Google Pixel

Just as it did with its Weather app for wearables in September, Google has announced that new Wear OS devices from other manufacturers will have to rely on something else. If you have a non-Pixel watch with the Clock app already, it will keep working, but without new updates.

Android Headlines and leaker OnLeaks have shared CAD renders of next year’s affordable Pixel handset based on leaked info, and you’d be hard-pressed to spot the difference between it and this year’s 9A. Hopefully Google has some upgrades planned under the surface if the design really is going to change so little.

The issue is caused by a font in the latest update to the app (version 10.x) that’s only available through Google Play Services. As a result, it’s crashing or simply failing to launch on phones running GrapheneOS and other “de-Googled” versions of Android, reports Android Authority.

Google published a deeper dive on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s new folding mechanism, highlighting the work of the hingeneers and as MKBHD christened them. The blog post offers a few more details on the process to create the gearless mechanism, which instead relies on CAMs to turn the rotational motion of the hinge into linear motion. It’s interesting stuff, and the beefed up dust resistance is no joke.

The company has... let’s just say a rep for killing its products off. So I’m going to celebrate the fourth Pixel Watch turning out to be the best Android smartwatch around, and hope Google learns that there are upsides to seeing something through.

Two of the best Pixel features are hitting more countries. Google phone owners in Australia, Canada, and Ireland now get Call Screen, with a Hindi beta coming to India soon. They’re all getting Scam Detection too, as are UK users, who got Call Screen last year.

The update to firmware version 4.467 is rolling out, letting the buds adjust ANC on the fly to keep you aware of your surroundings. Announced in August, the update also brings loud noise protection, clearer mic audio for Gemini Live, and head gesture controls to take or decline calls.

Last month Google bigged up the replaceable batteries on the Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Buds 2A. It didn’t talk much about phone repairability, but maybe it should have: iFixit gave the Pixel 10 a provisional 6/10, noting the battery is easier to access than on previous Pixels.

Wired has some sick photos of a Pixel Watch 4 teardown. In my chats with the Pixel Watch team, I was told the inside would resemble a “bento box” and it certainly looks like it. Also: standard T2 screws everybody. This is such a huge step forward. Bravo, Google.

We’re thrilled Google has adopted Qi2 charging in the Pixel 10 series, but were a bit confused by why only the 10 Pro XL got the faster new 25W speeds. Google gave Android Central the answer: it all comes down to cooling, where the larger XL has an edge.

Now that Google’s latest phones come with built-in Qi2 magnets, they can no longer serve as a wireless charging pad for other devices. Google confirmed this in a statement to Droidreader, saying the magnets present a “physical limitation for reverse wireless charging.”

Google’s Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the first foldable with an IP68 rating for dust- and water-resistance, and that might be all some people need to make the jump.

Wired has a neat look inside Google’s Reliability Labs where Pixel designs are tested. There’s a gauntlet of durability challenges and an endearing concept called “Empathy Models,” which helps give designers a sense of what it’s like for people with different sized hands to use the devices. Now do one for trying to cram a phone into the tiny pockets of women’s clothing, Google.