🌻 Good morning! I attended my first braai/barbecue of the season a few weeks ago, and we’re attending another one this weekend. Spring has truly sprung in the Southern Hemisphere.

Google’s brand-new Pixel products

Google held its Pixel event yesterday (October 6), fully revealing the Pixel 7 series and Pixel Watch. We also got more info regarding the Pixel Tablet, which is still penciled in for a 2023 launch. Here’s everything we know about these devices.

Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro: The more things change

• The Pixel 7 series looks like an iterative upgrade over the Pixel 6 family.
• Expect a 90Hz OLED screen and 50MP+12MP rear camera system for the standard phone. Much like last year.
• Meanwhile, the Pro model gets a 120Hz QHD+ OLED display and a triple rear camera system. Like the 6 Pro.
• You’re still getting the same 21W and 23W wired charging speeds, wireless charging, and an IP68 rating.
• They even have the same respective $599 and $899 price tags.
• The new Tensor G2 processor only really makes huge strides when it comes to machine learning.
• Google is using this grunt for features like unblurring previously taken photos, voice note transcription, faster Night Sight, and more.
• We do see a zoom upgrade on the Pixel 7 Pro, going from a 48MP 4x camera with 20x hybrid zoom to a 48MP 5x shooter with 30x zoom.
• Both phones are also capable of lossless 2x zoom by cropping in from the main camera. Thankfully, Google isn’t calling it optical zoom.
• Other features worth knowing include Direct My Call functionality for call menus, camera-based face unlock, and an active stabilization video mode.

Pixel Watch finally revealed

• Google also launched the Pixel Watch at the event, coming after a few years of rumors and leaks.
• However, the initial feeling is that the smartwatch doesn’t offer great value for money.
• You’re indeed getting Wear OS 3.5, a sleek circular design with an OLED screen, and Fitbit integration.
• There are also health-related features like a heart-rate sensor, ECG capabilities, sleep tracking, and a yet-to-be-activated SpO2 sensor.
• But you’re also getting a much older processor, a smaller battery than rivals, and a more expensive price tag.
• Oh yeah, pricing. The Wi-Fi-only model costs $350. The Galaxy Watch 5 starts at just $280.

Another look at the Pixel Tablet

• Finally, Google showed off its upcoming Pixel Tablet, its latest entry in a packed tablet market.
• True to leaks, the tablet can be attached to a dock for home use.
• You basically get a Google Nest Hub experience when the slate is docked.
• The tablet will also be powered by the Tensor G2 rather than the original Tensor.
• Either way, this suggests offline-enabled tasks like voice dictation, the Google Recorder app, and potentially a few camera-related features.
• Google also says it’s worked with developers for split-screen multitasking and stylus support.
• We still don’t have a solid release date beyond 2023. There’s no word on pricing, either.

Roundup

🔒 Google announces new privacy and security hub for Android 13: Another nugget that was revealed at the Pixel event (Android Authority).

🛒 These are the countries where you can buy the Pixel 7 series: A few new countries are on the list (Android Authority).

⌚ Google Home expands to all Wear OS 3 watches (Android Authority).

🍄 The Super Mario Bros movie trailer is out now, and fans seem to be underwhelmed by Chris Pratt’s Mario voice (Variety).

🚽 Meta’s flagship metaverse app is too buggy and employees are barely using it, says exec in charge: What does it say about the app if employees can’t even be bothered to use it? (The Verge).

📶 This device lets you build your own private cell service (Android Authority).

🕹️ You can finally order a Steam Deck without needing to make a reservation! Plus, the official dock is available now for $89 (Twitter/Steam Deck).

💰 Google reportedly wants to double its Pixel sales in 2023: It’s also apparently readying a budget Pixel for launch in “early” 2023 (Android Authority).

🔓 2K warns users their info has been stolen following breach of its help desk: Oh great. Another day, another significant breach. There’s no word on the number of affected users (Ars Technica).

📱 Data shows which Pixel phone consumers prefer buying and it’s no surprise (Android Authority).

Friday Fun

Google is no stranger to April Fool’s Day products, but this latest gag product landed in October? Anyway, Google Japan posted a video showing off a so-called Gboard Bar.

The Gboard Bar is a keyboard that consists of a single row of keys, stretching out to 165cm (5.4 feet). The thinking is that we spend a lot of time looking up, down, left, and right for the correct key to press. So why not cut out the up and down glances?

The company also mooted other use-cases such as using it to reach things (just like the Finglonger!), attaching a net to it for catching bugs, and as a way to get yourself stretching at the desk. Google Japan isn’t actually releasing this as a commercial product, but it will publish blueprints and other details so people can create their own devices.

Have a great weekend!
Hadlee Simons, Editor