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We came across a strange story from back in 2019. At the time, a small case letter (usually the letter “a,” but others appeared as well) would be found on all apps right in the middle of the display. This also was an issue on some Pixel 3 and Pixel 4 series units. While a reboot would clear the display, the letter would eventually return.
December and January updates exterminate the Pixel 6 series bugs
The point we were making before we rudely interrupted ourselves, was that once Google exterminated the bugs, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL ran great, probably as trouble-free as Google planned it to be in the first place. And history seems to have repeated itself with the 2021 Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. We can’t determine how many sales of these two phones were lost because of consumers’ fear of bugs, but the new update seems to have taken care of any issues that might have cost Google some revenue just weeks ago.
The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro can now install both the December and January update
A comment by a Reddit user named u/ladybug_916 says, “wow all the bugs I had before are seems to be gone now and my phone becomes very responsive and very fast!!! woohooo they should have done this from the release date!!” Yours truly updated his brand spanking new Pixel 6 Pro yesterday and the fingerprint scanner showed a little improvement speed-wise.
The reason we say that there was only a “little improvement” was that the fingerprint scanner on this writer’s unit was running without issue right out of the box and is now even faster following the update. According to another Reddit subscriber, CuriousOmnivore99, “Got the 215 mb update today in Canada and my phone is running smooth as butter now. Seems much faster and less laggy. Internet and wifi seem to be working better as well. No problems with apps crashing or anything like that, either.”
He adds, “I have also noticed animations when unlocking phone and I believe closing apps to go back to the homescreen. Software just feels much more polished and the phone is finally starting to show off just what it can do!”
December Pixel Feature Drop is also ready to be installed
If you have been waiting for Google to finish exterminating the bugs before buying either Pixel 6 model, now might be the time. It is unfortunate that this seems to happen with the new Pixels whenever they are first released, but as Google proves time and again, most issues are a software update away from being fixed. Some, as in the case of the burn-in images on the Pixel 2 series screens, did need to be replaced.
Now that the December and January updates have been released, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are the closest they have been since they were released to giving buyers the experience that were hoping to get from these devices.
Time to pick up the Google Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro
To download and install the update, which does include the December Pixel Feature Drop, go to Settings > System > System update. For those who have purchased their first Pixel model, Google explains the Pixel Feature Drop, which is released every three months, by stating that “Your Pixel gets a boost of helpfulness with Feature Drops. They’re automatic software updates that send new features, tricks, and apps to your phone, making it better and more helpful as time goes on.”
Tiger Woods underwent emergency surgery Tuesday after suffering serious injuries in a rollover crash in Los Angeles. Woods, the 45-year-old golf legend, was the only person in the vehicle, which sustained “major damage” in the crash, officials said.
Woods is awake, responsive and recovering from a “long surgical procedure” on his lower right leg and ankle, according to a statement posted on his Twitter account early Wednesday. “We thank everyone for the overwhelming support and messages during this tough time.”
pic.twitter.com/vZitnFV0YA
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) February 24, 2021
Deputies responded to the scene at 7:12 a.m. local time Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said. His SUV careened downhill, traveling several hundred feet, flipping multiple times before landing on a hillside in a Los Angeles suburb.
Woods was trapped inside, forcing first responders to use tools to pry open the windshield to pull Woods out, local officials said. The beloved golfer was transported to the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where he required emergency surgery.
“Mr. Woods suffered significant orthopedic injuries to his right lower extremity that were treated during emergency surgery,” said Dr. Anish Mahajan, the hospital’s chief medical officer and interim CEO.
Woods’ SUV — a 2021 Genesis GV80 — was the only vehicle involved in the crash. Photos and video from the scene showed extensive damage to the vehicle’s front-end. The golfer’s clubs and other personal items were taken from the scene and a crane later removed the crumpled SUV.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva said there were no initial signs that Woods was impaired. The interior of the SUV remained intact, which gave Woods the cushion to survive, Villanueva said, adding that the investigation could take weeks.
Deputy Carlos Gonzalez, who responded to the scene, said Woods was calm but unable to stand on his own. “I asked what his name was, he told me his name was Tiger and at that moment, I immediately recognized him,” Gonzalez told reporters. “He seemed as though he was lucid and calm.”
Gonzalez said Woods was wearing his seatbelt, which “greatly increased” his chances of surviving. The deputy called the stretch of roadway a “problem area” for speeding and accidents. “It was very fortunate that Mr. Woods came out of this alive,” he said.
Tiger Woods on February 21, 2021, in Los Angeles.
Ryan Kang / AP
Woods, a Florida resident, was in Los Angeles to host his annual golf tournament, the Genesis Invitational. He spent the past two days filming with Discovery’s Golf TV with comedian David Spade and former NBA player Dwyane Wade, who posted a video of their meetup.
