{
  "id": 18715077,
  "title": "I stopped waiting for Google to fix my Pixel; these 3 apps did it instead",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/i-stopped-waiting-for-google-to-fix-my-pixel-these-3-apps-did-it",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-07T13:00:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Android Police",
    "slug": "android-police",
    "url": "https://www.androidpolice.com/i-stopped-waiting-for-google-to-fix-my-pixel-these-3-apps-did-it-instead/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Owning a Google Pixel usually means a little special treatment from Google. However, after owning a Pixel for some time, the author finds themselves hoping for new features for their own sake. Each update brings little meaningful changes. The author was close to quitting their Pixel until discovering three apps that made the phone feel like new. These apps include Samsung's Power Tweak and Xiaomi's HyperIsland, both offering customization options not available on Pixel. The author found three apps - Smart Launcher, Essentials, and Material Capsule - that replace the Pixel Launcher and offer automatic categorization, gesture control, and camera customization. While these apps come with some privacy concerns, they provide a much-needed customization for Pixel users.",
  "summary": "The Pixel's software is clean, but it lacks tools Samsung and Xiaomi owners enjoy. Smart Launcher, Essentials, and Material Capsule upgrade the Pixel",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ZDNet",
        "title": "Android is getting my favorite iOS tracking feature – what to expect",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/android-is-getting-my-favorite-ios-tracking-feature-what-to-expect",
        "published": "2026-11-06T17:48:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Mashable",
        "title": "Our favorite Android smartwatch is $100 off: Save on the new Google Pixel Watch 5 before Black Friday",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/our-favorite-android-smartwatch-is-100-off-save-on-the-new-google",
        "published": "2026-11-06T23:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "TechRadar",
        "title": "Hostinger slashes Premium hosting prices by 87% this Black Friday",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/hostinger-slashes-premium-hosting-prices-by-87-this-black-friday",
        "published": "2026-11-07T18:20:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}