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Google Pixel 6a

Google Pixel 6a Launched In India With Tensor Chipset, Dual Cameras: Check Details.

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Google has introduced the Pixel device in India! The Google Pixel 6a has been launched in India, following its initial announcement in May at the Google I/O 2022 developer conference. The Pixel 6a is equipped with Google’s Tensor processor and shares the same aesthetic as the other Pixel 6 series smartphones, including the camera visor. The Google Pixel 6a is the company’s low-cost offering, which debuted at the I/O developer conference in May. Unlike the original Google Pixel 6 series, the brand confirmed it would be launched in India at the time. The Google Pixel 6a is the Pixel 6’s younger brother, with a similar design and in-house Tensor processor. In the meantime, here’s a rundown of the Google Pixel 6a’s estimated India pricing, features, and design.

Features And Specifications

As you may be aware, the Google Pixel 6a has the same design as its premium Pixel 6 brothers. A camera visor runs the full width of the phone, there’s a dual-tone color scheme, and a punch-hole selfie camera in the middle of the front. The back panel is plastic, while the frame is aluminum, just like the Pixel 6. The panel has a resolution of 2400 x 1080p, HDR, with Gorilla Glass 3 protection on top. The 6.1-inch OLED screen on the Google Pixel 6a has an FHD+ resolution and a refresh rate of 60Hz. The smartphone is powered by Google’s Tensor chip, which is paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage The Titan M2 security chip, a real chip that encrypts and safeguards all of your passwords and codes, is also integrated into the Google Pixel 6a. A 4,410mAh battery with 18W fast charging capabilities powers the Google Pixel 6a.

The Pixel 6a’s standout feature is Google’s in-house first-generation Tensor chipset, which is based on a 5nm production node. The chipset also has two Cortex-X1 cores running at 2.80 GHz, two Cortex-A76 cores running at 2.25 GHz, and four Cortex-A55 cores running at 1.80 GHz. You also get 6GB of RAM and 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage, as well as a Titan M2 security chip and SA/NSA 5G support.

Google Pixel 6a
Image source: tosshub.com

When compared to the Pixel 6, the Pixel 6a’s cameras have been downgraded. A 12.2MP primary camera with OIS and a secondary 12MP camera for ultra-wide pictures are included. The front punch-hole houses an 8MP selfie camera.

The smartphone is powered by a 4,410mAh battery that supports 18W rapid charging. The Pixel 6a ships with Android 12, but it will be one of the first phones to receive the Android 13 update. Google claims that the Pixel 6a will receive at least three major Android OS updates and five years of security patches.

Furthermore, Wi-Fi 6/ 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, dual speakers, USB Type-C, dual-SIM compatibility, IP67 water and dust resistance, and an in-display fingerprint scanner are supported. Google has also made the Pixel Buds Pro available in India for Rs 19,990 in addition to the Pixel 6a.

Price And Availability

The Google Pixel 6a is priced at Rs 43,999 in India for the single 6GB RAM + 128GB storage model. However, the smartphone can be pre-ordered on Flipkart for Rs 39,999, with Google offering a Rs 4,000 discount on Axis Bank Cards and EMI transactions. In addition, if users wish to reduce the price, even more, they may take advantage of a Rs 6,000 exchange offer on any Pixel handset and other select smartphone models. On the purchase of any other smartphone model, a Rs 2,000 exchange bonus is offered.

Beginning on July 28, Flipkart will sell the Pixel 6a in Charcoal and Chalk, and for a limited time, customers can also get the Google Nest Hub 2, Pixel Buds A-Series, and Fitbit Inspire 2 for Rs 4,499 when they buy them with the Pixel 6a.

Pixel 6 Pro

Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro With Google’s Custom-Built Tensor SoC, Android 12 Now Available: Check Price, Specifications.

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Although it’s more accurate to call it a teaser or preview, Google announced the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. Google is concentrating on the new system on chip (SoC) that will power the Pixel. The Tensor SoC takes its name from Google’s Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), which is used in its data centers. Both new models have punch-hole screens and Android 12 pre-installed.

