Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL phones will get ‘preview’ of Google Lens

If you can’t wait to get Google Lens, you’ll need to pay up for a new Google phone. The search giant said the image-recognition technology will preview on its Pixel phones first, including its new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, which were revealed at a hardware launch event Wednesday. The feature will be built …

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Google’s Pixel 2 London launch event got WEIRD

As I looked into the eye of the bright pink giant grizzly bear, I knew this wasn’t a normal phone launch event. Google has just taken the wraps off its brand new Pixel 2 phone and new additions to its smart home lineup in San Francisco. (Here’s literally everything Google announced.) But I was following the news from a “satellite” …

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Pixel 2 comes with a free Google Home Mini

If you have a long shopping list after Google‘s event on Wednesday, we don’t blame you. But before you start adding to your basket with abandon, check out this offer that will help you consolidate. Almost immediately as the Pixel 2 was announced, the phone was available for preorder on the Google online store. As soon as preorders opened, Google …

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Sonos moves Alexa voice controls into public beta

Sonos owners, it’s finally time to sharpen your Alexa skills.  The maker of high-end, connected speakers announced today at a press event in New York City that Alexa-powered voice controls will arrive via a firmware update. The voice controls will allow you to cue up music on your Sonos speakers using voice commands with an Alexa-enabled device such as the …

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Pixel Buds: $159 wireless headphones do real

Everybody else is doing a headphone, so why not Google? The Pixel Buds, the company’s new $159 (£159, AU$229) in-ear headphones, will be available in November in color options that match the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL phones. More from Google’s event Google Pixel 2, XL take on iPhone X with squeezable sides Google announces Pixelbook Chromebook Google Home …

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Amazon Echo users prefer iPhone to Android, study claims

Technically Incorrect offers a slightly twisted take on the tech that’s taken over our lives. Enlarge Image Their owners prefer iPhones? Ry Crist/CNET What does your choice of smart speaker say about you?  Other than you have little regard for your own privacy, that is. If you choose a Google Home speaker, does that mean you drift Android-ward? And what …

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Siri says the national anthem of Bulgaria is ‘Despacito’

The national anthem of Bulgaria is actually “Mila Rodino,” but you wouldn’t know that if you asked Siri.  That certainly doesn’t seem right.   GIF by Jason Parker/CNET Reddit user wandreylust caught this amazing error on Facebook and had to give it a try. As of this writing, if you ask Apple’s voice assistant, “What is the national anthem of …

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Google Assistant keyboard key may come to other Chromebooks

Google on Wednesday unveiled a new premium Chromebook called the Pixelbook. The keyboard of the $1,000 convertible laptop and tablet has one key with a bunch of dots on it. It’s a dedicated key for accessing the Google Assistant digital helper. (The dots are the Assistant logo.) Right now it’s just on the Pixelbook, but that Assistant button could start …

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‘Stranger Things’ comes to Google’s Pixel 2 as AR stickers

You’ve watched the series. You’ve played the game. Now welcome the cast and creatures of the Netflix throwback horror hit “Stranger Things” to your Google phone. Google announced the introduction of themed augmented-reality stickers during its Pixel 2 smartphone announcement Wednesday, and both Eleven and the beastly demogorgon took part in a demonstration of the new tech.  Google product director Aparna …

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Apple Watch software update promises to fix cellular bugs

The Apple Watch Series 3 has had problems connecting to LTE networks when around certain recognized public Wi-Fi spots, but a new software update could correct the issues. The new Apple Watch WatchOS 4.0.1 firmware, available now, promises it “fixes issues that in rare cases were causing Apple Watch to join unauthenticated (captive) Wi-Fi networks, such as those found in …

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Pixelbook Chromebook is Google’s latest Chromebook

Google announced a new Pixelbook Chromebook with a new Pixelbook pen at its event in San Francisco. The lightweight 12.3-inch convertible (meaning it can be used as a tablet) will be available in three configurations with pricing starting at $999 or £999. The Pixelbook Pen, sold separately, costs $99 or £99. It’ll be available in US, UK and Canada. Preorders …

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CNET’s Cheapskate scours the web for great deals on PCs, phones, gadgets and much more. Questions about the Cheapskate blog? Find the answers on our FAQ page. Find more great buys on the CNET Deals page and follow the Cheapskate on Facebook and Twitter! Enlarge Image Talk about cheap entertainment: 13 books, 15 bucks. StoryBundle I don’t know about all of you, …

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Tech firms didn’t take election meddling ‘seriously’: Senators

When it came to interference with the 2016 election, tech companies like Facebook, Twitter and Google “did not take this threat seriously enough,” Democratic Sen. Mark Warner told reporters at a press conference at the US Capitol on Wednesday. Warner and Republican Sen. Richard Burr addressed reporters to give an update on the Senate Intelligence Committee’s investigation into allegations of …

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Google Pixel 2, Pixelbook and Home Mini up for UK pre

Google showed off a whole bunch of new tech on Wednesday in San Francisco, and the great news for Brits is that it will mostly all be available for preorder in the UK immediately. First up is the Pixel 2, the successor to 2016’s sell-out Pixel phone. The smaller version of the phone, with the 5-inch screen, will cost £629 …

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