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Google researchers turn Android devices into scientific ionosphere tools
Phone-based maps outperform the traditional Klobuchar ionospheric model globally
Underserved regions like Africa benefit from enhanced ionosphere data
Geomagnetic storms are tracked with high precision using smartphone networks
Mapping the ionosphere is critical for improving the accuracy of navigation systems, but existing methods face significant limitations. While ground-based GNSS stations provide detailed maps of ionospheric total electron content (TEC), their coverage is uneven, leaving large gaps in underserved regions.
Now, researchers fromGoogleResearch, Mountain View, CA, USA, have demonstrated an innovative solution utilizing millions ofAndroid smartphonesas a distributed network of sensors in a study published inNature.
Despite being less precise than traditional instruments, these devices effectively double the measurement coverage, offering accurate ionosphere data and addressing longstanding infrastructure disparities.
The ionosphere, a layer of ionized plasma extending from 50 to 1,500 km above Earth, significantly impacts Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals by introducing positioning errors. However, traditional ground-based GNSS stations, while precise, suffer from limited spatial coverage and leave underserved regions vulnerable to inaccuracies.
The research from Google Research capitalizes on the billions of smartphones equipped with dual-frequency GNSS receivers to address coverage gaps. Unlike conventional GNSS stations, smartphones are mobile, widely distributed, and capable of capturing vast amounts of data.
By aggregating and averaging measurements from millions of devices, researchers achieved accuracy comparable to dedicated monitoring stations, even resolving phenomena like solar storms and plasma density structures.
Android’s GNSS API facilitated the collection of satellite signal data, such as travel times and frequencies, which were then used to estimate the ionospheric total electron content (TEC).
The study showed that while individual phone measurements are noisier than those from monitoring stations, their collective data provided robust and reliable results.
Comparisons showed the phone-based TEC model outperformed existing methods like the Klobuchar model, widely used in mobile phones.
Using data from Android phones, the researchers doubled the measurement coverage of the ionosphere compared to traditional methods, and were able to map plasma bubbles over India and South America and storm-enhanced density over North America during a geomagnetic storm in May 2024.
They also observed mid-latitude troughs over Europe and equatorial anomalies – a phenomena previously inaccessible due to sparse station coverage.
Notably, regions like India, South America, and Africa, often underserved by traditional monitoring networks, benefited significantly from this approach, which produced real-time, high-resolution TEC maps.
Before Samsung launched theGalaxy S24series in January, there were rumors that the new phones would include satellite messaging, similar to the feature available on Apple’s newer models. While this feature was not included at the launch, it’s now finally rolling out for some users.
According toSamMobile, some Galaxy S24 andGalaxy Z Fold 6users in the U.S. are now starting to receive this feature.
Before getting too excited, however, this news comes with a caveat. It’s only available to T-Mobile customers who applied to test the company’s T-Mobile Starlink service. T-Mobile announced that feature in August 2022, and earlier this month, it (finally)announcedthat satellite messaging beta registration would soon be available for direct-to-cell satellite service. It doesn’t require a fee; you must have a postpaid account. You cansign up to test the feature now.
For users with supported devices, navigate to Settings > Connections > Satellite Networks to find the listing. Once set up, you can send and receive messages in areas without nearby cellular network coverage.
The T-Mobile Starlink service remains in beta. When released to the public, it should be available on any T-Mobile Android phone with LTE connectivity.
Android 15introduced satellite messaging support to Android phones for the first time, potentially enhancing communication capabilities in remote areas where traditional cellular networks are unavailable. This feature enables users to send texts for emergencies and other important messages via satellite, ensuring connectivity even in the most isolated environments.
However, carrier support and compatible devices are required to utilize this functionality entirely. Unfortunately, most manufacturers are still integrating this capability into their devices.
Meanwhile, since the iPhone 14 series, Apple iPhones have supported satellite messaging.
Thanks to iOS 18.2,Apple Intelligencehas pretty much arrived on iPhones, and based on our own reportingGenmoji is proving a hit. Genmoji, a portmanteau of generative and emoji, is an artificial intelligence-powered feature that combines two emojis to make a custom one.
I’m not a fan of Genmoji. Maybe it’s the fact that the resulting emoji sport that creepy veneer of all AI-made images; maybe it’s my Android fanboyism’s natural aversion toApple… or maybe it’s the fact that I absolutely love Android’s own version of Genmoji.
Yes, Android has its own version of Genmoji, and true Android fashion, Google actually introduced it way ahead of Apple; in 2020 to be exact. This feature is called Emoji Kitchen, and far too few people have heard of it (possibly because of that strange name).
Emoji Kitchen, like Genmoji, lets you select pick two emoji and have them combine into a new one. Smiley face plus pineapple equals smiling pineapple, crying face plus cat equals crying cat, you get the picture.
