Buying a smartphone under $500 in 2026 feels a bit like shopping in the middle aisle of a supermarket. You don’t walk in expecting luxury items, but suddenly there are plenty of surprisingly good things. 

A few years ago, this price range meant making obvious compromises, such as a good-enough processor, average cameras, and software that aged quickly. Fortunately, things are quite different in 2026.

Phones in this segment now come with bright OLED displays, capable chipsets, and batteries that comfortably last a full day. Some even borrow features from devices that cost twice as much. 

Here are the five best smartphones under $500 in March 2026.

Google Pixel 10a

Google’s Pixel A-series has long been the go-to option for people who want a simple Android phone that just works. The Pixel 10a continues that trend. 

Like previous models in the series, the phone focuses heavily on software and camera processing. The camera hardware itself is relatively modest compared to competitors in this list, but Google’s image processing tends to make up for it. 

The Pixel 10a also benefits from Google’s version of Android, which is clean and free of unnecessary extras. The display is a 120Hz OLED panel with a sufficient 2000 nits of brightness. 

However, Google is still using a year-old Tensor G4 chip under the hood. The rest of the Pixel 10 phones have a better Tensor G5 processor. That said, it can handle regular everyday tasks with ease. 

The phone has a 5100mAh Li-Po battery with 30W wired, PD 3.0, and 10W wireless charging support. 

For many buyers, the Pixel 10a is still the safe choice under $500. It’s not designed to stand out in every category, but it avoids major weaknesses.

Nothing Phone (4a) Pro

The Phone (4a) Pro is Nothing’s brand new option for a phone under $500. It keeps the company’s recognizable design language while trying to feel more polished than earlier models.

The phone includes a new Glyph Matrix on the back, which is a circular LED display made up of 137 LEDs. It can show things like a timer, a stopwatch, and such. 

Under the surface, the Phone (4a) Pro runs on a Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 processor and features a 6.83-inch 144Hz AMOLED display with 5000 nits of peak brightness.

As for the camera system, you get a 50MP Sony Lytia 700C sensor for the main camera with optical image stabilization. This is paired with a 50MP Samsung JN5 periscope camera offering 3.5x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultrawide lens. 

Nothing’s software is also fairly clean, which helps the phone feel responsive. The Phone (4a) Pro is not the most powerful option here, but it’s arguably the one with the most personality.

OnePlus 15R

OnePlus has traditionally used its “R” series to deliver strong performance at lower prices, and the 15R follows the same idea.

The phone focuses on two things: speed and battery life. It runs on Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 paired with a dedicated chip that enables 3200Hz of touch sampling rate. 

Speaking of which, it has a 6.83-inch AMOLED display that refreshes at 165Hz. This screen is also PWM capable, HDR 10+, and Dolby Vision certified with a peak brightness of 3600 nits. 

Its biggest highlight, though, is the battery. The 15R includes a 7400mAh battery that can comfortably last through a full day and often stretch into a second day depending on usage. It supports 80W fast charging. 

You also get a fairly decent camera specs of 50MP-megapixel Sony IMX906 main sensor with optical image stabilization, and an 8-megapixel ultrawide lens. There is no dedicated telephoto camera here, so zoom relies on digital cropping.

Motorola Edge 70 Fusion

Motorola’s Edge Fusion series has quietly become one of the more balanced options in the midrange market. The Edge 70 Fusion continues that pattern.

Rather than focusing on one standout feature, the phone aims for overall balance. It includes a capable Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset, a smooth6.78-inch curved OLED display, and a relatively clean version of Android 16. 

The device carries a 7000mAh silicon-carbon battery with 68W fast charging, which the company claims can provide a full day’s usage with a short charge.

Its camera hardware includes a 50-megapixel Sony Lytia 710 primary camera with optical image stabilisation. The setup also includes a 13-megapixel ultra-wide camera with macro support and a dedicated light sensor.

The Edge 70 Fusion is the most affordable option on this list. Its 8GB + 128GB model is priced at Rs 26,999 (~$300), the 8GB + 256GB version costs Rs 29,999 (~$330), and the 12GB + 256GB variant is priced at Rs 32,999 (~$360). 

Realme 16 Pro

Realme often competes in the midrange market by focusing on big numbers in the spec sheet, and the 16 Pro is no different.

One of the first things you notice is the battery. The phone includes a 700mAh battery, which can easily last more than a day with moderate use. It supports 80W wired charging. 

On the front, it has a 6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate. The screen can reach a whopping 6500 nits of peak brightness and is protected by AGC DT Star D+ glass. 

Cameras include a 200MP main sensor with OIS and an 8MP ultra-wide on the back. The front has a 50MP selfie camera. Powering everything is a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Max 5G chipset with an Arm Mali G615 GPU. It comes with 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. 

Other features include an in-display fingerprint scanner, face unlock, and all standard sensors.

The midrange market keeps getting better

Looking at these five phones together shows how much the midrange segment has evolved. Not long ago, phones under $500 required obvious compromises, slower processors, weaker cameras, or short software support.

That’s no longer always the case.

The Google Pixel 10a focuses on software and camera reliability. The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro offers a design that stands apart from typical smartphones. The OnePlus 15R leans into performance and battery life. The Motorola Edge 70 Fusion delivers a balanced experience. And the Realme 16 Pro emphasizes large batteries and strong hardware specs.

None of them is perfect, but each one has a different interpretation of what a sub-$500 smartphone should be. Now, it’s up to you to decide which of these phones could be worth it for your money.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Don’t miss a thing! Join our Telegram community for instant updates and grab our free daily newsletter for the best tech stories!

The post Five Best Smartphones Under $500 in March 2026 appeared first on Gizmochina.

A new leak has revealed what the upcoming Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold smartphone might look like. OnLeaks shared these renders in collaboration with Android Headlines. Based on the renders, Google is not making major changes to the overall design.

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold keeps the same general shape as its predecessor. The corner curvature also appears largely unchanged. The foldable main display still has a hole-punch camera cutout in the top right corner. The bezels around the display look uniform and thin. Like most book-style foldables, the bezels are slightly raised to help protect the flexible display when the device is folded. The bottom edge houses a USB-C port, microphone, speaker grille, and SIM tray. Small openings on the top edge likely accommodate microphones or antennas.

The primary visual update is a redesigned camera island. The module features cleaner lines and improved integration with the rear panel. The LED flash and microphone now sit inside the upper pill-shaped cutout alongside one camera, rather than outside the module. A curved junction between the camera island and backplate creates smoother visual flow. The flat rear panel keeps the centered Google logo.

Physical buttons maintain their positions: the power button above volume controls. The frame uses aluminum construction with a glass back panel. Dimensions show incremental thinning. Height remains 155.2mm with an unfolded width of 150.4mm. Folded thickness drops to 10.1mm (14.9mm with camera bump), down from the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s 10.8mm. Unfolded thickness measures 4.8mm (9.6mm with bump), compared to the previous 5.2mm. This represents reductions of 0.7mm folded and 0.4mm unfolded.

The device is also expected to bring internal upgrades, including the upcoming Tensor G6 processor. This chip is rumored to be built on TSMC’s 3nm process and may feature a 7-core CPU configuration. Improvements to the camera system are also anticipated compared to the previous model, although specific details about the camera setup have not been revealed yet. More information is likely to surface as the expected August 2026 launch approaches.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories!

(Source)

The post Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold Design Revealed in CAD Renders, Thinner Body and New Camera Module appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google’s latest A-series phone, the Pixel 10a, is designed to deliver the familiar Pixel experience at a lower price. It brings the usual mix of clean Android, long software support, and Google’s AI-powered features. But when it comes to the camera, early testing suggests the improvements this year are fairly limited.

According to DxOMark’s camera evaluation, the Pixel 10a receives an overall score of 134 points, placing it 75th in the global ranking. The gain appears to come mostly from software adjustments rather than any major hardware change. In fact, the camera hardware remains largely the same.

The Pixel 10a continues to use a 48MP f/1.7 main camera, built around a 1/2.0-inch sensor. The 13MP f/2.2 ultrawide camera (1/3.1-inch) is also unchanged from the previous model. The Pixel 8a, for comparison, scored 136 points thanks in part to its larger 64MP (1/1.73-inch) primary sensor.

The limitations show up more clearly in difficult conditions. Low-light photos and videos tend to show visible noise, and the phone sometimes struggles with consistent exposure and white balance. Detail can drop quickly once the lighting gets worse.

Video performance also appears somewhat average. DxOMark observed limited fine detail in recordings and occasional autofocus hunting, which can make video capture less reliable when subjects are moving.

Zoom performance is another weak point. The Pixel 10a relies entirely on digital cropping from the main sensor. Unsurprisingly, this leads to a very low zoom score of just 25 points, while the best devices in this category reach scores close to 140.

Even the older iPhone 15 performs noticeably better with a 145-point camera score. Those who care more about low-light photography, zoom quality, or overall camera versatility may notice the compromises. In that sense, the Pixel 10a feels less like a major step forward and more like a small refinement of the previous model.

Don’t miss a thing! Join our Telegram community for instant updates and grab our free daily newsletter for the best tech stories!

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

(Source: 1, 2)

The post DxOMark ranking shows Pixel 10a struggling against Pixel 8a, iPhone 15 appeared first on Gizmochina.

Apple has just officially unveiled the iPhone 17e as its most accessible gateway into the ecosystem. In the same way, the Pixel 10a, which debuted last month, is an entry-level phone from Google. Here’s a comparison between the two to know which one offers the best value.

Design and Durability: Minimalist vs. Modern

The iPhone 17e sticks to a familiar blueprint, utilizing a design reminiscent of the iPhone 14. It features a 6.1-inch form factor with a notch, but Apple has upgraded the toughness with Ceramic Shield 2, which it claims is three times more scratch-resistant.

In contrast, the Pixel 10a introduces a radical shift in Google’s design language by featuring a completely flush dual-camera system, removing the signature “visor” bump. It is slightly larger with a 6.3-inch display and uses a matte composite back. While the iPhone feels more “premium” with its glass back, the Pixel’s flat design is arguably more modern.

Display: 60Hz vs. 120Hz

This is where the two devices diverge most sharply. The iPhone 17e remains capped at a 60Hz refresh rate, which may feel dated to power users in 2026. However, its Super Retina XDR panel is incredibly color-accurate and bright enough for most outdoor conditions at 1200 nits peak.

The Pixel 10a wins the spec war here with a 120Hz Actua display. It offers much smoother scrolling and animations, and its peak brightness hits a massive 3000 nits. If you consume a lot of media or play games, the Pixel’s smoother and brighter panel provides a clear hardware advantage.

Performance and AI

Under the hood, the iPhone 17e is a powerhouse, packing the same A19 chip found in the standard iPhone 17. Built on a 3nm process, it offers class-leading raw performance and efficiency. It is also the most affordable way to access Apple Intelligence, bringing features like Live Translation and Clean Up to a wider audience.

Google has taken a different route, equipping the Pixel 10a with the Tensor G4 rather than the flagship G5. While it lacks the raw benchmark scores of the A19, the G4 is optimized for Google’s Gemini AI. Features like Gemini Live and Magic Cue run natively, making the Pixel feel like a “smart” companion that anticipates your needs, backed by a staggering 7 years of OS updates.

Camera Comparison

The Apple iPhone 17e features a single 48-megapixel Fusion camera. While it lacks an ultrawide lens, Apple uses sensor cropping to offer an “optical-quality” 2x telephoto mode. Its strength lies in video recording (4K/60fps with Dolby Vision) and consistent natural skin tones.

On the other hand, the Pixel 10a offers a dual-setup with a 48-megapixel main and a 13-megapixel ultrawide sensor. This gives you more versatility for landscape shots. Google’s computational photography remains the gold standard for still images, especially with Night Sight and the new AI-powered editing tools.

Battery and Pricing

The Pixel 10a is a marathon runner with its 5100mAh battery and support for 45W wired charging. The iPhone 17e has a smaller 4005mAh battery, but iOS efficiency ensures it still lasts a full day. Notably, the 17e finally brings MagSafe to Apple’s budget line, a huge win for accessory fans.

In terms of pricing, the Pixel 10a starts at $499 for the 25GB version, while the iPhone 17e starts higher at $599, though Apple has doubled the base storage to 256GB this year.

