Posts with «handheld & connected devices» label

Google’s Find My Device will soon detect unknown Bluetooth trackers

Android updates to its "Find My Device" network will alert users to unknown trackers, even if they aren't Google branded, the company announced at Google I/O 2023 on Wednesday. The updates will come in summer 2023, but the company did not give a specific date. 

Unknown tracker alerts happen when the network detects a Bluetooth tracker, such as an Apple AirTag or Tile device, registered to another user following you around. In the past, these alerts have been limited by brand. With this Android update, any tracker compatible with the Find My Device network will show up. 

Other updates to the Find My Device app include a feature that pings compatible devices if you can't find them, ways to view location of those devices even if they're offline and new support for Tile, Chipolo, Pebblebee, Sony and JBL devices. 

The Android announcement comes after Google and Apple partnered up earlier this month to address unwanted tracking across devices. The companies submitted best practices and instructions to allow unauthorized tracking notifications across iOS and Android devices. Other companies like Tile and Samsung have shown support for the effort. 

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Follow all of the news from Google I/O 2023 right here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/android-findmy-bluetooth-tracker-google-airtag-tile-182832477.html?src=rss

WhatsApp arrives on Wear OS this summer

For the first time, WhatApp is coming to smartwatches. At its I/O 2023 keynote on Wednesday, Google announced that the chat app will be available this summer on Wear OS 3 devices, including Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5 and the Pixel Watch. Among other features, the smartwatch version of WhatsApp allows you to record and send voice messages. You can also use the app to send text messages and see a list of your favorite contacts.

A beta version of the software was spotted earlier in the week by 9to5Google. From that preview, we know adding a Wear OS device to your account will involve typing an eight-digit alphanumeric code provided to you through your phone. Additionally, the beta release features a circular complication that shows unread messages on your watch’s home screen. The complication also has two tiles for contacts and voice messages, allowing you to quickly send messages to your friends and family.

The news that WhatsApp is heading to Wear OS devices comes after Meta announced at the end of last month it had redesigned WhatsApp’s multi-device functionality to make it possible to use one account on more than one phone.

Follow all of the news from Google I/O 2023 right here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/whatsapp-arrives-on-wear-os-this-summer-182644527.html?src=rss

Apple is bringing Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro to iPad on May 23rd

Apple finally has professional creative software to match the iPad Pro. The company is releasing both Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for iPad on May 23rd. The two tablet apps now feature a touch-friendly interface and other iPad-specific improvements, such as Pencil and Magic Keyboard support (more on those in a moment). At the same time, Apple wants to reassure producers that these are full-featured apps that won't leave Mac users feeling lost.

The apps also represent a change in Apple's pricing strategy. Where Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for Mac are one-time purchases, you'll have to subscribe to the iPad versions for either $5 per month or $49 per year. There's a one-month free trial. The move isn't surprising given Apple's increasing reliance on services for revenue, but it may be disappointing if you were hoping to avoid the industry's subscription trend.

Developing...

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-is-bringing-final-cut-pro-and-logic-pro-to-ipad-on-may-23rd-132957320.html?src=rss

WhatsApp begins testing Wear OS support

One of the largest apps in the world is coming to Wear OS watches, 9to5Google and WaBetaInfo have reported. WhatsApp is now testing an app for Wear OS 3 on devices like the Galaxy Watch 5, Pixel Watch and others. It offers much of the functionality of the mobile versions, showing recent chats and contacts, while allowing you to send voice and text messages. 

To set up the app, you'll need to have the Beta version of WhatsApp on your phone. After installing the app on your watch, it will display an eight-digit alphanumeric code that you punch in to the mobile app.

WhatsApp

From there, a list of recent conversations will pop up, along with "Settings" and "Open on phone." Clicking any of the conversations will bring up individual or group chats, showing messages, images sent, etc. At the bottom of each chat, you can choose to send a voice or text message, using the system keyboard for the latter. Similarly, you can view or listen to any existing or received messages. 

WhatsApp offers a circular complication that shows unread messages on your watch's home page. There are also two tiles for contacts and voice messages, to let you quickly access people or start a voice message recording. 

