Google unveils the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G and wide-angle cameras

It’s that time of the year again when Google announces its latest Pixel devices. This time, things are a little different. Instead of going with a small-sized flagship and an XL variant of the same, Google is mixing things up a little. For 2020, Google is launching its small-sized flagship, Google Pixel 5, but without the top-tier Qualcomm Snapdragon SoC. And instead of a Google Pixel 5 XL, we now get a 5G variant of the previously announced Google Pixel 4a. Let’s check out what Google has to offer with its two newest smartphones: the Google Pixel 5 and the Google Pixel 4a 5G.

Google Pixel 5 Forums ||| Google Pixel 4a 5G Forums

Google Pixel 5: Specifications

Specification	Google Pixel 5
Build	IP68 rating for water and dust resistance Made from 100% recycled aluminum
Dimensions & Weight	144.7 x 70.4 x 8.0 mm 151g
Display	6″ flat OLED 19.5:9 aspect ratio 2340 x 1080 resolution HDR 90Hz refresh rate Corning Gorilla Glass 6 Hole-punch display
SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G: 1x Kryo 475 (ARM Cortex-A76-based) Prime core @ 2.4GHz 1x Kryo 475 (ARM Cortex-A76-based) Performance core @ 2.2GHz 6x (ARM Cortex-A55-based) Efficiency cores @ 1.8GHz 7nm EUV process Adreno 620
RAM & Storage	8GB LPDDR4X + 128GB UFS 2.1 Non-expandable storage
Battery & Charging	4,000 mAh 18W fast charging via USB Power Delivery Wireless Charging support Reverse wireless charging support
Rear Camera	Primary: 12.2MP Sony IMX363, f/1.7, 1.4µm pixel size, Dual Pixel AF, Fused Video Stabilization (OIS + EIS), 77° FoV Secondary: 16MP Sony IMX481, f/2.2, 1.0µm pixel size, 107° FoV Spectral and flicker sensor Dual LED flash Video: 4K @ 30/60 fps 1080p @ 30/60/120/240 fps
Front Camera	8MP Sony IMX355, f/2.0, 1.12µm pixel size, fixed focus, 83° FoV
Ports	USB 3.1 Type-C
Audio	Stereo speakers 3 microphones
Security	Pixel Imprint (capacitive rear fingerprint scanner) Titan M hardware security module
Connectivity	Qualcomm Snapdragon X52 5G modem Single nanoSIM card slot + integrated eSIM for 5G + 4G or 4G + 4G DSDS (dual SIM, dual standby) Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz/5GHz 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) Bluetooth 5.0 NFC GNSS: GPS GLONASS Galileo QZSS BeiDou
Sensors	Proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, barometer
Android Version	Android 11 3 years of Android OS upgrades 3 years of monthly Android security patch updates

The Google Pixel 5 is the star of the show, becoming the top of the line product from Google for this year. It does feel weird to call the Pixel 5 a flagship, keeping in mind that flagships like the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra cost twice as much. As such, with the Pixel 5, you do have to temper your expectations. The Google Pixel 5 features a 100% recycled all-aluminum unibody shell with a grainy matte texture on it. The power button is no longer differently colored, but only has a shiny finish to it in the same color. The camera island witnesses the flash module changing positions, but the shape is largely the same overall. What is new is the fingerprint scanner—you now get one on the rear, much like you would on Google’s earlier Pixels like the Pixel 3.

The front of the Google Pixel 5 is dominated by the 6″ FHD+ 90Hz display. The display has a hole-punch cutout for the camera, but thankfully, it is also flat and not curved. The bezels are also within tolerable limits, and overall, the Pixel 5 looks right at home, at least on the front. One might lament the lack of 120Hz refresh rate and QHD+ resolution, but Google’s hardware has consistently been behind the top of the line in the spec race.

What the Google Pixel 5 also lacks is the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 SoC, forgoing the top of the line SoC for the upper mid-range Snapdragon 765G. This might not be a bad move, though. While you do get a hit in overall performance, relatively speaking, you still get one of the better 5G SoCs from Qualcomm. Most consumers are unlikely to notice this change, and opting for a premium mid-range SoC with the integrated Qualcomm Snapdragon X52 5G modem allows the phone to avoid all the financial and hardware costs related to 5G integration on the top tier Qualcomm Snapdragon SoC. You get a decent 4000 mAh battery on board, along with 18W wired charging through the USB PD standard, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging, but none of these can be considered “fast” by today’s standards.

