Google

Pixel 9 Pro repair costs show expensive camera upgrade, cheaper rear cover, and design changes

Published

6 days ago

September 13, 2024

Tom Carter

Top 3 Key Points:

Pixel 9 Pro’s camera repairs are $70 pricier than the Pixel 8 Pro’s.
The rear cover for Pixel 9 Pro is cheaper, reflecting its simplified design.
Most Pixel 9 Pro parts remain similarly priced, with slight changes in USB-C assembly costs.

iFixit has released repair part prices for the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL, revealing notable shifts in the cost of various components compared to previous models.

For the Pixel 8 Pro, the rear case costs $172.99 and includes several key parts such as the rear panel, metal and plastic frame, edge bezel, camera bezel and lens covers, external buttons, internal button switches, and the wireless charging coil. However, with the Pixel 9 Pro XL, the rear cover is notably cheaper at $92.99, thanks to its simpler design that includes just the rear panel, rear camera bezel, lens covers, and flash.

One key change is the price of the Pixel 9 Pro’s rear camera array, which is $70 more expensive than the previous model. Additionally, both the screen and battery have seen a modest $10 increase. Interestingly, the USB-C charging assembly, now separate from the motherboard, is priced at $42.99 but has become more expensive compared to past models.

The comparison between the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 shows a noticeable price drop for the rear cover, while the new design bundles the two rear cameras together at a lower price. Despite the slight increases in some areas, there is no price hike for the battery, making the overall repair costs for the Pixel 9 Pro fairly balanced with the changes in design and components.

Source

Android

Android 15 delayed, Gemini Live now free for Android

Published

13 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Tom Carter

Key points:

Android 15 for Pixel devices was pushed back to October 15.
Gemini Live, Google’s AI assistant, is now available for free Android users.
Pixel 6 and later devices will get Android 15, but Pixel 6/6 Pro won’t get future updates.

Android 15 Delayed

Google’s latest Android update, Android 15, is taking a bit longer to reach Pixel phones. While it was released for developers in September, it won’t be available for Pixel users until October 15th. This delay is likely due to Google wanting to make sure the update is as bug-free as possible.

Gemini Live Goes Free

In other Google news, Gemini Live, the company’s AI assistant, is now free for Android users. This means you can use Gemini to help you with tasks like writing emails, summarizing articles, or even translating languages.

Pixel 6 and Later

The Pixel 6 and later devices will be the first to get Android 15. However, this will also be the last guaranteed update for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. While they will continue to receive security updates, they won’t get any new features after Android 15.

Google

Google Calendar and Circle to Search expand to more devices

Published

24 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Tom Carter

Key Points:

Google Calendar is coming to the New Tab Page in Chrome for Workspace users.
Circle to Search is expanding to more Android devices, including Xiaomi 14T.
Chrome is getting other new features for enterprise users.

Google Calendar on Chrome’s New Tab Page:

Google Workspace users will soon see their Google Calendar on the New Tab Page in Chrome. This will make it easier to see upcoming meetings and join them quickly. You’ll also see your daily schedule below the calendar.

Circle to Search Expanding to More Devices:

Circle to Search, a feature that lets you search by drawing circles around objects in your photos, is expanding to more Android devices. This feature was previously limited to Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices, but now it’s coming to Tecno and Xiaomi devices.

Other Chrome Updates:

Chrome is also getting other new features for enterprise users, such as a new sign-in flow that provides more transparency and a feature that lets admins set site shortcuts.

These updates are all designed to make it easier for businesses to use Chrome and Google Workspace.

Source/Via

Google

YouTube gets smarter: AI boosts Shorts and Studio

Published

1 day ago

September 18, 2024

Tom Carter

YouTube is making content creation easier and more fun with new AI features.

AI-powered video backgrounds: Create stunning visuals for your Shorts videos with Google’s Veo AI model.
AI-powered video ideas: Get inspiration for your next video with YouTube Studio’s AI-powered brainstorming tool.
AI-powered comments: Quickly respond to your viewers with AI-suggested replies.

YouTube is adding more AI features to help creators make better videos. One of the biggest announcements is the integration of Veo, a powerful AI model, into YouTube Shorts. This means you can create high-quality backgrounds and even short video clips using just a few words.

Imagine being able to describe a scene, like “a bustling city street at sunset,” and having Veo instantly generate a visually stunning background for your Short. Or, perhaps you need a quick clip to transition between two scenes; Veo can create a short video that perfectly fits your needs.

Another exciting feature is the new AI-powered brainstorming tool in YouTube Studio. This tool can suggest video ideas based on your channel’s history and what’s popular on YouTube. It’s like having a creative assistant that always has fresh ideas.

For example, if you’ve been creating cooking videos, the tool might suggest ideas like “Vegan cooking hacks” or “Quick and easy weeknight meals.” Or, if you’re a gaming channel, it could suggest ideas like “Top 5 new games to try” or “Let’s play a classic game.”

YouTube is also working on AI-powered comments. This feature will suggest replies to comments, making it easier for creators to engage with their audience.

For example, if a viewer leaves a comment saying “Great video!” the AI might suggest a reply like “Thanks for watching!” Or, if a viewer asks a question, the AI could suggest a helpful answer based on the video’s content.

These new AI features are making YouTube an even more powerful platform for creators. By automating tasks like background creation and idea generation, creators can spend more time focusing on what they do best: creating great content.