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Google Breaks 7-Year Android Update Promise with Pixel 9 Launch
Abubakar Mohammed
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Google launched the Pixel 9 series in the 2024 Made by Google event, but weirdly, the phones come with Android 14 out of the box, skipping the tradition of including the latest Android version on new Pixel devices. This means that the upcoming Android 15 update will reduce a year from the 7-year update quota, and the Pixel 9 series won't receive Android 22. This begs the question, has Google already started backtracking on their 7-year promise?
The Pixel Watch 3 has a brighter display with thinner bezels, and gets a 45mm variant this time around with a 1.4-inch display. There's now UWB support with a few new Fitbit features that will probably make their way to the Pixel Watch 2. The Pixel Watch 3 is much more expensive than the Watch 2, and for the less significant "improvements" it offers, it's not worth upgrading to the same.
Anshuman Jain
In this read, we are comparing the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold with the Google's original foldable, the Pixel Fold that came out last year. We discuss the difference in design, display, performance, cameras and battery life and go over which areas Google has made an improvement this time around.
In this article, we have compared the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL, both part of Google's Pixel 9 series. They share a similar design with a glossy aluminum frame and frosted glass finish. The main differences lie in the display and battery size, with the XL model having a larger 6.8-inch QHD+ screen and a bigger 5,060 mAh battery. Both phones feature the new Tensor G4 processor, upgraded cameras, and 5G connectivity. The XL model supports 45-watt quick charging, compared to the 30-watt charging of the Pro.
Arjun Sha
The CPU on the Google Tensor G4 didn't perform well in our Geekbench test. In fact, in multi-core tasks, the Tensor G4 remained behind last year's Tensor G3. That said, in the AnTuTu benchmark, the Tensor G4 performed slightly better. To find all the benchmark numbers, go through our detailed article.
The Pixel 9 Pro is Google's new Pro phone and it solves the common complaint that people had with Pro Pixels, i.e, the size. But how does it compare to the last year's Pixel 8 Pro? The display on the 9 Pro is smaller and brighter, the battery is smaller but the charging speed is now improved, and there's a new design language going for it. However, unless you're getting a good trade-in offer for your Pixel 8 Pro and want a compact Pixel, we'd suggest sticking to it.
The differences between the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro are — the Pro has a slightly larger and sharper screen, a Telephoto camera, more RAM, whereas the standard Pixel is a tad bit smaller. The Pixel 9 Pro starts at $999 whereas the Pixel 9 starts at $799, making the latter a better bang for buck device than the Pro variant.
Among other improvements, the Pixel 9 series comes in a wide range of colorways. The Pixel 9 series comes in Obsidian, Wintergreen, Peony, and Porcelain colorways. The 9 Pro comes in Obsidian, Hazel, Rose Quartz, and Porcelain, whereas the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is offered in Porcelain and Obsidian colors. The colors on the Pixel 9 are glossy whereas they're matte on the Pixel 9 Pro/XL and 9 Pro Fold.
NotchNook is a clever app that brings the iPhone's Dynamic Island to MacBooks. It offers quick access to your multimedia control, files, shortcuts, and other customizable widgets. The app is compatible with Macs with or without notches and requires running macOS 14.0 or later versions. After the 48-hour trial, the NotchNook app is available for $3/month subscription or a one-time fee of $25.
After testing out a bunch of earbuds, the boAt Nirvana Space turned out to be all-rounder cheap earbuds in India for Rs 2,500. From ANC and customizable EQ to Spatial Audio, these earbuds are feature packed. To back it all up, there's a battery that lasts for days, which is chef's kiss. When you consider the price tag, all that seems more enticing!
Ads on web pages have gotten so heavy and intrusive that they bring the browser to a grinding halt. Besides that, ads are disguised as third-party trackers so they can also compromise user privacy. So if you want a clean, fast, and safe web browsing experience, find the best ad blockers for web browsers from our list. We have also added ad blockers for YouTube and Spotify.
An Apple Ring is expected to arrive with all the Apple Watch's health-tracking features, including step count, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, cycle tracking, ECG, and more. The Apple-made smart ring could offer biometric sensing for health tracking, gesture recognition, and the freedom to control other Apple devices.
We've mentioned the 5 best video editing software for Mac that will impress beginners, intermediates, and professionals. They offer basic and advanced video editing tools, and each of them offers something unique, whether it is an easy-to-use interface, eye-catching effects, or a selection of AI features. You can choose the one that goes with your skill levels and project requirements.
In this list, we have discussed desired features for Hyper OS 2.0, the next version of Xiaomi's Android skin. The wishlist include icon theming, updated stock app icons, Material You theming, a revamped interface, the option to switch between merged and separate control centers, detailed battery stats, status bar customization, and lockscreen widgets. The release is expected around October 2024.
