Google insists there's nothing shonky about the Pixel 2, despite user complaints

Problems? What problems? Google claims a few software updates will fix complaints

Google has insisted that there's nothing wrong with its much-maligned Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL smartphones - well, nothing that a few software updates won't fix.

In a long and involved blog post, the Team Google suggests that its the users that are wrong, not Google's smartphones: "We've received some feedback about the Pixel 2 XL displays not appearing as saturated as other phones.

"We attribute this perception to our choice to calibrate the Pixel 2 XL for delivering natural, accurate colours, taking advantage of the new colour management support in Android 8.0 Oreo."

This characterisation of user complaints, though, is wrong: Users had been complaining that if you tilt the device slightly, it turns blue.

They have also complained that the colours looking washed out (and they do) and, although Google doesn't believe that this is a problem, it's going to fix it anyway.

The post goes on to announce a new "saturated" colour mode for those who don't mind having a negatively named way of having brighter colours.

A secondary post adds to the subject of blue-hue. But as many readers have pointed out, it still doesn't address the blue hue seen at even very slight angles (and, yes, the one in the office does it at the slightest tilt), the screen burn or the black smear on the screen.

The clicks and whistles heard on the smaller Pixel 2 have been acknowledged with a firmware update pending, as per the Pixel Community pages: "We are validating a software update to address faint clicking sounds on some Pixel 2 devices.

"The update will be made available in the coming weeks. The clicking noise being reported does not affect the performance of your device but if you find it bothersome you can temporarily turn off NFC in Settings > Connected devices > NFC."

On top of that, Android 8.1 Oreo Beta has been released this week and XDA is reporting that people trying to install it are 'soft-bricking' their phones, leaving them stuck at the bootloader.

Standards appear to be slipping fast at Google.

On the plus side, in a bid to soothe furrowed brows, Google has announced that it is extending the warranty for Pixel 2 devices to two years.

Whether it will fend off the possibility of some sort of recall remains to be seen. You can't fix screen burn with firmware updates.