As a tech reporter, I downloaded Emoji Kitchen as soon as it was made available and have been using it ever since. In fact, I absolutely love it and use it all the time, and with Genmoji potentially making Android users green with envy, it’s time to revisit this far superior alternative.
Back when Emoji Kitchen was introduced, you needed to enrol in a beta to access it. But now anyone on Android can, as long as you’re using the default keyboard option GBoard. Emoji Kitchen doesn’t work on all messaging apps but the key ones are supported includingWhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter, Messenger and a few others.
To use Emoji Kitchen, open the chat log and press in the message box, where you type. Instead of typing, press the smiley-face icon to the left of the space bar, which brings up the menu that normally lets you send emoji, gifs and stickers.
Now, pick your first emoji and press it. Instantly, in the space between the keyboard and the messaging log, you’ll see a section appear for Emoji Kitchen, giving you some suggested custom emojis (I think these are based on your most-used emoji but I’m not certain).
To combine two emoji of your choice, find in the emoji list your second choice and press it. Now, the leftmost option of the Emoji Kitchen carousel will be the custom pick. Press it, and your concoction will be sent in the chat as a sticker. Unfortunately, you can’t send them in a message as with standard emoji.
My favorite part of Emoji Kitchen is just playing around with emoji combinations, but if you’d rather know what you’re sending, there’s afull list of options available here.
You can also use Emoji Kitchen on a computer, which lets you create emoji quickly and easily and copy-and-paste them into chats.
To do so simply Google search “Emoji Kitchen” and then press “Get Cooking” below the search bar.
A pop-up will appear that lets you choose from a range of emojis to combine, in a mathematical “X + X = X”. To create an emoji, select on the one you want to swap out and then press one of the ones in the list below.
Then to copy and paste your new custom emoji, press the ‘copy’ button (two rectangles, on top of each other) under the right-hand emoji to copy it. Paste it into another document or chat.
Unlocking the full potential of Emoji Kitchen
(Image credit: Google)
I love Emoji Kitchen because some of its resulting creations look silly. Silly but cute. And isn’t the big bonus of Android emoji over iOS ones that they look so much cuter? The veritable army of new cute combos is one of the reasons I keep using the feature.
My absolute favorite is the turtle emoji (some people tell me it’s a tortoise but its primary name according to emoji makers Unicode is “turtle”, take that!), with its hopeful simple smile, and about 75% of the Emoji Kitchen stickers I send nowadays are mash-ups featuring the turt. I spam my girlfriend with it so much that she baked me a gingerbread version of the turtle-alien mash-up, a Kitchen creation I was particularly taken with.
The thing is, the turtle alien emoji was sent because it was situationally relevant to what we were talking about (invasive species of turtles, not extra-terrestrial shelled reptiles), and that’s another aspect I enjoy about Emoji Kitchen. The ability to combine emoji creates so many situationally-relevant stickers to send, that there’s rarely a time I can’t find an emoji I’d like to send.
But my favorite thing about Emoji Kitchen, which is also a dig at Genmoji, is that the stickers simply look better. This is partly my preference but also partly that Genmoji are images made by an AI trying to slam two emoji together, and it tells. Emoji Kitchen, on the other hand, are hand-drawn, something thatGoogle has confirmed itself.
I’m not here to complain about AI, but you can tell that Genmoji lacks that human touch, sitting deep in that uncanny valley (alongside half of the other Apple Intelligence generative tools) while Emoji Kitchen basks in that cartoon cuteness. I need only show some of Apple’s own promotional images to prove this point:
(Image credit: Apple)
So if you’re an Android user, you shouldn’t feel jealous that you don’t have Genmoji. You should feel glad that you can use Emoji Kitchen instead.
Local manufacturers are once again likely to continue their dominance in 2025.
The Asian handset market is very interesting, with a significantly broader range of devices sold in the region than anywhere else. You have the usual Chinese contingent of Vivo, OPPO, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Honor dominating sales, but Samsung and Google also sell most of their products in Asian markets, and Apple is slowly building momentum with the iPhone.
I used over 70 phones over the course of 2024, and while there were devices that didn’t measure up to their asking price, I didn’t run into any bad phones as such. The one brand that stood out the most to me is Vivo. It delivered truly incredible cameras in theX100 ProandX100 Ultra, and it made heady gains in the mid-range with theV30 ProandV40 Pro, delivering much better sensors.
Clearly, I’m not the only one who liked the brand’s progress, as Vivo managed to extend its lead in both China and India considerably. Vivo is likely to continue that momentum in 2025 on the back of the X200 Pro. As much as I like the X200 Pro, I’m waiting to see what the X200 Ultra brings to the table. Vivo doesn’t actually need to change much with the device, but if it manages to retain the same set of cameras while making the phone available in at least select regions outside China, it will be a monumental achievement.
