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Smartphone

Google Pixel 9 Design Leak Reveals Huge Camera Upgrade

It’s been only a few months since the launch of the Google Pixel 8 series, and now the renders of the Pixel 9 series are already going viral. Yesterday, the Google Pixel 9 Pro renders leaked, giving us a glimpse of the upcoming flagship and all its design changes.

A new leak has showcased the base Google Pixel 9, bringing a significant camera upgrade. Here is everything you need to know about the Pixel 9 Pro leaks.

Google Pixel 9 Will Have Triple Camera Setup
According to a leak by OnLeaks in collaboration with 91Mobiles, the Pixel 9 will have a compact form factor with a similar design to its elder sibling, the Pixel 9 Pro.

Furthermore, the phone also has a vertical camera module with a triple camera setup and LED flash. This is the first time that the base model in the Pixel series is getting three cameras with a new telephoto lens.

The current Google Pixel 8 has a dual camera setup on the back of the phone. According to the leak, Pixel 9 will be available in blue, apart from other colours, at launch.

Pixel 9 To Have Flat Edges With Compact Design
You also get a Google logo on the back, and the Google Pixel 9 has flat edges on the sides, similar to its elder sibling. The camera module is now in the phone’s centre but does not extend to the edges of the back panel.

On the front, there will be a 6.1-inch flat screen with a punch hole in the centre. You also get the power and volume rockers on the right side of the Pixel 9.

The left side remains clean except for a few antenna lines. At the bottom, you will be greeted by the USB-C port, speaker grille and microphone.

It will measure 152.8 x 71.9 x 8.5mm and be 12 mm thick with the camera bump. The Google Pixel 9 series will likely use the Tensor G4 chipset and receive seven years of software updates.

We can also expect new AI features, faster chipsets and upgraded cameras in the Pixel 9 series. Google will likely launch its new flagship phones in October, running on Android 15 out of the box.

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Tips and Guidelines

Android 15 Could Bring Back This Old Customization Feature

Google is already working on the next version of Android and it often likes to add new useful features to enhance the experience for users. The company brought a major change in design with Android 12 boasting Material You offering customization based on the colour of the wallpaper.

The search giant plans to bring another major customization feature by allowing users to add widgets to their lock screen in Android 15. Here is everything you need to know about this feature.

Google To Add Lockscreen Customization In Android 15
According to a report by Android Authority, Google is planning to bring back lock screen widgets with Android 15. Similar to iOS 16, users will be able to customize their lock screen by adding different widgets to it.

Moreover, these include weather widgets, calendar widgets, app widgets and more. Currently third-party skins like Nothing OS allow users to add widgets to lockscreen.

Google Planning Separate Space For Lockscreen Widgets
Furthermore, a code in the Android 14 QRP2 beta has revealed that Google will resurrect them although with a different approach. Android 15 users will be able to access a new space by swiping right on their lock screen where they can add widgets.

In addition, the report claims, currently widgets with the KEYGUARD category which include Google apps like Google Calendar and Google Clock are supported. KEYGUARD is a new category that Google brought with Android Jelly Bean but only a few apps support it.

The Android 15 feature is currently under development as widgets seem to be overlapping each other. Furthermore, it could be only available on devices with large screens such as Pixel tablet or Google Nest Hub.

Android introduced lock screen widgets with Android 4.2 Jellybean but decided to kill it for no apparent reason with Android 5.0 Lollipop. Google could also allow users to access widgets via the At a Glance widget by using the Smartspace API to stack multiple widgets on top of one another.

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Tips and Guidelines

Google Play Store Will Soon Let You Uninstall Apps Remotely

Google Play Store is adding a new feature that will soon let users remotely uninstall apps on their devices. You can currently install apps on devices linked to your Google account remotely via the Play Store.

The company plans to bring a similar feature to allow users to uninstall apps on their linked devices. This new feature, known as Remote App Uninstallation, will be available via Play Store version 38.8. Here is everything you need to know about it.

Google Play Store To Allow Remote Uninstallation Of Apps

According to the System Updates Changelog, the new feature is available with the 38.8 update of the Play Store. You can remotely uninstall apps on your connected devices using this Play Store feature.

It is a helpful feature if you accidentally install an app on one of your devices and wish to uninstall it remotely. Furthermore, you can install and uninstall apps on your Android Phone, TV, PC and Wear OS watch from a single place.

How To Use This Feature?
Furthermore, this feature works on all Android devices, including Auto, PC, Phone, TV and Wear. After the feature rolls out, you will need to head over to the Manage Apps menu to check the list of installed apps on your other devices.

