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It's a pretty good bet that the Google Pixel 8a is going to break cover at Google I/O 2024 on May 14, and as the day approaches, we've seen a pile of new leaks turn up that give us a better idea of what we can expect from this mid-ranger. First up is well-known tipster Evan Blass, who has posted an extensive set of pictures of the Pixel 8a. You can see the phone from the front and the back, and at an angle, and in its four rumored colors: Obsidian (black), Porcelain (white-ish), Bay (blue), and Mint (green). P8a pic.twitter.com/tqn9FvDGlwApril 25, 2024 See more These designs have previously been leaked, so there's not a whole lot that's new here, but it's more evidence that this is indeed what the Pixel 8a is going to look like. The images are sharp and clear too, giving us a good look at the design. It appears this phone will look a lot like the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 7a, with the recognizable camera bar around the back. It does seem as though this year's mid-range Pixel is going to sport a more curved frame than its immediate predecessors, however. Promo materials To no one's surprise, the Pixel 8a will feature AI (Image credit: @OnLeaks / MySmartPrice) Onward to the next leak, and MySmartPrice has managed to get hold of a promotional video for the Pixel 8a. It was briefly available to view on YouTube before being pulled – and as YouTube is owned by Google, we're assuming someone higher up had a word. If you want to see some stills taken from the video before it disappeared, you can find some over at Phandroid. There's actually not too much that's new in this video, besides seeing the Pixel 8a itself – a lot of the AI features the clip shows off, like instant photo edits and live text translations, are already available in newer Pixel phones. Our final leak for now is over at Android Headlines, where there are some promotional images showing off some of the capabilities of the Pixel 8a: capabilities including tools like Circle to Search. The images suggest all-day battery life, the Tensor G3 chipset, IP67 protection, and seven years of security updates. The same source says the on-sale date for the Google Pixel 8a is going to be May 16, and there are some pictures of the official silicone cases that'll come along with it. Expect to hear all the details about this upcoming phone on May 14. You might also like The Google Pixel 8a has now leaked on videoWhat we're expecting from Google I/O 2024The Google Pixel 8a might have a 120Hz screen View the full article

The Google Pixel 9 is expected to show up around October time, and newly leaked photos have arrived to show off the flagship handset from all angles – and at the same time we've also got a predicted price for the Google Pixel 8a. First up the pictures, from Russian site Rozetked (via Android Police) – and you can see how the rear camera bar has become a rear camera island. The corners are more rounded, and the sides are flatter, compared to what we saw with the Google Pixel 8. As always with leaks, we need to be cautious when assessing the authenticity of these images, but the device on show here does match up with unofficial renders that have previously made their way on to the web. While the tweaked look may not be to everyone's tastes, this is still recognizable as a Pixel phone, thanks to that wide camera island. We can also see the USB-C port, the usual power and volume buttons, and a SIM tray slot at the bottom of the device. A pricier mid-range handset The Google Pixel 7a launched in May 2023 (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd) Next up there's the price leak for the Pixel 8a, which comes via PassionateGeekz (and Notebookcheck). This isn't a source we've heard a lot from in the past, so again take this as an unconfirmed rumor for the time being. Apparently, retail listings in Canada put the price of the 128GB version of the Pixel 8a at CA$708.99, while the 256GB edition comes in at CA$792.99 – backing up previous rumors that the mid-range handset is going to go up in price this year. Now Google won't use standard currency conversions for its global pricing of course, but for reference that works out as $515 / £415 / AU$805 for the cheaper variant and $575 / £465 / AU$900 for the more expensive one. The Google Pixel 7a originally went on sale for $499 / £449 / AU$749, and CA$599 in Canada, so a pretty substantial price hike could be in the offing. We'll most likely see the Pixel 8a unveiled at the Google I/O 2024 event on May 14. You might also like The Google Pixel 9 could get enhanced on-device AIThese Google Pixel 8a renders tease new colors but an older designGoogle's next foldable could be the Pixel 9 Pro Fold View the full article

