesn’t take long.

On your Pixel, go to your Settings menu.
Tap System.
Tap Software updates.
Tap System update.

From there, the Android 16 QPR1 2.1 build should start downloading to your device. If it continues to say «Your Pixel is up to date,» give it a few more minutes or try restarting your phone, then try again.

Alternatively, you can flash the update to your Pixel.

Want more on Pixel? Don’t miss what we know about Google’s new AI Assistant, Pixel Sense.

Technologies

It’s Not Too Late to Claim a Part of Fortnite’s $245 Million Settlement. Learn How to File

The FTC has extended the deadline to file a claim for compensation from unintended in-game Fortnite purchases.

It’s been a good week for Fortnite gamers who felt cheated by accidental in-game purchases. The Federal Trade Commission announced it was distributing $126 million in compensation to 969,173 claimants this week, and it also extended the time to file a claim — the process had previously ended on Jan. 10, 2025.

Games who were charged by Fortnite for unwanted purchases between January 2017 and September 2022 who haven’t already filed now have until July 9, 2025, to participate in the settlement by filing a claim. The FTC says that since December, 629,344 payments went out to players who made those in-game purchases and who filed a valid claim by Oct. 8, 2024. The average payout was about $114 per customer and totaled $72 million.

In the settlement, the FTC concluded that Fortnite’s developer and publisher, Epic Games, used design tricks known as dark patterns to make in-game sales. «Fortnite’s counterintuitive, inconsistent, and confusing button configuration led players to incur unwanted charges based on the press of a single button,» the agency said in its March 2023 announcement.

The FTC has more money left, so it’s extending the claim deadline

The FTC apparently still has about $47 million left to distribute from the settlement. On June 25, the agency posted a notice alerting those who haven’t yet filed that they now have until July 9, to submit a claim at ftc.gov/fortnite.

The Fortnite settlement applies to anyone who was charged for in-game currency for items they did not want to purchase between January 2017 and September 2022; if a child made credit card charges without a parent’s knowledge between January 2017 and November 2018; or if an account was locked after a charge was disputed between January 2017 and September 2022.

Those filing must be 18 or older; minors can ask a parent or guardian to complete the form on their behalf.

One CNET staffer received his PayPal deposit (for $95.98) from a Fortnite claim in January, a pleasant surprise since he had forgotten about the settlement.

Epic’s Fortnite is wildly popular, especially with teens; in one game event last year, 44.7 million players participated on a single day. But the free-to-play game relies on players buying Battle Passes and other items with V-Bucks, the in-game currency.

Like other games-as-platforms that have a large audience of young people, such as Roblox, Fortnite has evolved on how to make its game secure for young people and to ensure that payments aren’t being generated without the player’s authorization.

How can I file a Fortnite claim?

When you visit the FTC’s Epic Games/Fortnite page to file a claim, you will be asked if you received a notification email from the FTC with a claim number. If you have a claim number, select Yes, click Next, then provide your claim number and solve a CAPTCHA test to submit your claim.

If you didn’t receive a notification or can no longer find your claim number, you can apply for a Fortnite claim using your Epic account ID. If you’re not sure of your Epic account ID, follow these steps from the Epic Games support page.

When and how will I receive my money from the FTC?

Eligible claims submitted by Oct. 8, 2024, and January have already started receiving payments. The FTC has not specified when money for new claims filed by July 9 will be distributed.

During the claims process on the FTC site, you will be able to specify whether you’d like to be paid with a check or via PayPal. Checks must be cashed within 90 days, and PayPal payments must be accepted within 30 days. For questions about your payment, you can call a claims support hotline at 1-800-915-0880 or email admin@fortniterefund.com.

Will filing a claim against Epic Games affect my Fortnite account?

According to the FTC, filing a claim will not affect the status of a player’s Fortnite account. For more information, see the FTC’s Fortnite refunds FAQ.

Technologies

An Internet Co-op for the People: How Ex-Spectrum Employees Are Making a Difference in the Bronx

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for June 27, #277

Here are hints — and the answers — for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, No. 277, for June 27.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition might be tough. The purple category might be one of those where you have to just fill in the other categories and see what you end up with. Read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is out of beta now, making its debut on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9. That’s a sign that the game has earned enough loyal players that The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times, will continue to publish it. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but now appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can continue to play it free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: How you recognize your team.

Green group hint: Sport, but its name is also a Wisconsin city.

Blue group hint: Hockey team names with something in common.

Purple group hint: Think Shedeur’s dad.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: A team’s symbol.

Green group: Associated with lacrosse.

Blue group: NHL teams with singular nicknames.

Purple group: Teams Deion Sanders has played for or coached.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is a team’s symbol. The four answers are badge, crest, emblem and logo.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is associated with lacrosse. The four answers are cradling, crease, faceoff and ground ball.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is NHL teams with singular nicknames. The four answers are Minnesota, Seattle, Tampa Bay and Utah.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is teams Deion Sanders has played for or coached. The four answers are Colorado, Dallas, Jackson State and New York.

Toughest Connections: Sports Edition categories

The Connections: Sports Edition puzzle can be tough, but it really depends on which sports you know the most about. My husband aces anything having to do with Formula 1, my best friend is a hockey buff, and I can answer any question about Minnesota teams.

That said, it’s hard to pick the toughest Connections categories, but here are some I found exceptionally mind-blowing recently.

#1: Series A Clubs, Jan. 11. Answers: Atalanta, Juventus, Lazio, Roma.

#2: WNBA MVPs, Jan. 21. Answers: Catchings, Delle Donne, Fowles and Stewart.

#3: Premier League team nicknames, Jan. 17. Answers: Bees, Cherries, Foxes and Hammers.

#4: Homophones of NBA player names, Jan. 26. Answers: Barns, Connect, Heart and Hero.