While other OEMs chase megapixels and bigger sensors, Google is sticking with what it knows best: the 12MP Sony IMX363 as the primary sensor, which the company has been using since the Pixel 3. The previous Pixels have been widely considered as one of the best smartphones for photography, and Google is not trying to fix what isn’t broken. The competition has continued to push forward through the years though, so it remains to be seen what software magic Google brings this year to maintain its pole position. For the second wide-angle camera, we get a 16MP Sony IMX481. It does feel weird seeing a “flagship” smartphone with just two rear cameras, but it’s better getting a well-rounded package instead of useless sensors. The front camera is an 8MP Sony IMX355, retaining the humility in the package.

The Google Pixel 5 launches with Android 11 out of the box.

Google Pixel 5: Pricing and Availability

The Google Pixel 5 is priced as follows for its singular 8GB + 128GB variant and will be available in these regions in Black and Green colors:

• Australia
• Canada
• Europe: €629
• France
• Germany
• Ireland
• Japan: ¥74,800
• Taiwan
• UK
• USA: $699

You can pre-order the phone now on the Google Store. The device will be generally available on October 15th.

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Google Pixel 4a 5G: Specifications

Specification	Google Pixel 4a 5G
Build	Polycarbonate
Dimensions & Weight	153.9 x 74 x 8.2 mm 168g
Display	6.2″ flat OLED 19.5:9 aspect ratio 2340 x 1080 resolution HDR 60Hz refresh rate Corning Gorilla Glass 3 Hole-punch display
SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G: 1x Kryo 475 (ARM Cortex-A76-based) Prime core @ 2.4GHz 1x Kryo 475 (ARM Cortex-A76-based) Performance core @ 2.2GHz 6x (ARM Cortex-A55-based) Efficiency cores @ 1.8GHz 7nm EUV process Adreno 620
RAM & Storage	6GB LPDDR4X + 128GB UFS 2.1
Battery & Charging	3,885 mAh 18W fast charging via USB Power Delivery
Rear Camera	Primary: 12.2MP Sony IMX363, f/1.7, 1.4µm pixel size, Dual Pixel AF Secondary: 16MP Sony IMX481, f/2.2, 1.0µm pixel size, 107° FoV Video: 4K @ 30/60 fps 1080p @ 30/60/120/240 fps
Front Camera	8MP Sony IMX355, f/2.0, 1.12µm pixel size
Ports	USB 3.1 Type-C
Audio	Stereo speakers 2 microphones 3.5mm headphone jack
Security	Pixel Imprint (capacitive rear fingerprint scanner) Titan M hardware security module
Connectivity	Qualcomm Snapdragon X52 5G modem Single nanoSIM card slot + integrated eSIM for 5G + 4G or 4G + 4G DSDS (dual SIM, dual standby) Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz/5GHz 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) Bluetooth 5.0 NFC GNSS: GPS GLONASS Galileo QZSS BeiDou
Sensors	Proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, barometer
Android Version	Android 11 3 years of Android OS upgrades 3 years of monthly Android security patch updates

The Google Pixel 4a 5G is the bigger, yet more modest, smartphone of the duo. Instead of launching an “XL” version, Google is marketing the Pixel 4a 5G as the 5G upgrade over the Pixel 4a. While the Pixel 4a 5G retains the same SoC and camera setup as the Pixel 5, it has a polycarbonate unibody shell, a larger display but a smaller battery, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. You also lose out on features like wireless charging and IP68 certification. You do get the different colored power button as a consolation.

The highlight of the Pixel 4a 5G is its 5G support, thanks to the same hardware as the Pixel 5. Google thus has its lineup laid out: budget duties with the Pixel 4a, budget 5G duties with the Pixel 4a 5G, and premium mid-end with the Pixel 5.

Google Pixel 4a 5G: Pricing and Availability

The Google Pixel 4a 5G is priced as following for its singular 6GB + 128GB variant and will be available in these regions in Black color:

• Australia
• Canada
• Europe: €499
• France
• Germany
• Ireland
• Japan: ¥60,500
• Taiwan
• UK
• USA: $499

You can pre-order it now on the Google Store. The device will be available on October 15th alongside the Pixel 5.

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What are your thoughts on the Google Pixel 5 and Google Pixel 4a 5G? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Google unveils the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G and wide-angle cameras appeared first on xda-developers.