Recent leaks claim Google is working on further integrating satellite connectivity to their Pixel phones and could introduce support for the tech in Google Maps. This information comes from two industry insiders: AssembleDebug who shared his findings with PiunikaWeb and Nail Sadykov over on Telegram. Beginning with the former, users will apparently be able to share their location with others via satellite connection. Hints of the location-sharing tool were found in the strings of code on the latest Google Maps beta. It’s unknown exactly how it’ll work. The report doesn’t go into detail. They do, however, say people “will be able to update their location” in the app every 15 minutes to maintain accuracy. But there’s a catch – you can only refresh your whereabouts “up to five times a day.” It makes sense why Google would implement some sort of restrictions. This is supposed to be an emergency, potentially life-saving feature akin to Emergency SOS on the iPhone and Google may not want people messing around with it. Setting up a satellite connection As for the other update, Nail Sadykov states he found evidence of something called the Android Satellite Pointing UI. It appears to be a help guide for Pixel that’ll teach people how to connect their smartphone to an orbiting satellite. A video posted to the unofficial Google News channel on Telegram shows how the process could work. Users will have to hold their phone in front of them and physically move it around to find a satellite. Once found, you’ll need to keep moving the device until a blue satellite icon reaches the middle of an on-screen circle and stays there for several seconds. Holding the icon in place allows the device to establish connection. If you don’t connect, you’ll receive an on-screen message telling you the session failed. (Image credit: Nail Sadykov) Sadykov goes on to say the guide will be a part of the Pixel’s “Adaptive Connectivity Service (ACS) app”. It’s unclear if he meant the currently available feature or if there will be a new app solely for ACS. He says it’ll be possible to minimize the window into a floating widget on the home page so you can continue texting while trying to establish a connection. When it’s all done, Pixel owners can see Satellite SOS running by swiping down on Quick Settings. You’ll also receive a short message in the menu telling you to avoid buildings, trees, and mountains to ensure a clear view of the sky and not interrupt service. Potential arrival date An arrival date for everything you see here is unknown, although both sources believe their respective features will launch on the Pixel 9. The two groups mention a third leak from April 15 about the Pixel 9 series possibly receiving the Samsung Modem 5400 to enable satellite connectivity. The same satellite icon (albeit red) and guide animations from Sadykov’s post were found in the earlier report. PiunikaWeb also mentions seeing the same symbol. So what we’re seeing today could be the fruits of this new labor – at least potentially. Things could always change at the last minute. Be sure to take all this info with a grain of salt. While we have you, check out TechRadar's roundup of the best Pixel phones for 2024. You might also like Google's next foldable could be the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and finally get flagship specsThe Google Pixel 8a leaks twice, hinting at its design, and four color optionsGoogle Maps AI upgrades could solve your EV charging headaches View the full article

When Google and then Samsung promised seven years of major OS updates for the latest Pixel 8 and Galaxy S24 families, I was left agog. That’s longer than any other phone maker before; even longer than Apple, which quietly supports every iPhone with five years of iOS. Since then, I’ve been looking for potholes on the road to seven years. I’ve been looking for off-ramps where Google or Samsung renege on the promise. That’s why I hope Google doesn’t promise seven years for the rumored Pixel 8a. It would just be too stressful for me. See, I don’t think Google can do it. I don’t think Google can support the Pixel 8a for seven years of updates. I’m pretty sure that there will be disclaimers and caveats for the Pixel 8 by the time we reach the finish line. We’ve already seen hints. So I don’t want to deal with this promise on the Pixel 8a, the next bargain Pixel from Google, rumored to be coming in May at Google I/O 2024. I just want to enjoy the phone on its own merits, and not worry about Google disappointing us long term. Is seven years realistic? Nobody knows for sure Would a phone from seven years ago be able to run today’s version of Android? In 2017, Samsung launched the Galaxy S8 – certainly one of the best Galaxy phones. That phone had respectable specs, even by today’s standards. It used an Exynos or Snapdragon 8-core