The Verdict: Ecosystem vs. Value

Choosing between the iPhone 17e and the Pixel 10a ultimately comes down to whether you prioritize a refined, high-performance ecosystem or cutting-edge display and AI features at a lower price point.

The iPhone 17e is the “safe” and powerful choice. It offers the best-in-class A19 chip, ensuring that this phone will remain fast for years to come. If you are already tied to iMessage, iCloud, and Apple Watch, or if video quality is your top priority, the 17e is a massive upgrade over previous budget models. The addition of Apple Intelligence and the jump to 256GB base storage makes the higher price tag much easier to swallow.

On the other hand, the Pixel 10a is the clear winner for tech enthusiasts who want the best hardware for their money. Its 120Hz display makes the iPhone’s 60Hz screen look dated, and the inclusion of an ultrawide lens provides photographic flexibility that Apple’s single-sensor setup simply cannot match. If you want a phone that feels “smarter” with its deeply integrated Gemini AI and you prefer a smoother visual experience, the Pixel 10a is the superior value proposition in 2026.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories

The post Apple iPhone 17e vs. Google Pixel 10a: Which one offers the best value? appeared first on Gizmochina.

Just two weeks after dropping the first Android 17 beta, Google has released the second beta update with a limited-access contacts picker, EyeDropper API, enhanced connectivity, and better cross-device capabilities. The most exciting addition is the new Bubbles feature, which lets users turn any app into a floating bubble.

Android 17 Beta 2: What’s new and what’s changing?

Bubbles make multitasking easier

The new Bubbles feature turns any app into a floating bubble. This is an excellent multitasking feature, allowing users to run multiple floating apps without ever having to leave the full-screen app.

To use this feature, long-press an app icon, and you’ll see a “Bubble” option. That option quickly opens the app in a floating window. Tap it, and the app will shrink into a floating circle that stays at the top. On large-screen devices, there’s a dedicated bubble bar in the taskbar to organize and anchor bubbles.

The previous Pixel Launcher Search bar is back

The Android 17 Beta 1 removed the ring around the search bar and featured a dominant color from the user’s wallpaper. Well, that return in the Beta 2 for the Pixel Launcher, as spotted by Phone Arena. The AI Mode icon is now featured inside the circle towards the end of the search bar.

Redesigned privacy indicators

The Android 17 Beta 2 also brings minor design upgrades to privacy indicators. Earlier, when an app used your phone’s camera, location, and microphone, the icons were visible in the top-right corner, inside a pill-shaped green enclosure. In Beta 2, they are shown in separate circles. Also, the location is shown in blue instead of green.

Small but meaningful upgrades

• Satellite tile in Quick Settings: The Quick Settings in Android 17 Beta 2 features a new “Satellite” tile with the current status.

• System contacts picker: The new system-level contacts picker grants temporary, session-based read access to only the specific data fields selected by the user. It also allows users to choose between personal and work profiles, giving them more control over data sharing.

• System EyeDropper: Beta 2 introduces a new system-level EyeDropper API that allows apps to request a color from any pixel on the display without requiring sensitive screen-capture permissions.

• New “Accounts and backup” menu in Settings: It replaces “Back up or copy data” and “Passwords, passkeys & accounts.”

• SMS and OTP protection: For apps that are not intended as receipts, OTP messages are delayed for three hours. It doesn’t include the default SMS app, assistant apps, and companion apps for connected devices.

This change applies to:

• WebOTP messages
• SMS Retriever format messages
• Standard OTP SMS messages

In addition to these changes, Android 17 Beta 2 includes improvements to connectivity, cross-device connectivity, and more. Plus, it also fixes 16 issues. You can check the complete changelog here.

Devices eligible to receive Android 17 Beta 2

• Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro Fold
• Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 9a
• Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a
• Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a
• Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a
• Pixel Fold
• Pixel Tablet

The second beta of Android 17 is currently rolling out to only Google Pixels.

How to install Android 17 Beta 2 update?

If your Google Pixel is already running Android 17 Beta 1, you can easily install Beta 2 by navigating to Settings > System > Software Updates > System Updates.

If you’re not already part of the beta program, visit google.com/android/beta and “Opt in” on your selected device. Make sure you’re logged into the website with the same Google account. After opting in, you should be able to install the latest beta update on your Google Pixel from the Software Updates section in the Settings app.

Keep in mind that there’s no going back once you install a beta update. If you try to leave the Beta early, you’ll need to perform a full data wipe.

According to the official release timeline, Android 17 will enter the platform stability phase next month, with the stable version expected to be released in Q3 2026. Stay tuned for more updates.

The post Android 17 Beta 2 rolling out with meaningful upgrades: Eligible devices, new features, and more appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google released Android 17 Beta 2, advancing system APIs and developer tools ahead of the stable release expected later this year. The update prioritizes privacy enforcement, cross-device functionality, and input refinements while maintaining Google’s two-SDK release cycle with the major version in Q2.

Windowing and Interface Changes

The Bubbles feature now functions as a complete windowing mode. Users create floating app windows by long-pressing app icons on phones, tablets, and foldables. Large-screen devices receive a bubble bar within the taskbar for organizing and repositioning windows. Developers must implement multi-window guidelines for proper functionality.

A system-level EyeDropper API lets apps sample any screen pixel without requesting screen capture permissions. The new Contacts Picker using ACTION_PICK_CONTACTS grants temporary access to user-selected contact fields only, supporting personal and work profiles while reducing reliance on READ_CONTACTS permission.

Input and Hardware Support

Touchpad pointer capture has been corrected. Previous versions reported absolute finger positions rather than relative movement during capture, causing issues for games and specific applications. Android 17 now processes touchpad input as mouse movement by default. Apps requiring precise finger tracking can enable absolute capture mode.

The getInitialRestingBounds API improves the Interactive Chooser by detecting the share sheet’s final position after animations complete, enabling apps to adjust layouts accordingly.

Cross-Device and Connectivity Features

The Handoff API enables state transfer between devices through CompanionDeviceManager. The system displays handoff suggestions on nearby devices, allowing users to resume tasks. If the destination device lacks the app, the feature falls back to web-based continuation.

Ultra-Wideband DL-TDOA support brings privacy-focused indoor navigation compliant with FiRa 4.0. Wi-Fi Alliance’s Proximity Detection standard improves ranging accuracy over Wi-Fi Aware. Streaming apps access carrier-allocated bandwidth limits via getStreamingAppMaxDownlinkKbps and getStreamingAppMaxUplinkKbps for quality optimization.

Privacy and Security Enforcement

ACCESS_LOCAL_NETWORK becomes a mandatory runtime permission for apps targeting Android 17. Apps must request permission to discover local network devices unless using system pickers. ACTION_TIMEZONE_OFFSET_CHANGED broadcasts notify apps of time zone offset changes during daylight saving transitions.

SMS OTP protection extends to all message formats. Non-recipient apps face a three-hour delay before accessing OTP messages, excluding default SMS apps, assistants, and companion devices. Google recommends migrating to SMS Retriever or User Consent APIs.

Developer Resources

Apps directly accessing neural processing units must declare FEATURE_NEURAL_PROCESSING_UNIT in manifests. Core libraries update to ICU 78 with Unicode 17, adding scripts, characters, emoji blocks, and refined time formatting.

Platform Stability arrives in March, finalizing SDK and NDK APIs. Developers can then target API level 37 and publish test apps before public release. Beta 2 is available over-the-air for supported Pixel devices and through emulator images in Android Studio.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Tech enthusiast? Get the latest news first! Follow our Telegram channel and subscribe to our free newsletter for your daily tech fix!

(Source)

The post Android 17 Beta 2 Launch: Bubbles Windowing Mode, EyeDropper API, and Connectivity Enhancements appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google has announced Nano Banana 2, its latest image generation model under the Gemini family. The update blends advanced creative capabilities with faster processing speeds, aiming to make high-quality visual generation more widely accessible across Google products.

Pro-level intelligence at Flash speed

Nano Banana 2, officially called Gemini 3.1 Flash Image, combines the deeper reasoning abilities of the earlier Pro variant with the responsiveness of Gemini Flash. According to Google, the model draws on real-world knowledge and can reference up-to-date web information to better render specific subjects. This allows users to create detailed infographics, structured diagrams and data-driven visuals with improved contextual accuracy.

Text handling has also been refined. The model can generate clearer, legible text within images, making it suitable for marketing mock-ups and social content. It can also adapt text into different languages directly inside visuals. Google says the gap between speed and image quality has been significantly reduced, resulting in sharper details, improved lighting and richer textures without slowing down generation time.

Nano Banana 2 is being rolled out across the Gemini app, Google Search AI Mode, Lens, AI Studio and the Gemini API in Vertex AI. It is also becoming the default image model in Flow and is integrated into Google Ads for campaign asset suggestions. Subscribers to Google AI Pro and Ultra plans will still be able to access Nano Banana Pro for specialised, high-fidelity tasks.

Google is also strengthening content verification. The company continues to embed SynthID watermarks in AI-generated media and plans to expand C2PA Content Credentials support within the Gemini app. Since its introduction, SynthID verification tools have reportedly been used over 20 million times, reflecting growing interest in identifying AI-generated content.

With Nano Banana 2, Google appears to be focusing on faster output without compromising creative precision, positioning it as a flexible option for everyday creators and professionals alike.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories.

The post Nano Banana 2 launches with Pro features at faster speeds appeared first on Gizmochina.

Just weeks after wrapping up its current lineup with the Pixel 10a, Google may already be testing its new phones. A new Geekbench listing has surfaced, and while nothing is confirmed, it hints at early hardware that could belong to the Pixel 11 series, and more importantly, the next-generation Tensor G6 chip.

The listing is tied to a device called “Google Kodiak.” That name isn’t new. It was previously associated with the Pixel 10 Pro XL. But according to Notebookcheck, this new appearance could point to a Pixel 11 model instead. The reason comes down to the processor configuration.

This could be the Tensor G6 setup

The device in question runs a 7-core Tensor SoC, which is unusual. The Pixel 10 Pro XL uses an octa-core chip. That alone suggests this isn’t simply a re-test of existing hardware. 

The new configuration includes one Arm C1-Ultra core clocked at 4.11GHz, four Arm C1-Pro cores at 3.38GHz, and two additional C1-Pro cores at 2.65GHz. The clock speeds are also higher than what we’ve seen on the Tensor G5.

For comparison, the Pixel 10 Pro XL is powered by an octa-core setup with one Cortex-X4 core at 3.78GHz, five Cortex-A725 cores at 3.05GHz, and two Cortex-A520 cores at 2.25GHz. 

Graphics also differ. The new listing shows a PowerVR C-Series CXTP-48-1536 GPU, while the Pixel 10 Pro XL uses a PowerVR DXT-48-1536.

However, the benchmark scores are nothing to write home about. The phone posted a single-core score of 845 and a multi-core score of 2657. These numbers are extremely low for a modern flagship. It’s possible the chip is missing software optimizations, or that this is very early hardware not meant for performance testing.

Still, it’s worth being cautious. There’s no guarantee this listing is genuine. Benchmark databases are often filled with prototypes, mislabeled devices, and sometimes even fake entries. The Pixel 11 series isn’t expected until summer 2026, and the Tensor G6 hasn’t been announced.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories! 

The post Google Tensor G6 may have appeared early on Geekbench with a 7-core CPU appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google has introduced Gemini 3.1 Pro, the latest version of its advanced AI model. The update delivers significant improvements in reasoning and problem-solving, making it one of the most powerful AI systems available today. The model is now rolling out in preview for developers, enterprises, and consumers, with wider availability expected soon.

Gemini 3.1 Pro focuses on handling complex, multi-step tasks that require advanced reasoning. The model can build interactive experiences, translate creative ideas into functional code, and connect complex APIs with user-friendly interfaces.

It can generate immersive projects such as 3D simulations with real-time interaction, create live data dashboards like ISS orbit visualizations, and turn literary themes into modern web designs.

The model also generates animated SVGs directly from text prompts. These animations are created as code rather than video files, which preserves image quality at any scale while keeping file sizes smaller.

In terms of performance, Gemini 3.1 Pro achieved a score of 77.1% on the ARC-AGI-2 benchmark, which tests abstract reasoning. This result more than doubles the score of its predecessor, Gemini 3 Pro, and outperforms competitors like GPT-5.2 (52.9%) and Opus 4.6 (68.8%). The model also posted strong results on GPQA Diamond, SWE Bench Verified, and BrowseComp, which evaluate scientific reasoning, coding ability, and search-related tasks.