Woods, widely considered one of the greatest golfers of all-time, has 82 career PGA Tour wins, including 15 major championships. He has been recovering from back surgery and has not played since the PNC Championship in December.
On February 16, Woods said he was still rehabbing after the procedure but did not confirm whether he would play at the Masters in April. “I’m feeling fine, I’m feeling fine. I’m a little bit stiff,” Woods said last week. “Still in the gym, still doing the mundane stuff that you have to do for rehab.”
Professional golfers, athletes and celebrities, including Jack Nicklaus, Alex Rodriguez and Magic Johnson, sent Woods well wishes as he recovers from his accident.
“Barbara and I just heard about Tiger’s accident, and like everyone else, we are deeply concerned,” Nickalus tweeted Tuesday. “We want to offer him our heartfelt support and prayers at this difficult time. Please join us in wishing Tiger a successful surgery and all the best for a full recovery.”
“Just seen the awful news,” golfer Justin Rose tweeted. “We know how tough you are, we’ve seen it a hundred times. Hoping and praying you’re ok my friend.”
The crash scene in Los Angeles on February 23, 2021.
Ringo H.W. Chiu / AP
This is the third automobile incident involving the majors champion. In 2009, his vehicle struck a tree. Soon after, revelations about infidelity emerged, costing Woods sponsorships, and landing him in rehab. In 2017, Woods was arrested and charged with DUI when Florida police found him passed out behind the wheel of a parked car.
Two years later, Woods made a remarkable return to greatness, winning the Masters for the fifth time. “I had serious doubts after what transpired a couple of years ago,” Woods said at the time. “I was very fortunate to be given another chance to do something that I love to do.”
Tiger Woods was seriously injured and hospitalized Tuesday morning after being involved in a car crash near Ranchos Palos Verdes, California. He had to be extracted from his sports-utility vehicle as it sustained major damage following a single-vehicle rollover traffic accident, per the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Woods, 45, completed surgery Tuesday night. The 15-time major winner underwent “a long surgical procedure on his lower right leg and ankle” at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and is “awake, responsive and recovering in his hospital room,” according to a press release from his team.
“Mr. Woods suffered significant orthopaedic injuries to his right lower extremity that were treated during emergency surgery by Orthopaedic trauma specialists at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, a level 1 trauma center,” explained Dr. Anish Mahajan, the center’s chief medical officer and interim CEO.
“Comminuted open fractures affecting both the upper and lower portions of the tibia and fibula bones were stabilized by inserting a rod into the tibia. Additional injuries to the bones of the foot and ankle were stabilized with a combination of screws and pins. Trauma to the muscle and soft-tissue of the leg required surgical release of the covering of the muscles to relieve pressure due to swelling.”
Woods’ agent, Mark Steinberg, initially said his client suffered multiple leg injuries. Reports from the Los Angeles Times and ESPN indicated that Woods injured both legs. It is unknown whether additional surgeries are in his future.
His injuries were not determined to be life-threatening at the crash site. Woods was conscious, calm and lucid when paramedics arrived on the scene. Paramedics considered him to be in serious but stable condition with a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department representative saying Woods was “lucky to be alive,” crediting his vehicle (a 2021 Genesis SUV) and decision to wear a seatbelt.
The SUV’s only occupant, Woods was extricated by paramedics through the windshield of the vehicle, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. There was no evidence of driver impairment.
Woods was transported to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center by ambulance to be treated for his injuries. LAFD chief Daryl Osby explained that Woods’ transportation to a trauma center rather than a local hospital indicated that his injuries were severe but his condition was not critical.
Woods was reportedly “traveling at a high rate of speed” when he “lost control of the vehicle before crossing the center divider” with his SUV rolling multiple times, law enforcement sources told the Times. The LASD did not confirm that description of the crash but did note the area has a high rate of car accidents because vehicles are traveling downhill on a steep curve. The crash, which occurred shortly after 7 a.m. PT, is under investigation by the LASD.
Helicopter footage of the crash scene from KCBS-TV showed an SUV laying on its side in a ditch at the bottom of a hill with heavy damage sustained by its front end. Numerous pieces of the vehicle were in the nearby area. Airbags deployed but the cabin inside the SUV was relatively unaffected, according to the LASD.
CBS News
Woods spent the weekend in Southern California as he was host at the 2021 Genesis Invitational, which is sponsored by his foundation. He remained there early this week to work with other celebrities as part of planned promotional activities.
The 15-time major champion with 82 career PGA Tour wins has been recovering from a fifth surgery on his back with hopes of playing professionally later this year. He told CBS Sports’ Jim Nantz on Sunday during the Genesis Invitational that he hoped to play in the 2021 Masters this April if cleared by doctors.
Woods last played on Dec. 20, 2020 at the PNC Championship in Orlando, Florida.
Athletes and celebrities have spent the majority of Tuesday sending Woods well wishes on social media.
CBS Sports will continue to update this breaking news story.