processor and packed either four or six gigs of RAM. It also used USB-C, had wireless charging, and even offered microSD card expansion. The Samsung Galaxy S8 from seven years ago By today’s standards, this would be a fine bargain phone. You can find cheap phones with less than 4GB of RAM. Therefore, you might expect that the Galaxy S8 would be upgradeable from its original Android 7 to Android 14. Sadly, Samsung never pushed the Galaxy S8 past Android 9. Yup, that flagship phone got two major OS updates, and that’s all, folks. The Galaxy S23 family only gets four years of updates, which will take that phone from Android 13 to Android 17 in 2027. The Pixel 7 family, launched the same year, only gets two measly years of Android updates. Google isn’t promising any new Android updates, even for the Pixel 7 Pro, after 2025. Now, Google and Samsung expect me to believe the newest phones will be supported for seven years. Google is more than tripling its support promise, from two to seven years, in one generation. Already, we’ve seen cracks begin to show, and some wavering on updates. One Pixel gets a new feature but another doesn't Google’s Gemini Nano large language model (LLM) was offered on the Pixel 8 Pro to live on that device and create generative AI language suggestions. For the Pixel 8, it was not offered, and the base model had to commune with Google’s cloud for AI answers. That seemed a bit odd, since the two phones use the same AI-forward Tensor G3 chipset, though the Pixel 8 admittedly has only 8GB of RAM to the Pixel 8 Pro’s 12GB. Can you tell if this phone has an AI inside? (Image credit: Future | Philip Berne) Still, the red flags went up. The alarms began to blare. If Google can’t add the same features to both devices now, only a few months after launch, how can it possibly keep that promise for the next seven years? What’s going to happen in two years when the Pixel 8 has been left woefully behind on feature after feature? Will we even be able to say that it’s an up-to-date phone if Google doesn’t update everything? Google changed course and ended up endowing the Pixel 8 with Gemini Nano, so for now the phones achieve parity. There have been no more unexpected omissions from the Pixel 8. We may question why the Pixel Fold has been so abused with missed updates, but Google’s most expensive phone never got the same promise as the Pixel 8 family, and it runs an older Tensor G2 chipset, like the Pixel 7a. The Pixel 8a should be a bargain phone with bargain promises Which brings me to the Pixel 8a. There is no Pixel 8a yet, though rumors suggest we will see the phone soon at Google I/O. If Google follows the same pattern as previous A-series phones, I expect some cool colors, reduced camera specs, and a cheaper price tag than the Pixel 8. The Google Pixel 6a came in some nice colors (Image credit: Future) It will probably cost $100 more than I want it to cost, just like the last two A-series phones, and I’ll suggest waiting for a price drop. The Pixel 8a should be a bargain phone. It will probably pack the same Tensor G3 chipset as the Pixel 8 because Google puts the same chips in everything launched in the same model year. It should also get the same 8GB of RAM as the Pixel 8, just like the Pixel 7a had the same RAM as the Pixel 7. But even if performance is similar between the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a, I won’t have the same expectations for software updates and support. I’ll expect less because buyers will pay less. That’s the idea of a bargain phone. It’s okay, as long as Google sets the right expectations. Google should learn how Apple makes people happy Just this once, I want Google to under-promise and over-deliver. Promise three years of updates for the Pixel 8a. Give us every single update on time, at the same time as the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Make it happen. You know, just like Apple. Say what you will, Apple doesn't disappoint its fans (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne) I really hope Google doesn’t promise seven years of updates, because then I’m going to have to hound company reps every single time the Pixel 8a misses an update. Every time the Pixel 8 gets a new AI search feature, and the Pixel 8a is left off the list, I’m going to ask why Google has forsaken its bargain phone. I don’t want to do that for the next seven years. I don’t want to do that at all. So don’t make me, Google. Don’t make me doubt and question the updates. Don’t bother promising so much for this bargain phone. Make it a bargain. Make it good. Then, make a promise for support that can be delivered. That’s what I want from the Pixel 8a for the years to come. Google Pixel 8a: latest news, rumors, and everything we know so farThe Google Pixel 8a leaks twice, hinting at its design, and four color optionsGoogle Pixel 8a leaks may have revealed the mid-range phone's specs and design View the full article

The Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro could be in line for two major upgrades that would help them better compete with the best phones, including the best iPhones. Both of these improvements would be enabled by a new modem, which might not sound that exciting, but bear with us. According to a ‘Google insider’ speaking to Android Authority, the Pixel 9 line will have a new Samsung Modem 5400, and this will apparently add support for satellite connectivity. This would supposedly allow you to text (but not call) when there’s otherwise no signal, and there's also said to be a ‘Satellite Gateway’ app that will allow for quick and easy communication with emergency services. Rather than having to type long messages, you’ll be able to answer a set of basic questions, some of which have multiple-choice answers, so the system can quickly narrow down what your emergency is. Possible questions apparently include things like ‘What happened?’ and ‘What is on fire?’ Android Authority reports that system would be supported through T-Mobile, which likely means that non-T-Mobile customers won’t be able to access it, but other networks might be supported in future. This could be a potentially life-saving feature, and it’s something the likes of the iPhone 15 series already offers, so the addition of emergency satellite communications could help Google compete with Apple. This new modem could also improve general connectivity on the Pixel 9 line, which is notable because Pixel users have reported numerous network issues over the years, so any improvement in stability and reliability would be desirable. Coming to several upcoming devices This new modem – along with its satellite communications capabilities – apparently won’t be exclusive to the Pixel 9 line. The source claims it will be coming to all cellular-enabled devices that have a Tensor G4 chipset, and specifically mentions the next-generation Pixel Fold and a future 5G tablet, which is apparently codenamed ‘Clementine’. That ‘next-generation Pixel Fold’ is presumably the Pixel Fold 2, but apparently the Pixel 9 series will be the first devices to get the Tensor G4, meaning that whatever foldable gets it would have to launch either later than the Pixel 9 or at the same time. That’s notable because the original Google Pixel Fold shipped back in June, and if the Fold 2 lands a year later then it would land before the Pixel 9 (which is expected in October). But we've previously heard that the Pixel Fold 2 might land alongside the Pixel 9, so this leak adds credence to that claim. Either that, or we might be waiting until the Pixel Fold 3 for satellite communications. As for the unnamed tablet, that might be the Pixel Tablet 2, though again it could arrive too early to benefit from the modem upgrade, so we might be waiting until the Pixel Tablet 3. You might also like Best Pixel phones: we've ranked all the Google Pixel handsets worth buyingGoogle Pixel 8 Pro review: making more out of your phoneGoogle Pixel 9: latest news, rumors and everything we know so far View the full article

Nothing is official yet, but if we had to make an educated guess, we'd say the Google Pixel 8a is going to be unveiled on the first day of Google I/O 2024, which is May 14. Now two new leaks have given us more of an idea about what to expect from the handset. To begin with we've got leaked renders of the Pixel 8a courtesy of Android Headlines. There are four colors on show here, apparently called Mint, Porcelain, Obsidian, and Bay (or light green, pale gray, dark gray, and light blue, as they're otherwise known). These colors are similar to the ones we saw for the Google Pixel 7a, though Mint appears to have replaced Coral (orange). Mint is an option on the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro, though here it looks a lot more garish – which might just be due to the way the image is edited. As Android Headlines points out, we also got a paler Mint color with the Google Pixel 6a in 2022, so this wouldn't be a first for the mid-range series. We noticed that the Pixel 6a was recently removed from sale on the Google Store, leaving space for the Pixel 8a. A design for life This could be the Pixel 8a (Image credit: Android Headlines) The renders we can see here back up previous leaks: the design is similar to the Pixel 8 and indeed the Pixel 7a. It's possible that the corners are going to be slightly more curved, but there's not a lot in it, and this is a phone that still looks very much like a Pixel. Google may have already revealed the Pixel 8a design in an advert for Google Fi Wireless, and the picture in that ad does match the renders from Android Headlines. The colors seem plausible too – provided that green gets toned down a bit. Elsewhere in Pixel 8a leak news, serial tipster Evan Blass has spotted some Pixel 8a tutorials have gone live on the website of a US carrier – not ideal from Google's perspective. How long they remain up remains to be seen. Another potential upgrade we've heard about is a bump to a 120Hz screen, though the Tensor G3 chip may be underclocked to keep the phone below the Pixel 8 in terms of performance. In around a month's time, all should be revealed. You might also like The Pixel 8a may not be all that affordablePick the best Pixel phone for youGoogle may have accidentally revealed the Pixel 8a View the full article

