AC Information Weekly
Information Weekly is our column the place we spotlight and summarize a few of the week’s prime tales so you possibly can compensate for the newest tech information.
That is Android Central’s Information Weekly, your go-to supply for a concise roundup of the week’s most important tech tales. That is the place we delve into the highest headlines that present the newest developments and improvements contributing to the digital panorama.
This week, Garmin launched two new flagship smartwatches whereas discontinuing one in every of its lineups, Tecno unveiled a skinny tri-fold cellphone that might make the Galaxy Z Fold 6 jealous, the Pixel 9 Professional XL acquired a teardown with some enhancements and a few disappointments, the Pixel 9 quietly launched a brand new show characteristic, and Gemini customers can quickly generate individuals once more.
Costly new Garmin watches are right here
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Let’s have a second of silence for the Garmin Epix lineup. The corporate is discontinuing the road in favor of the fenix line and the brand new Garmin fenix 8, which now options each MIP and AMOLED fashions. The up to date design options “leakproof steel buttons” and a 40-meter dive ranking for these of you who wish to discover ocean depths.
So far as software program, customers can benefit from entry to the on-device Garmin Messages app and good instructions for AI assistants. Athletes also needs to take pleasure in the brand new “Superior Power Coaching” with devoted plans for numerous sports activities like browsing, snowboarding, path runners, and extra.
You may stand up to 48 days of battery life with the fenix 8 Photo voltaic, however the fenix 8 AMOLED nonetheless manages a powerful 29 days.
The Enduro 3 can last as long as 90 days on a single cost and has a sturdy design with a titanium bezel and sapphire lens overlaying the 1.4-inch MIP show. Just like the fenix 8, you get preloaded topographic maps and advance energy coaching options. It is also capablt of ECG readings for AFib detection.
The fenix 8 retails for $999 whereas the Enduro 3 may be purchased for $899.
TECNO’s cool tri-fold cellphone
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Whereas rumors of tri-fold telephones from corporations like Huawei and Xiaomi have been rumored, TECNO got here out of nowhere and revealed one in every of its personal. The TECNO Phantom Final 2 is definitely a brand new idea system, following final 12 months’s rollable cellphone reveal.
The Phantom Final 2 begins with a 6.48-inch display screen that may be expanded to a 10-inch AMOLED show. What’s attention-grabbing is that the cellphone may be put into numerous types for particular use instances, equivalent to watching media, multitasking, reside translation, and extra.
When folded, the cellphone measures solely 11mm thick, which is thinner than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. That is because of a brand new hinge mechanism that permits for extremely skinny dual-fold telephones. TECNO has not revealed any extra specs for the system, however it no less than has a triple digital camera system on the rear.
The Pixel 9 Professional XL will get the teardown therapy
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The Pixel 9 Professional XL launched pretty lately, however we’re now getting a take a look at the insides of Google’s newest flagship, courtesy of iFixit. The favored restore store exhibits us simply how simple it’s to take the cellphone aside, in case it’s possible you’ll wish to restore it. The video exhibits that whereas there are some enhancements, Google additionally made some questionable decisions with how the system is assembled.
When fastidiously eradicating the display screen, the show grew to become fairly broken, which was shocking. Thankfully, because of the dual-entry design, the display screen does not have to be eliminated if that you must substitute the battery, which is a plus. Nevertheless, issues begin trying grim once more when it really involves eradicating the battery, which proved tougher than it needs to be.
You may check out the total video above, however Android Central senior editor Jerry Hildenbrand cannot think about this cellphone lasting seven years given how troublesome it’s to restore.
Moist arms? No downside for the Pixel 9
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One of many extra distinctive options we have seen on smartphones previously 12 months or so is the flexibility to navigate the show within the rain or with moist arms. OnePlus highlighted this characteristic with the OnePlus Ace 2 Professional and has since carried out it on newer gadgets just like the OnePlus 12 (dubbed Aqua Contact). Now, the Pixel 9 sequence has joined within the enjoyable, quietly launching the same characteristic.
As identified by Android Authority, Adaptive Contact is a show characteristic you possibly can allow on the Pixel 9, the place contact sensitivity “will mechanically modify to your surroundings, actions and display screen protector.” Whereas it does not particularly say something about rain or moist fingers, Android Authority has discovered of their testing that the Pixel 9 capabilities significantly better with moist fingers. We have now additionally observed as a lot with our items.
So in the event you reside someplace with quite a lot of rain, the Pixel 9 would possibly simply be the cellphone for you (particularly for the reason that telephones are waterproof).
Gemini will get its mojo again
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After some preliminary backlash, Google is making ready to deliver again picture era of individuals to Gemini apps. The corporate states that whereas Imagen 3 can generate photorealistic landscapes and different issues, it is inserting some limitations in the case of producing photographs of individuals.
“We don’t assist the era of photorealistic, identifiable people, depictions of minors or excessively gory, violent or sexual scenes,” Google states in a blog post. It additionally notes that Gemini will not at all times get it proper and that the corporate will proceed to enhance the expertise.
This can be out there first to Superior, Enterprise, and Enterprise customers.
Along with picture era, Google is now rolling out Gems, that are customized variations of Gemini that companies and enterprise customers can benefit from for particular functions. Customers will have the ability to describe what they need their Gem to do to create a personalised expertise. The corporate lists examples equivalent to a health club buddy, sous chef, coding accomplice, or inventive writing information.
These are a few of the largest tales from this week. In the meantime, listed here are another tales which are value catching up on: