Latest news with #Pixel8
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Google Pixel 7 series banned in Japan; Pixel 8 and 9 also at risk
Google Pixel 7 series smartphones have been banned in Japan. According to a report by ETNews, the ban comes after a court ruled that the company violated a patent held by South Korean firm Pantech. 'Pantech announced on the 24th that it had won a judgment including a sales injunction from the Tokyo District Court in Japan in its lawsuit against Google for infringing its standard essential patents,' the report says (translated). With this ruling, Google will no longer be able to sell Pixel 7 series phones in the country. The court's decision marks the first time in Japan that a product has been removed from the market due to standard patent infringement. According to the report, Pantech holds a key patent related to 4G communication technology. The court reportedly noted Google's 'insincere attitude' in handling the issue, which may have influenced the severity of the ruling. Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 series also face potential ban While the ruling currently applies only to the Pixel 7 series, Pantech is reportedly seeking a broader ban that could include newer devices like the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 series, which are still available from retailers and mobile carriers in Japan. The company has also applied for an import ban on all Pixel series products through Japanese customs. The ETNews report quotes a Pantech official who said, "It is very encouraging that we have taken practical action in a Japanese court against a global company like Google." Future Pixel phones also under threat The patent dispute could grow into a larger issue for Google if Japanese courts expand the ban to include the Pixel 7a and later models. Google is expected to unveil its Pixel 10 lineup in the coming months, with leaks suggesting a focus on performance and refined Android experience. However, the legal challenges could impact the launch or sales of future devices in key markets like Japan if the issue remains unresolved. Pixel 9a vs Pixel 9: Same Google Magic in half the price? AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Geeky Gadgets
18-06-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2: Game-Changing Features Revealed!
The Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 update introduces a variety of new features, visual refinements, and system improvements aimed at enhancing your overall experience. Among the most notable additions is the desktop mode, which transforms your Pixel 8 or newer device into a desktop-like interface when connected to an external display. This update also brings user interface (UI) enhancements, expanded customization options, and critical bug fixes, ensuring a smoother and more intuitive experience for users. The video below gives us detailed look at the update. Watch this video on YouTube. Desktop Mode: A Leap in Productivity Desktop mode is a standout feature in this update, offering a desktop-like experience when your Pixel 8 or newer device is connected to an external display. This functionality is designed to improve productivity and multitasking, supporting features such as: App docking for quick access to frequently used applications Window resizing to optimize multitasking Floating apps and multiple desktops for enhanced flexibility To enable desktop mode, you will need a compatible USB-C cable, a display with USB-C input (or an adapter), and activation of the feature in developer settings. This addition is particularly beneficial for users who require greater versatility for work or entertainment, bridging the gap between mobile and desktop environments. Visual and UI Improvements The update introduces several visual and interface refinements that enhance both usability and aesthetic appeal. These changes aim to make everyday interactions more seamless while maintaining a cohesive design language. Key updates include: A revamped 'At a Glance' widget with clearer pagination dots for better navigation Smoother animations for quick settings, notifications, and media controls Repositioned volume controls featuring updated Material You design elements Enhanced wallpaper customization with quicker access to effects and new categories like 'Wallpaper Studio' Redesigned settings menus for sound, vibration, and display options to improve navigation These improvements not only enhance the visual consistency of the interface but also contribute to a more intuitive user experience. Expanded Customization Options Personalization is a key focus of Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2, with several new customization options introduced to make your device feel uniquely yours. These include: Enhanced wallpaper customization tools, offering faster access to effects and new categories Additional lock screen clock customization options, allowing you to tailor its appearance to your preferences These features align with Android's commitment to user-centric design, making sure that your device reflects your personal style and needs. Bug Fixes and System Stability The update addresses a range of persistent issues, improving overall system stability and reliability. Key fixes include: Resolved issues with auto dark theme activation Fixes for app shortcut glitches and camera crashes Improvements to the Now Playing feature for better music recognition Unified font colors in the status bar and quick settings for a more consistent appearance These fixes aim to eliminate common pain points, making sure a smoother and more dependable user experience. Known Issues While the update brings significant improvements, a few unresolved issues remain. These include: The 'screen off fingerprint unlock' feature remains non-functional Occasional crashes or delays when setting new wallpapers Although these issues are relatively minor, they highlight areas for further refinement in future updates. Additional Changes Several smaller but impactful changes have also been introduced, further refining the overall user experience. These include: Collapsible categories for app notifications, making it easier to organize alerts The 'Cast' option renamed to 'Google Cast' under connected devices, reflecting its broader functionality A redesigned battery percentage bar with a thicker appearance and larger font for estimated time, improving readability Minor tweaks to location settings, the lock screen clock, and the system rules page These subtle adjustments enhance usability and clarity, addressing practical aspects of the Android experience. Looking Ahead Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 delivers a comprehensive mix of innovative features, polished design updates, and essential bug fixes. The introduction of desktop mode stands out as a significant addition, offering new possibilities for productivity and entertainment. Meanwhile, the visual and customization enhancements ensure a more intuitive and personalized experience. Although a few minor issues persist, this update represents a meaningful step forward for Android, setting the stage for future advancements. Whether you are a power user or a casual one, these updates are designed to make your device more versatile, user-friendly, and enjoyable to use. Below are more guides on Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 from our extensive range of articles. Source & Image Credit: In Depth Tech Reviews Filed Under: Android News, Mobile Phone News, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Globe and Mail
12-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Pixel Gets New Features and Android 16: Should You Hold GOOGL Stock?