It's a significant release for Wear OS 3, offering an ultra-popular app that most people have on their phones — in turn fulfilling Google's aim of getting more developers on the platform. To get the app, you'll need to sign up for the WhatsApp beta and be running version 2.23.10.10+ on both your smartphone and watch. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/whatsapp-begins-testing-wear-os-support-105519596.html?src=rss

Nacon’s MG-X Pro smartphone gamepad is comfortable but a little too basic

Nacon, now both a games publisher and peripheral maker, has been making gamepads for consoles for a while. It was one of the companies that Sony chose to make its wired ‘pro” PS4 controllers before Sony announced its own ‘pro’ controller for the PS5.

Not that it stopped Nacon. It has introduced two mobile controllers, including, most recently, an iPhone-compatible model that lands in the middle of smartphone gamepad pricing. It’s cheaper than Backbone and Razer’s technically impressive gaming peripherals, and unfortunately, Nacon made some sacrifices to get to that price.

The MG-X Pro is light, even with its built-in battery. Compared to some smartphone controllers, the grips are more substantial and closer to typical console gamepads. This is the most comfortable smartphone gamepad I’ve ever tried by a wide margin. It feels controller-sized, with similar spacing between the d-pad and analog controls and full-sized trigger buttons at the back, making it far more comfortable during long gaming sessions.

Photo by Mat Smith / Engadget

The buttons are responsive but a little too squishy. I couldn’t notice any latency difference between wireless and wired smartphone controller options when playing through several Apple Arcade titles, Into The Breach, and some Overwatch 2 streamed on PS Remote Play. The buttons don’t wobble around in their housing, but the d-pad feels a little doughy and loose. The two analog sticks are made of sturdier stuff, fortunately.

Between the two controller halves, the vice part of MG-X Pro has a ridged rubberized surface to keep your iPhone locked in, with a little lip on both sides to keep everything in place. The vice works on every iPhone I have, from the Mini to the Max models. And, unlike some other vice controllers, even with a protective case, my iPhone 14 Pro fits in fine.

It’s easy to while away the hours with the MG-X Pro – until your phone battery runs out. Unlike more expensive options like the Backbone, this is a wireless model. There’s no lighting cable plug to connect your iPhone into) which means there’s no power throughput.

This problem is compounded when you’re using cloud gaming services, like Xbox Cloud and PS Remote Play, which need a lot of power to stream games. If you want to play for extended periods, you’ll have to be prepared to take similarly extended breaks. Other shortcomings include a companion app that doesn’t offer enough to warrant its download. There’s the ability to calibrate the two analog sticks – which makes me worry that they could drift in the future – and walkthroughs of what the MG-X Pro is capable of. That’s not all that much.

Photo by Mat Smith / Engadget

The MG-X Pro is the most comfortable smartphone gamepad I’ve ever used. Still, the ability to offer comfortable gaming over time is limited by its inability to keep your smartphone powered up. For more money, you could go for the Backbone or the Razer Kishi, which offer pass-through charging. Or, a little more inelegantly, you could swap the vice-style controller for a more comfortable Bluetooth controller (I rate the 8bitdo controllers) and keep your phone propped up, but plugged in.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nacons-mg-x-pro-smartphone-gamepad-is-comfortable-but-a-little-too-basic-130045626.html?src=rss

Amazon sale discounts Kindle ereaders by up to 33 percent

Sure, ereaders aren't exactly the kind of devices you replace every year, but if you're looking to get a new one right now, Amazon is selling a few Kindle models at a discount. The Kindle Paperwhite Signature with no lockscreen ads in black or denim will set you back $145, or $45 less than its retail price. That would make it just a little more expensive than a regular, undiscounted Paperwhite. The Signature edition has 32GB of storage, four times larger than a regular Paperwhite's, which makes it much more suitable for your needs if you want to download lots of audiobooks to your Kindle. 

In addition, the Signature edition Paperwhite can automatically adjust its brightness levels to suit ambient lighting conditions. Plus, it supports Qi wireless charging aside from having a USB-C port. Take note that there's an option to get the device with three free months of Kindle Unlimited for the same price, so don't forget to choose it if you regularly read books through Amazon's subscription service. 