Apple is very likely to lean on generative AI features for the much-rumored iPhone 16. Like it or not, the Cupertino crew will need to adopt this new generation of artificial intelligence tech to not cede ground to the Samsung Galaxy S24 series and Google Pixel 8 line-up, both of which come with generative AI tools baked in. But Apple doesn’t simply ape the tech of others. While it may be slow at adopting the features of others, think 120Hz displays and USB-C, it tends to offer better implementation; though one might argue Apple didn’t do enough with the move to USB-C on its iPhone 15 models. So that has me thinking of how Apple could use generative AI to stand out from the rest of our picks for the best phones. Some of the below may be wishful thinking and wild speculation but other bits are born out of educated hypotheses. Generative AI built into Siri (Image credit: Apple) I’ve never been a big Siri user, preferring smarter and more capable virtual assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. But Siri has been getting smarter and I feel there’s an opportunity to give the assistant a shot of smarts by injecting it with generative AI. With phones like the Pixel 8 Pro and Galaxy S24 Ultra, generative AI is implemented into select apps or exists as a dedicated tool - think Circle to Search or the Magic Editor. But you can’t ask the likes of Bixby or the Google Assistant to edit a photo for you or provide natural language descriptions of what’s happening on screen; at least not yet. But if Apple could bake generative AI models into Siri, we could have an assistant who could answer such queries as “come up with a plan for my day based on my emails” or “draw me a picture of a dog on the moon”, or more likely “edit this photo for me”. Doing that not only makes using such AI features feel seamless, it could also go some way to demystify the use of generative AI for non-tech-savvy users. And knowing how Apple presents and markets such tech, I could see such a move proving very popular. Smart video editing (Image credit: Apple) Magic Editor on the Pixel 8 and Generative Edit on the Galaxy S24 phones are two powerful, if not perfect, generative AI tools. They let you recompile a photo without needing Photoshop knowledge. But arguably people are so skilled with mobile photography and built-in editing tools that such a feature could be mildly redundant. So Apple could blaze a path by using generative AI with videos. Imagine smartly generating clips from a video either by using an AI-powered editor or simply asking Siri to create a reel out of video footage; such a feature could be massively useful for content creators. Since iPhones tend to lead the way for videos in the smartphone arena, I can absolutely see Apple using generative AI to keep its lead and continue to be the video champion of our best camera phones list. Supercharged translation tools (Image credit: Apple) AI-powered language translation isn’t new, but generative AI has helped deliver better and real-time translations via phones like the Pixel 8. Apple lags behind here somewhat, so it would make sense to embrace AI live transactions at a granular level, with the ability to translate verbal conversations. But it could go further, say, with Siri automatically detecting different languages and serving up responses. Or perhaps AI tech could smartly switch the language of a phone to that of a native speaker when showing someone an email or block of text. Clever call screening (Image credit: Ronstik / Shutterstock) Call screening with generative AI-powered responses is something some of the best Android phones can offer. So it’s about time Apple did the same. I adore using my iPhone 15 Pro Max, but as some spam calls make it through, I’d appreciate a smart call-screening feature that could serve up polite but direct responses without my intervention. Supercharged Maps Apple Maps is no longer the dud it used to be when compared to Google Maps, but I’d still like it to have smarter features. In this case, I’d like generative AI built in so I could pose natural language queries to the app and get back recommendations and guidance based on what I want to see, where I am, the time I have to spend, and my budget. Such tools could even see me drop my use of Google Maps, something I’d never normally entertain. You might also like iPhone 16 Pro Max: latest news, rumors and everything we know so farThe best phone 2024: top smartphones right nowSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 colors: every rumored shade View the full article