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The Nest Audio is a $99 Google Assistant smart speaker with powerful audio

The Google Nest Mini (the successor to the Google Home Mini) is an incredibly popular compact smart speaker. However, Google’s ambitions with Assistant-enabled speakers started with the original Google Home four years ago. That device is long overdue for a successor, and we seem to finally have one. Meet the new Google Nest Audio, the latest smart speaker from Google with Google Assistant functionality.

Google Nest Audio: Specifications

Specification	Google Nest Audio
Build	Fabric Cover made from 70% recycled plastic 4 LEDs in the middle
Dimensions & Weight	6.89 x 4.88 x 3.07 inches 2.65lbs
Audio (In and Out)	75mm woofer 19mm tweeter 3 far-field microphones
Voice Assistant	Google Assistant
Controls	Touch Controls: Play/Pause – Tap front top Volume up – Tap front right corner Volume down – Tap front left corner)
Charging	30W DC power supply
Connectivity	2.4GHz/5GHz 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) Bluetooth 5.0

The Nest Audio has been a bit of an open secret thanks to multiple leaks and even an official teaser from Google. The Google Nest Audio takes a different approach to the smart speaker than the uber-popular Google Nest Mini. This time around, Google has created a powerful speaker first and then made it smart, giving us a product that looks promising while remaining a functional speaker. The Nest Audio is larger than the original Google Home and the Google Home Mini/Nest Mini, but it still comes with a fabric cover like its siblings. There are four LEDs underneath the fabric cover for providing the visual cue for when Google Assistant is listening or responding. There is also a mute switch on the back of the device, in case you do not want the speaker to listen for the Google Assistant hotword.

Connected Home — XDA Forums

The larger size allow the Google Nest Audio to pack a good punch when it comes to audio, at least on paper. You get a 75mm woofer, a 19mm tweeter, and 3 far-field microphones. Google claims that the Nest Audio is 75% louder than the original Google Home, with a 50% stronger bass response.

And of course, this is a smart speaker from Google, so you can expect to tap into the power of Google Assistant with your voice. You can ask the Assistant questions about the weather, traffic, places, flights, movie times, and so much more. You can create routines to automate certain actions, and you can also control any product that integrates with the Google Assistant ecosystem. Finally, you can cast any audio to the device using Google Cast or Bluetooth.

Pricing and Availability

The Google Nest Audio is available starting October 5th in 21 countries. In the U.S., it costs $99.99 and can be picked up from Google.com or across offline retailers like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy. You can pick up the device in Chalk, Charcoal, Sage, Sand, and Sky colors.

 

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Google Chromecast with Google TV is a cheap streaming TV stick for $50

Chromecast is inarguably one of Google’s most successful hardware ventures. The dongles have gained immense popularity over the years, thanks to their affordable price tags and ease of use. To keep up with the times, Google has revamped the Chromecast dongles quite a few times since they were initially unveiled. Today, the company has unveiled another such refresh, which introduces a dedicated remote and a customized version of Android TV called “Google TV”.

As seen in previous leaks, the new Google Chromecast with Google TV features a round, pebble-like design with an HDMI cable attached on one end. The dongle has a USB Type-C port for charging and a reset button on the back. On the inside, the Google Chromecast with Google TV features the Amlogic S905X2 SoC, which is a 12nm chip that packs in 4 ARM Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.8GHz and the ARM Mali-G31 MP2 GPU. The chipset is accompanied by 2GB of RAM and 8GB of onboard storage.

Along with the Chromecast dongle comes a new remote with a dedicated Google Assistant button, a D-pad, a YouTube button, a Netflix button, an input switcher button, and a few other buttons to help users control the dongle.

The remote also has a volume rocker on the right edge and a microphone to pick up voice commands. Furthermore, the remote has an LED indicator that glows solid when the Google Assistant is listening for your voice command and it’s powered by 2 AAA batteries (included in the box). Another cool thing worth mentioning about the remote is that it will now let you control your Google Assistant-enabled smart home devices right from the comfort of your couch.

The new Chromecast dongle supports both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for connectivity and it’s capable of streaming content at 4K resolution at 60fps. The device also includes support for HDR content, HDMI-CEC, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos audio.

In terms of software, the new Google Chromecast runs Google TV based on Android 10. For the unaware, Google TV is Google’s new version of Android TV with a new content-focused UI. The improved UI is divided into a couple of different tabs, like For You, Movies, Shows, Apps, and Library, which can be accessed from a bar at the top.