If you don't need the Signature edition's larger storage, auto-adjusting backlight and wireless charging capabilities, you can also purchase the regular black Kindle Paperwhite for $30 less at $110. You can get it bundled with three free months of Kindle Unlimited at no extra cost, but the version on sale for $110 does come with lockscreen ads. Removing those ads will add $20 to its price, and the 16GB version also costs a bit more at $115. 

Meanwhile, the 2022 Kindle with lockscreen ads is currently listed for $80, which is $20 less than its typical price. You can choose from denim or black and add three months of Kindle Unlimited without having to pay more. The 2022 Kindle has a smaller display size than the Paperwhite, but it still has a 300 ppi resolution and comes with front LEDs, as well as 16GB of storage. 

Finally, if what you need is a Kindle with parental controls, the 2022 Kindle Kids and Kindle Paperwhite Kids are also both on sale. The Paperwhite version will cost you $110, or $50 less what you'd usually pay for it, while the regular Kindle for kids will set you back $80 instead of $120. Both ereaders come with a kid-friendly cover, a year-long subscription to Amazon Kids+ and a two-year guarantee that Amazon will replace the device if it breaks.  

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazon-sale-discounts-kindle-ereaders-by-up-to-33-percent-094913156.html?src=rss

The second-gen Apple Pencil drops to $89, plus the rest of the week's best tech deals

It's Friday, which means it's time for another roundup of good deals on recommended tech. Among this week's highlights, the second-gen Apple Pencil is back down to an all-time low of $89, while the latest Echo Dot is within $5 of the best price we've tracked at $30. If you need to upgrade the storage of an Xbox Series X or S, Seagate's 1TB storage expansion card is at least a little more palatable at $150, while Samsung's 256GB Evo Select is a good value at $18 for Switch owners in need of a microSD card. Beyond that, we're also seeing deals on MasterClass and Apple Music subscriptions, Anker wireless headphones, Samsung's S95B OLED TV, Shark robot vacuums and Amazon's Kindle Scribe. Here are the best tech deals from this week that you can still get today.

Apple Pencil (2nd Gen)

The second-gen Apple Pencil is back on sale for $89, matching the lowest price we've tracked. That's $40 below Apple's list price and about $15 below the iPad stylus' average street price on Amazon in recent months. We recommend the latest Pencil in our guide to the best iPad accessories. It's a consistently accurate tool for digital artists and heavy note-takers, and it's the only stylus to offer pressure sensitivity across iPadOS. Since it can attach to the side of an iPad magnetically, it's also easy to charge and pair. Just make sure your iPad will work with the device before you buy.

Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X/S

For better or worse, the only way for Xbox Series X/S owners to fully expand their console's storage for current-gen games is to use a proprietary storage card. Seagate's Storage Expansion Card remains the only official one of those, but right now both its 1TB and 2TB models are down to all-time lows. The former is available for $150, which is $45 below its typical street price, while the latter is $80 less than usual at $280. While that's still pricey compared to traditional (and PS5-compatible) SSDs, it's at least some savings for those tired of uninstalling games to save space. Recent leaks suggest that cards from other manufacturers are on the way, but it's unclear if they'll cost less than these discounts at launch.

Anker Soundcore Life Q30

Anker's Soundcore Life Q30 is one of the few sets of wireless noise-cancelling headphones worth recommending that cost less than $100, and currently they're down to $68 at Amazon with an on-page coupon. While this isn't the absolute lowest price we've seen, it's $12 below the pair's typical going rate. The Life Q30's active noise cancellation isn't as comprehensive as our favorite wireless headphones, but for a fraction of the price, it's strong enough to be useful. The whole thing is comfortable to wear for hours at a time, and it can last a superb 40 to 50 hours on a charge. Be warned that the pair is extremely bass-heavy by default, but it's possible to even out its sound through Anker's companion app. Call quality and the included transparency mode are just so-so, however.