Google is making Gemini 3.1 Pro available through several platforms. Developers can access it via Google AI Studio, Gemini CLI, and Android Studio. Enterprises can use it through Vertex AI and Gemini Enterprise. Consumers can try it on the Gemini app and NotebookLM, with Pro and Ultra subscribers receiving higher usage limits.

Learn more about the model and how to access it with these top five ways to use Gemini 3.1 Pro for free.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories!

The post Google releases Gemini 3.1 Pro, pushing deeper into the AI reasoning race appeared first on Gizmochina.

Gemini 3.1 Pro is the company’s most capable LLM with stronger core reasoning and better performance on complex, multi-step work. It outperforms the best from Anthropic and OpenAI across many benchmarks. Here, I’ll show you the top 5 ways to access Gemini 3.1 Pro for free with all the steps.

How to use Gemini 3.1 Pro for free (5 methods)

1. Google Gemini

This is the easiest and quickest way to test the capabilities of Gemini 3.1 Pro. Simply go to gemini.google.com, choose the “Pro” option, and get things done.

Step 1: Open gemini.google.com on your device.

Step 2: Log in to your Google account (if not logged in).

Step 3: Tap the mode selector and choose “Pro”.

Step 4: Type your prompt and hit Enter.

If you’re using a smartphone, it’s best to download the Google Gemini app from Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iPhone). The steps remain the same.

Please note that the free version of Google Gemini allows only a few messages per day for Gemini 3.1 Pro. That’s best for the testing purpose. However, you can upgrade to the Pro or Ultra plan to increase your limits. Luckily, there are ways to get Google Gemini Pro for free for a year. Comment below if you want a detailed post on that.

2. Google’s Vertex AI platform

Google is offering $300 in free credits to use Google Cloud services, including the Vertex AI platform, which allows us access to Gemini 3.1 Pro, Google Veo, and many other AI tools. Note that free credits are available for 90 days. After which, they expire.

Here’s how to sign up for Google Cloud:

Step 1: Open the Google Cloud trial offer page and tap “Get started for free”.

Step 2: Choose your Google account and your country.

Step 3: Fill in your contact information, then verify a payment method.

[Note: You won’t be charged automatically even after the free trial ends unless you do a manual activation. You can verify the same in the screenshot below.]

Step 4: In your Google Cloud dashboard, tap the menu button and choose “Vertex AI”.

Step 5: Click “Try now” below Vertex AI Studio.

Step 6: Click “Agree & continue” to enable the required APIs for using Vertex AI Studio.

Step 7: Choose “Gemini 3.1 Pro” and start using it.

The $300 free credit gives you very high usage limits to Google’s top AI models for 90 days. You can even create videos, build tools using coding, and do a lot more stuff without paying a penny.

3. Try That LLM

This is an easy and free tool for comparing responses from various LLMs. The platform offers dozens of LLMs to test your prompt, including Gemini 3.1 Pro, Claude Opus 4.6, and ChatGPT 5.2.

This is super easy to use. Just sign up on the website (it takes less than a minute), choose your model, and start using it. The best part is you don’t need to fill in payment details.

Step 1: Go to trythatllm.com and click the “Sign up” button.

Step 2: Fill in basic details to create your account.

Step 3: Verify your email.

Step 4: Tap “New Prompt Group”.

Step 5: Click “Choose an LLM” and select Google > Gemini 3.1 Preview.

Step 6: Click “Confirm LLM + Start Prompting”.

Step 7: Enter your message in the prompt section and click “Confirm Prompt”.

You get 1000 free credits when you create an account. Note that these are one-time credits and are not added every month.

4. Arena AI

Arena AI also lets you compare different LLMs for free. The best part is that you don’t need to sign up on the platform to use Gemini 3.1 Pro or any other LLM. Just open the website, choose your AI model, and start messaging.

Step 1: Go to Arena.ai and make sure side-by-side mode is selected.

Step 2: Tap on the first LLM field.

Step 3: Search for “Gemini 3.1 Pro” and choose the right LLM from.

Step 4: Write your message/prompt in the Ask anything section and enter.

Arena AI is completely free to test LLMs, but it doesn’t offer unlimited responses. The platform provides pretty generous limits, which should be more than enough for small use cases.

5. ChatPlayGround AI

ChatPlayGround AI also offers access to dozens of LLM models, including Gemini 3.1 Pro, Claude Opus 4.6, and ChatGPT 5.2. Unlike Try That LLM and Arena AI, this AI tool lets you use images and PDFs with your message. But what’s the catch here? It doesn’t have a free plan; instead, it offers a 3-day free trial, and for that, you’ll need to link your bank cards.

So, if you only need access to Gemini 3.1 Pro and other LLMs with better capabilities, you can go for the free trial, but make sure to cancel the plan before three days to avoid any charges. Simply go to chatplayground.ai, tap “Sign Up”, and fill in the required details to get started.

Be sure to visit the AI section on Gizmochina regularly for the latest updates.

The post Use Gemini 3.1 Pro for free: Here are the top 5 ways appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google has shared new details about how it is strengthening security across the Android ecosystem, focusing on AI-driven protections, stricter developer policies, and expanded real-time defenses to protect users from malware, fraud, and privacy risks.

In 2025, Google prevented more than 1.75 million apps that violated policies from being published on Google Play. The company also banned over 80,000 developer accounts linked to harmful activity. Google says measures such as developer verification, mandatory pre-review checks, and testing requirements have made it harder for bad actors to enter the platform while helping legitimate developers build compliant apps more easily.

Apps listed on Google Play go through extensive safety reviews. Google runs over 10,000 checks on every app before publication and continues monitoring apps after they are released. During 2025, the company integrated its latest generative AI models into the review process, allowing human reviewers to detect complex malicious patterns faster.

Privacy protection was another major focus. Google prevented more than 255,000 apps from gaining unnecessary access to sensitive user data by enforcing stricter policies. Developer tools such as Play Policy Insights in Android Studio and the Data Safety section helped developers reduce permission requests and meet policy requirements earlier in the development process.

To maintain trust in app ratings, Google blocked 160 million spam reviews and ratings, including attempts to inflate or deflate scores. The company says its protections also prevented an average 0.5-star rating drop for apps targeted by review bombing.

Google Play Protect continues to operate as Android’s main malware defense. It now scans more than 350 billion apps every day, including apps installed from outside Google Play. In 2025, real-time scanning detected over 27 million new malicious apps from external sources. Enhanced fraud protection, now available in 185 markets covering more than 2.8 billion devices, blocked 266 million risky installation attempts linked to 872,000 high-risk apps. Google also introduced in-call scam protection that prevents users from disabling Play Protect during suspicious calls.

For developers, Play Integrity API now supports hardware-backed signals and new tools such as device recall to identify repeat offenders. Android 16 also introduces tapjacking protection that developers can enable with minimal code.

Google says it will continue investing in AI defenses and developer verification programs to strengthen trust across the Android ecosystem.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories.

(Source)

The post Google Bans 80,000 Developer Accounts, Blocks 1.75M Harmful Apps in 2025 appeared first on Gizmochina.

Android 17’s development is progressing faster than we thought, as the first beta is already here, with no developer preview builds. But if you went through the changelog (here), you’d be disappointed to see no significant upgrades. However, the good news is that there are many under-development Android 17 features that will land at some point this year. Those include two useful features that Apple users have been using for years.

1. A native app-lock, finally

Google may finally bring a native app-lock feature to Android 17. While this isn’t officially confirmed yet, instances of it were discovered within the Android framework package. 

So far, Google Pixel users are forced to rely on third-party app lockers, which are fundamentally concerning. While Pixel phones do have a Private Space for securing apps, they don’t work the way app lock does. It offers a separate space to run apps in a separate user profile, which can be good for apps you rarely open, but a headache for apps you open daily.

Apple felt the need for it a long time ago and introduced native app lock support with iOS 18 in 2024. Major Android brands, including Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, and OnePlus, have also integrated it into their custom skins. Still, a native integration into Android OS is always the best route, especially for Pixel owners. 

2. Universal clipboard enabling seamless copy-paste

Android has a built-in clipboard feature that stores clipboard content, so you can easily paste it into your favorite apps, but the clipboard contents are not synced across your Android devices. This means you can’t paste the copied content from your phone onto another Android phone, PC, or tablet. That could change soon with the Universal Clipboard feature in Android 17.

This upcoming feature was spotted in an Android beta and Canary releases in November, and is expected to arrive as part of Android 17. This will work similarly to the Universal Clipboard on Apple devices, introduced back in September 2016, which allows users to copy text or media on one device and paste it instantly onto another.

A native app locker and a universal clipboard are two of the most useful features we are looking forward to in Android 17. One feature adds an extra layer of security to your apps, and the other strengthens the Android ecosystem.

Google appears to be following last year’s release pattern. Therefore, the first Android 17 release was always going to be developer-focused, laying the groundwork for significant upgrades and new features in Android 17 QPR1, which would be released around August or September 2026, along with the Pixel 11.

We’ll continue to publish the latest stories around the same topic in our Android 17 section. You can also join our Telegram channel to get instant notifications about the latest happenings in tech.

The post These Android 17 best features have been on Apple devices for years appeared first on Gizmochina.

A few months after the first leaks started circulating, the Google Pixel 10a is finally official. And if you’ve been following the rumors, there aren’t many surprises. The specs are familiar, but it does tighten a few screws and leans even harder on software to make its case.

The Pixel 10a keeps the same 6.3-inch Actua display as before, but Google has slightly increased peak brightness to 3,000 nits, up from 2,700 nits on the Pixel 9a. The phone also retains its IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

One of the more practical upgrades comes in the form of new screen protection. The Pixel 10a now uses Gorilla Glass 7i instead of Gorilla Glass 3. According to Google, the new Glass can survive drops from up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) and is more scratch-resistant than before.

As a Google phone, the software is the big talk for the Pixel 10a. It comes pre-installed with Android 16 out of the box and is promised seven years of software updates. It also comes with suites of AI features, from Gemini Assistant to Gemini Live. 

The hardware powering it, however, remains the same. The Pixel 10a runs on the same Tensor G4 chipset as the Pixel 9a. Even the RAM and storage are the same at 8GB and 128GB or 256GB, respectively. 

The Pixel 10a also retains the camera setup. It has a 48MP main rear lens with a 13-megapixel ultra-wide and a 13MP selfie camera. New here are the AI-features like Camera Coach, Auto Best Take, and Add Me. 

Google Pixel 10a vs Pixel 9a: What’s different?

The difference for Pixel 10a comes on the design side. Its back is now made of 81% recycled plastic. Google has also introduced a new Pixel 10a Case made from 36 percent recycled plastic, color-matched to the phone. Neither the device nor the case includes built-in magnets.

Google also says the Pixel 10a uses more recycled materials than any previous Pixel a-series phone. It’s the first in the lineup to include recycled cobalt, copper, gold, and tungsten, making up at least 36 percent of the product by weight. The aluminum frame is made from 100 percent recycled material, and the packaging is completely plastic-free.

You can get the Google Pixel 10a in Fog, Obsidian, Berry, and Lavender. Its price starts at Rs 50,000 (8/128GB) in India, and at $499 in the US. Pre-order starts today, while it will go on open sale starting March 5. 

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories.

(Source)

The post Google Pixel 10a launches with Tensor G5 and more recycled materials appeared first on Gizmochina.

Smartwatches have evolved beyond simple fitness trackers, becoming versatile devices for health monitoring, productivity, and style. Android users now have a range of options that cater to different needs, from fitness enthusiasts to tech-savvy professionals.

Although a new wave of 2026 smartwatches is still on the way, many of the models that launched through 2025 are already defining the Android smartwatch experience in 2026. Competition has only gotten tighter with the latest releases, so here is our roundup of the best smartwatches for Android users right now.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and 8 Classic

Samsung leads the Android smartwatch market with the Galaxy Watch 8 and 8 Classic. The Galaxy Watch 8 comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes, while the Classic model features a 46mm case with a rotating bezel for a more traditional look. Both watches run Wear OS 6 with One UI 8 Watch on top and integrate seamlessly with Android devices.