I've been a long-time fan of Pixel phones, but Google made a major change to the camera experience on the latest Pixel 8 Pro that effectively broke one of its most convenient features; and while I've patiently waited for a fix, it looks like Google has committed to leaving users in the lurch, rather than undoing its mistake. I've reviewed at least one entry of every generation of the best Pixel phones since Google debuted the series back in 2016, and the camera is what keeps me coming back; so much so that I've mainlined one of Google's smartphones since the Pixel 4 XL. My experience with the Pixel 8 Pro, however, is soured every time a simple camera UI tweak that Google has made stops me from getting the shot I want. The Pixel 7 Pro has proven to be one of the company's most capable phones yet, and while the jump to the Pixel 8 Pro brought better performance, an aesthetic refinement, more AI functionality and more impressive imaging hardware, I wasn't enamored with the camera experience compared to that of its predecessor right out the gate. If it ain't broke… break it? This is partly down to the revised image processing pipeline, which produces distinctly different images compared to the Pixel 7 Pro. This may be a result of the Pixel imaging team having to adjust to the 8 Pro's new sensor hardware – but that doesn't absolve them of the newest model's added 'Pro Controls', which consolidate management over ISO, shutter speed, focus, white balance, shadows, and brightness. The Pixel 7 Pro's manual control layout (left) and the Pixel 8 Pro's Pro Controls (right) (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd) While bringing this functionality under a single menu might seem like a refinement between generations, the move actually results in more steps being required when it comes to the critical moment of capture. With the Pixel 7 Pro, a tap on your subject while framing up was all it took to bring up sliders for white balance, shadows, and brightness; you could then adjust each value on the fly from within the viewfinder, instantly. By incorporating these adjustments into the Pro Controls along the bottom of the Pixel 8 Pro's camera UI, the new layout requires more taps and swipes, not to mention the need to switch in and out of each slider individually. If all you're trying to shoot is a static landscape this change doesn't really matter all that much, but for those occasions when you have only a few fleeting moments to grab your shot – most likely of a moving subject – forget it. Google bills the Pixel 8 Pro's Pro Controls as a premium upgrade, but those who were familiar with the Pixel 7 Pro's interface will likely consider the change anything but that. To add to the sting, in the pursuit of consistency across generations the subsequent Android 14 update to the Pixel 7 Pro's camera app has hidden those white balance, shadows, and brightness sliders under a similar UI change (ISO, focus and shutter speed controls aren't available on the 7 Pro), meaning that now nobody can enjoy what was one of the best features of the recent Pixel camera experience. More unhappy customers While it might seem like I'm blowing this seemingly small change out of proportion, a quick scout around online brings up numerous testimonies that echo my sentiment; change for change's sake is the wrong way to implement an upgrade, especially if it's at the user's expense. Android Authority's Rita El Khoury appears to have similar feelings, while numerous users on the r/GooglePixel subreddit have also noted Google's bad call here. Original poster andrewhahalee said, "now you need 4 taps to turn on manual mode, scroll the bottom, tap the option and then adjust," while user 465468 said, "Major step in the wrong direction...I think it's a damn shame and really can't understand how they would come up with that change." As such, while both the Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 8 Pro remain among some of the best camera phones available right now, it would appear that it's not competitors Pixel photography fans need to be aware of – it's Google. You might also like Google Pixel 8 Pro review: making more out of your phoneGoogle Pixel 8 Pro vs Google Pixel 7 Pro: 12 key differences you need to knowThe best Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro deals right now View the full article