Google announced today that it’s rolling out a few new features for Pixel users. Most notably, the tech giant announced that Pixel 8 Pro users will be able to use the phone’s Thermometer app to take their temperature, or someone else’s, with a forehead scan. You can save the reading to your Fitbit profile to […] © 2023 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only ..read more

Google today issued an open letter voicing support of pending Oregon right to repair legislation. The note, penned by Devices and Services Director of Operations Steven Nickel, calls the proposal “a compelling model for other states to follow.” Google also used the opportunity to issue a white paper aimed at connecting repairability claims with its […] © 2023 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only ..read more

Google laid off hundreds of employees across multiple divisions including engineering and services late Wednesday. The affected divisions include voice-activated Google Assistant as part of the knowledge and information product team restructuring; and the Devices and Services PA (DSPA) team that manages Pixel, Nest, and Fitbit hardware. The company, which had 182,000 employees as of […] © 2023 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only ..read more

The Pixel 8 Pro will now become the first Android smartphone to be powered by Google’s next-generation AI model, Gemini, starting today, the company announced. Gemini Nano, a version of the model designed for running on-device, as on smartphones, will now leverage Google’s Tensor G3 to deliver two Pixel 8 Pro features, Summarize in Recorder […] © 2023 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only ..read more

Google is updating Maps, Search, and Assistant with new accessibility features. The company is also releasing a new Magnifier app to help users read text in different places. Google Maps is adding screen reader support for the “Search with Live View” feature so users with visual impairment can hold their phone out to identify places […] © 2023 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only ..read more

There are a couple of parallels to be drawn between the Pixel 8 and Pixel Watch 2. One is obvious, the other a bit more subtle. The first is the addition of temperature sensors — though I would argue that the addition makes a lot more sense on a wearable than a handset. The second ..read more

Google announced new AI-powered features today for the new Pixel 8 series phones, such as Magic Editor, which enables background filling and subject repositioning, and Best Take, which combines multiple shots to create the best group photo. Magic Editor will let you tap or circle an object and then let it shift or resize the ..read more

Google is updating Pixel Buds Pro this fall with features like conversation detection — which is similar to Apple’s conversation awareness features for AirPods — listening stats and support for Bluetooth Super Wideband for better sound quality on calls. The company announced at its Pixel event today that the Pixel Buds Pro uses AI to ..read more

After years of rumors and reports, Google finally released its first smartwatch last year. It was a long overdue debut for the company behind the nearly 10-year-old Wear OS. Getting there required the company to build a team and make some strategic acquisitions including, most notably, the Fitbit deal that closed in 2021. Google Pixel ..read more

When it comes to hardware releases, Google zigs where the competition zags. Leaks are a virtual inevitability at this point. I know that, you know that and Google certainly knows that. Rather than fighting them, however, the company has begun to embrace the chaos, straight up announcing features and revealing images ahead of the product’s ..read more