Google rolls out Linux Terminal

Icon refresh rides on Pixel 11 launch

Google refreshed the Clock app icon across all Android devices as part of the Pixel 11 rollout. The same visual overhaul touched the Pixel Magnifier app, giving both utilities a cleaner silhouette that matches the new material design language.

The changes are purely cosmetic; they do not alter functionality or performance. By updating the icons in a coordinated push, Google signals that even legacy utilities receive attention alongside flagship hardware.

Native Linux Terminal lands on Pixel

After months of speculation, the native Linux Terminal app finally surfaced in the March 2025 Pixel Feature Drop. Mishaal Rahman, an Android analyst, first flagged the app in the Android 15 QPR2 beta in November, where it hid in Developer options.

Enabling the app still requires the standard developer‑mode toggle (Settings → About Phone → tap Build number seven times). Once developer mode is active, the Terminal appears under Settings → System → Developer options → Linux development environment. Activating it adds a 500 MB+ download to the device, which provisions a Debian virtual machine.

The Terminal runs Debian in a sandboxed VM, keeping the Android host untouched. Users can resize the VM’s storage via a “Disk Resize” setting, configure network ports, and even reset the VM’s partition with a Recovery option. Google’s roadmap, as reported by Rahman, includes hardware acceleration and a full graphical desktop environment, hinting at a future where Pixel can host Linux GUI apps without lag.

It remains unclear whether the Terminal will stay exclusive to Pixel phones or be extended to other OEMs with Android 16. For now, the feature is a niche tool for developers, security researchers, and power users who need Linux‑only binaries on a mobile form factor.

January 2026 update breaks core radios

Google’s January 2026 security update, announced in the second week of the month, has left a swath of Pixel owners without Wi‑Fi or Bluetooth. Reports on Reddit and Google’s support forums describe complete radio failure on Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro/XL models.

The bug persists through device restarts and even factory resets, effectively stranding phones in a near‑airplane‑mode state. Users cannot toggle the radios on, and the Settings → Network & Internet screen fails to load. Additional complaints include a broken Settings search, excessive idle battery drain, and occasional camera lock‑outs.

Google’s official Made by Google X account acknowledged the issue but offered no timeline for a fix. The only documented remedy is sideloading the latest public build via ADB, a process that demands a computer and technical know‑how. The community recommendation is to hold off on installing the January build until a corrective patch appears.

Pixel Fold’s pricing and carrier rollout

Google confirmed that the Pixel Fold will ship on June 27, with a preorder page that lists two colors—white “porcelain” and black “obsidian”—and two storage tiers. The 256 GB model carries a price tag of $1,799, while the 512 GB variant costs $1,919.

All three major U.S. carriers—AT&T, Verizon, and T‑Mobile—have pledged to sell the device. Verizon will open preorders on June 20, aligning with the global launch date. AT & T and T‑Mobile have not disclosed preorder schedules, and no carrier‑specific subsidies have been announced. Google sweetens its own preorder with a free Pixel Watch, a modest incentive amid the high‑end price point.

The Fold’s launch marks Google’s first foray into the foldable market, positioning it against Samsung’s Galaxy Z series and the emerging market of high‑price premium devices. Its $1,800‑plus price places it squarely in the flagship tier, where performance, software integration, and ecosystem lock‑in become decisive factors.

What to watch next

Developers should monitor the upcoming Android 16 beta for any expansion of the Linux Terminal beyond Pixel hardware; broader availability could reshape mobile development workflows. Pixel owners must keep an eye on Google’s patch cadence for the January 2026 radio bug, especially any OTA that restores Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth without a manual sideload. Finally, the market’s response to the Pixel Fold’s pricing and carrier support will indicate whether Google can sustain a premium foldable line or will need to adjust its strategy.

Updates

• 2026-08-25 — Apple releases new Magic Keyboards with one notable change (source)