Alphabet GOOGL is adding new features to Pixel, including the new VIPs widget, stickers on Gboard with Pixel Studio (using Generative AI), improved photography skills, AI-powered editing in Google Photos, and enhanced accessibility features. Android 16, which brings the new Material 3 Expressive design, is now available for Pixel users. The VIPs widget helps users to always stay connected to their friends and family, as VIP contacts can bypass the Do Not Disturb feature. Pixel users can now create stickers of anything on Gboard by just typing a prompt, choosing the right emotion and sending, without having to switch apps. Existing features like Satellite SOS are now available in Australia, which users can use for emergency services. The reorder app can now provide AI-generated summaries of a user's recordings in French and German. Users of Pixel 8 phones now have access to the Clear Voice feature. The latest features are expected to boost the shipment of the Pixel. In the United States, the launch of the Pixel 9a and the continuing popularity of the Pixel 9 series are noteworthy. Google Pixel is gaining traction in Europe, per 9TO5 Google, which cited data from Canalys. The device saw a 43% year-over-year jump, shipping close to 1 million devices in Europe in the first quarter of 2025. However, Pixel lags Apple 's AAPL iPhone 16 shipment, which, as per Counterpoint, was the top-selling smartphone brand in the first quarter of 2025. Alphabet Shares Rides on AI Innovation, Cloud Prospect Alphabet shares have jumped 11.2% in the past month, outperforming the broader Zacks Computer & Technology sector's appreciation of 5.2%. GOOGL shares have outperformed Apple as well as Microsoft MSFT and Amazon AMZN, two of its closest competitors in the cloud computing domain. Per Synergy Research Group data, Amazon's share in the worldwide cloud infrastructure market amounted to 29% in the first quarter of 2025, ahead of Microsoft's Azure platform at 22% and Google Cloud at 12%. While Microsoft and Amazon shares increased 5.2% and 0.9% in the past month, respectively, Apple shares dropped 6.7%. GOOGL Stock's Performance Alphabet's focus on leveraging AI to drive growth is a key catalyst. AI is infused heavily across its offerings, including Search, Google Cloud and Pixel. Alphabet has been taking up initiatives to improve its market share in Search through AI innovations. The addition of AI mode expands AI Overview's advanced reasoning, thinking and multimodal capabilities. AI Overviews is driving a more than 10% increase in usage of Google for queries that support AI Overviews in Google's biggest markets, like India and the United States. AI Overview is currently used by more than 1.5 billion people monthly. AI mode is now available in the United States. Circle to Search has been another key catalyst driving user engagement. At the end of the first quarter of 2025, Circle to Search was available on 250 million devices, with usage increasing roughly 40% during the quarter. In Cloud, Alphabet is benefiting from its partnership with NVIDIA. Google Cloud was the first cloud provider to offer NVIDIA's B200 and GB200 Blackwell GPUs and will be offering its next-generation Vera Rubin GPUs. Introduction of 2.5 flash, Imagen 3 and Veo 2 are noteworthy developments. Google Cloud is becoming a preferred choice for enterprises planning to deploy AI agents thanks to the Agent Development Kit and a low-code tool offering Agent Designer. The addition of Wiz to Google Cloud will boost competitive prowess against the likes of Amazon and Microsoft in the cloud computing space. Earnings Estimate Revisions Show Upward Trend for GOOGL The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2025 earnings is pegged at $2.12 per share, up a couple of cents over the past 60 days, indicating 12.17% year-over-year growth. The consensus mark for 2025 earnings is pegged at $9.51 per share, up 8% over the past 60 days, suggesting 18.28% year-over-year growth. GOOGL is a Risky Stock on Regulatory Headwinds Regulatory headwinds like the lawsuit between the Department of Justice (DOJ) and GOOGL over Google Search are a concern. The DOJ argues that Google has inked anticompetitive deals with Apple and other companies for prime placement of its search engine and plans to break up Google to separate products like Chrome, Search, and Android. DOJ's proposal doesn't bode well for Alphabet, given growing competition from AI-powered products like ChatGPT, Grok, DeepSeek, Perplexity and Meta AI. GOOGL is suffering from a lack of capacity, and until new capacity comes online this year, cloud revenues are expected to witness increased variability. The company expects to invest roughly $75 billion in capital expenditures in 2025, which is aimed at building up technical infrastructure, primarily for servers, followed by data centers and networking. Alphabet expects advertising revenue growth to be lower due to a challenging year-over-year comparison. The company enjoyed solid growth in the financial services vertical in 2024. GOOGL Stock is Overvalued The Value Score of C suggests a stretched valuation for Alphabet at this moment. Alphabet stock is trading at a premium, with a forward 12-month Price/Sales of 6.34X compared with the Zacks Internet Services industry's 5.29X. Conclusion Alphabet's growing AI capabilities and significant investments in cloud computing bode well for long-term investors. So, investors who have already invested in GOOGL stock should stay put. However, stiff competition in the cloud space, as well as the search engine market and increasing regulatory headwinds make the GOOGL stock risky in the near term. Alphabet currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), suggesting that it may be wise to wait for a more favorable entry point to start accumulating the stock. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. 5 Stocks Set to Double Each was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in 2024. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +143.0%, +175.9%, +498.3% and +673.0%. Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor. Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Apple Inc. (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report Microsoft Corporation (MSFT): Free Stock Analysis Report Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL): Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (
India Today
11-06-2025
- India Today
How to download and install Android 16 on your phone today: Full method explained
Google is officially rolling out Android 16, starting with supported Pixel devices. Other Android phones are expected to receive the latest iteration of the mobile operating system gradually in the coming weeks. The new update brings a range of upgrades and features across design, accessibility, privacy, and productivity. If you're eager to try the latest version, here's how to download and install Android 16 right now on Pixel before jumping into the installation process, ensure your device is eligible for the Android 16 update. Right now, only select Pixel phones are receiving the Android 16 update. These devices include:Pixel 8, 8 ProPixel 8aPixel FoldPixel TabletPixel 7, 7 Pro, 7aPixel 6, 6 Pro, 6aMore Android smartphones — including models from brands such as Samsung, OnePlus, OPPO, and others — will receive Android 16 in the coming weeks or months. For now, Pixel users get first to install Android 16 Downloading Android 16 is a straightforward process. For Google Pixel users, check for an over-the-air (OTA) update:Navigate to Settings > System > Software on Check for the Android 16 update is available for your device, it will appear as a download of approximately the update doesn't appear immediately, be patient — it is rolling out new in Android 16?advertisementAndroid 16 is one of the most significant updates for Android phones, with a bunch of new UI and AI-related improvements. Here are a few highlights you'll notice after upgrading your Pixel or other Android phone to the new OS:Smarter, less cluttered notificationsNotifications are now grouped more effectively to avoid overwhelming your screen. Android 16 also introduces live updates for certain apps like food delivery and ride-sharing, so you get real-time information without refreshing the hearing aid supportUsers with hearing aids can now control settings directly within the phone's settings. Additionally, Google has added an option to switch from your hearing aid's mic to your phone's mic during calls — for clearer voice transmission in noisy Protection modeFor digital safety, Android 16 enables Google's Advanced Protection mode. This one-tap feature protects users from scams, harmful apps, and other online upgrade for tablets and foldablesIn collaboration with Samsung, Android 16 introduces desktop-style windowing, allowing users to resize and move app windows freely — just like on a PC. Additionally, other productivity-focused features like custom keyboard shortcuts and taskbar overflow will roll out later this year.
Android Authority
10-06-2025
- Android Authority
Android 16 QPR1 beta 2 is here, with Pixel's DeX competitor and more
TL;DR Google has announced the release of Android 16 QPR1 beta 2. The new beta software brings a desktop mode when connected to an external display. The update also brings desktop windowing functionality to tablets. Google launched Android 16 QPR1 beta 1 last month, giving us our first official look at the company's new Material 3 Expressive design language. Now, the company has announced the release of Android 16 QPR1 beta 2. Perhaps the most notable addition is a desktop mode, dubbed connected displays. This follows in the footsteps of Samsung DeX by offering a PC-like environment when connected to an external display. Google says the feature is available on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 families and can be enabled by visiting developer settings and tapping desktop experience features. What else is available in Android 16 QPR1 beta 2? This new beta also brings desktop windowing functionality to tablets (seen above), allowing users to run multiple apps at once in resizable windows. Best of all, this feature ties into the desktop mode as well, allowing one desktop to span the external display and tablet screen. 'The two displays then function as one continuous system, allowing app windows, content, and the cursor to move freely between the displays,' the search giant explained. Supplied by Google Two other notable features in this update include custom keyboard shortcuts and taskbar overflow (seen above). The latter delivers a pop-up carousel of your apps if the taskbar is full. These features follow other confirmed Android 16 QPR1 additions, such as the Material 3 Expressive visual style, improved HDR brightness controls, and wallpaper suggestions from Google Photos. This isn't the only notable Android release today, as Google has also just released the stable version of Android 16. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
