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With the Pixel 7, 'Pixel phone' finally means something more than Android enthusiasm
It only took six years and several failed attempts to get there
The Pixel 7's launch event is just one week away, and the expectations around this phone couldn't be higher. No matter how much we learn before the event — including from Google itself — it seems obvious the Pixel 7 is destined to mark itself as one of the best Android phones around. Despite this, it still feels like the Pixel brand struggles to carve out an identity for itself, even after over half a decade of releases. It's a problem that has likely plagued sales numbers for the series, too — after all, we know most of the phones haven't been runaway successes. To that end, it's worth revisiting what each Pixel brought to the table, and how the Pixel 6 onward serves as a new beginning for the lineup.
It's game over for Stadia, will shut down in early 2023
Google calls it quits after less than three years
Cloud gaming has come a long way in the last few years, with more competition than ever before. We've even seen dedicated hardware from companies like Logitech, as the dream of playing whatever you want, whenever you want, has blossomed. Still, players have been slow to adopt cloud gaming as their main way of gaming, which probably explains why Google's latest statement on Stadia feels so unsurprising. Perhaps those rumors of its impending death weren't so exaggerated after all. Despite only being on the market for less than three years, Google is closing Stadia's doors for good in early 2023.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 might be here soon enough to turn you off the Pixel 7
Samsung might be aiming for an earlier launch next year
While all eyes might be on the upcoming Pixel 7 and 7 Pro launch, it's not the only flagship smartphone series waiting in the wings. Although the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Flip 4 remain Samsung's hottest new devices, they won't stay that way forever. The Galaxy S23 is expected to appear on store shelves in the first few months of 2023, and if you're feeling impatient, we have good news. New rumors indicate S23 buyers won't need to wait as long as shoppers did for the S22.
Google Maps wants to give your neighborhood a 'vibe check'
Also, those sweet landmark aerial views from I/O are now live
While we're all looking ahead to next week's Pixel launch, it's not the only event Google's holding this fall. The Search On conference brought all sorts of various improvements and enhancements to the company's search engine, and it didn't stop there. As we approach the holiday travel season in the coming months, Google Maps is getting some new features that seem perfect for planning out your next vacation, no matter where in the world you're headed.
Amazon's latest Fire TV Cube is ready to go head-to-head with Nvidia's Shield TV
HDMI-in and Super Resolution Upscaling make this box a tempting buy
Amazon just wrapped its annual fall hardware event, where — among all sorts of other gadgets — it unveiled the stylus-equipped Kindle Scribe and a whole slate of new Echo speakers. Of course, the Fire TV platform remains a dominant force in the living room, and today, one of its oldest gadgets is finally getting a refresh. No, we aren't seeing yet another Fire TV Stick. Today, it's the Fire TV Cube's turn, as it finally goes head-to-head with the Nvidia Shield.
Amazon's stylus-equipped Kindle Scribe could be the note-taking e-reader of your dreams
A massive 10" display for reading and writing — but it comes at a price
Amazon just can't stop unveiling new ways to read your favorite books on the go. Just a couple of weeks after unveiling a brand-new entry-level Kindle — one that seems guaranteed to be a hit during the upcoming holiday season — the company's returned with its most expensive e-reader yet. As part of its annual fall hardware event, Amazon has officially unveiled the Kindle Scribe, the perfect slate for anyone who takes notes as often as they read.
You don't even have Android Auto's redesign yet, but Google's already changing it
It's gaining an improved dock with shortcuts for your most recent apps
You don't need to look at a calendar to know we're well into autumn — my growing collection of sweaters proves it, too. Despite the turning leaves and early sunsets, Google has yet to give drivers its redesigned Android Auto experience. Promises of a release set for the summer driving season have come and gone, and seemingly, we're no closer to Auto's new dashboard view. It's been so long, in fact, that Google's starting to implement some fresh design changes — even without having shipped this new look.
Google's latest Pixel 7 Pro-mo is all about that refined design
Sleek edges, an improved camera bar, and — oh yeah — a curved display
We're just a little over a week away from the Pixel 7's official launch party. On October 6th, Google will take the stage in New York City to show off its latest and greatest smartphone. We've known about the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro for a while now — we even saw a full specs sheet leak earlier today — but if you still aren't hyped enough, a brand-new clip is sure to get you excited ahead of the grand reveal.
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Weekend poll: Do you prefer curved or flat displays on phones?
A little slimmer in your hand, or screen protector-friendly?
Believe it or not, it's been over eight years since Samsung unveiled its first smartphone with a curved display: the Galaxy Note Edge. A weird phone with a weirder gimmick, the original Edge only curved on one side, leaving the phone lopsided. Most buyers probably opted to buy the Galaxy Note 4 that year, but Samsung wasn't done with its curved experiment. These days, it's not hard to find curved displays, especially on flagships. That's not to say everyone's a fan, of course — in fact, it's safe to say some users can't stand a sloped screen.
Don't count on the Galaxy S23 changing Samsung's mind about fast charging
Compared to other competing smartphones, Samsung's getting left in the dust
We're a few months out from the expected launch of the Galaxy S23, but that doesn't mean it isn't too early for the rumor mill to start churning. Although it sounds like Samsung is making some big changes to the S23's camera, including an upgrade to a 200MP sensor, the rest of the phone might look a lot like this year's hardware. While that's not necessarily a bad thing — we're pretty fond of the current Galaxy S-series design — it looks like that means we'll also be stuck with some legacy hardware, particularly when it comes to charging.