Samsung Evo Select

The 256GB model of Samsung's Evo Select microSD card is down to $18, which is an all-time low and roughly $6 below its typical street price. This isn't the fastest microSD card on the market, but it's performant enough for devices like the Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck, and this deal gets you a good chunk of storage space for relatively little cash. Samsung backs the card with a 10-year limited warranty, too. If you need more room and want something with faster read and write speeds, the previous-gen Samsung Pro Plus is a solid value at its current deal price of $47.

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)

The latest Amazon Echo Dot is down to $30, which is $5 more than its all-time low but still $10 to $15 below its usual street price. The Dot is the top budget pick in our guide to the best smart speakers: It delivers surprisingly clear and well-balanced sound for its size and remains an accessible entry point for anyone looking to use Alexa to stream music, control smart home devices and do other smart assistant things. The Google Nest Mini remains a worthy alternative for those who prefer the Google Assistant, but the Dot sounds better. If you'd like an LED display that can display the time, weather and other bits of information at a glance, the Echo Dot with Clock is on sale for an all-time low of $40.

Samsung 980 Pro SSD

The 2TB model of Samsung's 980 Pro SSD is on sale for $140, which is within $5 of its lowest price to date. The drive has typically sold between $150 and $160 in recent months. While it isn't the newest PCIe 4.0 SSD Samsung offers, the 980 Pro is still a decent value for those looking to expand the storage of a PlayStation 5. You'll just need to grab a heatsink along with it for another $10 or so. (Samsung sells a version of the 980 Pro that comes with a heatsink in the box, but its 2TB model currently costs $170.) If you only need 1TB of space and want a faster PCIe 4.0 drive, SK Hynix's Platinum P41 is good alternative at its current deal price of $90, which is a new low. If you just want to upgrade an older PC, meanwhile, a less expensive PCIe 3.0 drive like the ones in our best SSDs guide will still work just fine.

Samsung T7 Shield 

Samsung's T7 Shield is a ruggedized version of our favorite portable SSD, and right now its 1TB model is down to a new low of $75. That's about $10 less than this model's average street price over the last few months. Alternatives like the SanDisk Extreme can squeeze out a bit more performance, but the T7 Shield is fast enough for most needs, and its thick rubber shell should provide some extra peace of mind if you ever want to take the drive on the road. It's also water-resistant with an IP65 rating. 

iPad deals

It's a decent time to be in the market for a new iPad, as the iPad Air, iPad Mini and 10th-gen iPad are all at or near the lowest prices we've tracked. The Air is down to $500, which matches the best price we've seen outside of a brief drop to $479 last year, while the Mini and 10th-gen iPad are each at a previous low of $400. As we note in our iPad buying guide, the Air should provide the best blend of price and performance for most people, but the Mini is still worth buying if you'd prefer a more compact tablet. The 10th-gen iPad is more of a compromise, as it doesn't support the latest Apple Pencil and lacks a laminated display, but the broad strokes of its design are similar to the Air, and its landscape-oriented front camera is convenient. We gave the Air a review score of 90 last year, the Mini a score of 89 in 2021 and the 10th-gen iPad a score of 85 this past October.

Anker PowerLine III USB-C cables

If you need to stock up on USB-C cables, this two-pack of Anker's PowerLine III is worth a look at $13. Both cables are six feet long and rated for up to 100W charging, so they can charge many beefy laptops at, or at least close to, full speeds. Anker covers them with a lifetime warranty as well. The one hang-up is that they're limited to USB 2.0 data transfer rates, so they aren't the quickest for moving large files around. But if you already own a fast charger and need some backup cables for the road, this is a nice value. This deal marks the bundle's lowest price to date and comes in about $5 below its usual price. 

Samsung S95B OLED TV

The 55-inch version of Samsung's S95B OLED TV is down to $1,279 at Amazon, which is the lowest price we've seen outside of special discounts for education customers. Though we haven't reviewed this TV, other siteswe trust have consistently praised the S95B for delivering the high contrast expected of any good OLED set without sacrificing too much in the way of brightness. Samsung has replaced this 2022 model with the new S95C, but the upgrades don't appear to be massive, and the S95B is a much better value at this price for those willing to pay for a premium TV. (The 55-inch S95C currently retails for $2,500.) Note that Samsung TVs do not support Dolby Vision HDR, however.

