Due to a recent DOJ decision, Google’s lucrative relationship with Apple’s iPhone is in jeopardy, and that means the Pixel is even more important than ever to the company’s success. In 2024, it seems like the company will be leaning into AI. It’s got the Pixel 9 Pro with plenty of Gemini AI features, plus the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The company’s also launching a new Pixel Watch 3 as well as the Pixel Buds Pro 2.
The rumored on-device — “even Google can’t see it” — AI assistant can pull data from other Google apps to provide a contextual and more “personalized” take on Google Assistant that’s exclusive to Pixel devices. It was reportedly going to launch with the Pixel 9 lineup but never materialized. A version of Pixie is now expected to arrive with the Pixel 10, according to Android Authority, under a new “Pixel Sense” branding.
In addition to adding features for pro photographers, the second public beta of Android 16 being released today lets you quickly access Google Wallet by double pressing your device’s power button, as discovered by Android Authority’s Mishaal Rahman.
Previously, double pressing the power button on a Pixel device launched the default camera app, but there’s now a new settings option (under System > Gesture) that will instead launch the default wallet app.
Android Authority shared images of what appear to be Google’s cases for the upcoming Pixel 9a, and their design tracks with renders showing the device without the Pixel’s distinctive camera bar. The Pixel 9a is expected to launch next month with a potential price increase for more storage.
According to Android Police, T-Mobile has added Google’s latest phones to its beta test of direct-to-cell satellite service powered by SpaceX’s Starlink. iPhones and a select few Samsung phones were already in the beta.
The Pixel 9 series also has Google’s own Satellite SOS, which is only designed for emergency messaging. T-Mobile’s beta adds full SMS support, with voice and data planned in the future — while Europe might get full satellite broadband this year.
[androidpolice.com]
A Reddit user spotted that the only available Android image for Pixel 4A phones is this month’s mandatory update Google issued to address unspecified battery problems, reports 9to5Google.
That’s unlike Pixel and Nexus phones before and since, for which Google still offers years of downloadable Android OS images. We’ve asked Google for more information.
I appreciated Professor Hany Farid’s comments about AI photo manipulation in this recent episode of WBUR’s On Point. He addressed Pixel camera lead Isaac Reynolds — the segment’s first guest — and Google’s hypothesis about helping people create memories, not photos. I also contributed a few thoughts to the conversation, including the word “boogers.” Take a listen.
Despite loud proclamations, AI on smartphones is still mostly a sideshow.
Alongside the canceled Pixel Tablet 2, Google may have released an accompanying pen with a button to open a note-taking app, as reported by Android Authority. The pen would reportedly dock to Google’s rumored keyboard accessory.
Recent Pixel phones have a reputation for running hot. While largely fixed in the Pixel 9, the 6, 7, and 8 can get quite toasty. Now, a new troubleshooting tool can tell you just how toasty with a realtime estimate of the phone’s internal temperature along with steps the device is taking to reduce heat, like pausing charging. Kinda cool.
An unreleased version of the Pixel Watch face with a ring of complications appeared in a Black Friday promo post on the Made by Google YouTube account that 9to5Google spotted.
The outlet saw the same watch face in a video about the Pixel Watch 3’s design that Google published last month that has since been made private.
November’s Pixel Watch update is here to address last month’s botched Wear OS 5 rollout for older devices, but the curious thing is the update note says the next one is months away:
Pixel Watch 1, Pixel Watch 2, and Pixel Watch 3 devices will receive the November 2024 software update, with the next update planned for March 2025.
It’s odd since Google generally pushes out an update every month. There’s also simply no reason given. Well, a lot can happen in four months.
That’s the gist of a report from Android Authority. According to leaked documents, Google’s custom chipset isn’t delivering the value the company had hoped for. Overheating is also cited as the top reason for Pixel returns — ouch. As such, Tensor G6 might emphasize lowering production costs and improving thermals over raw performance gains. Sounds like a real hot topic.
If you’re worried about damaging your Pixel Watch’s glass screen, Google now sells a Zagg “flexible polymer hybrid” screen protector, as 9to5Google spotted.
It works for all three generations of the watch, the glass of which held up poorly in Victoria Song’s Pixel Watch and Watch 2 reviews.
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