Each tab in the new UI is home to different content, with the For You tab showing app, movie, and show recommendations based on your usage patterns. The For You tab acts as the new home screen and it displays movies and shows from all your services in one place. This eliminates the need to switch between different streaming services to find the content you wish to watch. The Movies tab is home to movies from all the different streaming platforms available on the device and similarly, the Shows tab lists TV shows from various streaming platforms.

 

The Apps tab lists down all your installed apps, along with recommendations from the Google Play Store. You can also search for apps from this tab or find apps based on a couple of different categories. Finally, the Library tab lists content that you’ve purchased or rented from the available platforms. This new UI is expected to greatly improve the user experience, as it conveniently consolidates content from various platforms onto one screen.

Pricing & Availability

The new Google Chromecast with Google TV is priced at an affordable $49.99 and it goes on sale starting today in the U.S., and it’s coming to more countries in the near future. If you’re interested in picking one up for yourself, you can either purchase it from the Google Store or from offline retailers like Walmart, Target, and Home Depot. The dongle is available in a white finish called ‘Snow’. The retail packaging includes the Google Chromecast with Google TV dongle, Google Chromecast Voice Remote, power cable, power adapter, and 2 AAA batteries.

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Mozilla brings back general extension support in Firefox for Android (Nightly)

Earlier this month, Mozilla rolled out Firefox 79 that included a major change to the browser engine, but with the update came a notable lack of extension support. In response, Mozilla said that more Recommended Extensions would be enabled in the coming weeks after they’ve been tested and optimized. The good news is it’s been a few weeks, and Mozilla today said that users on the Nightly build of Firefox for Android can now install any extension listed on addons.mozilla.org (AMO).

Mozilla said it’s enabling the feature so developers and advanced users can test out extension compatibility. However, the company warns that installing untested extensions on the Nightly build of Firefox for Android can potentially lead to “unexpected outcomes,” so you should beware before proceeding. “Since most developers haven’t been able to test and optimize their extensions for the new Android experience, please be kind if something doesn’t work the way it should,” Mozilla pleaded.

With that in mind, Mozilla said it will remove any negative reviews about extension performance in Nightly. If you’re interested in testing out general extension support, you’ll need to enable the setting in Nightly. Currently, Nightly uses the Collections feature on AMO to install extensions, so you’ll also need to create a collection on AMO.

Mozilla has some helpful instructions on getting everything up and running. The company said that any developments for improved extension support will be shared with users “as they solidify,” so keep an eye out for any future updates.

The lack of extensions is a big reason why Firefox’s rating on the Google Play Store has dropped, but there are still other issues to be addressed, including the missing about:config page (which is available in Nightly and thus coming back soon), local password migration issues, design problems with the revamped tab switcher and more. We hope these issues are addressed in future builds and that more features are added.

Firefox Nightly (Free, Google Play) →

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The European Union wants to force OEMs to let users uninstall bloatware

Bloatware and carrier phones: name a more iconic duo. The number of preinstalled apps on some smartphones has grown so much these days that people still come to our forums to flash stock Android builds to get rid of the bloat. Bloatware is often preloaded on smartphones by carriers or even smartphone manufacturers themselves. They are often annoying services you will probably never use but you probably can’t uninstall, either. Since carrier devices are often fairly locked down, most users can’t get rid of these unwanted apps without mucking around with ADB. Thankfully, the European Union has a plan: It wants to force smartphone manufacturers to let users uninstall the bloatware that comes preloaded on these devices, according to the Financial Times.

This measure comes as a part of the upcoming Digital Services Act that the EU is expected to pass by the end of the year. The Act mostly aims to tackle the current dominance of big technology companies on the Internet. Some of the measures described in the draft Act would require companies like Amazon or Google to not use data collected on the platform for their own commercial activities unless they make it “accessible to business users active in the same commercial activities.” The draft would also prohibit so-called “gatekeeper platforms”, companies that own the platforms that others do business on (like Google and its Play Store, Apple and its App Store, or Amazon and its Marketplace), from using advertising data they receive from other businesses for “any other purpose other than advertising services.” Further, the Act would block big tech companies from giving preferential treatment of their own services to the detriment of rivals.

