Google Pixel Watch 2's features and fancy new straps shown off in leaked commercial
A leaked promotional video tells all about the Pixel Watch 2
With just days left for Google to unveil the Pixel 8 and Pixel Watch 2 officially, the floodgates to their leaks have opened in full force. Over the last few days, several reports have detailed the Pixel 8's key camera features, specs, and alleged 7-year software support. Now, it is the Pixel Watch 2's turn to hog the limelight, with a leaked promo video revealing all the new features and changes.
Google could give the Pixel 8 seven years of updates
A leak also details all the specs of Google's upcoming phone lineup
The Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro have leaked extensively in the last few months, revealing many of their key features and upgrades. With the official unveiling of the phones less than 10 days away, leaks and rumors surrounding the Pixels are coming from all directions. Over the weekend, a report detailed all the new camera features of Google's upcoming Pixels, including a Pro camera mode, Night Sight for Video, and more. Another rumor revealed the pricing of the two phones. Now, a new leak has detailed the complete specs of the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, including software support for a whopping 7 years.
Google Pixel 8's amazing new camera features shown off in leaked teaser video
Video boost, Magic Editor, and a pro camera mode
Google's Pixel phones are known for their camera performance. With the Pixel 6 series in 2021, the company raised the bar to another level in the imaging department for other flagship Android phones to beat. Then, with 2022's Pixel 7, Google made all the right upgrades to deliver an even better imaging experience. Based on all the leaks, the Pixel 8 series is set to bring a big leap in camera quality. And a new leak gives us a fair idea of what to expect from the upcoming Pixels.
Samsung brings One UI 6 Beta 4 to the Galaxy S23 with October's security patch
Samsung really wants to roll out One UI 6 for the Galaxy S23 ASAP
Samsung bungled its initial One UI 6 announcement in early August. But after several false starts, the company has been on a roll, regularly releasing new beta builds for the Galaxy S23. Since the program went live in August, Samsung has dropped three beta One UI 6 firmware and a couple of hotfix builds. Less than a week after the third One UI 6 beta was released, the fourth beta is out for the Korean giant's 2023 flagship phone.
You can soon find your Google Pixel when it's turned off
Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1 hints at offline phone finding functionality for Find My Device
You can use Google's Find My Device service to track your lost or stolen Android phones, and while it might get the job done, it is nowhere as good as Apple's excellent Find My network. Google has been working on some much-needed updates to its device tracking service to make it more robust. This includes borrowing a trick from Apple's book and developing the Find My Device network. It now appears Google will bring one of the best bits of the Find My network to Pixel phones: offline finding.
The Google Pixel Watch was a decent first attempt from the company. Despite the dated internals, the wearable performed decently, although the battery life was less than average. There were other problems with the watch, including sub-par fitness tracking and build quality issues. These issues could be attributed to Google's choice of using the four-year-old Samsung-sourced Exynos 9110 SoC. Turns out, there's a reason why the Pixel Watch's hardware felt so dated when it launched in 2022.
How to take a screenshot on Wear OS
Taking a screenshot on your Wear OS smartwatch is not as simple as it should be
Capturing a screenshot is a seamless task most of us are accustomed to, whether on our phone or computer. They convey information to others in a way that text doesn't. Taking a screenshot means you won't have to explain what's on your screen when you experience an issue. Most phones also allow you to record your screen in a video snippet, which is helpful in some cases, even though it may require some fiddling.
What's new in Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1
There are a lot of new features in Android 14's first QPR beta release
Google is yet to release Android 14 for compatible Pixels, possibly due to a last-minute issue. The OS should be released alongside the Pixel 8 series in early October. Ahead of that, though, Google has dropped the first Android 14 QPR Beta build, which will eventually go live as the December 2023 Pixel Feature Drop. The first Android 14 QPR Beta packs several changes and builds on all the new features in Android 14 to deliver a better user experience. Below is everything new in Android 14 QPR Beta 1 that we have discovered so far.
5 things the Google Pixel Watch 2 needs to get right
Time for Google to step up its efforts in building its smartwatch
The Google Pixel Watch is our premium pick from the best Android smartwatches money can buy. While the newer Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 lineup trumps Google's smartwatch in all key aspects, the Pixel Watch stands out with its unique, high-end styling and Fitbit integration. But Google's smartwatch is not perfect. In the 11 months the wearable has been on sale, various issues related to its build quality and battery life have consistently popped up. With the Pixel Watch 2 less than two weeks from its official unveiling at the Made by Google event on October 4, here's our wishlist for what Google needs to get right with its second smartwatch.
Pixel 7a's buzz-worthy vibration feature could be coming to the Pixel 7 series
Adaptive alert vibration is coming to more Pixel phones in Android 14 QPR1
Given the Google Pixel 7a is a mid-range device, you'd expect its bigger (and more expensive) siblings — the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro — to have all the features it packs. While that is mostly the case, the Pixel 6a and Pixel 7a have a buzz-worthy vibration option, which is missing from the more expensive Pixels: Adaptive alert vibration. With the upcoming Android 14 QPR1 release, Google could finally fix this feature disparity by bringing adaptive alert vibration to its 2022 flagship Pixels.