Apple Music 4-month subscription

We recently named Apple Music the most well-rounded music streaming service thanks to its extensive library, lossless streaming support, ability to upload local files, helpful curation and not-overly-cluttered UI. If you've been thinking of switching over, Best Buy is running a promotion that gives new subscribers four months of the service for free. If you've subscribed to Apple Music in the past and are now looking to come back, you can get a three-month trial. For reference, Apple normally gives new members one month of Music for free, then charges $11 a month for an individual plan. Just be aware that the subscription will be set to auto-renew after the trial period ends.

MasterClass

MasterClass has rolled out a Mother's Day promo that brings the price of its annual Duo and Family memberships down to $180. Normally, a year of the Duo plan (which makes the service accessible on two devices) costs $240, while the Family plan (which bumps the device limit up to six) goes for $276. The standard Individual plan, which normally costs $180, is not part of the offer. MasterClass itself is far from essential, but it still offers a wide range of specific celebrity-taught courses, from cooking with Gordon Ramsay to songwriting with John Legend. If you and a loved one (or five) have been curious to try it out, this is a nice chance to save; just note that the membership will auto-renew by default.

Shark robot vacuum sale

We recommend a couple of Shark devices in our guide to the best robot vacuums, and right now a handful of similar robovacs from the company are heavily discounted. Of note is the Shark AV2501AE, which is about $250 off its usual street price at $350. Like the top midrange pick in our guide, it offers LiDAR navigation sensors to more precisely map out your floors and a bagless, self-emptying base that can hold up to 60 days of debris. It can also work with Alexa or the Google Assistant. If you want to save a few bucks, the Shark AV911S is another solid buy at $300, though it has a simpler mapping system by comparison and a smaller self-emptying base. 

Amazon Kindle Scribe

Amazon's Kindle Scribe is down to $283 for a 16GB model, which is $57 off its normal price and a new low. Higher-capacity models are also on sale. The catch is that each deal is only available to Amazon Prime members. Either way, the Scribe is Amazon's highest-end Kindle and the first to support note-taking with its included stylus. With its 10.2-inch display, it's also the largest e-reader Amazon makes. While this isn't the most advanced e-ink tablet for writing, being able to mark up e-books and jot down to-do lists has its conveniences, and it still offers all the same reading benefits of any other Kindle. Amazon has steadilyupdated the device in recent months, too. The downside, besides the extreme cost, is that it's not waterproof. We gave the Kindle Scribe a review score of 85 last November. 

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-second-gen-apple-pencil-drops-to-89-plus-the-rest-of-the-weeks-best-tech-deals-163008694.html?src=rss

What to expect at Google I/O 2023

Google now routinely uses its I/O developer conference to launch or preview a flurry of new hardware, and that’s likely to be true for 2023. Company chief Sundar Pichai even teased news about Pixel devices during an earnings call in April, along with the requisite “exciting new developments” for Android. Just what can you expect when Pichai and others take the stage on May 10th, however? From all indications, it may be one of the busiest events yet.

Pixel Fold

After years of offering support for foldable phones, Google will unveil one of its own at I/O. The company has confirmed it will introduce a Pixel Fold that, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series, unfolds like a book. Rumors suggest it will have a 5.8-inch 120Hz external screen for quick interactions, and a 7.6-inch 120Hz internal display when you want more visual real estate. It has thicker bezels than the Z Fold, but it’s supposed to feature a durable, almost-gapless hinge and a battery that lasts 24 hours in normal use.

Unlike past Pixels, the Fold might not offer tremendous value for the money. The foldable is reportedly shipping in June for around $1,700, and it may come with the Pixel 7’s Tensor G2 chip using 12GB of RAM. Camera rumors also suggest varying levels of quality. CNBC hears the Fold could have old cameras that predate the Pixel 6, while Front Page Tech and 91Mobiles, respectively, believe it will jump to a 48MP or 64MP main sensor. Regardless of the exact specs, you’re really buying the Fold for the software — including a ‘clean’ take on Android foldables and AI-driven features like Clear Calling.