Samsung designed the Galaxy Watch 8 series with a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, ensuring excellent visibility in outdoor conditions. The lineup uses the new Dynamic Lug system, a redesigned one-click mechanism that makes swapping bands faster while improving comfort and stability.

The watches offer features like vascular load monitoring, AI-powered energy scores, and advanced sleep tracking. Samsung also redesigned the internal structure, making the Galaxy Watch 8 thinner and lighter than previous models.

Best for: Android users who want the best of Google and Samsung in one package.

Google Pixel Watch 4

The Pixel Watch 4 runs on Wear OS 6 and uses the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chip, delivering faster performance and better battery life. The watch is available in 41mm and 45mm sizes, with vibrant Actua 360 domed displays that reach a peak brightness of 3,000 nits.

Google included a Readiness Score feature, which combines heart rate variability and daily activity to provide personalized insights. The Cardio Load metric tracks the strain on the cardiovascular system throughout the day. The watch supports over 40 workout modes and integrates with the Gemini assistant for hands-free tasks like messaging and navigation.

Best for: Google users who rely on Assistant, Gmail, Maps, and YouTube Music.

OnePlus Watch 3

The OnePlus Watch 3 suits people who prioritize a sharp, bright display and durability that can handle daily wear. It features a 1.5 inch LTPO AMOLED screen that peaks at 2,200 nits, plus a rotating crown that makes navigation feel more natural. The watch also supports 5ATM water resistance rated for 50 meters and carries an IP68 rating, while MIL-STD-810H certification adds an extra layer of rugged, military-grade durability.

OnePlus equipped the Watch 3 with advanced health sensors, including an eight-channel heart rate sensor, a 16-channel blood oxygen sensor, and a wrist temperature monitor. The 60-second health check-in feature gives a quick overview of vital metrics. The watch offers up to 120 hours of battery life in Smart Mode and supports fast VOOC charging for all-day use with just 10 minutes of charging.

Best for: Fashion-forward users who want serious stamina without sacrificing smarts.

Xiaomi Watch 5

Xiaomi continues to expand its wearable lineup with the Watch 5, currently limited to the Chinese market. It features a 1.54-inch AMOLED display with 1500 nits brightness, stainless steel casing, and sapphire glass. Straps range from titanium to fluororubber and leather. Xiaomi included over 150 sports modes, along with 80+ gym-based courses that provide animated 3D guidance.

The Watch 5 offers a one-touch health scan that monitors eight key indicators, including heart rate, stress, and sleep quality. The watch also supports full-color offline maps for outdoor activities like hiking and trail running. Its 930mAh battery powers the watch for up to 18 days in power-saving mode.

Best for: Tech-savvy users who don’t mind importing greatness.

Amazfit Balance 2

Amazfit expanded its smartwatch lineup with the Balance 2, a device that combines durability and advanced health features. The watch has a 1.5-inch AMOLED display with scratch-resistant Sapphire glass and is water-resistant up to 10 ATM. Amazfit includes 170 sports modes, making it suitable for a wide range of fitness activities.

The BioCharge Score provides real-time energy insights by analyzing sleep, stress, and activity levels. The watch also supports HYROX training modes, which include interval planning and recovery tools. With a battery life of up to 21 days, the Balance 2 offers reliability for long-term use.

When paired with the Helio Strap, Amazfit creates a dual-device system that enhances heart rate tracking and fatigue analysis. The Zepp App syncs data from both devices without requiring a subscription.

Best for: Athletes, triathletes, and tracker nerds who want deep insights and no daily charging.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra

Samsung designed the Galaxy Watch Ultra for outdoor enthusiasts and extreme sports users. The watch features a Grade 4 Titanium frame and 10 ATM water resistance, allowing it to withstand harsh conditions. Samsung included dual-frequency GPS for accurate tracking and AI-powered metrics like Functional Threshold Power (FTP) for cyclists.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra has a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, ensuring excellent readability in all environments. The watch offers the longest battery life in Samsung’s lineup, with up to 100 hours in Power Saving mode.

Best for: Extreme athletes and outdoor explorers who need rugged reliability.

Garmin Venu 4

Garmin released the Venu 4 as a versatile smartwatch that balances stylish design with advanced health and fitness tracking. The watch comes in 41mm and 45mm sizes and features bright AMOLED displays. Garmin included over 25 activity modes and adaptive coaching through the Garmin Fitness Coach.

The Venu 4 tracks HRV, Pulse Ox, and sleep metrics, providing detailed insights into recovery and stress levels. Garmin added accessibility features like a spoken watch face and color filters for users with color blindness. The watch also includes a built-in LED flashlight and offers up to 12 days of battery life in smartwatch mode.

Best for: Health-focused folks and accessibility-conscious users looking for style and substance.

In related news, you can also read our latest roundup of the best magnetic power banks in 2026.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories!

The post The Best Smartwatches for Android in 2026 appeared first on Gizmochina.

Just three days ago, Google confirmed that Android 17 Beta 1 is coming, and now it’s here. We weren’t expecting the first beta to be released so quickly, but it’s here with improvements to privacy, security, and performance. There are some significant changes as well, which we’ll discuss in the article, along with the eligible devices list and installation steps.

Which devices are eligible for Android 17 beta?

Google Pixels are the first in line to receive the latest beta update, and this year is no different. For now, Android 17 Beta 1 is available for Google Pixels, and it will soon be available on devices from other brands.

So, here’s a list of Google Pixel devices eligible for Android 17 beta:

• Pixel 6
• Pixel 6 Pro
• Pixel 6a
• Pixel 7
• Pixel 7 Pro
• Pixel 7a
• Pixel Tablet
• Pixel Fold
• Pixel 8
• Pixel 8 Pro
• Pixel 8a
• Pixel 9
• Pixel 9 Pro
• Pixel 9 Pro XL
• Pixel 9 Pro Fold
• Pixel 9a
• Pixel 10
• Pixel 10 Pro
• Pixel 10 Pro XL
• Pixel 10 Pro Fold

In short, if you have a Pixel 6 or older, you can install the Android 17 Beta 1 build and get a taste of the latest features and all the upgrades without waiting months for the stable rollout.

How to install Android 17 Beta 1 on Google Pixels?

If your Google Pixel is running Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2.1 and you haven’t exited the beta program, you should automatically receive the Android 17 Beta 1 update. The update should be available at Settings > System > Software Updates > System Updates. Other users should follow the process as mentioned below.

If you’re not already part of the beta program, visit google.com/android/beta and “Opt in” on your selected device. Make sure you’re logged into the website with the same Google account. After opting in, you should be able to install the latest beta update on your Google Pixel from the Software Updates section in the Settings app.

Before installing any beta update, it’s advised to back up important data to another device or a cloud storage for added safety.

Android 17 Beta 1: What’s new and what’s improved?

The first beta of Android 17 is mostly developer-focused and marks the transition from the traditional “Developer Preview” model to a continuous “Android Canary” program. The Canary channel offers faster access to features and APIs, quicker stability, and eliminates the need for manual flashing.

As for the changes, the first beta enforces stricter requirements for app behaviour on large-screen devices (smallest width ≥ 600dp), preventing apps from opting out of resizability and orientation changes. These changes do not affect smaller devices (sw < 600dp).

Furthermore, apps running on larger screens, such as tablets, foldables, or desktop windowing environments, must now support landscape and portrait layouts and adapt to resizable windows.

Android 17 introduces several low-level changes to improve app efficiency and system health, including a Lock-free MessageQueue to reduce missed frames, Generational Garbage Collection to reduce the CPU cost and duration of full-heap collections, and Strict “Static Final” Fields to allow the runtime to apply more aggressive performance optimizations.

The update also includes important camera upgrades, including Dynamic Camera Sessions to enable seamless transitions between modes, Constant Quality Recording for extended control, and Versatile Video Coding (VVC) on devices with supported hardware.

Additionally, the latest beta build includes an improved audio framework, enhanced VoIP call history (supporting avatars and privacy controls), and Wi-Fi Ranging updates (Proximity Detection and 11az secure ranging). The CompanionDeviceManager now features two new profiles, Medical Devices and Fitness Trackers, for streamlined permission handling and device identification.

According to the official timeline, the “Platform Stability” phase begins next month. At this point, SDK/NDK APIs and app-facing behaviors will be finalized. The stable release could arrive sometime in Q3 2026.

We’ll continue to update you with fresh developmenets in our Android 17 section. You can visit it regularly for the latest updates. Or, join our Telegram channel to get instant notifications about the latest happenings in tech.

The post Android 17 Beta 1 is here: How to install, eligible devices, and new features appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google Pixel 10a’s full specifications have surfaced online ahead of its expected launch next week. The leak gives a clearer picture of the upcoming budget Pixel, highlighting minor refinements rather than major design changes. Here is everything revealed so far about the device and how it differs from its predecessor.

Google Pixel 10a full specifications

According to Winfuture.de, the Google Pixel 10a is expected to feature a 6.3-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 2424 x 1080 pixels. The panel is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, indicating improved durability compared to previous models. The overall design of the Pixel 10a is almost the same as its previous generation.

The device is said to be powered by the Google Tensor G4 processor paired with the Titan M2 security chip. It may arrive with 8GB LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 3.1 storage options of 128GB and 256GB, without microSD expansion. A 5,100mAh battery is expected, now supporting faster wired charging speeds up to 45W, along with wireless charging support.

In terms of cameras, the Pixel 10a is tipped to retain a 48-megapixel primary camera with dual-pixel autofocus and optical image stabilisation, alongside a 13-megapixel ultrawide camera offering a 120-degree field of view. A 13-megapixel front camera is also expected for selfies and video calls.

The Pixel 10a is expected to ship with Android 16 and will receive up to seven years of software and security updates. Its other features include an in-screen fingerprint sensor, an IP68-rated dust and water-resistant body, dual speakers, Bluetooth 6, Wi-Fi 6e, dual SIM support including eSIM, NFC, USB Type-C, satellite emergency calling, and multiple navigation systems such as GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, QZSS, and BeiDou.

5 key changes compared to Pixel 9a

While the overall hardware appears familiar, five notable changes separate the Pixel 10a from the Pixel 9a:

• Gorilla Glass 7i protection | Pixel 9a had Gorilla Glass 3
• 45W wired charging support | Pixel 9a supported 23W charging
• Satellite emergency call feature added | Not available on Pixel 9a
• Bluetooth 6 support | Pixel 9a featured Bluetooth 5.4
• New colour options: Obsidian, Fog, Lavender, Berry | Pixel 9a came in Obsidian, Porcelain, Iris, Peony

Also, the Pixel 10a measures 153.9 x 73 x 9 mm and weighs 183 grams. In comparison, the Pixel 9a has 154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9 mm dimensions and weighs 186 grams.

Google Pixel 10a variants, price and launch timeline

The report suggests that the Google Pixel 10a will be available in two storage variants: 128GB and 256GB. Pricing is expected to start at €499, with reports indicating a promotional offer where the 256GB version may initially be available at the same price as the base model instead of its regular €599 cost. It will be available for purchase across different markets starting Feb. 18.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories.

The post Google Pixel 10a full specifications leaked; Here are 5 major changes appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google has just released Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2.1 to Google Pixels, and that would be the final release based on the current OS. The company has now officially confirmed that it’s working on Android 17 and that the first beta build will be released soon.

Android 17 Beta 1 releasing soon

The first public beta of Android 17 will be released soon, says Google. Notably, this won’t be a Developer Preview build. If you’ve followed the development cycles for an upcoming Android OS in the past, you’d know that first builds are generally labelled Developer Preview builds (Android 16 had two of them), and then beta builds are released, but that’s changing this year with Android 17.

Google says Android 17 Beta 1 “builds on top of Android 16 QPR platform release and includes the latest bug fixes and improvements to stability and performance.” Past leaks suggest several new features and improved gaming capabilities are coming to the upcoming Android OS, among many other improvements. We’ll learn more about the changes once the first beta build goes live, which could arrive as early as this month or next month, while the stable build of Android 17 should land around June 2026.

Google Pixel users will have the first bite, as always. Those currently on Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2.1 and choose to remain enrolled in the Android Beta Program will automatically receive the Android 17 Beta 1 update. If they don’t want to receive the beta update, they must opt out of the beta program.

As for the other brands, the Android 17 beta update may arrive on select devices a few weeks after it is released to Google Pixels. We’ll continue to track the development and update you on the same in our Android 17 section. Remember to visit the section regularly for the latest updates. Or, join our Telegram channel to get instant notifications about the latest happenings in tech.