While the V series is stronger than ever, the upgrades with the V40 Pro pushed it closer to value flagships, and Vivo needs to focus on the Y series to maintain its mid-range presence. I’m excited to see what’s in store with the V50 and V50 Pro, and whether they can deliver the same caliber of photos as the X series.
Although OPPO lost ground in China, it solidified its position as the second-largest handset brand in India on the back of the Reno 12, K series, and A series devices. While I enjoyed using theFind X8 Proquite a bit, I don’t think OPPO has the cachet to steal market share from Apple and Samsung just yet, but its introduction in additional global markets should give OPPO a decent platform on which to build. The one issue I have with the X8 Pro is that it doesn’t have the best cameras the brand makes, and that will inevitably debut on the X8 Ultra sometime in Q2 2025. Just like with Vivo, the X8 Ultra needs to launch globally to make the cameras accessible by a wider audience.
OnePlus, meanwhile, is doing all the right things. Although the manufacturer lost market share in 2024, its device portfolio is stronger than ever, and the imminent global launch of theOnePlus 13should allow the brand to take on Samsung and Google. What I like is that the R series is also sold globally, and with the OnePlus 12R still one of the best mid-rangers available today, I’m intrigued to see what the 13R can deliver. I just want to see the device continue to deliver the same value-focused ethos, and with the manufacturer confirming a class-leading 6000mAh battery, it has the potential to do incredibly well.
Xiaomi continues to do well thanks to its budget-focused portfolio, but that narrative has changed in recent years as it shifted to the mid-range with devices like the Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus. In doing so, Xiaomi is effectively ceding ground to its rivals, and that’s one of the reasons why it is no longer in the top position in India. The brand needs to rethink its strategy and go back to delivering budget phones with strong value — that just hasn’t been the case in the last two years. Honestly, Xiaomi needs to do an overhaul of its devices, and rethink its strategy. That’s the only way it can retain its footing against its rivals, but I don’t see the brand doing so in 2025.
I really like what Honor is doing these days; the Magic 6 Pro and Magic V3 are two of my best phones of the year — with the latter being one of the best foldables around — and the brand is taking a radically different strategy to everyone else, positioning itself as a premium player to stand out. While that may not yield market share, Honor certainly takes up a lot of mind share, and with the brand regaining its foothold in India, 2025 should be a pivotal year for its global ambitions. The Magic 7 Pro is launching shortly, and I’d like to see the device delivering better cameras; while the 6 Pro was great in its own right, it didn’t quite measure up to the X100 Pro, and Honor needs to be on the same level as Vivo.
I usually turn to a Pixel as my daily driver, and that hasn’t changed in 2024. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is a worthy upgrade, and while it costs more, it has meaningful changes across the board and takes brilliant photos. The only issue with the device is that the hardware isn’t on par with its rivals, although that may change in 2025. Google is set to switch away from Samsung’s designs and go with MediaTek, which means that the Pixel 10 should be noticeably better in this regard. The biggest thing that Google needs to change with the Pixel 10 is the internal hardware; the Tensor platform may be good in mid-rangers, but it just doesn’t measure up against what Qualcomm and MediaTek are doing in the high-end category, and Google needs to do better. The latest leaks point to the brand doing just that with the Tensor G5, but I want to get my hands on the device to see how it actually holds up.
As for Samsung, the brand lost ground in India and other Asian markets this year, and that’sdown to its own shortcomings. While it built up an early lead in foldables, the lack of any meaningful innovation has allowed Chinese brands to eat into its market share, and Samsung is losing ground in the mid-range as well. What’s interesting is that the brand is positioning the FE devices as its value-focused models in major regions like the U.S. instead of traditional bestsellers like the Galaxy A55, and I don’t think that’s the best move. While high-end devices contribute to Samsung’s bottom line, it’s the mid-range where the brand sees a bulk of its sales, and it needs to bring its best devices to all regions.
Like much of the last decade, value-focused phones will dominate sales in 2025, but there is a growing demand for mid-range and even high-end devices, and that’s encouraging to see. With all major manufacturers introducing their products earlier than before, we don’t have to wait as long to see what’s in store with the best 2025 phones, and that’s always a good thing.
In the last year, I’ve taken up a new, rewarding hobby with astrophotography. Today’sbest phonesmake it easier than ever before to get breathtaking shots of the night sky, which is why I want to share my favorite shots from each of the flagship phones I’ve tested throughout the year.
These include theiPhone 16 Pro Max,Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra,Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, andOnePlus 12— many of which top batterymap’sbest camera phonesguide. They’re there for many reasons, but I will agree that the quality of images for astrophotography requires more than just the physical hardware. Plus, there’s a certain level of patience needed to get just the right images.