You can select the checkbox from this list to mark the apps you wish to uninstall. A prompt will appear asking for confirmation about the uninstallation, and you can press the Uninstall button to proceed.

However, there is no information on when this feature will roll out to users as the Google Play Store 38.8 is not widely available. It is likely to arrive soon for all users.

Furthermore, the Mountain View giant is also improving performance, battery life and network usage with the Google Play services v23.49 and Play Store version 38.8.

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Tips and Guidelines

Android 14 Storage Access Issue: Google Working On Fix

Android 14 recently arrived on Pixel phones with many new features, changes and improvements. However, many Pixel users have reported issues with the latest update, especially on older models. One such bug on Android 14 is the Storage Access issue, which prevents users from accessing media stored on their phones. Google has now acknowledged the issue and is working on a fix.

What Is The Android 14 Storage Access Issue?

The Android 14 storage access issue prevents users from accessing the media on their phones, meaning they cannot see their photos, audio or videos stored on the device.

It occurs when multiple user profiles, including users, guests, restricted profiles and child users, are set up on the device. However, it does not affect users using more than one Google account in a profile.

The Android 14 storage access issue primarily affects Google Pixel 6 and later models with multiple user profiles set up, according to the company’s blog post. Moreover, it can prevent the primary user from accessing the media on their phone or reboot the device with a “Factory data reset” message.

If the user accepts the factory reset request, it will erase the data stored in the phone, and if he rejects the request, the phone repeatedly reboots with the message “Pixel is starting”.

Google Working On Update To Fix The Issue
Google has now acknowledged the Android 14 storage issue and issued a Google Play system update that prevents it from occurring on other devices. You can check for updates by going into Settings->Security & Privacy->System & Update->Google Play System Update.

The company says for users already affected by the Android 14 storage issue, a system update will fix it and restore access to their media files without needing a factory reset. However, if you are facing the “Pixel is restarting” boot loop, then Google says it is investigating methods to help users recover the data.

Furthermore, the company says those who have already factory reset their device should avoid creating a secondary user profile on their phone to avoid the issue until an update is available.

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Tips and Guidelines

Google Play Protect Can Now Scan Malware Threats In Real-Time

Google has enhanced its Play Protect security feature with real-time scanning abilities. It can now scan your Android phone in real-time to defend against threats like Malware. This feature will certainly make Android devices more secure against emerging threats.

Google Play Protect Gets Real-Time Scanning


The Google Play Protect feature can look for threats on your Android phone in real time. Google is implementing this new feature at the code level. It can protect against emerging threats such as polymorphic Malware, which can change its identifiable features.

As cybercriminals use techniques like social engineering to deceive users into downloading malicious apps, Play Protect can make your phone more secure.

Google Play Protect will scan your phone when you try installing an app that has never been scanned. You will see a new prompt to “Scan app” and “Don’t install app”.

This prompt will also explain why it considers the app harmful. Google is rolling out this feature in India, which will soon be available in other countries.

When Play Protect detects a harmful app, it can send you a warning to prevent its installation or automatically disable it. The Play Protect scan will extract important signals from the app and send them to Google’s backend structure for evaluation.

After the analysis is complete, it will send you the result to inform you whether the app is safe or harmful. The company claims it uses machine algorithms for its protection to learn from each submitted to the Play Store.

It checks thousands of signals and checks app behaviour to protect users. Google Play Protect scans more than 125 billion apps daily to ensure users stay safe.

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Tips and Guidelines

Google Pixel 8 Series: Hidden USB-C DisplayPort Output Discovered

The Google Pixel 8 series supports DisplayPort output via the USB-C port. This is despite Google denying the presence of any such feature on the phone. A new discovery reveals users can send DisplayPort signals to broadcast to an external screen using the phone’s USB-C port.

Pixel 8 Series Supports DisplayPort Output

In a post by Android enthusiast Mishaal Rahman, the Pixel 8 series was verified to support DisplayPort output through a USB-C port. However, Google had denied support for the feature in a statement to Android Authority earlier. It seems the company has chosen to deactivate the feature via software.

Rahman shared a workaround to activate the feature by rooting the device. In the USB Config file for the Pixel 8, Google has deactivated the DisplayPort property by default, but rooting the phone allows you to circumvent it.

While this method initially failed, one of the testers later achieved success after using a USB-C to USB-C cable, which was DisplayPort compatible. This means that you will need a compatible DisplayPort cable and a rooted device to enable the functionality on your device.

However, it is not recommended that you root your device as it will void your warranty and also brick your device if you are not careful enough.