While this Act obviously doesn’t affect markets like the United States, where most of the annoying bloatware is preloaded by carriers instead of actual OEMs, it would, however, affect companies like Samsung and Xiaomi, who preload their own suite of apps even when there are already Google alternatives. We’ll keep you in the loop on any new developments on this front, as big tech companies will no doubt push back hard before these new regulations are put into effect.

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Today’s Top Tech Deals: Alienware Gaming Laptop 33% Off, $100 Off the Fire TV Recast, and More!

Ah, the end of September. The month really went by fast! I, of course, am excited for October – it’s when things finally start to cool down where I live in Florida, and Halloween is just around the corner. With both Amazon Prime Day and Target Deal Days announced (both October 13th and 14th), the big days of deals and holiday shopping are starting early, too. That’s probably a good thing, considering what 2020 has been!

But just because the holiday shopping season is ramping up to begin doesn’t mean there aren’t deals to take advantage of now! Today’s top tech deals include $100 off the Fire TV Recast, 33% off a super powerful Alienware laptop, and more!

Woot’s Electronics Sale

Who doesn’t love a fun smattering of electronics to look through in the comfort of your home? Woot’s electronics sale runs until Monday, but you’ll want to look at what’s on offer today before the best items sell out. You can get deep discounts on things like the Google Home Mini, a 4K Smart TV, and more. Also, if you have Amazon Prime (which you should really get for the upcoming Prime Day), all these awesome deals will ship for free.

Woot! Electronics Fall-Tastic Deals

Looking for a deep discount on select electronics, but haven't found it yet? Woot might be the one to have it for you! Running until October 5 or until stock runs out, you can save big on a variety of electronics. Act fast, though, because the stock is limited.

Shop at Woot!

Alienware m15 R2 Gaming Laptop, 33% Off

At Dell, you can grab the super-powered Alienware m15 R2 laptop for 33% off. That brings the price down to $2,200. If you’re shocked by that price, let me tell you, it’s worth it. For starters, this laptop does not have a graphic card integrated into the processor (which is undoubtedly not the greatest for gaming)–instead, you have the GeForce RTX 2080. The m15 R2 also has 16GB of RAM, and a 9th generation Intel processor. This isn’t just a gaming laptop–it’s a top of the line gaming laptop that will last you years. The m15 R2 is not just a worthy purchase, it’s a worthy investment.

Alienware m15 R2 Gaming Laptop

This high-end gaming laptop is 33% off! Featuring a dedicated graphics card (rare for laptops), 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB hard drive, you won't regret this purchase.

$2,200 at Dell

Anker PowerExtend Strip for $25

Look, we all love tech and electronics here, but simply put, you need a place to plug all these things in. If you’ve been in the market for a new surge protector, it can be frustratingly difficult to find something that fits all your plugs properly, actually has surge protection, and won’t randomly melt or set something on fire. The Anker PowerExtend Strip is all of that, has 12 ports (half of which facing sideways so you can fit the big adapters), and is only $25. Grab one, even if you think you don’t need it–trust me, you do.

PowerExtend Strip 12 Outlets with Flat Plug

Make sure you can plug it all in with Anker's 12-port surge protector. Currently $25, half of the ports face outward to plug in those pesky oblong adapters without covering half the ports. It's a necessity in an electronic-heavy household!

Buy from Amazon

Prime Day Early Deal: Fire TV Recast, $100 Off

Have you heard the news? Prime Day is coming, and it’s coming fast. It’s also two days, October 13 and 14. But in classic Amazon fashion, there are already early deals you can take advantage of, such as the Fire TV Recast for $130, $100 of the MSRP. This little device will allow you to record up to 75 hours of live TV to watch later on a Fire TV or mobile device–and unlike other services, there’s no monthly fee. I didn’t even know that was a thing with DVRs until today! Of course, being an early Prime Day deal, you need to be an Amazon Prime member to take advantage of it, but you can sign up right here.

Fire TV Recast

Prime Day is coming fast, but you can take advantage of the savings already! Get the Fire TV Recast for $100 off, and have a DVR service without monthly fees to record your live sports and news. Never miss a game again!

Buy from Amazon

SanDisk 512GB Extreme microSDXC for $110

MicroSD cards. You need them. SanDisk has got some on sale. You can grab the 512GB Extreme microSD for $110, 45% off the MSRP. This one is perfect for that shiny new Switch you bought earlier this week, with the 160MB/s read speeds ensuring your games don’t stutter and load quickly. The microSD is also waterproof, which… well, is nice, but I don’t recommend putting any electronics in water. Grab one today!