Most people don’t even know that these flagship phones are capable of capturing stuff besides the moon, stars, and constellations. As you’ll see, I’ve been able to image other deep space objects with their telephoto cameras — like nebulas and even some galaxies. Here’s all of my favorite shots.
Before I dive into it, I captured all the astrophotography images with each phone on separate occasions. Since astrophotography requires the phones to be extremely still with their long exposure, often upwards of 30 seconds, it’s not feasible for me to capture the same targets with each device. That’s why the images are from different days.
Secondly, it’s worth investing in a tripod and phone holder to capture astrophotography with phones. I’d recommend keeping them as close to the ground as possible because sometimes a slight gust of wind can ruin a shot. And finally, you’ll want to use the timer function to eliminate any shake when you’re hitting the shutter button.
Once you master these techniques, you simply need to switch to their respective night modes and select the longest exposure time.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
If you’re going to shoot astrophotography with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, I’d recommend switching to its Pro Mode and manually setting the shutter speed and ISO. In the first shot of the gallery below, I do like how the overall image is brightened to see the details in the tree’s branches, but the sky itself is a bit overexposed given how dark it looks in real life. Still, I love all the twinkling stars it’s able to capture.
In the second astrophotography image with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, I used Pro Mode to try and capture M42: The Great Orion Nebula. This is one of my favorite shots because the night sky is properly exposed, with less of the banding effect of the night shot one. And since I used a longer exposure, it manages to keep the noise down by shooting at a lower ISO.
And finally, there’s the last closeup shot of the Great Orion Nebula with the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s 50MP telephoto with 5x zoom. While I could’ve maxed it out 100x zoom, I chose not to in order to preserve the details. I think it does an excellent job of defining the gases that are coming from the nebula, which with the naked eye just looks like an ordinary twinkling star — but the S24 Ultra captures it in greater detail.
Apple’s flagship is a low light beast, and these astrophotography snapshots I captured with the iPhone 16 Pro Max proves that. Starting with its 48MP main camera, it’s the only flagship phone I’ve tested this year that can capture a galaxy. With it pointed straight up into the air, I was able to capture M31 Andromeda Galaxy — complete with its wispy trails. You’ll have to look very close in the first image below, but it’s there.
Next up, I want to point out how it captures The Great Orion Nebula with its 12MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom. I surmise that the clearer skies above me that evening attributed to what’s arguably my favorite astrophotography shot with these flagships, mainly because the nebula is better defined.
For my last pick, it’s the shot of M45 The Pleiades — which on that night was right above my garage. There’s a lot I love about this photo because not only are the seven main stars of the cluster visible with the main camera, but the colors of the leaves on the tree remain true-to-life.
OnePlus 12
Even though its flagships have often underperformed against its main rivals in the low light department, I will admit that the OnePlus 12 can get some respectable looking astrophotography images. The first one I tried getting of Jupiter in the night sky is a perfect example, especially when I was contending against the strong moonlight from the Moon. The overall shot may look underexposed compared to the brighter captures of the other phones here, but enough to give it a realistic look.
The second image in the gallery below is of M45 The Pleiades, which initially I thought was captured by its 64MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. But for some reason it stuck with the 50MP main camera, which I suspect is simply due to the low light conditions. Given how effective OnePlus leverages pixel binning here, I think it still pulls off an excellent shot.
Going back to M42 The Great Orion Nebula, the OnePlus 12’s main camera again captures an image that’s more underexposed, but it doesn’t have the banding effect that I tend to see with the night modes on other phones.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
There’s a reason why I saved the Pixel 9 Pro XL for last. Out of all the phones I’ve tested, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is my favorite for astrophotography. Not only does it have an excellent 48MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom, but there’s a dedicated astrophotography mode that pushes the exposure to 4 minutes — resulting in a neat timelapse video to complement the image it captures. The first shot of M45 The Pleiades below shows a few rolling clouds overhead, while still showing the movement of M45.
With an unobstructed view of Jupiter, I love how this shot from the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s main camera also manages to expose some of the nearby stars. If you look to the south-east, there’s the Great Orion Nebula — while the seven stars of The Pleiades are visible to the north-east.
In order to better show off its telephoto capabilities with astrophotography, I pointed the Pixel 9 Pro XL towards the Great Orion Nebula and used its 5x optical zoom for a closer look. Needless to say that I’m astounded by what it sees, unlike my own eyes that merely see the famous star cluster as a smudgy blob in the sky. Not only is Orion’s Belt clearly captured in the 5x zoom photo, but I really love how the nebula itself is exposed.
Google drops Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking, an AI model that thinks on its feet.
What you need to know
Google’s Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking lets you see how it tackles tough problems, giving you a peek into its thought process.
