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Google Introduces New Android Features in Pixel Beta Update

Participants in the Android Beta Program get first dibs on the next update, which is set to land in official form next year

Hot on the heels of the latest Android release earlier this month, Google is back with another update for Pixel users participating in the Android Beta Program. QPR3 Beta 1 is our first glimpse into changes coming for these phones and will be made available to devices in an official form sometime early next year. 

The latest beta update includes some housekeeping features for added polish, as well as features that you may have seen elsewhere before. Outside of a few notable tweaks, changes are minimal, and additional features will be introduced as the beta updates continue to roll out over the coming months. 

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Which Pixel devices are eligible for QPR3 Beta 1?

The Pixel-only update can be installed on any devices from Pixel 6 and beyond. The complete list of supported devices is below. 

  • Pixel 6 and 6 Pro
  • Pixel 6a
  • Pixel 7 and 7 Pro
  • Pixel 7a
  • Pixel Fold
  • Pixel Tablet
  • Pixel 8 and 8 Pro
  • Pixel 8a
  • Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold
  • Pixel 9a
  • Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, and 10 Pro Fold

What’s new in this update?

For the first beta of this quarterly release, there’s a decent amount of tweaks to pore over, but we’ll touch on just a few highlights. 

Adjust flashlight brightness

Google has introduced a way for Android users to adjust the brightness of their flashlight while it’s on, and it resembles the way iOS handles this feature. It’s a welcome feature for those times when you may need just a little light, not a blaring spotlight.

Remove the At A Glance widget

The At A Glance widget has adorned Pixel home screens for a long time, providing helpful information without requiring you to search for it. Weather, calendar updates, Pixel Watch charging notifications, and an easy way to turn your flashlight on and off are just some of the things the widget can do. Previously, it was more of a permanent fixture on your home screen that you couldn’t remove, even if you wanted to. 

With QPR3 beta 1, you can now remove the widget completely, regaining some space on your home screen. 

Better placement showing apps that are using your location

Google has improved the way you’re notified when an app is using your location. Previously, the location symbol would appear at the top right corner of your phone’s status bar, blending in with the other icons there. Now, a blue notification dot will appear at the top right of your screen, making it easier to notice when your location is being used.

How to install the Android QPR3 Beta 1 update

If you have a compatible device, the easiest way to install the latest QPR3 update is to sign up for the Android Beta Program. Here’s how:

  • Go to the Android Beta Program website.
  • Log in to your Google account.
  • Scroll down to view your eligible devices.
  • Next to the device on which you want to install the update, click «opt in.»

That’s it. Eventually, you’ll receive a notification that an update is available, and from there, you can download and install the latest Android beta from Google. 

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Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Sunday, Dec. 21

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Dec. 21.

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

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? The first two Across clues stumped me, but I was able to fill in the Down answers and solve it eventually. Read on for all the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Only U.S. president born in the month of September
Answer: TAFT

5A clue: «I’ll ___ it» («Fine, I guess»)
Answer: ALLOW

7A clue: Material for a reusable diaper
Answer: CLOTH

8A clue: Land of Seoul and Pyongyang
Answer: KOREA

9A clue: One might be «Forever»
Answer: STAMP

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Metal pins on a bulletin board
Answer: TACKS

2D clue: Separate into portions
Answer: ALLOT

3D clue: Fauna’s counterpart
Answer: FLORA

4D clue: ___ pole (symbolic carving)
Answer: TOTEM

6D clue: Sound from a fly swatter
Answer: WHAP

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Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Dec. 21, #454

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Dec. 21, No. 454.

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 is a tough one. It will help if you know a certain US state and its sports teams. If you’re struggling with today’s puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It doesn’t appear in the NYT Games app, but it does in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for 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: Throw it or hit it.

Green group hint: Where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plain.

Blue group hint: On the ice.

Purple group hint: Not empty.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Sports projectiles.

Green group: Oklahoma teams.

Blue group: PWHL teams.

Purple group: Full ____.

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 sports projectiles. The four answers are ball, Frisbee, puck and shuttlecock.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is Oklahoma teams. The four answers are Cowboys, Golden Hurricane, Sooners and Thunder.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is PWHL teams. The four answers are Frost, Goldeneyes, Sceptres and Victoire.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is full ____. The four answers are back, count, house and time.

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Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for Dec. 21, #924

Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for Dec. 21 #924

Looking for the most recent 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, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s NYT Connections puzzle is kind of tough. If you need help sorting the words into groups, you’re in the right place. Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.

The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including the number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.

Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time

Hints for today’s Connections groups

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

Yellow group hint: Time for tea.

Green group hint: Shhhh!

Blue group hint: Come out.

Purple group hint: Don’t let that fall!

Answers for today’s Connections groups

Yellow group: Features of a teapot.

Green group: Library sections.

Blue group: Arise.

Purple group: ____ drop.

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

What are today’s Connections answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is features of a teapot. The four answers are handle, lid, spout and strainer.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is library sections. The four answers are circulation, periodicals, reference and stacks.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is arise. The four answers are emerge, flow, issue and result,

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is ____ drop. The four answers are air, eaves, gum and rain.

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