Google's latest Pixel Watch teaser is flirting with Apple Watch levels of luxury
Save the silliness for the Pixel 7 — this smartwatch is serious business
Two weeks out from its biggest event of the year, Google is on a marketing blitz. After an appropriately pixelated teaser for the Pixel 7 Pro revealed the official pre-order date for the phone, we're getting a new video showing off the Pixel Watch in all its glory. It's an exciting ad, showcasing what could be one of the best Wear OS smartwatches ever to arrive on the market, all while cementing its status as a high-end wearable.
Google just reminded us of the Pixel 7 Pro's one big problem
That curved screen is sticking around for another year
Credit where credit's due: Google has gotten much better at acknowledging its upcoming products are far from secret. After years of leaks ruining on-stage surprises, the company finally gave up the ghost with the Pixel 6, confirming its existence months before launch. It's a pattern that the Pixel 7 stuck to, but despite the early reveal, all of Google's official renders have showcased the phone's back. If you've been wondering what the front of the Pixel 7 looks like — and those leaked units on Facebook Marketplace didn't satisfy your curiosity — a new official render might be just what you're looking for.
Google's Pixel 7 upgrades won't include a price hike
But Target buyers might get a pretty sweet pre-order bonus
The next Made by Google event is just two weeks from today, but it already feels like we know nearly everything about Google's next smartphone series. The Pixel 7 and 7 Pro were officially announced at I/O in May, but the company's been trying to hold some of its cards close to its chest. Unfortunately, it looks like one of the final pieces of the puzzle we didn't know has finally leaked. If you've been wondering just how much you're going to pay for this year's Pixels, wonder no further.
Samsung's latest heavy-duty phone and tablet are finally coming to the US
Fans of user-replaceable batteries, rejoice!
Finding a rugged device is a lot harder than it once was. These days, most companies want you to buy their expensive glass-and-metal slab of a phone and slap it in a heavy-duty case rather than offering some specialized gadgets to meet the need. Thankfully, Samsung isn't one of them. The company is bringing its latest ruggedized phone and tablet to the US market, with pre-orders for one of the devices starting today.
Leaked OnePlus 11 Pro specs tease the return of some of the best features missing from the OnePlus 10T
Yes, including the alert slider
We're only a week away from the OnePlus 10T finally hitting store shelves, but if you're more excited for the company's next release, it's shaping up to be an exciting one. Although the OnePlus 11 Pro isn't right around the corner — we'd expect it to be one of 2023's earliest phones — the rumor mill is already churning away. Today, we're getting an early look at exactly what this device will be powered by, and so far, it sounds deserving of its suffix.
Google's Pixel 7 cases could actually be worth buying this year
Let's hope they age better than last year's offerings
It's been such a big day for Pixel 7 news, you'd think the actual event was going on right now. Don't bother checking your calendar — it's still September. Although we might have two weeks to go until Google takes the stage, we've heard a new pre-order date and fresh rumors on an official release date. If you're still wondering whether or not you'll pick up the phone, our first official glimpses at the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro case lineup might be enough to sway you one way or the other.
Apple's hubris is standing between the iPhone and a fully baked always-on display
Android did it first — and better
As Android users, mocking Apple for claiming a years-old feature as some revelation is a tradition as old as time. Each September, when the company takes the stage to announce a new iPhone lineup, it occasionally takes something from Android only to hail it as a groundbreaking feature years in the making. As tempting as it might feel to joke about the Dynamic Island this year — the name's just asking for it — it's the always-on display that makes Apple look truly late to the party. Unfortunately for anyone considering the iPhone 14 Pro, the always-on display isn't just bad — it's a complete misunderstanding of what an always-on display should accomplish.
Google Tasks is about to become your go-to app for managing reminders
Assistant and Calendar reminders are going away for good
Google is no stranger to keeping around multiple apps for the same goal. Whether it's messaging tools, email clients, or video chat platforms, keeping around similar services can be pretty confusing for end-users. One by one, Google has been slowly cleaning up its software division, shuttering Hangouts and Duo with more popular and modern replacements. Today, you can add one more category to the list: to-do lists.
Pixel Watch retail leak suggests Google thinks it can get away with Apple Watch pricing
Let's hope you've been saving up this summer
Google's fall hardware event is just a couple of weeks away, and even though we largely know what to expect, it's still an exciting time in the Android community. Not only will we get the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, successors to two of the best phones you can buy right now, but we'll also see Google's first attempt at making a smartwatch. The Pixel Watch is one of the company's most anticipated gadgets in years, but if you're interested in picking it up on day one, I hope you've been saving your pennies.
Weekend poll: Would you buy a small Android flagship phone?
Put your money where your mouth is — or don't
Although we have a pretty good idea of what to expect at Google's upcoming Pixel 7 launch event, the future isn't quite as clear. Sure, the Pixel Fold will likely arrive sometime next year, alongside the usual round of iterative updates, but what about something a little more exciting? Earlier this week, we learned Google might be working on a smaller flagship Pixel, something with all the power you'd expect from a premium device but in a form factor that fits in your hand.