Unlike OpenAI’s o1 model, which keeps things hidden, Gemini spells out its reasoning, making it easier to follow and avoid AI mistakes.
This approach helps Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking handle tougher challenges better than the standard version.
The model is free to try on Google’s AI Studio, though it has a 32,767-token limit.
Google has introduced Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking, an experimental AI model that lays out how it tackles tough problems in order to let you peek into its thought process and make it easier to see how it works.
Gemini 2.0Flash Thinking blends Flash tech’s speed with the reasoning chops of OpenAI’s o1 model. The difference is thatGeminispells out its thought process, while o1 keeps things behind the curtain. That clear breakdown makes it a win for anyone needing to follow complex reasoning and dodge surprise AI slip-ups.
This unique approach helps it outshine the standardGemini 2.0 Flashon tougher challenges.
Logan Kilpatrick, head of product for AI Studio, calls this model a big first step in Google’s push for smarter AI reasoning. Unlike most AI systems, these reasoning models can self-check their work, reducing common errors. The trade-off is that it takes a bit longer to get answers—sometimes seconds or even minutes.
Google DeepMind’s chief scientist, Jeff Dean, showed off on X some capabilities of Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking.
Want to see Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking in action? Check out this demo where the model solves a physics problem and explains its reasoning. pic.twitter.com/Nl0hYj7ZFS
The demo featured the AI solving tough physics problems by breaking them into smaller steps, showcasing its knack for methodical problem-solving and delivering solid, reliable results.
In another demo from Kilpatrick, the model shows off its impressive reasoning skills by combining visual and text data to solve a problem. It highlights how well the model can process and blend info from different sources.
While early demos have shown some missteps or missed details, it’s important to remember that this model is still in its early stages. Even so, these first impressions highlight the impressive potential of the DeepMind AI architecture.
The new model is free for everyone to try on Google’s AI Studio platform. That said, it has a 32,767-token limit, so it’s a bit capped compared to other versions. Still, it’s impressive how quickly it handles tricky problems that usually leave regular AI models scratching their heads.
It’ll be a major boost to the availability of Gemini features for iPhone users.
(Image credit: Google)
What you need to know
The public build of the Gemini app for iOS is getting Gemini 2.0 Experimental models before the Android version.
Gemini 2.0 Flash Experimental hit the Gemini app in the Android beta channel earlier this week.
Additionally, the iOS app supports more languages and extensions.
Google is continuing to roll out experimental features based on its Gemini 2.0 models, and now, the Gemini app for iOS is starting to get feature parity with its Android counterpart. According to the release notes, the latest Gemini app update landed on the App Store on December 18. Among them, Google included support for the experimental Gemini 2.0 model and support for two additional Gemini extensions.
Currently, updating toversion1.2024.4970016of the Gemini app for iOS adds the option for Gemini Advanced subscribers to use Gemini 2.0 Flash Experimental. This is an early version of Google’s smaller, lightweight AI model. Although the app’s release notes describe the update as adding support for “our latest experimental Gemini 2.0 models,” only 2.0 Flash Experimental appears to be live at the moment. The higher-end model,Gemini 2.0 Experimental, hit the Gemini web client Dec. 17 but isn’t available in the mobile app.
Notably, the Gemini app for iOS is receiving the Gemini 2.0 Flash Experimental model before the Android app. The functionalityreached beta testers this week, while it went straight to public release on the iOS version. It still requires Gemini Advanced, which costs $20 per month.
(Image credit: Google)
The iPhone app got a few other upgrades, too. It’s available in the following 11 new languages: Bulgarian, Estonian, Gujarati, Kannada, Latvian, Lithuanian, Malayalam, Serbian, Slovenian, Swahili, and Urdu. Additionally, Gemini Live support was added for the following 21 languages: Bengali, Chinese, Danish, Dutch, Gujarati, Hungarian, Kannada, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Malayalam, Marathi, Norwegian Bokmål, Romanian, Slovenian, Swahili, Swedish, Tamil, Telugu, Ukrainian, and Urdu.
Gemini Advanced users can also agree to store their personal information to get better responses from Gemini. Plus, “conversation starters” are coming to the Gemini app for iOS for non-subscribers.
Two new extensions are arriving on the platform for the first time, too. TheGoogle Home extension launched on Android last month, and it’s now available for iOS. The same goes for the Google Photos extension.
As it tries to build up Gemini to compete with ChatGPT, it has done a decent job of bringing its best features to both versions of the Gemini mobile app — iOS and Android. This time around, the public build of the Gemini app for iOS is getting a hit feature before the Android version.
The service would reportedly have customers rent devices instead of buying them.
Apple has apparently shelved its plans for aniPhone hardware subscription service. It’s just as well — the last thing anyone needs in this economy is yet another ongoing expense.