Pixel6: Specifications & Features

The Google Pixel 6 is a smartphone with a dual-SIM (Nano+eSIM) slot that runs Android 12. It has a 6.4-inch fullHD+ OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection on top (1,080×2,400 pixels). The screen has a 20:9 aspect ratio and a 441ppi pixel density. The phone has a Google Tensor processor and 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM. The rear dual-camera setup includes a 50-megapixel main sensor with an f/1.85 wide-angle lens and a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor. The Pixel 6 also has an f/2.0 front camera sensor with an 8-megapixel sensor.
Google will partner with Snap later this year to offer a feature called ‘Quick Tap to Snap,’ which will allow users to capture Snaps for Snapchat even when the phone is locked and in ‘Camera Only’ mode. Snapchat will also release augmented reality (AR) lenses to help with artifacts in photos.
In addition to a Snappowered camera function, the Pixel 6 has a Magic Eraser feature that helps remove unwanted people and other objects from processed photos. Face Unblur and guide white stability are two of Google’s camera-specific features.
The Pixel 6 has a 128GB internal storage capacity and a 256GB content storage capacity. The fingerprint reader is integrated into the screen. An accelerometer, ambient light, barometer, pyrometer, magnetometer, and proximity sensor are among the onboard sensors. The Pixel 6 also has features like Live Translate, which allows you to translate messages and photos without needing to be online.
The Pixel 6 also has a battery sharing feature that allows customers to use the Pixel 6 to charge other devices in Wireless mode. This sounds similar to the Samsung Galaxy flagship’s Wireless PowerShare. The Pixel 6 is also 157.6×74.8×8.9 mm in size and weighs 207 grams.

Pixel 6 Pro
Image source: i.gadgets360cdn.com

Pixel 6 Pro: Specifications & Features

The Pixel 6 Professional features a 6.7-inch QHD+ (1,4403,120 pixels) LTPO OLED display with a variable refresh rate of 10Hz to 120Hz and runs Android 12. The screen has a 19.5:9 aspect ratio, a pixel density of 512 pixels per inch, and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection. The Tensor SoC in the Pixel 6 Professional is the same as in the regular Pixel 6. It has a memory capacity of 12GB LPDDR5. The smartphone’s triple rear digital camera setup includes a 48-megapixel telephoto shooter, a 50-megapixel wide-angle digital camera, and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide shooter.
The extra telephoto lens on the Pixel 6 Professional is said to provide a 20x ultra-high-resolution zoom (4x optical zoom). For selfies and video chats, the Pixel 6 Professional has an 11.1-megapixel digital selfie camera sensor on the front with an f/2.2 lens.
Like the Pixel 6, the Pixel 6 Professional has a Magic Eraser, Movement Mode, Actual Tone, Face Unblur, and a variety of dedicated digital camera options. At some point, it should also get Quick Faucet to Snap and other Snapchat features.
Internal storage options for the Pixel 6 Professional include 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB UFS 3.1. The screen also includes a fingerprint sensor. An accelerometer, ambient light, barometer, pyrometer, magnetometer, and proximity sensor are among the sensors onboard.
The Pixel 6 Professional has a 5,003mAh battery with 30W wired quick charging and 23W wireless quick charging capabilities. You can also use the Battery Share feature instead of using the standard wi-fi charging method to share the facility with other units. Finally, the Pixel 6 Professional measures 163.975.908.9mm and weighs 210 grams.

Price And Availability

The Pixel 6 is available for $599 (roughly Rs. 45,000), while the Pixel 6 Pro is available for $899. (approximately Rs. 67,500). The Pixel 6 is available in three colors: Kinda Coral, Sorta Seafoam, and Stormy Black, while the Pixel 6 Pro is available in three colors: Cloudy White, Sorta Sunny, and Stormy Black.
The Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will be available for purchase in the United States on October 28th, with pre-orders beginning today. The exact date on which they will be available in other markets has not been revealed. The Pixel 6 series’ pricing and availability in India are also unknown at this time.

Pixel Buds A-Series

Google Launches Pixel Buds A-Series; Much Cheaper than the Previous Ones.

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Going wireless is the current passion for every other technology company today. Starting from mobile phones to gaming consoles and earphones, everything has gone wireless. The earphone industry has taken off quite rapidly in the past few years, as from JBL to Apple, you get a variety of hands-free earphones and headphones at a different price range. Google, too, has its series of truly wireless earphones, i.e., Pixel Buds, and now, it has brought another series of the same i.e. Pixel Buds A-Series.

