Editors’ note: This comparison was originally published Nov. 28, 2017 at 4 a.m. PT. Since that time Google added a technology called RAISR to the Pixel 2 which uses computer learning to make zoomed in pictures look sharper and more detailed. After testing a Pixel 2 with this update, we found improvement with zoomed in …
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The smart speaker competition is getting fierce. Voice-powered digital assistants — Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple’s Siri — appear in more standalone audio products every day, from tiny Dots and Minis to more expensive Echos, Homes and Maxes. For people willing to pay extra for better sound quality, though, only a handful are worth considering. Two of the most …
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Google will soon give iOS users the chance to try Google Lens, the augmented-reality technology that lets you use your camera to search for info. Over the next week, you’ll be able to try Google Lens in the Google Photos app for iOS, the company announced Thursday. The feature will roll out over the next week. You’ll have to have …
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Streaming service Spotify is testing its own voice assistant, which could give navigating its app a significant speed boost. The feature, spotted first by Twitter user Hunter Owens, is available to some users through its iOS app and can be found inside the search bar. It appears to allow users to skip tapping and typing in order to find and …
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It’s a real name-changer. Google announced Thursday that it’s got a new name fo Android Wear, its software that powers a wide-ranging lineup of wearables like smartwatches. From here on out, you’ll know it as Wear OS, and reminder, it’s not connected to Google’s mobile operating system. A big part of the reason for the change: One-third of new Android …
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The iPhone 8 and Pixel 2 belong in the upper ranks of any best phone list. They’re some of the fastest, most comfortable phones made to hold in the hand. And they have nearly every feature you could want in a handset. But no phone is perfect, and buying either one means you’re trading off some features to gain some …
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On this podcast, we talk about: Google making the case for Android security. The US launching sanctions against Russia for cyberattacks related to the elections and NotPetya. Intel’s fix for Spectre and Meltdown. Why older internet of things devices are the ones to look out for. The 3:59 gives you bite-size news and analysis about the top stories of the …
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In the list of big security flaws that could let hackers compromise phones, there’s one name that comes up a lot: Android. In 2015, we learned that Google’s operating system for phones was vulnerable to the StageFright bug, which hackers could exploit just by sending a text message. In 2016, security researchers revealed that millions of Android phones were infected …
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Last month, Samsung took the wraps off its two new flagships, the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus. They feature many expected upgrades, including Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 845 processor and Google’s Android 8.0 Oreo software. But the phones also pack a few unexpected things that once started out as only rumors. The Galaxy S9 Plus, for example, now has a second 12-megapixel rear-facing …
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It’s not easy to use public transportation if you’re in a wheelchair, on crutches or even pushing a baby stroller. While many cities around the world are required to have some accessible subways and trains, it’s often challenging to know exactly where the right stations are. That’s where Google says it can help. Google has added a feature in its …
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