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Mobile Syrup

New Adobe update brings RAW image support to Pixel A smartphones

Editing RAW images directly shot on midrange Pixel phones just got more convenient for Adobe users.

Thanks to an April update from Adobe, its Camera Raw extension now includes official support for the Pixel 4a, 5a, and 6a devices.

While it was possible to edit RAW photos before this update, it’s now a smoother process. Users can directly import and edit their photos into Adobe apps such as Lightroom on their phone.

It’s great to see Google’s midrange devices gaining the added support directly from Adobe. That being said, Pixel A smartphone users will still be missing out on the camera matching and lens correction profiles.

RAW image capture is a feature that has become widely available on flagship (and some midrange) smartphones. In exchange for much larger file sizes, users can take advantage of the flexibility and extra detail the images provide while editing.

To get started with the new capability, Camera Raw extension 15.3 needs to be installed, as well as Lightroom 6.3 or Lightroom Classic 12.3. Adobe provides an official website that lists phones that currently support its Camera Raw extension.

Source: Adobe Via: Android Police

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Mobile Syrup

Pixel Fold reportedly has ‘most durable hinge on a foldable’

With Google I/O around the corner, Pixel leaks are coming from all over. The latest comes from CNBC, of all places, confirming previous leaks about the Pixel Fold’s launch and price. The publication also reports the Pixel Fold will have the “most durable hinge on a foldable.”

CNBC cites internal communications it viewed as the source of the information. Per the communications, CNBC reports that Google will announce the Fold at I/O 2023 on May 10th. Moreover, the Fold will cost “upwards” of $1,700 USD, putting it in competition with Samsung’s $1,799 USD Galaxy Z Fold 4. (In Canada, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 starts at $2,269.99).

The publication goes on to detail some of the specifications of the Pixel Fold. The foldable reportedly has water resistance, a 5.8-inch external screen and will open like a book to reveal a 7.6-inch display, same as the Z Fold 4. The Pixel Fold will weigh 10oz (about 283.5g) and will have a larger battery than the Z Fold 4 that Google says will last 24 hours.

The Pixel Fold reportedly runs on Google’s Tensor G2 chip like the company’s 2022 flagships.

Another interesting tidbit in the CNBC report is that Google plans to offer incentives to draw people to the Pixel Fold. This will include trade-in options to swap from a current Pixel, iPhone, or other Android phone and get a discount on the Fold. Even more alluring is that Google will reportedly offer a free Pixel Watch to Fold buyers. Of course, it’s worth keeping in mind that Google often has different (and better) trade-in offers in the U.S.

Source: CNBC

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Mobile Syrup

Upcoming Pixel Tablet dock shows up in Amazon listing

A listing for the upcoming Pixel Tablet’s dock was briefly available on Amazon.

The user posted the Pixel Tablet Standalone Charging Dock in ‘Hazel’  for $129 USD (roughly $173 CAD). Before the link was taken down, the description read, “the unique Pixel Tablet Charging Speaker Dock keeps your tablet charged and ready 24/7; and it’s easy to dock and undock.”

Other information from the listing includes the model number, product dimensions (‎6.65 x 3.71 x 2.77 inches,) and weight of 14.2oz (roughly 402g).

Google first announced that it was working on the Pixel Tablet last year in May. It was showcased alongside a unique charging speaker dock and given a 2023 release window.

With Google I/O 2023 just around the corner, many expect the company to officially unveil the new tablet and dock during the conference.

It remains unclear whether the tablet will include the dock in the box or if it will be made available only as a separate purchase.

Google I/O takes place on May 10th, where we’re expecting to see the Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet and Pixel 7a. Recent leaks indicate the Pixel Tablet will launch with Tensor G2, Android 13, with 8GB of RAM.

Source: Droid Life

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Mobile Syrup

Pixel 7a may see $50 price increase over Pixel 6a in the U.S.

We’re deep into Pixel leak season now, and with Google I/O just around the corner, there are several rumours roaming the internet. One of the latest Pixel 7a rumours relates to price, claiming the phone will cost $50 more in the United States.

Until now, rumours have largely pointed to the Pixel 7a having the same launch price as Google’s Pixel 6a, which costs $599 CAD in Canada and $449 USD in the U.S.

According to 9to5Google, the Pixel 7a will cost $499 USD.

The publication also notes that the Pixel 7a will be available to purchase starting May 10th, as Jon Prosser of Front Page Tech previously leaked. However, 9to5 says the 7a won’t be available in-store until May 11th.

As for why the price is going up, there are a few obvious culprits. Rumours and leaks indicate the Pixel 7a will get a handful of improvements this year, including a 90Hz screen (finally), an improved camera sensor (possibly 64-megapixels) and more. It’s also going to run on the Tensor G2 chip, same as Google’s Pixel 7 and 7 Pro.