Google has launched a new pair of Pixel Buds under the series name Pixel Buds A-Series, having a similar design to Google’s original Pixel Buds, but at a much cheaper price. Though there have already been many speculations about these Pixel Buds through some leaks, the company has revealed much more than that today, through its official launch announcement.

Pixel Buds A-Series Features

Though the Pixel Buds A-Series has been priced at a lower price, i.e., $99, the company hasn’t compromised on the quality of the product. The earbuds come with 12mm dynamic drivers, and the user can still control it through the hands-free “Hey Google” voice commands. Though the Pixel buds do not possess the noise cancellation feature, the quality is still as good as the original pixel buds.

The earbuds come with the Bass Boost feature (providing a powerful bass), captivated touch sensors (to make calls, pause-play music), a motion-detecting accelerometer, beamforming mics, as well as a single IR proximity sensor (to detect if the buds are fitted in the ears properly or not). Also, the new Pixel Buds possess the adaptive sound feature, such that it balances the volume according to the surrounding. Like the standard Pixel buds, it is also rated IPX4 for water and sweat resistance and also supports Bluetooth 5.0 for connectivity.

Pixel Buds A-Series
Image Source: blog.google

Talking about the usage, Google has claimed that the Pixel Buds come with a battery life of five hours and 24 hours counting recharges in the case. The buds also provide three hours of listening time on a mere 15-minutes quick charging. The charging case of the buds comes with USB Type-C charging and also features the hall-effect sensor to detect if the charging case is opened.

Coming to the design of the A-Series Pixel Buds, these are similar looking to the original Pixel Buds, except, the size of the integrated ear hooks has been reduced a little. Also, the company has softened these hooks to make them more comfortable to wear. Apart from that, Google has also done some good work on improving the new Pixel Buds by targeting the connectivity and audio cutouts issue raised by the older customers of Pixel Buds.

Price and Availability

Google, this time, has worked on bringing a much cheaper pair of earbuds for its customers, as the standard Google Pixel Buds cost $179 for a pair, whereas the newly launched A-series buds are available for $99. The cheaper price of the earbuds has also lead to the reduction of some of the features, such as noise cancellation, but still, the sound quality is similar to the original earbuds by Google.

Google has just launched the A-series Pixel Buds and has made them available for pre-orders in the United States and Canada. The Two countries will also be able to get them in the market starting from June 17. The company has not made any announcements on when the new A-series Pixel Buds will hit the global market.

Google Pixel

A Quick Look at the New Features Coming to Android Devices Like Google Pixel

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Google recently announced its December update for its Pixel devices. Several updates and features that have been added to this roll-out will also be available for other Android devices, such as the Pixel 3. However, some of the features have been introduced exclusively for the Pixel 4a and Pixel 5. Since Indians have access only to the Pixel 4a, enthusiasts have been patiently awaiting this announcement to see what new features they will be gaining next year. Let us now take a look at all the new features announced and what value it adds to smartphone users in India.

Google Pixel Features Galore

Some of the new features that have been added to the Android devices include Extreme Battery Saver, Contextual translation, and Home Screen Customisation. All these features will be available on the Pixel 4, Pixel 3a, and Pixel 3, all of which are sold in India. Let us now take a closer look at all the features announced by Google.

Google Pixel
Image Source: robertschlatter.com

Extreme Battery Saver: Helps by limiting the usage of battery to only a few handfuls of essential apps. The feature will enable the device’s battery to last longer than ever imagined before helping users who always run out of power mid-meeting.

Duo Screen Share: This feature is an absolute necessity during this COVID-19 pandemic, wherein people are conducting all business meetings online. It allows users to share their screens and windows while taking Duo calls, helping make meetings a lot more organized and coordinated.

Enhanced Google Lens: The Google Lens update allows it to help users by translating to their native language if needed. All users have to do is take a screenshot of whatever they need to translate by swing up to the recent app’s overview, making traveling a lot easier than ever before.

Playlist Export: This interesting new feature will allow you to store the tracks you listen to while driving or waiting in line in the supermarket. Since Google Music will soon become obsolete, the device will allow users to export their Now Playing playlist to YouTube music, helping make all our lives easier.

Home Screen Customisation: A prominent Android feature, such high levels of customization allow users to make their device a true expression of themselves. The new update enables users to change their icon shapes, app shapes, and grid views. It also introduces new wallpapers through Google Arts and Culture. Pixel devices will also have a slew of new and original Mandalorian wallpapers which all Star Wars fans will appreciate and truly enjoy.

