564 Stories
Pixel 9 Set to Fix Connectivity Woes with New Exynos Modem
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The Pixel 9 series will be getting a new Exynos 5400 modem that will satellite connectivity and fix the connectivity issues that have plagued Pixels for years. The modem will be coming to the Pixel 9 series, Pixel Fold 2, and a 5G Pixel Tablet which is under development. The feature will ask you a few questions, and will then message your emergency contacts followed by emergency services.
Realme P1 and P1 Pro Launched in India; Starting at Rs 15,999
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Realme has announced a new "P" series mid-range phones in India. The Realme P1 features MediaTek Dimensity 7050 and a flat AMOLED display, whereas the P1 Pro features Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 and a curved AMOLED panel. Both devices come with UFS 3.1 storage and LPDDR4X RAM.
Android 15 Beta 1 Arrives on Pixel Phones: Here’s What’s New
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Google has released the first Android 15 Beta and while it doesn't bring many new features, it brings a few improvements over Android 15 Developer Preview 2. Some of the highlights of this update are the WEP toggle, new Predictive back gesture animations, and TalkBack support for Braille displays that use HIDs via USB or Bluetooth. Besides, Google has replaced the NFC stack with a project mainline one.
OxygenOS 15: 7 New Features OnePlus Should Bring Next
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OxygenOS 14 brought a lot of features but after recently switching to OnePlus, I've realized that the OS could do great if OnePlus adds a few new features and improves some of the existing ones. Some of them are an improved media player, a Desktop Mode, and a Quick Settings revamp.
Google Vids Will Help You Make Work Videos using AI
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Google has announced a new workspace app at Cloud Next 2024. The new workspace app called Google Vids is a video, writing, production, and editing assistant which will be available in June this year. The main use of the feature is to make content like team recaps, announcements, training reels, and more using generative AI.
Google Wallet Now Seemingly Works on Android Phones in India
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Recent reports from users in India suggest that Google Wallet might have started working in the subcontinent, allowing users to set up and add payment cards and passes. While the app has been working for me for over three months, the WearOS app still refuses to work. Besides, the only way to download Wallet is by installing the APK. All the events indicate that Google might be planning to bring Wallet to Android.
From Pixel to OnePlus: How OxygenOS Won Me Over
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I recently purchased OnePlus 12R Genshin Impact Edition and switched from a Pixel 6 which served me for almost three years. Although I despised OnePlus' decision to merge the ColorOS and OxygenOS codebases, buying the OnePlus 12R meant I had to shift from Pixel's clean UI to OxygenOS (ColorOS). After trying it I can say that I don't hate it, rather it feels like a breath of fresh air.
Nothing Ear Leak Reveals Playful New Yellow Color and Pricing
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After Nothing's announcement about its two new upcoming audio products the Ear and Ear (a), images and price leaks of both the TWS-es have been leaked. The Ear(a) will launch in yellow as Nothing might be partnering with Playdate and could cost €100. The Nothing Ear will have two colors — Black and White, a similar design to the Ear (2)'s, and will cost €150.
Jpegli vs WebP: What’s the Difference?
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Google recently announced Jpegli since it's related to image compression, people might be confused between the same and WebP. Jpegli is an encoder for compressing JPEGs whereas WebP is an image format. While Jpegli only works with JPEGs, WebP works with transparent backgrounds (PNG) and animated images (GIFs) as well.
Nothing Confirms Two New Audio Products Launching on April 18
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Nothing stepped foot in the consumer tech market with an audio product and has since come a long way. The company has announced that it will go all in into audio this year and will launch two new products — Nothing Ear and Ear (a). The Nothing Ear will be targeted at audiophiles whereas the Nothing Ear (a) will be your pair of daily earbuds.
What is Jpegli, Google’s New JPEG Coding Library? Explained
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Google has released Jpegli, an image coding library capable of reducing the size of regular JPEGs up to 35%, while retaining details thanks to the 10+ bits per component. Jpegli is a tad bit better than WebP thanks to its faster and higher-quality compression. It can save storage while speeding up the load times of web pages.
Google Phone App Is Getting a Lookup Feature to Identify Unknown Callers
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Google could soon add a Lookup feature in the Google Phone app. While the name might suggest that it's a Truecaller-like caller ID lookup feature, that's not the case. When you tap on the Lookup option, the Phone app will open your device's default browser and searches for the number on the web.
ChromeOS 123 Adds Custom Keyboard and Mouse Shortcuts; Here’s How You Use It
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The latest ChromeOS 123 update has arrived to Chromebooks and it adds features like custom keyboard shortcuts, mouse button customization, and more. You can manually enable custom keyboard shortcut inside Google Chrome by navigating to "chrome://flags" on the address bar > searching for "#enable-shortcut-customization" > Default > Enable.
Best Google Podcasts Alternatives
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Google announced in a blog post that it will be increasingly investing in the podcast experience on YouTube Music and sunsetting Google Podcasts on April 2 in the US. If you're looking for alternatives to Google Podcasts, some of the best apps you can use are Pocket Casts, Podcasts Addict, and Spotify.