While these are all welcome additions, they also likely increase the cost of making the phone and, in turn, mean Google might charge more. Coupled with rumours that Google will keep the Pixel 6a in the lineup rather than discontinuing the phone like with previous models, it’d make sense for Google to incorporate a significant price delta.

As for what the Pixel 7a will cost in Canada, well, the best we can offer is an estimation. The Pixel 6a costs $449 USD and $599 CAD — assuming Google maintains that price difference for the U.S. and Canadian Pixel 7a, we could see a $649 CAD price tag. Google could push it higher too, though I think a $699 Pixel 7a would be coming in too close to the Pixel 7 (especially since Google keeps putting the 7 on sale for $599).

Source: 9to5Google

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Mobile Syrup

Sonos and Google set to meet in court this May amid patent dispute

A three-year-long feud between Sonos and Google could be winding down, with both companies set to meet in court on May 8th over a still-active patent dispute.

The upcoming trial stems from accusations from Sonos that Google devices such as Nest and Chromecast infringed on Sonos-owned patents. According to Thurrot, a federal judge ruled after a mixed verdict that both Sonos and Google must meet in court this May, with the trial looking to bring up two patents the judge deemed meaningful for the case.

Two patents in Sonos’s claim have already been deemed invalid, according to Reuters, leaving two other patent claims from the audio company and Google’s counterclaims left to be settled on May 8th.

The judge’s ruling for a set trial date looks to end the ongoing feud between the companies, which started when Sonos filed a lawsuit against Google in 2020. The Sonos patent infringement ruling by the U.S. International Trade Commission in January of 2022 went against Google, which resulted in the tech giant being required to stop selling imported products that infringe on the Sonos patents.

Not taking kindly to Sonos’s actions, Google responded with its own lawsuit directed at the audio company in August of 2022 over its then-new ‘Voice Control.’ Google stated that the counter-claim was a result of “an aggressive and misleading campaign against our products, at the expense of our shared customers.”

An attempt to end the ongoing finger-pointing will take place on May 8th, with both companies ordered to appear in court once again.

Source: Thurrot Via: Android Central

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Mobile Syrup

Google Canada discounts Pixels by up to $200

Google Canada currently has a sale on its Pixel phones, offering $100 or $200 off.

The Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7, and Pixel 6a are all discounted right now. It’s worth noting Pixels are also on sale at Amazon.

The discounts make for some pretty solid savings, though with Google I/O and the rumoured Pixel 7a just around the corner, it’s tough to say whether the deals are worth it.

The Pixel 7a is rumoured to be around the price (or slightly more than) the Pixel 6a, so before you grab one of these phones, it’s probably worth considering whether you’d like to save $200 and get the 6a now, get the 7a at launch, or get the Pixel 7 now for roughly the same cost as the 7a at launch.

You can check out the deals here.

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Mobile Syrup

Here are the Pixel Fold, Pixel 8 series and 7a leaks from this week

Over the past week, we learned a lot of information about several upcoming smartphones, including the Pixel Fold, Pixel 8 series and the Pixel 7a.

Below is a collection of all of this week’s reports and rumours surrounding the smartphone and tablet world:

Google

This past week we’ve seen a leak about the Pixel 7a’s various colour variants. Now, the handset has been spotted in white, grey and blue.

The leak also indicates that the smartphone sports a 64-megapixel primary shooter and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera sensor, 256GB of internal storage, up to 8GB of RAM and more.

You can learn more about the leak here.

Another leak indicates that the Pixel Fold will feature a better display than the Z Fold 5. Despite Samsung making both screens, the Z Fold 5 will use the same material panel as the Z Fold 4, while the Pixel Fold will feature newer material.

This leak also indicates that the iPhone 15 models will also use the same material as the Z Fold 5.

You can learn more about the leak here. 

The Pixel 8 will reportedly have a smaller display compared to the Pixel 7. According to a report from DSCC, the Pixel 8 will offer a 6.16-inch display, down from the Pixel 7’s 6.32-inch screen. The Pixel 8 Pro, however, will feature the same 6.7-inch screen.

You can learn more about the leak here. 

It looks like the Pixel Tablet might include a privacy switch of some sort.

In this leak, you can see the front and back of the Pixel Tablet, including a switch on the top left above the volume control.

You can learn more about it here.

Samsung

It looks like we’re getting close to the reveal of a Samsung foldable tablet, according to a new leak. The leak suggests Samsung’s Galaxy Z Tab could launch alongside the Tab S9.

You can learn more about the leak here.

Apple

It looks like Apple might launch a new iPhone SE. The handset will release in 2025 and include a 5G modem and the same ancient, but familiar, home button.

You can learn more about the leak here.

Image credit: MySmartPrice

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Mobile Syrup

Google Chat gets a makeover to better match Docs, Sheets and Gmail

Google Workspace Updates has announced that Google Chat will be getting an updated look that won’t clash with the newly redesigned interfaces of Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Gmail.