Google Pixels could soon get a Samsung-like Maintenance mode
Android 14 QPR1 beta hints at a Repair Mode for Pixel phones
Samsung offers a handy Maintenance mode on the best Galaxy phones. The feature ensures you don't have to factory reset your phone before submitting it for repair. Instead, all your data is safely locked, and the device enters a special Maintenance mode where Samsung technicians can do all their testing and run any diagnostic apps or tools as required. Taking a cue from Samsung, Google plans to introduce a similar mode to Pixel phones with the upcoming Android 14 QPR1 release.
There are no beans left to spill on Samsung's next Galaxy Buds
Galaxy Buds FE’s renders and key specs have leaked
There's no shortage of great wireless earbuds on the market. You can find quality options from Sony, Bose, and even Samsung. In particular, I was surprised by just how good the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is, offering excellent sound quality and impressive ANC in a sleek design. Recent rumors suggest Samsung is working on an FE edition of the Galaxy Buds, bringing the same sound quality to an even lower price point. Images of the earbuds popped up last week, confirming its existence. A new leak now gives us another look at Samsung's upcoming budget earphones and reveals their key specifications.
How to set up a new Android phone
Experience that strange mix of excitement and frustration that comes with moving your data to a new phone
Do you have one of our favorite foldable phones? Or a new budget Android phone? Irrespective of how many phones you have used so far, nothing beats the joy of setting up a new phone. You might dread the initial setup process. However, if done right, you can have your phone set up and ready to use within a few minutes. Here's how to set up your new Android phone.
Samsung may ditch 10x zoom in the Galaxy S24 Ultra for something much less appealing
A new rumor says Samsung could switch to a 5x periscope shooter
If you want a phone with insane zoom capabilities, Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra is your only choice. The Korean giant has been offering 10x optical and 100x digital zoom on its flagship phones since the Galaxy S21 Ultra in 2021. While many of the top Android favorite phones also feature a periscope lens, they are limited to 5x optical zoom. However, the Galaxy S24 Ultra might lose its title of the telephoto king, as Samsung is seemingly set to ditch the 10x shooter from its 2024 flagship.
Given the rise of phishing and scamming attempts, passwords are no longer enough to keep us safe online. This is why Google, Apple, and others are moving towards passkeys to replace passwords and make your online accounts more secure. The best password managers have already added support for passkeys. But that alone is not enough, as your favorite app and service must also adopt the password replacement. WhatsApp, one of the world's most popular messaging apps, was spotted working on passkey authentication in early August. Over a month later, the company is rolling out passkeys support for some beta testers.
Fitbit makes some of the best fitness trackers worth your money. Almost all the company's wearables offer robust health and fitness tracking, which can monitor your heart rate, SpO2 level, the ability to track all key metrics from your workouts, sleep tracking, and more. We loved 2021's Fitbit Charge 5 for its comfortable design, exceptional battery life, and bright OLED screen. The fitness band is showing its age, though, and better offerings have popped up since its debut two years ago. Thankfully, the Charge 6 is reportedly around the corner, and Fitbit has teased its impending launch later this month.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 finally gets a taste of One UI 6
The One UI 6 beta is coming to last year's flagship, while the S23 is getting a hotfix
Over the last few years, Samsung has typically rolled out a new One UI beta release for its flagship Galaxy S and foldables before eventually expanding the program to its mid-range devices. This year, though, the Android 14-based One UI 6 program rollout has been weird, with the Galaxy S23 getting the update first after several false starts. Based on the Korean giant's track record, the Galaxy S22 should have been the next in line to get the beta One UI build. Instead, the One UI 6 beta firmware went live for the Galaxy A54 and A34. Samsung is now finally doing justice to Galaxy S22 owners and has expanded its Android 14 beta program to its 2022 flagship phones.
Next-gen Android TV boxes could pack all the right upgrades
4K HDR UI rendering, eARC, Dolby Atmos support, and more
You might not have heard of Amlogic, but its chip powers almost all the popular Android-powered streaming boxes and TVs. This even includes the Google Chromecast and Walmart's excellent Onn 4K streaming box. Many of the best Android and Google TVs from the likes of Xiaomi and others also use an SoC supplied by the company. Now, SEI Robotics has teased its next-gen box using Amlogic's upcoming chipset, which packs some big upgrades. It could pave the way for even more powerful and efficient Android TV streaming boxes and televisions to hit the market.
Google's Pixel Watch 2 could borrow a key Fitbit Sense 2 feature
The Personal Safety app is also reportedly getting some big upgrades
Google is gearing up to announce the Pixel Watch 2 at its Made by Google event on October 4th. The company has already shared a video revealing the second-gen Pixel Watch's design and some of its improvements. A new report now sheds light on the Pixel Watch 2's enhanced health sensors, a revamped Fitbit experience, and improved safety features.
OnePlus foldable phone: News, leaks, rumored price, and release window
OnePlus' first foldable could turn out to be a winner
The foldable segment has seen an uptick in launches over the last year. While Samsung dominates the foldable lineup with its Fold and Flip lineup, its offerings have faced stiff competition from the likes of Huawei, Oppo, and others. OnePlus, known for its flagship destroyers and some great budget phones, is also foraying into the foldable segment this year. The company's long-rumored OnePlus foldable phone will debut later this year, and if priced right, it could give the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 a run for the money.