Any Pixel 8/8 Pro owners using the new "Read aloud" feature? What is your impression of it?

Also from the official announcement (https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2023/11/28/open-extensions-on-firefox-for-android-debut-december-14-but-you-can-get-a-sneak-peek-today/ ):

Starting December 14, 2023, extensions marked as Android compatible on addons.mozilla.org (AMO) will be openly available to Firefox for Android users.

“We’ve been so impressed with developer enthusiasm and preparation,” said Giorgio Natili, Firefox Director of Engineering. “Just a few weeks ago it looked like we might have a couple hundred Android extensions for launch, but now we can safely say AMO will have 400+ new Firefox for Android extensions available on December 14. We couldn’t be more thankful to our developer community for embracing this exciting moment.”

A thread by @[email protected] (cross-posted from: https://lemmy.today/post/3507919 )

This is a guide to a longer lasting Android device, from choosing one to how to preserve the life of the one that you have.

Choosing a long-lasting and repair friendly phone:

To get the best shot at longevity, start with a high quality device from a manufacture with a history of long term device support, and one that regularly releases there modifications to the kernel source code. A device that has an unlockable bootloader (XDA developers Forums is a good place to see about ROM support), and is user repairable (See iFixit's Smartphone Repairability Scores) will allow you to keep the software & hardware going the longest. Both the Google Pixels, and Fairphone's line are a good place to start.

Before you use your phone

• Use a good sturdy case like an Otterbox
• Apply a liquid “screen protector” then a screen protector on top, Sapphire being the best (but very expensive).

Battery

Lithium-ion (LI-on) battery's wear out faster when near the upper and lower charge levels (read why here: Battery University, so avoid charging or discarding the battery fully, aiming for around 20~80% is a good target.

Charging

• Avoid fast & wireless charging. (to reduce the heat the battery endures)
• Use a magnetic charging cable to reduce the wear on the plug (Like Volta), you need a bulky case to have it flush to not make the phone uncomfortable to hold though. 
• When/If you use a regular charging cable don't move the phone when it's plugged in, movement wears the plug much sooner.

Use a charge limiting feature. (Listed in order of recommendation.)

1. If your phone has a built Smart battery charge management feature, use that.
2. If you have Root use ACCA(a GUI for ACC) (recommended, automatic)
3. Buy a cut off switch, like a Chargie by Lighty Electronics that's has an app to auto cut off power based on power draw or charge level. Note that in The newest Android versions restricts the APP from auto enabling Bluetooth, making this a bit of a meh solution. Using an Automation APP like Tasker to turn off a Home Assistant-controlled smart plug when the battery exceeds a reprogramming threshold might be a more reliable method. 
4. Download an APP that alerts you at charge levels, (AccuBattery, Battery Guru: Monitor & Health, etc.

Waking & Locking the screen

Try to avoid using the power button, as it's a common fail point

To wake 

 1. Use the features "Lift to check phone/events" and "Double-Tap to check phone"

 2. Use the fingerprint reader to wake and unlock.   

To lock/turn off the screen  

 1. Use a launcher that support double tapping the home screen to lock it (Nova launcher, Smart launcher, etc.)

 2. Use Googles Quick Tap feature if you have a Pixel or the APP Tap, Tap for any Android to lock the screen. (Note: battery life might suffer)  

 3. Use a short Screen Time out.

TIPS

• Get a new case to get a fresh look and feel when your tired of the one you have

In the latest release of GrapheneOS, you can now enable hardware memory tagging for all user installed apps on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro to make them substantially harder to exploit. This is particularly useful for apps like Signal and WhatsApp.

More info in this thread: https://grapheneos.social/@GrapheneOS/111479293301664182

A bit of a technical update, but in a nutshell this improves memory safety, and for those familiar with pointers, you can watch this nice video explaining it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwMt0e_dC_Q

I also compiled the update schedule into a table for those who prefer it this way:

The "(?)" are for when the precise day isn't known yet.

Apparently the update is for the Pixel 8 Pro only, and someone in the comments is claiming that Magic Eraser got faster with it.

Google now not only acknowledges the bumps that some users noticed but also tries to reassure them that those bumps are nothing to worry about:

Pixel 8 phones have a new display. When the screen is turned off, not in use and in specific lighting conditions, some users may see impressions from components in the device that look like small bumps. There is no functional impact to Pixel 8 performance or durability.

For instance, here's one photo from Google's official Pixel forums:

Source: https://old.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/17zwjrb/if_you_have_poor_battery_life_try_this/

It surprisingly wasn't enabled by default on my Pixel 7a.