Android’s New Find My Device Network is Here; How to Enable it
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Amidst the iOS 17.5 Beta rollout which hints at the release of Apple's unwanted tracker alerts feature, Google's new Find My Device experience, which was delayed due to Apple, is coming soon. Google has started to roll out a part of the feature which lets you put your Android phone on the Find My Device network.
The Secret of Nothing’s Next Product to be Revealed on April 18!
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Nothing previously posted a video of a Beetle and a Frog with the frog jumping and leaping forward in the end and has today yet again posted an image of the same two species with an announcement date of April 18. Beetle was the mascot of the Nothing Ear (2), so the chances that we're getting the Nothing Ear (3) soon are pretty high.
Pixel Watch Gets a New Time-Telling Trick, Here’s How to Use it
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Pixel Watches are now receiving the April security patch with a new feature and a significant improvement. Your Pixel Watch will now be able to more accurately adjust its display brightness depending on the conditions, while the new feature adds the ability to check, but rather feel the time.
Google Play Edition Phones Deserve a Comeback in 2024
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Play Edition devices were Google's attempt at bringing Stock Android to some of the most popular devices that ship with custom UI on top of Android. Google should bring it back to offer Pixel-like Android experience with other devices in partnership with manufacturers in theirupper mid-range an flagship devices.
Demystifying A/B Partitions: A Look at Android’s Seamless Updates
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Seamless updates make OTA updates install quicker on Android. Traditionally, upon receiving an update, your Android device would require a restart to start the installation process. However, with seamless updates and what Google calls A/B partitioning, the updates are installed parallelly without interruptions and would only need a restart once installed.
Google’s Pixel A Series Faces the Chopping Block; Big Mistake?
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The direction in which the recent Pixel 8a leaks and the upcoming Pixel 9 series leaks point toward Google eventually discontinuing the A series of devices. This is because both the price and specification gap between the regular and A series Pixels is diminishing, and Google wouldn't want one's sales devour others' sales. Besides, the firm is also upping the number of models, which might bring the price of the vanilla model down, thereby leading to the discontinuation of A series.
OnePlus Nord CE 4 Launched in India: Specs, Price, and More
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OnePlus has finally launched its next mid-range device the OnePlus Nord CE 4 and straightaway there's a lot to like about the device. It features Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, dual cameras with the primary being the LYT-600 from Sony, and a 5,500 mAh battery that can charge at 100W. The base variant is priced at Rs 24,999 while the upper variant costs Rs 26,999.
Genshin Impact: All Fatui Harbingers Ranked
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The 11 Fatui Harbingers are delinquents of the Tsaritsa, the Cryo Archon of Snezhnaya. Some of them travel across Teyvat to retrieve Gnoses from Archons to overthrow the rule of Gods and Celestia and free Teyvat. The stongest Fatui Harbinger is Pierro while the weakest is Childe.
Here’s Why I Bought the OnePlus 12R Genshin Impact Edition
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From McLaren to Avengers, Cyberpunk, Pacman, Star Wars, and Genshin Impact, the result of OnePlus collaborations are eye-catching designs catering to their respective fanbases. Their recent collaboration for a Keqing-themed OnePlus 12R piqued my interest and as someone who loves Genshin Impact, I knew from the get-go that I had to buy it. My interest didn't just stem from the collaboration but also from how good the OnePlus 12R is if we consider the specs.
9 Best Small Phones to Buy in 2024
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While there may not be any small phone launches in the future, since they've only recently been discontinued, you can grab the existing models and use them for years to come. Some of the best small phones you can buy right now are the ASUS Zenfone 10, Galaxy S24, Pixel 8, and Galaxy S23.
Android 15 Could Potentially Revamp Android’s Volume Panel
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The latest spotting by Mishaal Rahman suggests that Google may revamp the volume panel in Android 15, which looks quite interesting. In the new revamp, the volume sliders are much thicker and the option to change the output device has been moved to the top and is now greatly visible unlike previously where it blended in the menu and was harder to spot.
Why Google Keep’s ‘Help Me Create’ Is the Best Feature for Procrastinators
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Google is rolling out a new generative AI feature, this time inside the Google Keep app. The feature called "Help me create a list" takes input and can generate a list. It makes it easier to add things to your list on the get-go and skip the research part. The feature appears as you tap the "+" icon in Google Keep to create a new Note. The "Help me create a list" button in gradient appears on the bottom-right corner.
Why Does My Chromebook Keep Turning Off? (9 Fixes)
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Chromebooks are not invincible and you could run into issues. If you're facing unexpected shutdowns, there are nine things you can try. Some of them include restarting your Chromebook, changing power settings, checking apps, extensions, and flags, checking thermals and battery, etc. If none of these work, you might have to take it to a professional repair shop or claim warranty.
The latest Pixel 9 leaks are courtesy of popular leaker Steve H. McFly AKA OnLeaks in collaboration with 91Mobiles. It's now confirmed that the Pixel 9 series devices that leaked around a month ago are the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL. The Pixel 9 will get dual-cameras, a 6-inch display, and the overall dimensions of the same are 152.8 x 71.9 x 8.5mm.