Bloombergreports that Apple is no longer working on its iPhone subscription service, according to sources close to the matter.First rumoured in 2022, the tech giant’s hardware subscription would have given customers the option to pay a regular monthly fee to essentially rent their iPhone. They’d also be able to upgrade to the latest iPhone as new models were released.
This iPhone subscription service had reportedly been planned for launch the same year it was leaked, but was delayed by issues such as software problems and legal concerns. Now it seems the service won’t arrive at all.
Judging from the scant details that have emerged, Apple’s proposed subscription service seemed to have borne some similarities to its iPhone Upgrade Program. Introduced in 2015, this program allows customers to enter a two-year monthly payment plan for their iPhone, with current plans starting at $39.50 per month for the 128GB iPhone 16. Once they’ve made 12 payments, they’re eligible to upgrade their phone when the next model arrives, entering a new loan.
However, the iPhone Upgrade Program enables customers to ultimately own their device outright if they complete the payment plan. In contrast, Apple’s previously planned service sounded more akin to renting a device, with customers presumably required to return their iPhone if they cancelled their subscription.
Apple also discontinued its Apple Pay Later service earlier this year, a possible indication that the company is reassessing its financial products. Initially announced in 2022, Apple Pay Later was a Buy Now Pay Later service that allowed customers to split payments into multiple smaller installments spread out over several weeks.
Verdict For the most part, Google didn’t try and reinvent the wheel with the Pixel Tablet. As an Android tablet, it’s pretty much the perfect tablet for almost everything. But it really flexes its muscles when attached to the included Charging Speaker Dock, transforming it into a supercharged smart home display. There are a few quirks here and there, but honestly, it’s nothing that’s earth-shattering.
Pros
+Pixel experience comes back to tablets
+Includes Charging Speaker Dock
+USI 2.0 support
+Could be a look at the future of Google’s Nest products
+Design is reminiscent of the Pixel 5
Cons
-Not ideal for serious gaming
-No first-party stylus or keyboard options
-Removing the tablet off of the dock takes a bit of practice
I’ve used my fair share of tablets over the years. Predominantly, my time has been spent with an iPad Pro of some sort, but I do enjoy a good Android tablet whenever one is actually released. Like many of us Android nerds, we’ve been longing for Google to get back into the tablet game, and our prayers were finally answered with the Pixel Tablet.
I’ve been longing for a Google tablet that can capture my interest in the same way that theNexus 7did. And after a couple of weeks with the Pixel Tablet, Google is definitely onto something here.
Google Pixel Tablet: Price and availability
The Google Pixel Tablet was first introduced atGoogle I/O 2022, before making it was officially released in June 2023. There are three different colors available, as Google is offering it in Porcelain, Hazel, or Rose, complete with matching a Charging Speaker Dock in the box. Pricing starts at $499 for the 128GB model and goes up to $599 for the version with 256GB of storage.
Google Pixel Tablet: Brand new, yet familiar design
The first thing that I noticed when I took the Pixel Tablet out of the box is the feel of the back cover. It reminds me of the finish found on older Pixel phones like thePixel 4 XLandPixel 5. It’s soft to the touch, yet comfortable to hold and there aren’t any worries about fingerprints turning this into a smudgy mess, at least on the back.
This isn’t the same sentiment when it comes to the display, thanks to the glossy finish, which will likely show fingerprints as soon as you unwrap it. But something else I noticed is that Google didn’t want to go down the same path as theGalaxy Tab S8or iPad Air here. Instead, the bezels are large enough so you don’t have to worry about accidentally touching the screen. It’s likely the same approach Google made with the bezels on the Pixel Fold, and it’s actually been a bit refreshing.
Admittedly, the larger bezels do make the Pixel Tabletlooklike a device that was released a few years ago. Well really, thePixel Tabletlookslike the Nest Hubwith a better screen, but more on that in a bit.
That being said, I’m also a big fan of both the selfie camera and fingerprint scanner being placed in the correct positions. It seems that every other company, besides Apple, has learned that the camera should be orientated for landscape use, not at the top of the screen. And the fingerprint scanner, even with a case on, is still accessible and has been more reliable than the in-display one in my Pixel 7 Pro.
Google Pixel Tablet: Performance is what you’d expect
I won’t bore you with benchmarking scores and a spec breakdown because basically, the Pixel Tablet is aPixel 7wrapped in a larger screen. Google’s getting the most out of theTensor G2chip, which debuted along with the Pixel 7 and is now powering a total of five devices in Google’s lineup (including thePixel Fold.)
What that means is that it’ll handle pretty much all of the best Android games, while the 8GB of RAM is enough to take advantage of the changes to multitasking inAndroid 13. In fact, I’m sitting here writing this review with the Pixel Tablet propped up on my desk connected to a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard.