The post Android 17 beta is coming soon, confirms Google appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google has officially confirmed the pre-order date for the upcoming Pixel 10a, giving fans a clearer look at when they’ll be able to reserve the next affordable Pixel smartphone. The reveal also arrives just ahead of the official launch of the Pixel 10a. So here are all the details.

Google Pixel 10a Pre-Orders Details

According to announcements on the Google Store and official teasers, pre-orders will begin on 18th February 2026 across the globe, including the Indian market. This reveal arrives weeks ahead of the Pixel 10a’s launch, with the company’s official teasers also offering us a glimpse of the new mid range Pixel phone. In teaser visuals posted by Google, the Pixel 10a’s design appears identical to the Pixel 9a.

But the company freshen things up with the introduction of new colorways. These early teaser ports showcase the device with a blue-toned finish that blends Iris-like and Indigo highlights, along with reports suggesting additional shades like Obsidian, Berry, Fog and Lavender. You can see the rumored 48MP + 13MP dual camera module on the rear, while the front could house a compact 6.285-inch OLED display with an FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate.

Under the hood, it is expected to be equipped with the Tensor G4 chipset that may be coupled with 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage. A sizeable 5,100mAh battery pack powers this model, which will likely only offer a modest fast charging speed. Out of the box, this model should run on the Android 16 OS out of the box with Pixel UI and robust software support, with up to 7 years of updates.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Don’t miss a thing! Join our Telegram community for instant updates and grab our free daily newsletter for the best tech stories!

The post Google Reveals Pixel 10a’s Pre-Order Date Ahead of Launch: Here’s what it offers appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google is exploring new options to allow websites and publishers to opt out of having their content used in AI Overviews. The move comes after the UK government urged the company to provide more control to content creators, citing growing concerns about fair usage and declining traffic to news sites.

UK regulators demand more control for publishers

According to a Reuters report, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened a formal consultation on how Google manages content across its AI-powered features. The regulator wants the company to let websites opt out of having their material scraped for AI-generated summaries or used to train separate AI models like Gemini.

In a blog post published on Thursday, Google confirmed that it is working on updates that would enable websites to exclude their content from Search generative AI features. The company said it aims to protect the usefulness of Search while also giving publishers the tools to manage how their content appears across AI products.

Google introduced AI Overviews in mid-2024. The feature uses generative AI to provide quick answers at the top of search results. However, publishers have not had any mechanism to opt out of these summaries, which has led to significant drops in click-through traffic.

The CMA stated that Google holds more than 90% of the UK’s search market. It warned that this dominance could distort competition and harm news organizations that rely on visibility in search.

Google said any new opt-out control must be scalable and not create a fragmented or confusing experience for users. The company also pointed to existing tools like robots.txt and Google-Extended, but acknowledged that further updates are needed.

The CMA will spend the next year reviewing the consultation. Google said it hopes to work with publishers and regulators to find a solution that benefits both users and content creators.

In related news, you can also read our recent article exploring whether smartphones have truly reached peak innovation or if progress is now happening behind the scenes.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories!

The post Google may let websites opt out of AI Overviews after UK pressure appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google may soon expand the color lineup of its Pixel Buds 2a. Android Headlines has published official-looking renders showing the earbuds in two new color options, which are expected to be added alongside the existing Hazel and Iris variants. The Pixel Buds 2a have been available in those two colors since their launch in August last year.

While Google has not confirmed the official names, the new shades are expected to align with the rumored Pixel 9a color palette. These are likely to be called Fog and Berry. Visually, the Fog option appears as a light gray finish, while Berry is a soft pink tone. The pink version closely resembles the Peony color seen on recent Pixel devices and is clearly aimed at users who want a more eye-catching look.

Aside from color, nothing else has changed. The Pixel Buds 2a keep the same design and hardware. The charging case remains white on the outside for both new colors, while the interior matches the earbuds themselves, similar to the existing variants.

The Pixel Buds 2a are designed using data from over 45 million ear scans to improve comfort and fit. The earbuds carry an IP54 rating for sweat and water resistance, while the charging case is rated IPX4. Connectivity is handled via Bluetooth 5.4 with Super Wideband support, which improves call quality and connection stability.

Powering the earbuds is the Google Tensor A1 chip, paired with 11 mm dynamic drivers. Features include Active Noise Cancellation with Silent Seal 1.5, Transparency mode, active in-ear pressure relief, stereo spatial audio, and a 5-band equalizer. Voice calls benefit from a wind-blocking mesh and Google AI-powered noise reduction.

Battery life is rated at up to 7 hours with ANC on and up to 20 hours with the charging case. With ANC disabled, usage increases to 10 hours on the earbuds and 27 hours with the case. A 5-minute quick charge provides up to one hour of playback. Charging is done via USB-C, and the case includes a replaceable battery.

Additional features include hands-free Gemini access, tap controls, Pixel-Perfect Pairing, multipoint switching, and Find Hub support. Each earbud includes two microphones, infrared in-ear detection, and capacitive touch controls.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories!

(Source)

The post Google Pixel Buds 2a Fog and Berry Color Options Leak Ahead of Launch appeared first on Gizmochina.

Apple has confirmed a long-term collaboration with Google that will influence the next phase of Apple Intelligence. While the announcement has sparked strong reactions online, the partnership is focused on improving Apple’s AI foundation rather than changing how iPhones work for users. At first glance, nothing appears different on the surface, but the agreement plays an important role in Apple’s AI roadmap.

Apple and Google collaboration explained

Apple has revealed that future Apple Foundation Models will be built using Google’s Gemini models and cloud infrastructure as a training base. This does not mean Gemini will run on iPhones or replace Siri. Instead, Gemini is being licensed as a learning and development tool to strengthen Apple’s own models. Apple Intelligence will continue to function through on-device processing and Apple’s Private Cloud Compute, maintaining its existing privacy framework.

According to reports, Apple evaluated several AI technologies before choosing Gemini, concluding that it currently offers the most capable base for large-scale model training. As part of the deal, Apple is reportedly paying Google around $1 billion annually. Despite this, Apple retains full control over how its AI systems are deployed, and no user data is shared with Google during normal usage.

A major concern among users has been the belief that Siri will now be powered by Google or that personal data will flow to Google servers. Both Apple and Google have clarified that this is not the case. Siri and Apple Intelligence will still rely on Apple Foundation Models, running either locally on devices or on Apple-controlled servers.

This partnership is also seen as a temporary acceleration step. Apple is reportedly developing its own trillion-parameter AI model, expected around 2027. Even after that, Gemini may continue to be used for comparison and reinforcement during training. Similar to how Apple once depended on Google Maps before launching Apple Maps, this collaboration fills a strategic gap without changing the user experience.

For users, the outcome is simple. Apple Intelligence remains Apple-built, privacy-focused, and tightly integrated into iOS. The collaboration strengthens Apple’s AI capabilities without compromising its core principles.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories.

The post Apple confirms Google Gemini role in Apple Intelligence, here’s the real story appeared first on Gizmochina.

Smartphones in 2025 aren’t just about camera counts or silicon speeds. They’re about intelligence, fluidity, and seamless integration. The top Android skins of the year have evolved into intelligent platforms that personalize, predict, and adapt.

Three software experiences stand out: One UI 8, OxygenOS 16, and Pixel UI on Android 16. Each one reflects a different vision of what the future of mobile software looks like.

One UI 8

Samsung’s One UI 8 didn’t arrive with a visual overhaul, but that was never the point. Instead, it focused on making smartphones genuinely smarter. Powered by multimodal AI, One UI 8 combines visual, auditory, and contextual intelligence to understand what you’re doing and respond accordingly. Features like Gemini Live (now available even on the Flip’s cover screen) let users interact with AI that sees what they see in real time.

The new Circle to Search can fetch in-game help or object info with a simple gesture, and AI Results View keeps your screen clutter-free while you multitask. Tools like Audio Eraser, Call Captions, and Portrait Studio show how AI can clean audio, translate calls, and generate pet portraits all on-device.

But One UI 8 doesn’t stop at intelligence. Animations are smoother, layouts adjust fluidly between phones and tablets, and Quick Share and Reminder apps get smarter. The security upgrades are equally impressive, with Knox Keep, Knox Matrix, and post-quantum cryptography support.

Even better, the One UI 8.5 beta adds deep creative tools like Photo Assist with edit history, Auracast-powered Audio Broadcast, and theft-protection locks. Samsung’s ecosystem feels more connected and secure than ever.

OxygenOS 16

OnePlus took a bold step by embedding Google Gemini deep within its latest OxygenOS 16 update. This isn’t just a voice assistant bolted on. It’s a contextual co-pilot. Through Plus Mind, users can collect and organize anything, locations, posts, schedules, then ask Gemini to summarize, group, or build plans using real-time data.

The AI stack gets deeper with AI Writer (offering tone-based text suggestions), AI Scan (a smarter camera-based document scanner), and AI Recorder (real-time transcription with speaker ID). Photography fans get AI relighting and eye-correction tools, while Party Up creates short videos from static images.

OxygenOS 16 also shines in polish. Parallel Processing 2.0 and Flow Motion animations remove lag during multitasking. The design language called Breath with You brings in light blur effects and motion-responsive weather themes. The redesigned lock screen supports live wallpapers, depth effects, and interactive widgets.

The update builds ecosystem bridges too, with O+ Connect syncing Androids with Windows, Mac, and even iPhones. Integration with Apple Watch is a surprise twist and it works.

Pixel UI

Google’s Android 16 takes a quieter, more considered path rather than chasing headline-grabbing changes. The most visible update comes through Material 3 Expressive, which introduces resizable quick toggles, haptic sliders, and a dual shade layout that separates notifications from quick settings. The result feels more fluid and easier to manage during everyday use.

AI plays a practical role by tackling notification overload. Android 16 adds AI summaries and a smarter notification organizer that tones down promotional clutter while highlighting messages that actually matter. The lock screen also gains more character through live effects, retro-inspired clock styles, and dynamic weather visuals that respond to real conditions.

Pixel UI continues to lean heavily into photography, backed by Tensor-powered, on-device AI. Features such as Magic Eraser, Best Take, Magic Editor, and Video Boost focus on making advanced photo and video edits feel fast and accessible, while keeping most processing local for better privacy.

Privacy remains a core theme across the update. Tools like Privacy Sandbox, Advanced Protection Mode, and Photo Picker with Cloud Support underline Google’s push toward a privacy-first Android experience, even as AI becomes more deeply integrated.

The recent Android 16 QPR2 update also delivers a noticeable performance boost on Pixel devices. Real-world tasks and graphics see clear improvements, while CPU gains remain modest. These gains likely stem from deeper system-level optimizations, including better memory management, rather than raw hardware changes.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories!

The post GizmoChina’s Best of 2025: Smartphone Software appeared first on Gizmochina.

Some Google Pixel users are growing increasingly frustrated with the company’s aggressive push to integrate AI features across its phones, with complaints suggesting that the experience now feels more cluttered than helpful.

Recent Reddit discussions show Pixel owners questioning whether Google’s AI-first direction is starting to undermine the clean, simple Android experience the lineup was once known for.

The discussion gained traction after a Reddit user, JxK_1, shared concerns about what they described as unnecessary layers of complexity added through AI tools. The user said they preferred using an older Pixel 7, citing its simpler interface and fewer interruptions.

Several complaints focus on day-to-day usability. The Reddit user mentioned full-screen AI overlays appearing when tapping the Google search bar, as well as added steps when editing screenshots. Tasks that were previously one-tap actions now require digging through menus or tapping additional options labeled “more.”

Others echoed similar frustrations. One user pointed out that translating a screenshot, once available through a dedicated button, now involves opening a menu, selecting Google Lens, and locating a small icon. Some commenters suggested disabling AI features where possible, while others said they had considered switching to custom ROMs such as GrapheneOS.

Not all feedback is negative, though. Some Pixel owners defended features like Magic Eraser and AI-powered search, saying they remain genuinely useful. Still, critics argue that these tools demand more system resources, especially RAM.

The debate highlights a familiar challenge for Google: balancing innovation with familiarity and ease of use. As the company continues to lean heavily into AI, some longtime Pixel users say they simply want more control over which features are enabled—and which ones stay out of the way.