The new cosmetic changes will feature a handful of new touches based on Google’s Material Design 3 system that rolled out on the company’s other Workspace apps. The entire interface is tweaked slightly with more rounded edges on the buttons and search bar and blue accents on certain widgets.

The majority of the changes are very slight, with updates also being rolled out on the main message view, new topic button, compose setup and thread panel. If users didn’t read the press release, some might not have even noticed the difference.

Google also announced a new Chat feature that allows Space Managers to create announcement-only channels, which looks like a welcome addition for those looking to keep all the members of a team on the same page (literally.)

The update did not bring any major software changes to Chat, meaning the next time you log in, you’ll still know how everything works, it just might look a little prettier.

Header GIF credit: Google

Source: Google Workspace Via: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

Android 13 is running on more than 12 percent of Android phones

The latest numbers show impressive growth from the latest version of Google’s mobile operating system, with Android 13 running on over 12 percent of Android phones — more than double the amount last quarter.

We may be used to companies like Apple boasting about the number of users running the latest version of iOS, but it’s not often Google can share similar successes (although on a smaller scale). In fact, the company just made it harder to access its market share graphs. Quarterly reports can still be accessed through Android Studio, however.

Despite having a history of falling short of first place, Google’s latest report shows considerable growth with its latest operating system after a start that saw only 5 percent of smartphones running Android 13 in its first month. Without question, users are switching over from Android 12 to Android 13, with the previous OS being down 2.4 percent since January.

This information comes from Android’s most recent distribution chart.

Samsung deserves a cut of the praise for Android 13’s recent growth, with the tech giant updating its older smartphones to Android 13 and the new Galaxy S23 coming with the operating system installed. Android 13 is expected makes its way to its mid-range models, so the growth could ramp up even more over the coming months.

Android will hopefully celebrate the small wins, but not for too long. Android 14 beta 1 was revealed by Google recently, which marks the company’s desire to capitalize on its recent growth immediately.

Via: Android Police

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Mobile Syrup

Latest Pixel Tablet leak shows possible privacy switch… or does it?

We’ve known that Google has been working on a Pixel Tablet for some time, basically since Google I/O 2022 when the company first teased the device. At this point, it seems like we’ve learned everything there is to learn from leaks and teases from Google, but a new leak points to something we haven’t seen before; a privacy switch.

Well. It might be a privacy switch. It’s definitely a button and we haven’t seen it before.

Leaker SnoopyTech posted two images showing the front and back of the Pixel Tablet and questioned whether Google chose the “best design.” While at first glance, there’s nothing we haven’t seen before, Android Police says it looks like there’s a privacy switch on the edge of the tablet.

In the picture of the back of the Pixel Tablet, Android Police says, “you can see a switch on the top left above what we believe to be the volume controls.” Frankly, I don’t see it.

What I do see are two buttons on the left side of the top edge of the tablet, near the camera. I also see what looks like a button on the top end of the left edge (technically the right edge since we’re viewing it from the back) near the camera. The only other things I see on the edges of the tablet in this picture are what appear to be speakers and a USB-C charging port.

So, I count three buttons total, which likely will be volume up/down and power.

Image credit: SnoopyTech

Android Police does go on to say that the buttons on the edge of the tablet haven’t appeared in previous Google imagery of the Pixel Tablet, and I do agree there.

Looking back over the various images shared by Google in teasers and that corner of the Pixle Tablet isn’t prominently featured in most. When it is, it’s not clear enough to make out details like buttons. Similarly, most Pixel Tablet leaks don’t offer a clear view of the top edge of the tablet. And the button on the side of the tablet definitely hasn’t appeared in previous leaks and teases.

However, I did come across a leak we covered from leaker Kuba Wojciechowski, who shared photos of a Pixel Tablet that they received. Two of the images show the top edge clearly enough that you can see two buttons up there near the camera, just like in the SnoopyTech image. My guess is those are the volume buttons. However, Wojciechowski’s pictures don’t clearly show the right edge of the tablet where the other mystery button resides.

Of course, the pictures from Wojciechowski are likely a pre-release unit of some kind, and therefore, it’s possible Google could have added to the hardware. But I have some serious doubts about the claim of a privacy switch.

That said, adding a privacy switch would be a really good idea for the Pixel Tablet, especially since Google is positioning it as a hybrid smart home device. Google’s Nest Hubs have privacy switches to disable the camera and microphone when users want some privacy — with the Pixel Tablet set to replace the Nest Hub, it would only make sense for it to have a privacy switch as well.

We likely won’t have to wait longer to find out whether the Pixel Tablet has a privacy switch. Google will likely reveal the tablet at I/O in May.

Image credit: Google, Kuba Wojciechowski

Source: SnoopyTech Via: Android Police