The new taskbar is similar to what you’ll find on theGalaxy Z Fold 4and other large-screen devices. With just a swipe up from the bottom, the taskbar appears, revealing your most recently-used apps, along with an app drawer button. Touch and hold on an app icon and you’re able to drag it into split-screen mode, but it’s not all sunshine and roses.
For example, you can’t have more than two apps open at a time when working on a split-screen. And this decision honestly has me scratching my head a bit. I haven’t even been able to get a third app to open as a floating window, which is pretty disappointing if I’m being honest.
Then again, Google isn’t positioning the Pixel Tablet as a productivity device, at least not yet. The software changes for Android tablets are more than welcome, especially on a large-screen device from Google. And you can still adjust the size of the app windows by dragging the line in the middle of the screen left or right.
If there was one thing that surprised me about the Pixel Tablet announcement, besides the obvious stuff, is the included support for USI 2.0. This means you can use the same USI pen from your Chromebook with your Pixel Tablet. My go-to USI pen has been thePenoval USI 2.0 stylus, and it’s worked pretty darn well, whether I’m trying to find a song to play or jot down some quick notes. You can even install the Google Canvas web app, along with any of the other best note-taking apps for Android, and don’t have to worry about dealing with a pairing process just to use a stylus.
Keeping with the stylus for a moment, I’m not someone who takes a bunch of hand-written notes on tablets orfoldable phones, but there are times when being able to do so just comes in handy. But I can’t help but feel like there’s just a little bit too much lag between what I write on the screen and when it actually shows up.
At first, I thought maybe something was up with the Penoval pen I was using, but it also happened with my otherUSI pens. Perhaps there’s a setting in Developer Options that will let me tweak things, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if improvements are made with future software updates.
Google Pixel Tablet: My new smart home hub
I have more smart displays and speakers in my house than I can count, but none of them are being actively used in my office. Until I/O 2023, there was aNest Hubon a shelf, accompanied by a Nest Hub Max in the kitchen and another Nest Hub in my living room. But even before I was offered to write this review, I knew that I would end up with a Pixel Tablet.
And instead of throwing it in a corner of the room, I’ve placed it on my desk, just to the right of my monitors. Google keeps trying to tell everyone that the Pixel Tablet is not a Nest Hub replacement, but after spending some time with it, I’m still of the mindset that Google’s just playing coy.
When docked, the Pixel Tablet’s Hub Mode can be customized with many of the same options that you’ll find on the Nest Hub Max. But the biggest benefit is the redesignedGoogle Homeapp which continues to come in handy when I want to turn on the lights or check my cameras.
As for the speaker itself, it’s quite a bit louder than I expected, despite the difference in speakers compared to theNest Hub Max. But what has come in really handy is the built-in Chromecast, as I have a tendency of starting videos when I take out my dog and want to continue watching them when I come inside. As you can see in the pictures, there is no shortage of screens in my office, but casting from my phone to the Pixel Tablet is much faster compared to anything else.
Instead of trying to find reasons to use the Pixel Tablet, it’s just become second nature to rely on it for things like music playback or video watching when I want something off to the side. Google really nailed it here, and while you won’t enjoy the best audio quality, it’s still quite a bit better than what I was expecting.
Google Pixel Tablet: There are trade-offs, for now at least
As much as I want to sit here and tell everyone to go buy the Pixel Tablet right now, I can’t exactly do that. It’s not the “end-all-be-all” device, let alone thebest Android tabletout there. Google did have to make a few compromises, some of which have shown up in my time with it so far, while others might just be a non-factor.
My biggest disappointment, so far at least, shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, but Ireallywanted Google to release a first-party stylus and keyboard cover for the Pixel Tablet. As someone who likes being able to work from pretty much anywhere, at any time, I don’t always want to throw in aBluetooth keyboardjust to get some work done on my tablet. There are some rumors that this could be rectified in the coming months, but I’m of the mindset of “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
That’s not to say that Google’s first-party Pixel Tablet case is bad, as the built-in adjustable kickstand has been quite nice to use. Plus, it still works with the Charging Speaker Dock, so I don’t need to worry about taking off the case whenever I want to throw my tablet on the dock. And as I mentioned earlier, the case doesn’t get in the way of my trying to unlock the tablet with my fingerprint, which is a nice touch.
Instead, my biggest problem with the case is that I feel like I’m either destined to live with scratches, or I’ll need to buy a screen protector if I ever want to take the tablet with me. The case does have a bit of a lip around the edges, which will definitely help if I place the tablet screen down. But that will do practically nothing if I throw the Pixel Tablet in my bag and then accidentally put something else in the same sleeve.