Don’t miss a thing! Join our Telegram community for instant updates and grab our free daily newsletter for the best tech stories!

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

(Sources: 1, 2)

The post Google’s AI-heavy approach to Pixel phones draws criticism appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google Pixel users testing Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 are reporting a severe camera-related bug that affects the focusing mechanism. As a result, it makes it impossible to take clear photos in high-resolution photo modes. The issue reportedly appears after installing the build CP11.251114.006.

According to user reports shared on platforms like Reddit and Google’s issue tracker, the camera lens begins to physically vibrate when the phone attempts to focus. This results in shaky behaviour and blurry images.

The problem seems to occur when shooting in 50-megapixel mode using the main or ultrawide cameras. In regular 12-megapixel mode, the camera works as expected. Users say the issue shows up even in good lighting conditions and can happen during tap-to-focus or manual focusing.

Several affected users have described the phone vibrating noticeably. Reports suggest the bug may be linked to how the camera software handles high-resolution image processing in the current beta build.

At the moment, there is no permanent fix. Common steps like clearing the camera app cache or reinstalling updates do not resolve the problem, as it seems to be tied to the system itself. For now, affected users can avoid the “shaky” camera glitch by avoiding the high-resolution mode altogether.

Google has acknowledged multiple reports and is likely working on a fix that can be expected in a future beta update or a minor patch — though there is no confirmed timeline yet.

Interestingly, the upgraded 50MP ultrawide of the Galaxy S25 Ultra faced the same issue earlier this year.

Don’t miss a thing! Join our Telegram community for instant updates and grab our free daily newsletter for the best tech stories!

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

(Sources: 1, 2)

The post Pixel phones hit by severe camera shake bug after Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 update appeared first on Gizmochina.

The Gemini 3 Flash has been officially introduced by Google as the latest addition to its AI model lineup. Designed to improve speed and efficiency, the new model signals a shift in how Google wants everyday users and developers to interact with Gemini. Here’s a look at what the latest model offers.

Gemini 3 Flash focuses on speed without losing intelligence

Google positions Gemini 3 Flash as a faster alternative that still retains the advanced reasoning, multimodal understanding, and tool-handling capabilities seen in Gemini 3 Pro. According to the company, the new model surpasses Gemini 2.5 Flash across benchmarks and outperforms Gemini 2.5 Pro in several areas, while remaining significantly quicker and more cost-efficient. In some evaluations, Gemini 3 Flash performs on par with Gemini 3 Pro and even exceeds it in tasks involving multimodal reasoning, workflow execution, and long-horizon tool use.

For developers, this means stronger support for demanding use cases such as video analysis, data extraction, visual question answering, and agent-driven software tasks. Google also highlights that Gemini 3 Flash delivers these gains while being lighter on computing resources, making it a practical option for large-scale deployment and real-time applications.

Gemini 3 Flash is now rolling out as the default model in the Gemini app, replacing Gemini 2.5 Flash. Users can access it through two modes, one optimised for quick responses and another designed for more complex problem-solving. Gemini 3 Pro remains available as a separate option for advanced mathematics and coding tasks.

The model is also becoming the default engine for AI Mode in Google Search globally, enabling more nuanced queries and context-aware responses. In the US, users can additionally access Gemini 3 Pro and advanced image-generation tools through AI Mode. For developers, Gemini 3 Flash is available in preview via Google AI Studio, Gemini CLI, Android Studio, and other platforms, marking one of Google’s fastest AI rollouts to date.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories.

The post Gemini 3 Flash is now Google’s default AI, and it’s all about speed appeared first on Gizmochina.

Ever wanted to pair your smartphone’s processing power with a larger screen for a more PC-like multitasking setup? Most recent flagship phones are powerful enough for this, and some — like Samsung‘s Galaxy flagships and Google‘s newer Pixel flagships — even include dedicated desktop-style software.

You still need the basics, though: a keyboard, trackpad, ports, speakers, and a battery. That’s where NexDock comes in. The company has been working on lapdocks for nearly a decade, and its latest model, the NexDock 6, is now officially in stock and shipping worldwide. According to the brand, it is designed to work with both smartphones and gaming handhelds.

A much-improved display and trackpad

The biggest upgrade comes in the display. The NexDock 6 features a 14-inch WUXGA (1920 × 1200) touchscreen with a 16:10 aspect ratio. It’s rated for up to 400 nits of brightness, covers 100% of the sRGB color space, and includes a low blue light coating.

The trackpad has also been reworked from the ground up, addressing one of the weaker points of earlier models. According to the company, the new trackpad offers improved responsiveness, better palm rejection, and more reliable multi-finger gesture support across Android desktop modes, Windows, Linux, and SteamOS.

Audio has seen a modest upgrade as well, with dual 2W bottom-firing speakers. Battery capacity is rated at 38Wh, with NexDock claiming around six to seven hours of “real-world use” at medium brightness. The USB-C video port can charge a connected device at up to 5V/2A, up from 5V/1A on the previous generation, meaning your phone can actually gain charge while you’re using it.

The NexDock 6 is priced at $229, with shipping, taxes, and duties included for supported regions. Orders ship from Hong Kong to more than 30 countries, including the US, much of Europe, Asia, and Oceania. NexDock says local US inventory is expected to arrive in early 2026.

Don’t miss a thing! Join our Telegram community for instant updates and grab our free daily newsletter for the best tech stories!

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

The post NexDock’s latest lapdock is a full-fledged laptop without a processor appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google is building Health Connect into something much bigger than a fitness tracker. As per a new report from Mishaal Rehman (via Android Authority), the company is adding medical records and symptom tracking in upcoming Android versions, trying to catch up to Apple Health’s ten-year head start.

Health Connect launched in 2022 to fix Android’s messy health data problem. Before this, fitness apps kept their own data, and users had to manage permissions separately for each one. Health Connect creates a single place where apps can read and write health data after users grant permission. It started with about 40 data types for fitness and wellness.

Google’s November Android Canary release show where Google is headed. Upcoming Android 16 versions will added support for medical records like allergies, vaccinations, and lab results. It also added yoga and meditation sessions. Android 16 QPR2 brought native step tracking. This is the first time Google collected health data directly instead of pulling it from other apps.

Google won’t share user numbers, but Health Connect now comes preinstalled on most phones running Android 14 or newer. Hundreds of apps have added support, including Fitbit, Samsung Health, Google Fit, Nike Run Club, MyFitnessPal, Oura, and Peloton. Developers like it because it cuts down their work and meets Android’s privacy rules.

The interface is getting simpler. As per findings by Rahman, Android Canary builds show a redesigned settings page that lists connected apps first instead of recent data access. Users can now grant or block entire categories of data instead of toggling each type individually. Google removed icons and separate browsing pages, putting everything on one screen.

Google is preparing to add alcohol tracking and a long list of symptoms: different pain types, digestive problems, breathing issues, sleep troubles, and heart symptoms. With medical record support already live, Health Connect is becoming a full health data system, not just a fitness tool.

Apple Health still leads by a wide margin. It’s been on every iPhone for over a decade and works closely with Apple Watch, hospitals, and insurance companies. Samsung Health and Fitbit are still popular, but both now use Health Connect to share data with other apps.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Don’t miss a thing! Join our Telegram community for instant updates and grab our free daily newsletter for the best tech stories!

(Source: Android Authority)

The post Health Connect on Android Is Testing Alcohol Intake Tracking and Medical Records Support appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google’s Pixel phones are known for offering a stock Android experience and using Google’s own Tensor G-series processors. However, their performance has historically been somewhat underwhelming. That may be changing, as the latest Android 16 update has brought a noticeable improvement to Pixel 10 Pro XL performance.

Over the past few days, Google has rolled out the Android 16 QPR2 update to Pixel phones. Unexpectedly, users and testers discovered that device performance has improved significantly, especially in graphics performance.

Android Authority tested the Pixel 10 Pro XL and found that CPU performance gains were modest. In Geekbench 6, single-core performance improved by 2%, while multi-core performance increased by 5%, which isn’t a dramatic change.

PCMark’s Work 3.0 score, however, showed a much more substantial improvement, rising by 19.6%. This benchmark simulates everyday tasks such as web browsing and image editing, making it a better reflection of real-world usage.

Graphics performance also saw gains. In 3DMark’s Wild Life test, scores improved by around 5% to 7%, averaging roughly 6%.

Interestingly, despite no change in the GPU driver version, the OpenCL benchmark shows a score jump from the previous 3,063 to 4,061. That’s a nearly one-third improvement.

The possible reason for the gain

So how can a simple Android system update deliver such a performance boost?

According to AndroidPolice, the gains may come from deeper optimizations in Android 16, which introduces a more advanced and efficient memory garbage collection mechanism. This reduces CPU load during garbage collection, minimizes lag, and improves overall smoothness.

The good news is that these improvements aren’t limited to the new Pixel 10 series. Some users report that older models, such as the Pixel 8a, have also seen higher benchmark scores and better frame rates in 3DMark tests (via Reddit).

What remains unclear is whether these optimizations are exclusive to Google’s in-house Tensor processors. If the changes are more broadly applicable, other Android phones could also see meaningful performance gains through future updates.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories! 

The post Pixel phones see up to 20% performance gains after the new Android 16 update appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google thinks the future of the web isn’t just about making it agentic; it’s also about letting your browser build things for you. That idea is now real with “Disco”, the company’s experimental new AI-powered browser that vibe-codes an app based on what you are doing online. This feature of Disco is called “GenTab,” and is powered by Gemini 3.

As you might’ve guessed, GenTab takes your tab and chat history into consideration. It analyzes your tabs, your searches, and your chat prompts to generate tools that fit what you’re doing.

Google showed off a few examples, and they’re honestly pretty impressive. If you’re researching science topics like Entropy, Disco might spin up an “Entropy Explainer” app. The official video also shows a vibe-coded bunk bed comparison site and a memory match brain game.

Google’s new AI browsers vibe codes an app based on your tabs

GenTabs sit alongside regular tabs, but they get their own Gemini-like icon instead of a favicon. One demo showed a travel planner with calendars, route maps, crowd-level predictions, and quick-action buttons like “Book Nearby Stays.” Tap anything inside that app, and the GenTab reshapes itself in real time.

Disco greets you with a homepage containing a chatbox rather than the usual address bar. That’s where the chat history comes from, although you can also paste a URL in it.

If you end up conversing, Google will first suggest you relevant webpages, and after a few conversations, it pops up a prompt to create a GenTab based on what you’re searching.

AI is definitely changing the way we search and consume content. And it won’t surprise me that features like GenTabs are the next evolution of it. 

You don’t need to write code; you just describe what you need, refine it in plain language, and the browser does the heavy lifting. Google says Disco is meant to help people “learn faster” and experiment with what browsing could become. And yes, the company admits the best concepts from Disco might eventually show up in Chrome.

For now, Disco is an early experiment. Google Labs has opened a waitlist, and the first version is rolling out only on macOS. 

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Don’t miss a thing! Join our Telegram community for instant updates and grab our free daily newsletter for the best tech stories!

The post Google’s new browser wants to “vibe-code” apps from whatever you’re doing online appeared first on Gizmochina.

In 2025, the smartphone market experienced a transformative shift, successfully blending mature hardware foundations with the promise of widespread artificial intelligence. This convergence prompted manufacturers to abandon experimental features, concentrating instead on core user experiences: advanced software intelligence, dramatically enhanced camera systems, and the long-awaited arrival of high-capacity battery technologies.

Here are the best global smartphones of 2025.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

Apple didn’t reinvent the iPhone in 2025, but it perfected it. The iPhone 17 Pro Max combines the raw performance of the new A19 Pro chip with a durable new brushed aluminum unibody and a smarter camera setup. The new triple 48MP camera setup introduces a tetraprism telephoto lens with 8x optical zoom and a larger sensor for better detail in low light.

Battery life is better than ever, reaching up to 37 hours of video playback, and Apple’s new vapor chamber cooling system means the device stays cool under load. The 18MP square front camera is a first, making it better suited for wide-angle video calls and Center Stage framing. This is the iPhone that feels the most complete and the most Pro Apple has built yet.