Pixel 7a

Photo by OnLeaks/Smartprix

Don’t worry if the Pixel Fold turns out to be well beyond your budget. Google is rumored to be launching the Pixel 7a at I/O, and it could address some of the shortcomings of the 6a. While the design that surfaced in Zing News hands-on photos isn’t wildly different from its predecessor, it might include a faster 90Hz display, wireless charging and a 64-megapixel main camera. Add a possible Tensor G2 chip with 8GB of RAM and you might not be in any rush to get a pricier phone, especially if you prefer a 6-inch screen over the Pixel 7’s larger panel.

Unfortunately, all those additions might come at a cost. Google reportedly plans to begin taking orders for the Pixel 7a on May 10th at a price of $499, or $50 higher than the 6a. If true, the A-series is now focused more on relative performance, rather than pricing first and foremost (as with the $350 Pixel 4a). Think of it as an alternative to the Galaxy A54 that trades screen size for a few creature comforts.

Pixel Tablet

Google

Google previewed the Pixel Tablet at last year’s I/O and again in the fall, so there’s a real chance the Android slate will finally launch this time around. There’s not much mystery left at this point; outside of pricing and exact specs, the company has shared most of what you’ll get.

If you need a primer, the Pixel Tablet is really two devices in one. You can use it handheld, but it also doubles as a smart display thanks to a speaker dock. It can stay in your kitchen while you’re cooking, but come to the living room when you’re ready to unwind. It uses the same Tensor G2 chip as the Pixel 7, and offers a unique nano-ceramic finish that promises to be grippy while feeling premium.

Leaks suggest this Pixel is a mid-sized 11-inch tablet with 8GB of RAM, and may start at €600 (about $660) in Europe with 128GB of storage and an included dock. That could translate to $600 in the US. It might not blow away the Galaxy Tab S8 or iPad Air in terms of raw power, but you could ultimately save money if you were already planning to get a smart display like the Nest Hub.

Android 14

Google

If there’s anything certain about I/O 2023, it’s the formal debut for Android 14. Test versions have been available since February, and Google plans to release the finished operating system in late summer. If there’s any prime moment to share more, this is it.

The confirmed features to date are modest additions like improved accessibility, stronger app security, longer battery life and custom sharing features. There haven’t been any major upgrades so far, but that’s not surprising. Android developer previews and early betas are usually meant to help creators prepare their apps — it’s not until I/O that Google typically shares interface changes or other significant public-facing improvements.

There are a few hints of extra changes thanks to sleuthing by Esper’s Mishaal Rahman. Health Connect, the hub for data from fitness apps, may come with Android 14. A previously optional predictive back gesture, which shows where you’ll go when you swipe, might be standard. Neither of these are earth-shaking, but they imply that Google is making numerous small refinements on top of any more noticeable changes.

Pixel 8 preview

Photo by OnLeaks/Smartprix

Google used I/O 2022 to offer a brief glimpse of the Pixel 7. While there’s no guarantee of a repeat, we wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a Pixel 8 preview at the 2023 gathering. Provided OnLeaks renders are true to the finished product, this will be a subtle evolution with more rounded corners and a slightly different camera cutout.

After that, details are murky. WinFutureclaims the Pixel 8 series will use a next-generation Tensor chip (presumably the Tensor G3) with 8GB of RAM in the standard model and 12GB in the Pro. The camera array might not change much, but code indicates Google could bring its unblur tool to videos for the first time.

If there is a Pixel 8 preview, you’ll probably be waiting a while to get a device in your hands. Google usually waits until the fall to deliver flagship Pixel phones, and we expect that to be the case here. You may not have to wait as long to hear more, though. Given Google’s historically poor track record for preventing leaks, there could be a flurry of scoops in the next few months.

Wildcards: Pixel Watch 2 and experimental tech

Photo by Cherlynn Low/Engadget

It seemingly wouldn’t be I/O without a seemingly leftfield hardware announcement. Google teased next-generation augmented reality glasses in 2022, for instance. As such, we can’t rule out surprises this year.