Another disappointment that I’ve had, was one that I didn’t expect, and that’s the Charging Speaker Dock becoming a large paperweight whenever the tablet is detached. After this was revealed by Google, I really didn’t think it would both me all that much, and honestly, it hasn’t. But there have been times when I was listening to music, then wanted to pick up the tablet to look at something, only to have the music switch.
Google Pixel Tablet: The competition
As is the case with most tablets, the most obvious competition to the Pixel Tablet is an iPad, and in this case, it’s theiPad (10th Generation). This is priced at $50 less than the Pixel Tablet but adopts the modern design found with almost every other option in Apple’s lineup. But for $449, you’ll only get the iPad and charging cable in the box and will need to spring for any other accessories that you might want.
In hishands-on, my colleague callie noted that theLenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2is also a formidable competitor. However, Google gains an edge in the software update department, while Lenovo’s tablet “costs slightly less with a better display.”
Google Pixel Tablet: Should you buy it?
You should buy this if:
You want an Android tablet with Google’s Pixel software interface.
You want an Android tablet that doubles as a smart home hub.
You want software updates as soon as Google makes them available.
You want a solid overall tablet and are okay with a few compromises.
You shouldn’t buy this if:
You’re looking for a productivity-focused tablet.
You’re on a budget.
While I’ve come around to One UI and am okay with software interfaces from other OEMs, there’s just something about Pixel UI that brings me back. It’s part of the reason why I wanted to see aGoogle Play Edition of the Galaxy Z Fold 3or 4 until Google announced the Pixel Fold.
The Pixel Tablet is not the best at any one thing but still manages to stand out from the pack with Material You and the Charging Speaker Dock. I’m still holding out hope that Google will release a keyboard case and its own USI stylus, but there are some pretty great options already available.
It’s also not often that I actually want to pick up and use a tablet while sitting on the couch, as opposed to just using my phone. To answer the question of what is “the one” from the title, the Pixel Tablet is the master of doing everything you want. Including things, you wouldn’t have expected.
Google unveiled two new AI models today: Veo 2 for video generation and Imagen 3 for images. According to human evaluators, both models set new benchmarks in their respective fields.
The new Veo 2 model can generate 4K videos and responds to specific filmmaking instructions, including different types of lenses and camera effects. Unlike previous models limited to short clips, Veo 2 videos can be “extended to minutes in length.”
One improvement in Veo 2, Google says, is how it handles common AI generation problems. The model produces fewer “hallucinations” – weird artifacts like extra fingers or random objects that often pop up in AI-generated content. Google also says the model has gotten better at representing realistic physics.
The company conducted direct comparison tests using 1,003 prompts from Meta’s MovieGenBench dataset, with human raters evaluating 720p resolution, eight-second video clips. In these head-to-head comparisons, Veo 2 came out ahead of its competitors, including OpenAI’s Sora Turbo, both in overall video quality and in how well it followed the given instructions.
In the comparison charts, green bars indicate the percentage of times evaluators preferred Veo 2’s output over its competitors.| Image: Google Deepmind
Despite these improvements, Google is upfront about Veo 2’s limitations. The company admits that creating consistently realistic and dynamic videos remains a significant challenge. In particular, the model still struggles with complex scenes and motion sequences – suggesting there’s still plenty of room for improvement in future versions.
For now, Google is taking a cautious approach with Veo 2’s rollout.Veo 2 will be limited to select products including VideoFX, YouTube, and the Vertex AI platform. The system will expand to YouTube Shorts and other products in 2025. All videos generated by the system will include an invisibleSynthID watermarkidentifying them as AI-generated.
Imagen 3 update from Google brings more vibrant AI images with better color balance and detail
(Image credit:Imagen 3 – Google DeepMind)
Along with Veo 2, Google announced a major update to its image generation AI. The newImagen3 model produces more vibrant images with better color balance, thanks to several under-the-hood improvements.
Google says Imagen 3 can now handle a broader range of artistic styles. Whether you’re looking for photorealistic images, impressionist paintings, abstract art, or anime-style illustrations, the model can adapt accordingly. The company also highlights Imagen 3’s ability to create more detailed images with improved textures and finer elements.
Google is makingImagen 3 widely available through its ImageFX tool, launching in more than 100 countries. While users can already access Imagen through Google’s Gemini Chat, the company hasn’t announced when this platform will get the upgraded Imagen 3 model.
Google introduces Veo 2 and Imagen 3, two AI models designed to deliver top-tier performance in video and image generation based on human evaluation.
Veo 2 generates 4K resolution videos, comprehends cinematographic instructions, and minimizes unwanted details. In direct comparison tests, Veo 2 outperforms competitors, particularly OpenAI’s Sora Turbo.
Imagen 3 offers enhanced color balance, more vibrant images, and improved detail through various technical advancements. The model has also been optimized to showcase different art styles.