SanDisk 512GB Extreme microSDXC

If you need a microSD for your Switch or tablet, then SanDisk's Extreme series is one of the better choices to get. Offering resistance to the elements and a 160MB/s read speed, you won't be disappointed by this little memory card.

Buy from Amazon

More Tech Deals

Looking for even more tech deals? We have them for you below! Today is the last day to get the Aduro solar backup battery from Woot!, so don’t sleep anymore on this one.

• Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G for $1,050 at Best Buy
• Samsung Note 20 5G (Unlocked) for $800 at Amazon
• Microsoft Surface Pro 7 for $799 at Best Buy
• Google Pixel 4 XL (Unlocked) for $750 at Amazon
• OnePlus 8 5G (Unlocked) for $700 at Amazon
• LG V50 5G ThinQ (Unlocked) for $320 at eBay
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite for $280 at Amazon
• Samsung Galaxy A51 for $225 at Samsung Store
• Samsung Galaxy Buds Live for $140 at eBay
• Logitech G533 Wireless Gaming Headset for $74 at Amazon
• Homedics UV Clean Phone Sanitizer for $60 at Amazon
• Roccat Kain 100 PC Gaming Mouse for $30 at Amazon
• Lexar JumpDrive 128GB USB Flash Drive for $22 at Amazon
• TP-Link N300 WiFi Extender for $18 at Amazon
• Wireless USB WiFi Adapter for PC for $15 with code 42XS7H23 at Amazon

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Watch Google announce the Pixel 5, Pixel 4a 5G, Chromecast with Google TV, and Nest Audio

Today is September 30th, the date that Google set for its “Launch Night In” event. The event starts in under 1 hour, and we’re expecting to see Google announce 2 new Pixel phones, 1 new Chromecast, and 1 new smart speaker. Thanks to leaks, official teasers from Google, and retailers breaking street date, we know pretty much everything about the new Pixel 5, Pixel 4a 5G, Chromecast with Google TV, and Nest Audio.

Not everyone has been following the news as closely as we have, though, so we’ve put this post together to serve as a recap of all the information coming out of the event. We’ll be linking out to our coverage as the articles go live, so stay tuned!

Google Pixel 5

Google Pixel 5 Forums

Google Pixel 5 News on XDA

Google Pixel 4a 5G

Google Pixel 4a 5G Forums

Google Pixel 4a 5G News on XDA

Google Chromecast with Google TV

Google Chromecast with Google TV News on XDA

Google Nest Audio

Google Nest Audio News on XDA

Watch Google unveil the Pixel 5, Pixel 4a 5G, Chromecast with Google TV, and Nest Audio

If you’re interested in watching Google’s event for yourself, feel free to join the waiting room on YouTube.

Thanks to Anthony Maki for sharing the featured image!

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Unofficial LineageOS 17.1 brings Android 10 to NVIDIA SHIELD TVs

Towards the end of last month, NVIDIA rolled out SHIELD Software Experience 8.2 with several improvements for its SHIELD TV lineup of devices. The update introduced enhancements for the AI upscaler feature on the 2019 SHIELD TVs and new customization options for the SHIELD remote’s menu button, along with improved IR and CEC volume control support. But while the update brings a couple of new features to NVIDIA’s Android TV boxes, it’s still based on the older Android 9 Pie release. Thankfully, XDA Recognized Developer Steel01 has now released an unofficial build of LineageOS 17.1 based on Android 10 for the NVIDIA SHIELD TV lineup, if you’re hoping to try a newer OS version.

NVIDIA SHIELD TV Forums

The unofficial LineageOS 17.1 build for NVIDIA Shield TVs allows users to run a heavily customizable, near-stock Android 10 experience on their Android TV boxes. If you’re interested in trying out the build on your NVIDIA SHIELD TV, you can download the installation package from the forum thread linked below. However, before you go ahead and flash the build, do note that it’s a very early release and you may experience several issues while using it on your device.

Steel01 notes that in its current form, the LineageOS 17.1 build has all the issues that affect the existing LineageOS 16 build for the devices, including gamma problems that result in washed-out colors and a bug that disables audio if the device goes to sleep with the screensaver turned on. While the developer has shared an easy workaround for the second issue, there’s currently no fix for the gamma problems affecting the build. On top of that, the build doesn’t come with Google apps pre-installed, so you’ll have to flash the OpenGApps TVMini package separately in order to get access to Google apps on your NVIDIA SHIELD TV. The build is compatible with all versions of NVIDIA’s SHIELD TVs.