Preview	Product
	iPhone 17 Pro 256 GB: 15.93 cm (6.3″) Display with Promotion up to 120Hz, A19 Pro Chip,…	Check Price on Amazon

Please Note: When you buy something using the links in our articles, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Samsung defined the Galaxy S25 Ultra by its intelligence, effectively positioning it as the smartest device of the year. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, the phone prioritized practical on-device AI over novelty. Features such as Call Transcript, expanded Circle to Search capabilities, and the productivity-focused Now Bar became essential tools for daily workflows, proving that AI could be more than just a buzzword.

Despite the software focus, the hardware remained formidable. The camera array, anchored by a massive 200MP main sensor and upgraded periscope lenses, delivered reliable photography across all lighting conditions. Samsung further enhanced the device’s value proposition by committing to seven years of Android and security updates, ensuring the S25 Ultra remains a viable investment well into the next decade.

Preview	Product
	Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G Smartphone with Galaxy AI (Titanium Silverblue, 12GB RAM, 256GB…	Check Price on Amazon

Please Note: When you buy something using the links in our articles, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

OnePlus 15

OnePlus returned to form in 2025 by building one of the most technically aggressive phones on the market. The OnePlus 15 delivers a blazing-fast 165Hz AMOLED display, a 7300mAh silicon anode battery, and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Elite chip cooled by a 5731mm² vapor chamber. Everything about it screams speed, from 120W SuperVOOC charging to 3200Hz touch sampling.

But it’s not just brute force. OnePlus added smart AI features through OxygenOS 16 and Gemini integration, plus new image processing modes like DetailMax and Clear Burst for better portrait and low-light photography. For power users and gamers, this phone hit all the right notes in 2025.

Preview	Product
	OnePlus 15 | 12GB+256GB | Sand Storm | India’s First Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 | 7300mAh Battery |…	Check Price on Amazon

Please Note: When you buy something using the links in our articles, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL

Google’s Pixel 10 Pro XL succeeded by prioritizing software smarts over raw hardware specifications. The proprietary Tensor G5 chip was engineered specifically to handle heavy AI workloads directly on the device. This enabled unique features like Camera Coach, Magic Cue, and Auto Best Take, which actively assisted users in capturing better photos and managing daily tasks without constant reliance on cloud processing.

The device maintained the Pixel line’s reputation for stellar display quality and photographic consistency. By pairing this “helpful” approach to technology with an industry-leading seven-year software support policy, Google demonstrated that a flagship phone doesn’t need to be the most powerful on paper to be the most useful in hand.

Preview	Product
	Google Pixel 10 Pro XL (Jade, 256 GB) (16 GB RAM)	Check Price on Amazon

Please Note: When you buy something using the links in our articles, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Oppo Find X9 Pro

Oppo made the boldest camera move of the year with the Find X9 Pro (review). The 200MP Hasselblad telephoto camera stood out in every photo comparison test, and Real-Time Triple Exposure tech brought new dynamic range to mobile imaging. Oppo’s LUMO Image Engine also kept power usage low without sacrificing clarity or detail.

Beyond the cameras, the Find X9 Pro impressed with its 7500mAh silicon-carbon battery and its slim, symmetrical design with a peak display brightness of 3600 nits. It was also one of the most durable flagships this year, with full IP69 water resistance and high-end materials. For mobile photography enthusiasts, no other phone delivered this level of control, quality, and flexibility.

Preview	Product
	Oppo Find X9 Pro 5G (Silk White, 16GB RAM, 512GB Storage) with No Cost EMI/Additional Exchange…	Check Price on Amazon

Please Note: When you buy something using the links in our articles, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories!

The post GizmoChina’s Best of 2025: Global Smartphones appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google Photos is making it easier to create and edit videos directly inside the app, with new tools focused on speed, simplicity, and customization. Users can still create a highlight video by heading to the Create tab and selecting “highlight video,” then choosing the photos and videos they want. Google Photos automatically combines them into a single video.

The update adds five key features designed to improve the overall editing experience.

First, Google Photos is introducing ready-made templates, rolling out on Android. These templates come with preset layouts that include built-in music, text, and automatic cuts that are synced to a soundtrack. Users only need to select a template and choose their photos and videos. The app then creates a shareable video that matches the rhythm of the music. More templates are expected to be added over time.

Second, Google has rolled out a redesigned video editor on both Android and iOS. The updated editor is faster and easier to use, with a single universal timeline that supports editing across multiple clips. This makes it simpler to arrange clips and build a clear story. The editor also includes an adaptive canvas that adjusts automatically, helping users edit more comfortably. Key editing tools are placed in familiar locations, reducing time spent navigating menus.

Third, users can now add music more easily. Google Photos offers a built-in music library that can be browsed directly within the editor. This feature is available on Android and iOS and allows users to pick soundtracks that fit the mood of their highlight videos.

Fourth, Google Photos adds more text options on Android. Users can place text overlays on videos and customize them using new fonts, colors, and background styles. This helps add context or titles that are clear and easy to read.

Finally, the redesigned editor is now the default video editor for individual clips on Android. Users can open any video, tap edit, and quickly add music or text to a single clip.

All of these features are already available or currently rolling out, giving users full video creation tools within Google Photos.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories!

(Source)

The post Google Photos Gets New Templates, Music Library, and Text Tools for Videos appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google has just rolled out its new Google AI Plus subscription in India, giving users access to the powerful Gemini 3 Pro AI model, creative image and video tools, expanded cloud storage, and deeper integration with core Google apps like Gmail and Docs. The company has released the new plan in the region for a special introductory offer as well, so here’s everything you need to know about all the perks, features, and pricing model.

Google AI Plus: What do you get?

The search engine giant just released the Google AI Plus with access to a bunch of its latest AI models. In other words, it arrives with integration to all the newest AI models like Gemini 3 Pro that function across the brand’s vast array of apps. Advanced models like Gemini 3 Pro are built into the Gemini app, bringing Google’s smartest model yet. Alongside this, you also get the Nano Banana Pro, which is Google’s cutting edge creative tool that brings you advanced image generation and editing.

Subscribers can even generate videos and use creative tools like Flow from the Gemini app. Google AI Plus users’ Google accounts as a whole benefit from this service since Gemini is built directly into crucial apps like Google Docs and Gmail that help improve your workspace experience and productivity. Last but not the least, the plan brings wider access to NotebookLM tool for deep research and document analysis and 200GB of cloud storage, which is shared between Google Photos, Drive, and Gmail.

Pricing & Launch Offer

The Google AI Plus plan has just been unveiled in India with a starting price tag of Rs 399 per month. But as an introductory offer, the brand is only charging Rs 199 for the first six months. Meanwhile, the Google AI Pro model which typically costs Rs 1,950 is free for the first month.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Don’t miss a thing! Join our Telegram community for instant updates and grab our free daily newsletter for the best tech stories!

The post Google AI Plus Now Live in India: Everything You Get, Pricing, & Perks appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google is reportedly working on a mid-range phone called the Pixel 10a. While the device is still months away from launch, a fresh leak has offered an early look at its expected hardware. Here’s a look at what to expect from the next Pixel phone.

Google Pixel 10a key specifications revealed

According to a listing shared by a well-known leaker, Evan Blass, the upcoming Google Pixel 10a has appeared in Verizon’s certification database, hinting at several key specifications. The document mentions a 6.3-inch FHD+ AMOLED screen capable of switching between 60Hz and 120Hz. It also references 8GB RAM, 128GB storage and a 5,100mAh battery, placing the phone extremely close to the Pixel 9a in terms of overall configuration.

The camera setup described in the listing continues this trend with a 48-megapixel primary camera, a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens and a 13-megapixel front camera.

Previous reports claim that Google may again opt for the Tensor G4 chipset, which powered the Pixel 9a. If this remains unchanged, the Pixel 10a may not gain many of the newer AI features introduced in the Pixel 10 series. There is, however, speculation that Google could adopt the newer Exynos 5400 modem to address past concerns around battery consumption and heating.

There have been murmurs of a brighter display that could reach around 2,000 nits, though this is yet to be confirmed. Apart from that, much of the hardware is shaping up to resemble its predecessor.

With the phone carrying the codename STA5, certification also describes it as a device engineered to offer Google’s AI experience at a relatively accessible level. More leaks are expected to clarify whether Google will introduce any meaningful upgrades before the Pixel 10a is officially revealed.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories.

(source)

The post Google Pixel 10a certification reveals key specifications well before launch appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google has rolled out extended service programs for selected Pixel 9 series phones after finding hardware problems in a small number of units. The move affects the Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, with free repairs or full replacements offered based on model and eligibility.

For the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL, Google has introduced an Extended Repair Program that focuses on display defects. The coverage lasts for three years from the original retail purchase date. Devices qualify if they show a vertical line running from the bottom to the top of the display. Pixel 9 Pro units may also qualify if the display flickers at times. If a service center confirms the issue after inspection, users can get a free display replacement. Repairs can be done at Google walk in centers, authorized service partners, or through online repair options, depending on location.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold falls under a separate Extended Warranty Program. Instead of a screen repair, eligible users may receive a full device replacement at no cost. This program applies to hardware issues that affect core device functionality, including the same vertical line display defect seen on other Pixel 9 Pro models. Depending on where the user lives, replacements may be handled online, at participating Google Stores, or through walk in centers that can approve a remote replacement.

Google says only a limited number of devices are affected. All phones submitted under these programs will go through an eligibility inspection. Devices with cracked displays, cover glass damage, or liquid damage may be disqualified. Fees may apply if the issue is outside the program scope. Proof of ownership may be requested during the process. Users must be 18 years or older, or have a parent or guardian complete the request.

Both programs start on December 8, 2025, and run through authorized online and in store channels. Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL users are eligible for free display repairs, while Pixel 9 Pro Fold users can receive one free replacement per device. Users who already paid for eligible repairs will be contacted by email with next steps. All repairs and replacements come with a 90 day warranty, in line with local consumer laws.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Don’t miss a thing! Join our Telegram community for instant updates and grab our free daily newsletter for the best tech stories!

(Source)

The post Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL Get Free Display Repairs Under New Google Program appeared first on Gizmochina.

A new wave of compelling holiday deals is now providing consumers with significant savings across some of the most popular smartphones on the market. We would call it post black friday tech savings, as offers on smartphones continue even now. Of course, good for consumers, especially those who missed the boat on Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

These new offers, primarily available through Amazon UK, keep the post-holiday momentum rolling with steep price cuts on premium devices from industry giants like Samsung and Google.

Deals on Galaxy S25 Series

• Galaxy S25 Ultra: £1349 (Save £200 at checkout)
• Galaxy S25 Edge: £899 (Save £200 at checkout)

The most notable offers or leading the charge in these promotions is the Samsung Galaxy S25 series. With both the standard Ultra and the sleek Edge models carrying a substantial £200 saving that is applied automatically at checkout

Deals on Galaxy Foldables

• Galaxy Z Fold 7: £1599 (Save £200 at checkout)
• Galaxy Z Flip 7: £899 (Save £150 at checkout)

Samsung’s revolutionary foldable phones are also included in the promotion. The flagship Galaxy Z Fold7, with its expansive 8.0-inch inner flexible screen, benefits from a £200 saving, while the clamshell-style Galaxy Z Flip7 sees a notable £150 reduction at checkout.

Deals on Pixel Lineup

• Google Pixel 10: £699 (£100 off)
• Google Pixel 9a: £449 (£150 off)

Google’s latest hardware has also joined the discount pool, making flagship-level technology more accessible. The new Google Pixel 10 is currently offered with a £100 price drop, bringing the 128GB version down to £699.

For those prioritizing value, the mid-range Pixel 9a, which features the Tensor G4 chip and a long-lasting 5,100mAh battery, has received an even steeper £150 reduction, priced attractively at £449 for the 256GB storage configuration.

Deals on other gadgets or phones

Beyond the major players, there are excellent opportunities in the competitive mid-range sector. The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is a compelling option, seeing a £127 cut that places its price at just £322. This device is noteworthy for incorporating the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor and a sophisticated camera setup that includes a 50MP periscope telephoto lens.

Last but not least, this offer series wraps out with Samsung’s popular wearables. Both the LTE versions of the Galaxy Watch8 and the premium Galaxy Watch8 Classic are seeing significant price adjustments, benefiting from £75 and £120 off, respectively

Shopping Links

So, here you can find the direct Amazon purchase links if you have made up on which to take home as your next gadget.

The post Samsung & Google Flagships get discounts up to £200 in this holiday season appeared first on Gizmochina.