Hold for Me

The new Hold for Me feature allows users to enable the Google Assistant to stay on the line when they are busy with other calls. The Assistant stays on the line patiently and informs the other person when someone is ready to take the call and talk. This feature can be quite useful to entrepreneurs who have to take hundreds of business calls every day. However, this feature will be limited to devices sold and used in the USA.

Android Updates to Watch Out For

Some of the other features that all Android users will be able to enjoy after the December update are as follows;

  1. The Emoji Kitchen is getting a major revamp and will now feature over 14,000 unique designs. Users will now have the option of tapping on two emojis and creating a slew of different combinations. The Gboard will display suggestions of combinations or extreme versions when users either tag or double-tap a particular emoji. This feature will be available on all devices that have Android 6 or higher and unique holiday season stickers will soon go live on Google Play.
  2. To assist the differently-abled, the Voice Access will feature new commands. Some of the new actions include ones to open Photos, start a Search, or open your Map among others. The feature is expected to help make navigation more comfortable than ever before and will run on all devices that have Android 6 or higher.
  3. Google Maps will now allow users to pin their favorite destinations and routes with the new Go tab. Hence, all users can now receive real-time Estimated Time of Arrivals to their favorite coffee shop or office at all times. The feature will extend to public transport services and will feature multiple routes to all destinations, and will also be available on iOS devices.

Additionally, the Nearby Share feature will allow users to share their apps with devices without Wi-Fi or cellular data. All users have to do is click on Share Apps via My Apps and Games and then choose the apps they wish to share. Once the receiver taps on Accept, they will receive all the apps selected. Most of these features will be available to most Pixel models including;

  1. Pixel 3
  2. Pixel 3 XL
  3. Pixel 3a
  4. Pixel 3a XL
  5. Pixel 4
  6. Pixel 4 XL
  7. Pixel 4a
  8. Pixel 4a 5G
  9. Pixel 5

It will be interesting to see when these new features will drop, and how fans will rate them based on functionality and ease of use.

Adobe-Logo

Google Pixel’s Camera Genius, Marc Levoy to Join Forces with Adobe to Build Super Camera App

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A lot of fans were shocked when the researcher who led Google Pixel’s camera division left the company. However, much to their delight, Marc Levoy has joined Adobe to help them with the development of a universal camera application. As per the announcement today, the partnership will help the company create an amazing high-power camera application that will revolutionise mobile photography. Here’s a look at everything you need to know about this partnership.

Leaving Google

March was a bag full of surprises for everyone, with two top Pixel executives leaving Google. Both General Manager for the Pixel project, Mario Queiroz, and photography expert Marc Levoy bid farewell this year. Later reports stated that the manager had already moved on before the release of the Pixel 4, following which he left Google to join Palo Alto Networks. While no one was sure why such measures were taken, a few people believe that it was due to the Pixel 4 underperforming. The Pixel 4 did not do as well as its predecessors, with Google only shipping out 2 million devices as per The Information. In comparison, Google had shipped over 3.5 million and 3 million worth of Pixel 3 and Pixel 3A. 

Google Pixel Legacy

Levoy is best known for heading the camera team for the Google Pixel. Pixel smartphones have an awe-inspiring camera thanks to the use of computational photography technology. The camera on the smartphone boasts of features like HDR+ capability and Night Sight. In fact, Levoy helped devise a system by which the camera took better photos without requiring more expensive hardware. While the Apple iPhones used multiple cameras, the Pixel line-up competed with them with only a single camera. Later on, a desire for sharper zooming led to Google adding a telephoto lens to the Pixel 4. In comparison, the first iPhone to make use of a second lens was the iPhone 7 Plus, which came out in 2016.

Levoy’s Profile

Before leaving Google in March, he worked for them for over six years, within which he was a part of several large projects. Even before joining the tech giant, he was working on the camera of the Google Glass Explorer, which cost around $1,500. He was a visiting faculty at Moonshot division, which went by the name Google X. In 2002, he helped launch a Google research project, while at Standford, which later became Google Map’s Street View. He played an important role in piquing the world’s interest in light field photography. Furthermore, he worked as a researcher in computer graphics at Stanford. 