A sequel to the Pixel Watch is one option. Google hasn’t said how often it will refresh its first in-house smartwatch, but the current model has ample room for improvement. There’s only one case size, and the circa-2018 Samsung Exynos processor does no favors to the battery life or performance. There aren’t any substantive leaks as of this writing, though, so we wouldn’t bet on a preview.

The more plausible possibility is an update on those previously mentioned AR glasses. Google only showed a rough prototype last time and could easily have more to say if work has progressed well in the months since. That’s a big “if,” mind you. Even Meta isn’t believed to be releasing its first true AR eyewear until 2027, and there’s no certainty Google has solved technical challenges following initial field tests. If the glasses appear, they may only be slightly further along.

Don’t be surprised if there are genuine surprises, too. Google caught more than a few people off guard with its pandemic-friendly Project Starline video chat booth at I/O 2021, and the decision to preview the Pixel Tablet a year early was more than a little unusual. This is a tech giant that isn’t afraid to tease devices long before they’re viable.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/what-to-expect-at-google-io-2023-120024438.html?src=rss

Google officially reveals the Pixel Fold

After months of rumors and leaks, Google has confirmed the Pixel Fold's existence. It showed off the foldable in an official capacity for the first time in a video posted on Twitter and YouTube. The company was expected to reveal the Pixel Fold at Google I/O next week. However, as has often been the case over the last few years, Google has offered an early peek at an upcoming device before a splashier launch event.

As revealed in various leaks, Google's first foldable phone has a vertical hinge that opens up to reveal a tablet-like display, in a similar fashion to Samsung's Galaxy Fold devices. When the Pixel Fold is closed, you can use a smaller touchscreen that's on one side of the exterior. There's a camera array on the rear.

Reports have suggested that the Pixel Fold will start at $1,700 and it could be available as soon as next month (the video and a Google Store page simply note that it's "coming soon"). It's said to run on Google's Tensor G2 chipset — the same one that's found in Pixel 7 devices. The external screen reportedly measures 5.8 inches and the internal display 7.6 inches. As for battery life, rumors suggest the Pixel Fold will run for up to 24 hours based on regular use and up to 72 hours with Extreme Battery Saver mode enabled.

While the pricing and specs have yet to be confirmed, we'll get the full details on May 10th when I/O kicks off. Here's hoping Google has learned from Samsung's early foldable missteps to make sure the Pixel Fold's hinge is durable enough.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-officially-reveals-the-pixel-fold-174726500.html?src=rss

Apple's 256GB 12.9-inch iPad Pro drops to its lowest price yet

The latest iPad Pro is one of the best tablets on the market right now. Those looking for a good deal on a 12.9-inch version with more storage than the base 128GB model may be tempted by a new sale. The 256GB variant has dropped by $150 to $1,049. That’s the lowest price we’ve seen to date for this version. It’s the same price as a 128GB iPad Pro, so you’d effectively be doubling the storage at no extra cost.

We gave the tablet a score of 87 in our review, with the design and build, solid battery life and Apple Pencil Hover feature among the aspects that stood out.

The 2022 iPad Pro is Apple's most powerful model to date. It boasts the beefy M2 chipset, so it should handle just about any task you can throw at it with ease. For one thing, it supports Apple's Stage Manager multitasking feature. The tablet has a Liquid Retina XDR screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. The display offers up to 1,000 nits of full-screen brightness and up to 1,600 nits for HDR playback.

There's an ultrawide 12-megapixel front-facing camera that's unfortunately positioned on the narrower edge of the screen, which might make things a little awkward for those who prefer to put their tablet in a keyboard dock while taking video calls. On the rear, the iPad Pro has 12MP wide and 10MP ultra wide cameras, as well as a LiDAR scanner.

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro weighs in at 1.5 pounds, which might tire out your arms pretty quickly if you're holding it (you could always place it in a case with a stand, of course). Although this model doesn't have 5G connectivity, it does support WiFi 6E.

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