If Live Activities aren't working on your iPhone, you must verify that the app supports Live Activities check your internet connection, see app permissions, and allow background app refresh. You can also reboot your iPhone, update apps, and update iOS. Also, make sure you don't force close the app or use Low Power Mode on your iPhone.
To fix iPad battery drain problems, restart your device, check battery usage, check battery health, and make sure your iPad isn't exposed to a high temperature. You can also use Low Power Mode, disable Background App Refresh, reduce screen brightness, or update iPadOS. If nothing works, you can perform a factory reset on your iPad.
iOS 18 Finally Allows Audio Playback While Shooting Videos on iPhone
Kanika Gogia
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With iOS 18, your iPhone won't stop the audio playback automatically when you switch to the Video mode in the Camera app. The latest iOS 18 adds a new "Allow Audio PlayBack" option that gives you control over the audio playback in dedicated Video mode. On your iPhone, go to Settings -> Camera -> Record Sound and you'll see the Allow Audio PlayBack toggle.
iCloud Music Library or Sync Library is an Apple service that allows you to access and sync your music library across your Apple devices where you’ve signed in with the same Apple ID. This sync service is only available to users who have subscribed to Apple Music or iTunes Match. Subscribers can stream and download song library on up to 10 devices. Read on to know what you can and can't do with iCloud Music Library.
If you don't want your Apple Music library to sync across your Apple devices, you can turn Off iCloud Music Library. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings -> Music and disable the Sync Library toggle. On Macs, open the Apple Music app. Now, go to Music -> Settings from the top Menu Bar and uncheck the box next to Sync Library. On a Windows PC, open the iTunes app. Now, click on Edit -> Preferences from the Menu Bar and uncheck the iCloud Music Library option.
To find archived emails on gmail, you can simply use the "in:Sent -in:Draft -in:Inbox has:nouserlabels" search filter when on either of the versions and it will show you all your archived emails. Once you locate the archived email that you want to unarchive, you can simply right click on it (web) or long press (Android and iOS) and select Move to inbox.
Every Mac has a Task Manager equivalent called Activity Monitor. This built-in macOS utility offers a detailed look over your Mac’s process, including applications and system tasks. You can use Spotlight search to find and open Activity Monitor on your Mac. Alternatively, go to Finder -> Applications -> Utilities -> Activity Monitor or open Launchpad -> Others -> Activity Monitor.
To add a Gmail signature on the web, you will need to navigate into Settings > General > Signature. Meanwhile, on the Android and iPhone app, you can head over to Settings via the hamburger menu at the top left and then, select Mobile signature from here. On iPhone, the Mobile signature appears as a toggle under a Signature settings panel.
The OnePlus Pad 2 offers solid performance with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a superb multimedia viewing experience with its impressive display + speaker combo, and a commendable battery backup to support it all. There's barely any room left for complaints, allowing it to easily be one the best all-rounder Android tablet I've used in a long time. The starting price of Rs 39,999 is also not that big of an ask taking into consideration all that it has to offer.
The Camera Grid feature on iPhone makes it easy to apply the Rule of Thirds in Photography and capture more professional-looking pictures. To enable the camera grid on an iPhone, go to Settings -> Camera and turn on the Grid toggle. It works on all camera modes on your iPhone, including Slo-Mo, Cinematic, Portrait, Pano, Time-lapses, and Video.
With the macOS version Mavericks OS X, Apple introduced the Thunderbolt Bridge feature that lets you transfer files between two machines using a Thunderbolt interface. Compared to Wi-Fi or Ethernet, Thunderbolt Bridge facilitates high-speed data transfer between Macs. Read on to learn how you to set up and use Thunderbolt Bridge on a Mac.
No, Facebook doesn't notify you when someone screenshots your Facebook Profile, Stories, or Messenger Messages. However, you can turn on disappearing messages on Messenger to be notified when someone grabs a screenshots of the chat.
In order to mirror your Android phone's screen to a TV, the TV needs to feature in-built Chromecast, or you need to get an external Chromecast. Then, from your Android phone's quick access panel, tap on Screencast, give it the necessary permissions if you haven't already and select your TV from here to mirror onto it. You can also use the Google Home app to find and mirror your Android device to your TV.
I Tried the New Pixel Weather App, and It’s a Breath of Fresh Air
Sagnik Das Gupta
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The new Pixel 9 Weather app strikes the perfect blend of minimalism and functionality. So, while it may not be the more aesthetic weather app in comparison to its predecessor, it's the more useful one. The big and bold font, interchangeable weather panels and a super easy way to search and save locations make it one hell of an app that I'm really looking forward to using on the upcoming Pixel 9.