Download Unofficial LineageOS 17.1 for the NVIDIA SHIELD TVs

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Get Started in Software Engineering With 41 Hours of Training for $39

Every time you open an app or talk to your smart speaker, you benefit from the work of a software engineer. These highly skilled individuals are always in demand, and they get to work on some fascinating projects. The Super Software Engineer Bundle helps you break into this lucrative career, with 41 hours of beginner-friendly training for just $39 at the XDA Developers Depot. 

For anyone who enjoys problem-solving, software engineering is a brilliant career path. Based in computer science, this role is all about coming up with creative coding solutions. It also happens to be extremely well paid — the median salary is $110,000 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Featuring seven courses, this bundle is the perfect starting point for aspiring engineers. Through 41 hours of hands-on tutorials, you learn how to craft unique software for various purposes. Along the way, you get started with several popular languages and frameworks.

The training helps you code for the Internet of Things, create automations for robots, explore artificial intelligence, and dabble in data science with Python. You also get hours of lessons on Java, Angular, MongoDB, and more.

You should come away with the skills and portfolio to find work, plus certificates of completion. The bundle also includes lifetime access, so you can revise at any time.

This training is worth $2,500 in total, but you can get all seven courses today for just $39.

 

The Super Software Engineer Bundle – $39

See Deal

Prices subject to change

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Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro Hands-on Preview: 144Hz Screen is so Smooth

I have always been a fan of Xiaomi phones. In the past, the adoration was mostly value-driven: the company’s hardware wasn’t quite at the level of big dogs like Samsung and Huawei, but the devices were significantly cheaper than the competition that I had no choice but to admire them for their value. My logic for recommending Xiaomi phones circa 2018 was this: they are like 85-90% as good as the best Samsung or Huawei counterpart, but Xiaomi is like half the price! The math works out in your favor if you don’t need the absolute best in everything.

With this spring’s Mi 10 series, Xiaomi stopped this “90% as good” approach and is instead going for the full kill.  We previously noticed it in our Mi 10 review, proclaiming the Mi 10 Pro as Xiaomi’s best phone ever. I wrote the same thing in my review for another publication. Because Chinese brands work crazy fast, Xiaomi has already released two more updates to the Mi 10 series before it’s even half a year old. There was the China-only Mi 10 Ultra a couple of months back, and now, the Mi 10T series, which consists of the usual “Pro,” “standard,” and “Lite” variants that every phone brand has seemingly adopted.

I only have the Mi 10T Pro variant for testing, but a lot of the things said for the Pro apply to the standard Mi 10T too, as they are practically the same other than the primary camera. Here’s our hands-on and first impressions with the new Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro.

Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro: Specifications

Specification	Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro
Dimensions & Weight	165.1 x 76.4 x 9.33 mm 218g
Display	Display: 6.67″ FHD+ 144Hz LCD display 20:9 aspect ratio
SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon 865: 1x Kryo 585 (ARM Cortex-A76-based) Prime core @ 2.4GHz 6x (ARM Cortex-A55-based) Efficiency cores @ 1.8GHz 7nm EUV process Adreno 650
RAM & Storage	8GB + 128GB; 8 + 256GB Expandable via microSD card slot
Battery & Charging	5,000 mAh 33W fast charging
Fingerprint sensor	Side-mounted capacitive fingerprint sensor
Rear Camera	Primary: 108MP, 1/1.33″, f/1.7 Secondary: 13MP, ultra-wide-angle, f/2.4, 123° FoV, 1.12µm pixels Tertiary: 5MP, macro sensor, f/2.4
Front Camera	20MP, f/2.2
Other Features	Wi-Fi 802.11 a,b,g,n,ac Bluetooth 5.1 NFC USB 3.1 Type-C
Android Version	MIUI 12 based on Android 10

Note: I received the Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro from Xiaomi on September 24. I haven’t spent enough time with it for a definitive review, which we will publish in the coming weeks. Xiaomi did not have any inputs in this article. 

Design and hardware

The Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro has two headline-grabbing features: it features a 144Hz display and a large 5,000 mAh battery. Both of these are also available on the standard Mi 10T (not the Mi 10T Lite, however). There’s also a 108MP primary camera with a large-ish image sensor size of 1/1.33″, but this is the same hardware seen in the Mi 10 Pro, so it’s not “new” per se.

