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There are no secrets left ahead of the Pixel 7 event as the last details are laid bare
We might get a 512GB Pixel 7 Pro after all
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With a heavy dose of Pixel Watch leaks coming into the weekend, consider this a wind change as we head out of it: the Pixel 7 is getting undressed well before Google's event Thursday with leaked spec sheets and ads. Okay, maybe we'll also bring back in some new Pixel Watch intel for dessert.
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It's been a dozen years since YouTube began supporting 4K videos and while viewership at that resolution is presumably pretty low relative to 1080p, those who have great internet and center their shortform binging around their 4K TVs or the few 4K phones out there will generally want to get all the pixels they can. But that desire may become ensnared with extra costs if a recent development pans out.
Under China's regime of heavy censorship, Google has managed to maintain a limited presence. The company's search engine, its main revenue driver, hasn't been available for years and an attempt in 2019 to bring back a version that would've funneled user data to the government proved fruitless. Still, it does offer other services including Maps and Translate primarily on a commercial basis for Chinese firms to use. Google Translate, though, is getting turned off.
Google System Updates welcome almost-forgotten audio switching feature
And a little something for Play Games for PC
September's package of Google System Updates went public a couple weeks ago, though as a matter of fact, we had reported on a lot of the features within earlier on. It turns out, however, that we have a couple of stragglers that came across the finish line late, so we wanted to make sure you knew what was officially coming with which component update.
This data leak was so bad, the government is stepping up to help
This isn't your typical T-Mobile data breach
It's a pretty sad fact, but it's a fact nonetheless that data breaches are fairly commonplace these days. Mobile carriers, which hold plenty of personal, identifiable information, are common targets and T-Mobile has been the one to be hit time after time. Affected customers are usually told to change their passwords and sign up for credit monitoring. But it seems like Australia is making more of a deal about a recent hack attack on telecom operator Optus.
The Pixel Watch dam bursts open with band styles, features, Fitbit promo, potential pricing leaked
Feast your eyes
An Amazon product listing in Germany appears to have revealed a lot more than Google bargained for us to know at this point about the Pixel Watch. While the listing has been taken down, the damage was already done as hawks were able to dive in for screenshots and even a seemingly successful pre-order.
Nothing may have a decent technical backbone to it, but for Carl Pei's newest brand, the messaging has to be all about the flair. The Nothing Ear Stick has been nothing but flair since we heard about it more than a week ago between fashion shows and Instagram runway videos. But for all the looks, some people are still wondering if it would matter if they bought an Ear Stick over a Nothing Ear (1). In fact, what's preventing you from getting literally any other pair of wireless earbuds? Well, surely some new renders will help Nothing make the case for the Ear Stick buds?
Cough and snore detection on the Pixel 7 will work like this
There's a lot to go through before you see a graph in the morning
Google may be pulling out all the stops to track your health while you're up, out, and about, but when it comes to while you're dozing off, it may have yet another trick to pull out of its bag. Sure, owners of the second-generation Nest Hub might have a dedicated radar system to detect bad sleep, and smartwatch wearers have other sensors that record tosses and turns, but those with a Pixel 7 (and perhaps other capable Pixels) may be soon be able to take note of their unrest with their microphones.
The Android Police podcast storms in with mobile gaming angst
And also game-plans around storm angst
This week, Hurricane Ian did its worst across Florida, and Stadia shut down. Unfortunately, we recorded our show on Tuesday, but we think you'll be able to appreciate what we've got: a users' choice Pixel bracket, a chat about storm prep and awareness, and our eye on the growing walls in the gardens that house our mobile games. Join us on the Android Police podcast, won't you?
Amazon's Echo Show 15 is getting the full Fire TV experience
It's the most appropriately-sized Echo Show
Amazon's Echo Show series of smart displays are generally pretty small and fit for a limited, but meaningful purpose: to get you quick, glanceable information from wherever you are in your house — whether you're at your bed or in the living room. You generally wouldn't see yourself sitting down for a session of "House of Dragons" with one of them, but there's one special exception that the company is now making a case for.
Carl Pei's Nothing has quickly set itself out as a fashion-driven tech brand (or maybe the other way around) with a focus on chic at a fairly accessible price. Last week, the company teased its Ear Stick as a must-have accessory and we're not talking about makeup. But now, we're getting a look at how you'll be using that stick. No, it's not going anywhere near your face... well, unless you want it to.
Google wasn't able to make a studio viable for its cloud gaming bid in Stadia. Now, all eyes are on Netflix as we wonder if it will fare any better? The streaming company known for movies and serials is doubling down on gaming with the announcement of a new studio for Netflix Games.
The Simpsons run Chrome's offline desert gauntlet in latest couch gag
Spoiler: Homer doesn't make it
The Simpsons premiered its 34th season on Fox last night with a show about a tortoise's constitutionally-granted rights and liberties. But it was the opener that probably made some internet nerds you know (maybe yourself, even) crack a smile. And hey, if you don't watch TV anymore, now you'll know.
Nest speakers and displays can now help out with Home presence sensing
You'll need to make your presence known to them
Are you home right now? If you've got Nest products around the house, they should be able to tell that you're there. And as you walk near them, you might be able to trigger automated routines to help get your day started or turn the lights off when you're headed outside. Well, there's a new way for Nest speakers and displays to recognize your presence and take action upon it.
Some people aren't able to tap and pay with Google Wallet right now
An error says they're using rooted devices when they're clearly not
Some Google Wallet users have been tapping at the tills only to find that they aren't able to pay because of a security issue. This is happening despite those users saying that they haven't rooted their device or even tampered with the bootloader.
Save at least 30% on some terrific noise-canceling wireless earbuds
Listeners and talkers have lots to love from Soundcore and Jabra
Looking for some wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation? Waiting for a sale timed just right? Well, perk up your ears because we've got a couple of offers you can stuff your waxy little canals with, saving you 30% off MSRP or more.
The Android Police podcast is always on about always-on displays
Of all the things to copy, how did Apple get this one so wrong?
Yes, we're still banging on about Apple — right up until we can bang on about Google, but that's not for another couple of weeks. This time, the iPhone 14 has brought a nightmare to our bedside stands with a feature we'd like to have just as it's on Android (maybe even better than what's currently on Android), but just stands in the way of being useful. We discuss the issue of a proper always-on display, fit in a rant about phone cases, and give analysis on the latest Pixel news on this episode of the Android Police podcast.
Newly rebranded Total by Verizon shares some tempting multiline discounts on prepaid plans
And if that weren't enough, have some Disney+
Verizon is relaunching one of the prepaid carrier brands that came as part of its acquisition of TracFone Wireless. With Total Wireless becoming Total by Verizon, customers will be getting used to new ways to pay for phones as well as interesting new service plans that are generally less appealing than what Big Red offers on another prepaid carrier it owns. That said, Total isn't exactly for Visible's audience.
ChromeOS is going modular and user-repairable with a new laptop from Framework
Yes, it will support Steam — you'd hope so for $999
Much like Dutch firm Fairphone, Framework has gotten a fair bit of attention as a polished shop putting out decent a Windows laptop that is highly modular, easily repairable, and, if you're handy enough, a terrific value for DIY wonks. Now, the company is partnering with Google to bring its Framework Laptop to ChromeOS.
Want a tablet? Like, right now? Amazon has been a standby to turn to. It's not ashamed to fan out its Fire tablets, some of the best tablets you can come by, with variants in all sizes. They're also an easy choice if you're looking to placate your kids. It's been a couple years since the company last updated its Fire HD 8 series, so it's ripe for some change. Well, that change has indeed come.