If your iPhone is frozen or you're stuck at an unresponsive app, you can force restart your iPhone to fix any common software issues without deleting your data. On iPhone 8 or later, Press and release the Volume Up button, and immediately after that, press and release the Volume Down button. Now, press and hold the power button until you see the Apple logo.
There are various ways to lock and unlock your iPhone screen. You can use Apple's Auto-Lock feature to automatically lock your iPhone screen when it's not used for a specified amount of time. To lock your iPhone manually after using it, simply press the Side/Power button. You can use Face ID, Touch ID, or a Passcode to unlock your iPhone screen.
Is Your Mac Battery Draining After Using an External Monitor? Try These Fixes
Kanika Gogia
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Overheating is one of the prime reasons why your Mac battery drains when it's connected to an external monitor. You must keep your Mac plugged in, turn on Optimized Battery Charging, and check the battery condition to fix battery drain problems. You can also use a docking station that has its own power source to connect an external display to your Mac. Also, make sure to keep your Mac up to date with the latest macOS version.
In 2025, Apple is expected to discontinue its “Plus” model and launch a brand-new iPhone 17 Slim. It will be the new ultra-premium iPhone model that will stand out from the rest of the lineup. The iPhone 17 Slim is expected to feature a 6.65-inch LTPO display with a narrower Dynamic Island, redesigned rear camera system, upgraded front camera, A19 chipset, and a huge $1,299 price tag.
Akshay Gangwar
Experiencing issues with iCloud sync? If your iPhone is constantly displaying an error along the lines of "Syncing with iCloud paused", read our article to learn how you can fix the problem and resume iCloud sync on your Apple devices.
To set up your Amazon Alexa device, you will need to download the Alexa app that's available for both Android and iPhone. Once downloaded, follow the on-screen instructions to set it up and get to the Home screen. Next, to add a device, tap the plus icon at the top right of the home screen, select the device and on-screen instructions.
AirTags work on dogs, cats, and other pets, but Apple doesn't recommend using an AirTag to track your pets. An AirTag can help you find your dog when they are inside the home network. If your dog has run far away or is picked up by someone, you can't track it using only your iPhone. You won't see its updated location until it comes in the Bluetooth range of an iPhone or iPad to update the location in the Find My network.
You can subscript and superscript in Google Docs using both the web version or Android and iOS mobile apps. On the web, simply select the text > Format > Text > Select Superscript or Subscript. On the mobile app, select the text > A icon at the top > tap on the Superscript or Subscript icons to apply. You can also use the Ctrl/Command + . or Ctrl/Command + , keyboard shortcuts on Windows and Mac to superscript or subscript, respectively.
Custom ROMs. What used to be the pinnacle of Android modding has been reduced to a few projects with dying enthusiasm in the Android community. There are two sides to the declining popularity of custom ROMs — the user side and the manufacturer side, which is further heightened by software and hardware reaching a saturation point. Are custom ROMs a dying breed or here to stay? Read more to find out.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 won't arrive with any major redesign, but it might boast a bigger 2.12-inch display. We might get to see advanced health features like Blood pressure monitoring and Sleep Apnea detection. Also, there are slim chances that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 might feature a more energy-efficient LTPO panel and a new S10 chip for faster and power-efficient performance.
Apple is rumored to be working on a 20.3-inch MacBook-iPad hybrid, a touch-based display paired with a keyboard and a trackpad. One of the first Touchscreen Macs could be an OLED version of the MacBook Pro. There's no information on the pricing, but a touch-based Mac will certainly come with a huge price tag. The mass production of a 20.3-inch MacBook-iPad hybrid is expected to begin in late 2025.
To strikethrough in Google Docs on the web, navigate to Format > Text > Strikethrough. Or, you can use the Alt + Shift + 5 (Windows) or Command + Shift + X (Mac) keyboard shortcuts to apply the strikethrough formatting. On the Google Docs mobile app, double tap to select the text > A icon > Strikethrough icon.
A Battery cycle count happens when you use all of your Mac's battery. To check the battery cycle count on your Mac, click on the Apple menu while holding the Option key, then click on System Information and choose Power from the left sidebar. Newer Macs can last up to 1,000 charge cycles. Once your Mac's battery reaches its maximum cycle count, a replacement battery is recommended to maintain performance.
AGI is the ultimate AI system that can match or surpass human capabilities, be it intellectual reasoning or performing complex tasks that require cognitive thinking, just like humans. OpenAI says that AGI can be achieved within the next 10 years, whereas other AI researchers believe that AGI is still two to three decades away. While AGI can lead to many scientific discoveries, experts warn that it can also be catastrophic to humanity.