Image source: reportdoor.com

Soaring Reputation

Marc Levoy’s reputation inspired the other companies, including Samsung and Apple, to improve their computational photography technology. At Adobe, Levoy will try to do the same, by revolutionising their camera technology. Levoy’s work at Adobe, however, will benefit more than just Pixel users, helping anyone who owns a smartphone. Reports state that he will work on computational technology for cameras across Adobe. Also, his efforts will primarily focus on the development of a camera application that will trump everything on the market now. However, the company has not specified what that means. In the fast, social media platforms like Facebook and Snapchat have used the term to indicate a camera application for themselves. Others have used the name to refer to an app that works across devices, from larger mobile cameras to DSLRs.

Adobe’s Efforts

Adobe already has a camera app by the name Photoshop Camera, and they have a separate camera app in their Adobe Lightroom app. However, the recruiting of Levoy suggests that the company has bigger plans in store. Levoy will also assist in making Photoshop Camera, Sensei AI and Adobe Research better. This indicates that Photoshop Camera might play a bigger role in Adobe’s future. Levoy will be working under Abhay Parasnis, who is the Chief Technical Officer at Adobe. 

Marc Levoy built himself a legacy while at Google due to his association with the Pixel smartphone. The device was Google’s most competitive release with regard to mobile photography. Levoy’s brings with him the experience of working on projects as diverse as the 360-degree VR Jump and burst mode on Google Glass. Without a doubt, this will help him while at Adobe. It will be exciting to see how the photography maverick comes out with next, and how that will change the way we view mobile photography, all over again.

Google Pixel

Google Pixel Fall Hardware Event 2019: What to Expect

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Tuesday is the day when Google will be hosting its annual fall hardware showcase event, and as all you know, the event will be finally launching the Google Pixel 4 and Google Pixel 4 XL smartphones. But other than that, the big event will also be revealing some of the major updates to the company’s existing products as well as the other new products.

Pixel 4 has already been in news, and the rumours have got us most of the information about the smartphone. According to the rumours, there are two sizes available in the phone, and it will be in three different colours, i.e. ‘just black’, ‘clearly white’, and ‘oh so orange’. One of the new changes to the new smartphone includes a second, 16-megapixel telephoto, camera lens. The camera will also include some of the new photography tricks in it, like an astrophotography mode that makes the night sky pictures even more magical by capturing the stars even clearer. One of the tricks also includes the “Motion Mode” that is specifically designed to take better action shots.

Google had been working on new radar motion sensors called Soli, which according to the rumours, the company will finally be installing in the smartphone. These sensors will make the smartphone do things only by sensing the user’s gestures, like swipes in the air for changing the song on the music application. There will also be a new face recognition feature that will allow the users to unlock the smartphone and in any orientation. Though the rumours have also claimed the Pixel 4 smartphones to be 5G supported, there is no indication from Google of the same, as it is still working on the technology and cannot launch it any sooner.

Google Pixel
Image Source: trustedreviews.com

Other than the smartphones, the company has made some improvements to some of its products. The Google Assistant has received the major updates and is being called as the ‘next-generation Google Assistant’. The new Google Assistant is ten times faster and will also be available on the Google Pixel 4 smartphones. So, the Assistant will be one of the major highlights of the event.

The company had introduced a Pixelbook laptop in 2017, and there had been no news on new Pixelbooks since then. But as the company had revealed at the beginning of this year that it is working on the next Pixelbook, there are high hopes that it will be showing off a new Pixelbook at the event. Believing the rumours, Pixelebook Go is the upcoming laptop, that may have a 13.3-inch touchscreen. According to a blogpost from 9to5Google, like the Pixel 4 smartphone, the Pixelbook may be in two colours ‘just black’, and ‘oh so orange’.

It is also expected that the company may give us some of its new Nest products. There is a possibility that the company may showcase a new mesh router system that will provide wifi connection to the various Google Home devices. There is another device called Nest Mini, that may attract people’s attention during the event, as it is a small smart speaker from Google that they can also hang on your wall.

Last but not least, one of the new products from Google is a pair of new Pixel Buds. There is not much information about the buds, but we expect them to be completely wireless this time. And according to a tweet from Android and Chrome chief Hiroshi Lockheimer, these new buds are incorporated with great sound quality, sweat proof, better battery with USB C charging port, and more.

So only one day left for the event, and we hope Google will bring even better features and products at the event.