A new Reuters report reveals that India is examining a proposal that could significantly expand how phone locations are accessed during investigations. According to the report, the government is weighing a telecom industry request to enable continuous satellite-based tracking on all smartphones. This initial development has prompted strong responses from several major companies and has ignited a deeper national discussion that extends beyond technology.

Tech companies challenge proposed tracking framework

The report states that the idea originated from a telecom association that believes agencies struggle to obtain precise coordinates, as current methods depend on general tower-level information. The new approach would require permanently activated A-GPS features, leaving users with no ability to turn off location services. Apple, Google, and Samsung have reportedly opposed the measure, citing privacy and security implications.

Industry correspondence reviewed by the publication indicates that device makers argue such tracking has no global precedent and could introduce serious risks for individuals whose roles involve confidential or sensitive information. The situation has gained further attention after another recent government directive requiring a state-run app on devices was reversed due to concerns from civil groups and political leaders.

The ministries evaluating the proposal have not issued public statements, and Reuters notes that a high-level meeting with smartphone executives was postponed.

Experts interviewed by the outlet warned that constant, device-level tracing could effectively convert every handset into a monitoring tool, raising questions about proportionality and long-term impact. Technology researchers also pointed out that the capability could theoretically pinpoint users to within a meter, intensifying the debate over surveillance boundaries.

With more than 735 million smartphones in the country and Android commanding over 95 percent of the market, any new rule would have widespread consequences. The broader discussion now focuses on whether stronger investigative capabilities justify altering existing user expectations around control and transparency.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories.

The post Apple, Google and Samsung push back against India’s proposed location tracking rules appeared first on Gizmochina.

For more than a decade, Chromebooks were stuck in a narrative loop: good for the basics, terrible for the rest. They were budget devices for students, grandparents, and anyone who just wanted a cheap web browser in a clamshell. But in 2025, that story has a new chapter, and it’s way more complicated than a yes or no verdict.

Chromebooks today, especially under Google’s new Chromebook Plus standard, are no longer just stripped-down machines for casual use. They’re sleek, responsive, and in some cases, deliver performance that rivals mid-range Windows laptops costing nearly twice as much. But that doesn’t mean they’re for everyone.

Chromebook Plus Era Is Here

If you’re shopping for a Chromebook in 2025, you’ll immediately run into Google’s Chromebook Plus label. This badge isn’t just marketing fluff. To earn it, a device must meet minimum hardware requirements: at least an Intel Core i3 12th Generation or AMD Ryzen 3 5000 series, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. It also mandates a 1080p webcam and a decent display, at least Full HD IPS.

These Plus models now ship with built-in Google Gemini features such as smart writing assistance and dynamic wallpaper creation. The real leap, though, is speed. Even a $400 Chromebook Plus feels surprisingly quick, opening apps almost the moment you tap them. Wake times are nearly instant, and the lightweight nature of ChromeOS means it stays responsive even when you push it. For many users, it simply works day after day without slowing down.

Windows vs Chromebook

The most brutal showdown in 2025 happens at the $400 to $600 price point. On one side, you’ve got Chromebook Plus models with great screens, good keyboards, and 10-plus hours of real-world battery life. On the other? Budget Windows laptops that often feel sluggish out of the box, with dim TN panels, plastic builds, and mediocre battery endurance.

Yes, Windows gives you the flexibility to install any software you want. But what’s the point if the system crawls under the weight of those apps? ChromeOS can’t run full Adobe Creative Cloud or AutoCAD, but if your life lives in the browser, Docs, Netflix, Gmail, Spotify, Zoom, it feels like you’re getting a luxury experience at a budget price.

Gaming? Tread Carefully

If you’re thinking about buying a Chromebook for gaming, stop. Seriously. In a major shift, Google has announced that Steam support on ChromeOS will officially end in January 2026. That means you can’t rely on native PC gaming anymore.

However, cloud gaming is where Chromebooks thrive. Services like GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming run beautifully as long as you have solid internet. You can play high-end games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Halo Infinite at ultra settings because the hardware load is handled by the servers, not your Chromebook.

For casual mobile titles, the Play Store still offers access to games like Minecraft (Android edition), Roblox, and Stardew Valley. But don’t expect to install and run AAA Windows games. That door is closing fast.

Who Should Buy One?

Students: Absolutely yes, unless your major requires specialized software. Chromebooks are light, fast, last all day on a single charge, and integrate perfectly with Google Classroom and Canvas.

Home Users: Another easy yes. For web browsing, streaming, shopping, and casual work, Chromebook Plus offers a crash-free, virus-free, update-in-the-background experience that’s honestly better than most cheap Windows laptops.

Writers: Yes. If your work lives in Google Docs or Word Online, a Chromebook Plus is a reliable, distraction-free writing machine with great battery life and solid keyboards. Plus, Gemini AI can help with brainstorming, built right into the system.

Power Users & Creators: Hard no. If you need Adobe Premiere, DaVinci Resolve, AutoCAD, or heavy Excel macros, ChromeOS will make you miserable. Save up for a MacBook Air M2/M3 or a Windows laptop with at least a Core i5 and 16GB of RAM.

Preview	Product
	HP Chromebook (2024) MediaTek MT8183 – (4 GB/32 GB EMMC Storage/Chrome OS) 11MK G9 EE Chromebook…	Check Price on Amazon
	HP Chromebook X360 Intel Celeron N4020 14 inch(35.6 cm) Micro-Edge, Touchscreen, 2-in-1 Laptop (4GB…	Check Price on Amazon

Please Note: When you buy something using the links in our articles, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories!

The post Should You Buy a Chromebook in 2025? appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google‘s Gemini is no longer just a phone-first AI assistant; it’s now on your wrist, fundamentally changing how you interact with your smartwatch. Since its rollout earlier this year, Gemini has begun replacing Google Assistant on smartwatches running Wear OS 4 and above.

Whether you own a Pixel Watch 4, Galaxy Watch 8, or OnePlus Watch 3, Gemini has arrived to turn your smartwatch into a more helpful, conversational, and context-aware tool.

Smarter than basic voice commands

Gemini for Wear OS isn’t just a name swap. Google rebuilt the assistant experience to be more intelligent, responsive, and useful across everyday scenarios. Instead of basic prompts like “set a timer” or “call Mom,” you can now ask Gemini to summarize your last email from Emily, create a running playlist, or remember that you parked on level 4, spot 27.

It uses the same foundational AI models as on phones and tablets, which allows for far more natural interactions. Gemini understands follow-up questions, interprets your intent with greater precision, and surfaces contextual results by tapping into your Gmail, Calendar, and other Google services. It’s the closest thing to having a lightweight AI companion right on your wrist, one that understands more than just commands.

Do more with fewer steps

Using Gemini on a smartwatch simplifies tasks that typically require multiple app hops. Mid-run, you can dictate a message to your manager without breaking stride. You can schedule a reminder for your kid’s next five cricket matches or ask for turn-by-turn directions to your dentist, all through voice.

It supports hotword detection “Hey Google”, app icon tapping, or pressing and holding the side button. Some watches even allow “Raise to Talk” gestures to wake Gemini when you lift your wrist.

All this means that the watch becomes a true productivity tool, not just a notification mirror. You don’t need to pull out your phone to check your schedule, respond to a quick email, or get updates. You just talk.

Deep integration with Google services

The biggest strength of Gemini lies in its ability to pull data from your Google account. It can read recent emails, look up locations mentioned in messages, check your calendar for conflicting events, or draft quick replies, all without requiring your phone to be unlocked.

And if your watch upgrades to Wear OS 6, Gemini’s utility jumps even higher. That’s because Wear OS 6 introduces a new App Functions API, letting Gemini control or extract data from brand-specific watch apps.

On Samsung watches, for example, this could mean better integration with Samsung Health or Calendar. On Pixel, it could pull from Recorder or Weather. It marks a step toward more personalized and brand-aware assistants.

Tiny but practical features

Beyond smart replies and deep app hooks, Gemini is useful for the small stuff too. You can tell it to remember your locker number, your preferred coffee order, or where you left your sunglasses.

Reminders can be location-aware. If you leave work, it can ping you to pick up groceries. If you ask for heart rate tracking or a workout summary, Gemini can trigger the supported app if it has those permissions.

It also works with Google Home devices, letting you broadcast messages, adjust lights, or check if the door’s locked, all from your wrist, even with hands full.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories!

The post Gemini for Wear OS: How Google’s AI Assistant Changes Daily Watch Use appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google might be gearing up for one of its biggest platform shifts in years, and it quietly slipped out through a new leak. According to Android Authority, the company has been working on an Android-based desktop OS internally called “Aluminium OS”, and it’s apparently much further along than anyone expected.

The project has been floating around in rumor territory for months, but this is the first time we’re seeing the Aluminium OS codename tied to it. Google has been building it in partnership with Qualcomm, and the idea is pretty simple: take Android, make it behave like a proper desktop system, and offer it as an alternative for devices where Windows has historically struggled, especially around battery life and power management.

It’s reportedly designed to run on desktops, laptops, 2-in-1s, and even tablets. Earlier reports hinted that Google was testing an Android desktop build on Snapdragon X chips. Now it sounds like those tests were part of something bigger.

What this means for ChromeOS is still a huge question mark. The leak suggests that many Chromebooks could eventually be upgraded to this “Aluminium OS”, though users might be able to stick with ChromeOS if they prefer the current experience. Google is already testing it on Chromebooks running Intel Alder Lake and MediaTek Kompanio processors, which hints that this isn’t some experimental future thing — the transition could start on hardware that’s already out there.

A major focus of the new OS is AI, unsurprisingly. Google is baking Gemini into the system from day one, positioning Aluminium OS as an answer to Microsoft’s Copilot-heavy Windows push. The big advantage for Google, if everything works as planned, is straightforward: native Android apps on a desktop, with no weird compatibility layers or half-baked tablet UI like we’ve seen before.

There’s no final name yet — Aluminium OS is internal-only for now. The leak points to a possible reveal at Google I/O 2026, followed by devices later that year.

If this pans out, 2026 might finally be the year we get a serious Android-based alternative to Windows laptops. It’s been tried before, but with Qualcomm’s newer chips and Google leaning harder into cross-device software, this attempt might actually stick. For now, Aluminium OS is still unofficial, but definitely no longer just a rumor.

Don’t miss a thing! Join our Telegram community for instant updates and grab our free daily newsletter for the best tech stories!

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

(Source)

The post “Aluminium OS”: Google’s Android-based desktop OS breaks cover appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google‘s Quick Share file-transfer feature now works with Apple’s AirDrop. For anyone who lives in a mixed Android–iPhone household, this is the kind of fix people have been begging for for years. Sending a simple photo or video between devices has always felt way harder than it should — a daily reminder of the two ecosystems’ long-running cold war.

The announcement landed without the usual buildup or joint statements. In fact, Apple hasn’t said a word. That silence stands out, especially because the two companies have teamed up before on cross-platform features like RCS messaging and those unknown tracker alerts that rolled out earlier this year.

When asked whether Apple had helped this time, a Google spokesperson kept things diplomatic:
“Our goal is to provide an easy and secure file sharing experience for our users… we always welcome collaboration opportunities to address interoperability issues between iOS and Android.”

Polite, yes — but the implication was pretty clear. And later in the day, Google confirmed to Android Authority that it built AirDrop compatibility entirely on its own, with zero assistance or sign-off from Apple.

How exactly Google managed to make this work is still a mystery, but there have been hints. Over the past few months, developers have been extending iOS and macOS support for Nearby — the underlying tech behind Quick Share. And while AirDrop uses Apple’s private AWDL protocol, it still leans on more standard tools like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct for discovery and actual transfers. That leaves just enough room for a determined engineering team to reverse-engineer their way in without actually touching Apple’s code.

What’s not clear is how long this uneasy peace will last. Apple could, in theory, push an update that shuts this down. And there’s also the question of how legally safe that decision would be for Apple.

But for now, the bigger picture is simple: Google didn’t wait for Apple, and didn’t wait for the EU to force anyone’s hand. It just went ahead and finally did it.

For millions of users who’ve spent years dealing with “just email it to me,” the fix is finally here — brought to you entirely by Google.

Don’t miss a thing! Join our Telegram community for instant updates and grab our free daily newsletter for the best tech stories!

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

The post Google makes Quick Share talk to AirDrop — with zero help from Apple appeared first on Gizmochina.