Gemini in Messages Reminds Me of the Good Ol’ Google Allo Days
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Google is gearing up to integrate Gemini into Google Messages, and it reminds me of Google Allo days. Google Allo was a messaging app that debuted in September 2016 in which Google Assistant was also introduced. Google pulled the plug on Allo in 2019, and has now come full circle by creating a dedicated messaging platform for Android and introduce Gemini in it.
Facebook Spied on Snapchat Users With Its Secret Project: Documents Reveal
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Recently-published documents reveal that the company-owned application Facebook spied on Snapchat traffic of users in one of its secret projects. Project Ghostbusters was Facebook's secret project launched in 2016 and was developed to collect and decipher the traffic between Snapchat's servers and users. The firm used Onavo to create kits that would do MITM attacks to get sensitive user data, including their passwords!
US vs Apple Lawsuit: Is This the Chance for Google Pixel Phones to Shine
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The US has hit Apple with a lawsuit that accuses Apple of breaking the anti-trust laws. Apple says it will vigorously defend against it, but if things don't go as planned, Apple would be forced into opening the software and hardware to work with other manufacturers in the industry. This would give Google a chance to add more users and increase the market share of its Pixel phones.
How to Factory Reset Your Wear OS Smartwatch
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If you own a Wear OS device and want to set it up from scratch, you can do it from your Watch's Settings app or its companion app on your phone. The process may differ between the plain version of Wear OS found on the Pixel Watch and Samsung's version but it's nothing too complicated. You can also move data from your old watch to the new one using the Transfer watch feature.
10 Best Wear OS Apps You Need to Download Right Now
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Like Android, Wear OS also comes with a Google Play Store to download apps. If you're new to the platform, this post will show you some of the best apps you can try on your wearable device. These apps include Google Maps, Keep Notes, Todoist, Spotify, and SimpleWear among many others.
How to Transfer Spotify Playlists to YouTube Music
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Spotify and YouTube Music are two of the biggest names in the music streaming business. If you recently switched from Spotify to YouTube Music, you might want to transfer all your playlists to the new platform. The two ways to do it are by using the TuneMyMusic tool and using an open-source app called Spotify2Ytmusic.
OnePlus Ace 3V aka Nord 4 Launched in China: Here Are the Specs
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OnePlus has launched its latest Ace series device called the OnePlus Ace 3V, which will soon launch in other parts of the world as the OnePlus Nord 4. The phone is powered by the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 SoC and a hefty 5,500 mAh battery that can charge at 100W. Besides, the phone features UFS 4.0 storage and LPDDR5X RAM.
Setting Custom Contact Ringtones on Android is Now Easier Than Ever
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Google is rolling out a new feature in the Contacts app that allows users to set custom contact ringtones for different contacts on Android. The previous flow to add custom contact ringtones wasn't as intuitive as the latest one. You can now add a custom contact ringtone by going to the Contacts app > Fix and manage tab > Contact ringtones.
New Pixel 8a Leak Suggests 120Hz Refresh Rate and DisplayPort Support
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New exclusive information about the upcoming Pixel 8a has leaked thanks to popular leaker and features spotter Kamilla Wojciechowska. The info suggests that the Google Pixel 8a will boast a 120Hz OLED display, DisplayOut support, Tensor G3, and could bring Pixels to more countries.
How to Stop Apps from Draining Battery on Android
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If your Android device struggling to hold a charge, there it's important that you identify the apps that are draining your battery and take control. To prevent excessive battery drain, you can enable Adaptive battery, restrict apps from running in the background, force-close apps you're not using, uninstall apps you no longer use, and update them to their latest available versions from the Play Store.
Pixel 8a Release Nears as It Surfaces on FCC Database
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When a smartphone model gets listed on the FCC, it's an indication that their launch is imminent. We all know that Google launches an A series device in May, and this year's Google I/O is scheduled for May 14, which means Google could launch the 8a during the same.
8 Best Wear OS Smartwatches to Buy in 2024
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Wear OS has taken off in the last few years and its market is now bustling with great smartwatches. From the recently-released OnePlus Watch 2 to the two-year-old Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, there are lots of options. Some of the others include Pixel Watch 2, Galaxy Watch5, Mobvoi Ticwatch Pro 5, and Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro.
5 Things I Want to See Google Improve in the Pixel 9 Series
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The Pixel lineup sure has come a long way since its first resurrection in 2021 with the Pixel 6, steadily improving the lineup with every iteration with the Pixel 8 series being the best so far. However, Pixels are far from perfect and the five things I would improve are the Google Tensor G4, Charging Speeds, faster storage, better modem and connectivity, and bringing Telephoto to the standard Pixel.
OnePlus Nord CE4 Launch Date and Processor Revealed
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OnePlus has announced that the OnePlus Nord CE4 5G wil be launching on April 1st at 6:30 PM. The initial and official details revealed by the company suggests the Nord CE4 will come with a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 SoC and two colors — Green and Black. OnePlus has an official landing page for the Nord CE4 which mentions more information about the device will be revealed on March 14.