The construction on the Mi 10T Pro is premium: you have Gorilla Glass 5 on front and back, sandwiching an aluminum chassis. My unit comes in this glossy, metallic finish (it reminds me of the T-1000 from Terminator 2 when its shape-shifting). It looks great when it’s clean, but attracts fingerprints easily. There’s a side-mounted fingerprint scanner along with a volume rocker on the right side.

The primary camera features a 108MP ISOCELL Bright HMX sensor built by Samsung. This is the same sensor Xiaomi used in the Mi 10 Pro, but the company’s top device, the Mi 10 Ultra, had moved to a newer custom-built OmniVision 48MP sensor. So a return to this 108MP indicates that this phone sits below the Mi 10 Ultra in the pecking order.

Despite the 2X2 grid of what appears to be lenses below the main large camera, only two are sensors: a 13MP ultra-wide angle and a 5MP macro lens. The other two are an LED flash and what appears to be decoration.

Around the front is that 144Hz, a 6.67-inch LCD panel. It uses what Xiaomi calls “AdaptiveSync” technology, meaning it automatically switches between seven different refresh rates: 30/48/50/60/90/120/144Hz, depending on what the app needs.

I can say right now: animations within the phone’s UI feel buttery smooth and makes the LG Wing’s 60Hz panel look slow by comparison. The LG Wing isn’t a slow device in a vacuum, but it feels slow when used side-by-side with the Mi 10T Pro.

Under the hood is a Snapdragon 865, with 8GB RAM and a 5,000 mAh battery. One of the reasons I say Xiaomi has made a jump up in hardware this year is mostly due to the little things like haptic engine and speakers, which have been excellent in almost all Xiaomi releases this year. The same story is repeated here: the Mi 10T Pro has glorious haptics that makes typing a joy, and stereo speakers that pump out full sound.

Software

The Mi 10T Pro runs on Xiaomi’s MIUI 12 on top of Android 10 with Android 11 in the works (presumably, the Mi 10T Pro will also get Xiaomi’s Android 11 update). MIUI is a heavier UX skin than, say, OnePlus’ OxygenOS or Samsung’s One UI, and it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. I enjoy its whimsical animations and aesthetics — for example, when you delete an app, the app blows up, sending a mini shockwave to surrounding apps. However, the settings page is overly complicated and a pain to navigate.

For instance, if you want to change the navigation style from gestures to button or vice versa, you have to go to “additional settings,” then “full-screen display” before you can make this change. If you search “navigation” in settings, nothing shows up. Likewise, with changing how long the screen stays awake — on any Android phone, this would be under the “display” part of settings. Not in MIUI, as that’s under “lock screen” here.

Cameras

I haven’t had time to thoroughly test out the cameras yet as of the time of writing, but from my early testing, the Mi 10T Pro’s main camera is a flagship-level sensor. By default, it shoots excellent 27MP photos with a natural depth-of-field thanks to that large 1/1.33″ sensor.

There is an option to shoot in 108MP mode, which is excellent in good lighting conditions, as it allows for more detailed shots that can be cropped in. In fact, from my early testing, I think the Mi 10T Pro’s 108MP photos turned out better (less digital sharpening and artifacts). The below images are compressed due to WordPress, but if you want to pixel peep, I have uploaded the full-sized 108MP shots here.

At night, I find the Mi 10T Pro’s main camera tend to blow out Hong Kong’s city lights, but if you turn on night mode, it fixes the problems.

There’s no dedicated zoom camera, but the Mi 10T Pro’s digital zoom shots are not bad because that 108MP sensor can pull in so much information.

The 20MP selfie camera and 13MP ultra-wide-angle cameras both get the job done. I have no complaints; the latter, I’d say, works great during the day but at night suffers from the usual noise and loss of details that most ultra-wide-angle cameras, aside from the Huawei P40 Pro’s, also suffer from.

Early impressions of the Mi 10T Pro? Another super value offering by Xiaomi

There are several things I haven’t tested enough to give a final opinion. The screen looks super zippy and fluid, but I don’t know which games take advantage of that 144Hz refresh rate yet (although I played Breakneck and it did seem smoother). I haven’t tested the phone’s video recording much, nor have I pushed the battery with a heavy day out.

At a starting price of €599 ($700) for the base 128GB variant and €649 ($760) for the 256GB version, the Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro is amongst the best value smartphones out there, which is par for the course for Xiaomi.

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