Google Could Enable The Feature In Future Update
Google could add this feature through a software update in the future. It could arrive in the QRP1 or QRP2 update early next year. Reports claim the company was also working on a desktop mode exclusive to the Pixel 8 series but cancelled it before launch.

Other phones, like the iPhone 15 series, can transmit 4K HDR videos to an external display through the USB-C port. There is a high possibility that Google is working on optimizing the feature to release it in a future update.

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Smartphone

Google Pixel 8A Design Leak Reveals Huge Change!

Google recently launched the Pixel 8 series in India, and it seems the company is working on a new smartphone. A new leak has revealed the design of the Google Pixel 8A ahead of its launch. This mid-range smartphone could be released next year and offer a similar experience to its expensive siblings.

Google Pixel 8A Will Have Rounded Design


The Google Pixel 8A design leak reveals it will have rounded edges and a similar design to the rest of the Pixel 8 lineup. Moreover, the camera visor and the dimensions will be smaller and slimmer than the Google Pixel 7A. Comparatively, it will measure 152.1 x 72.6 x 8.9mm, while the Pixel 7A has 152.1 x 72.6 x 8.9mm dimensions.

At the back, the camera visor sporting a brushed aluminium finish houses the dual-camera setup and an LED flash. The phone has compact and rounded corners resembling a bar of soap. This is a significant change from the Pixel 7A, which had a boxy design. You also find the minimalist Google logo engraved at the back.

On the front, you get a flat 6.1-inch screen with a hole-punch display and thin bezels at the top and bottom. Furthermore, it has a 2.5D curved glass with a USB-C port and stereo speakers at the bottom of the phone. You will find the earpiece at the phone’s top edge, while the left side has the SIM tray. In addition, ultra-wide antenna lines surround the phone’s top, left and right sides.

Google Pixel 8A Expected Specifications

The Google Pixel 8A, codenamed Akita, could sport a 6.1-inch Full-HD+ OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate. Furthermore, it will use an underclocked version of the Tensor G3 chipset paired with 8GB of RAM.

The phone will run on Android 14 out of the box, and whether Google will offer the same seven years of OS updates on the device remains to be seen. The Geekbench listing of the phone reveals it will have a single-core score of 1218 and a multi-core score of 3175. The phone will launch in May next year and could offer the same AI features as its older siblings.

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Smartphone

OnePlus Open Official Unboxing Video Reveals Design

OnePlus is planning to launch its first foldable smartphone called the OnePlus Open. Recently, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma was seen using the phone. The company has now revealed the design of the OnePlus Open in an unboxing video made in collaboration with the UnboxTherapy YouTube channel.

OnePlus Open Revealed In Official Unboxing Video

Popular Youtuber Lewis Hilstenger recently unboxed the OnePlus Open foldable smartphone while interviewing the CEO of OnePlus, Pete Lau. The co-founder of OnePlus explained that he oversees both Oppo and OnePlus, so both companies have collaborated to design the OnePlus Open.

The OnePlus Open Has A Completely Flat Hinge
The OnePlus Open unboxing video reveals the phone’s hinge becomes flat when folded, leaving no gap behind. Compared to the Oppo Find N2, it has 31 fewer components and is 37 per cent smaller. Due to the gapless hinge, he demonstrated that the phone can hold a piece of paper between its hinge.

This also increases the lifecycle of the hinge as it uses fewer moving components, and the company has 35 patents related to the new hinge. The key focus is reducing the size and the weight while increasing the strength of the hinge. Lau claimed that they have also improved the material used in the phone, making it lighter and mor” compact than the Find N2.

Furthermore, Lau claims that the””OnePlus Open is the best folding phone you can get right now”.He states that users want a foldable phone that offers a light and slim design apart from a large-screen expe”ience. Lau assures users t”at the Open will provide the same “fast and smooth experience” found on other OnePlus devices.

OnePlus Is Working With Google To Adapt Apps On Larger Screen
The company is also working closely with Google to adapt apps seamlessly onto the larger screen. The Open will also retain the iconic alert slider found on OnePlus phones. Moreover, the phone is jointly developed by Oppo and OnePlus.

The company will adopt a different marketing strategy for each region, meaning only the Find N2 or the Open will be available in a specific region. Furthermore, the company currently has no plans to introduce a flip-style foldable.

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Smartphone

Google Pixel 8 Series Specifications Leak Before Launch

The Google Pixel 8 Series will launch next month on October 4, but the leaks have intensified before the release. A new leak has revealed the complete specifications for the Google Pixel 8 series, with the phone’s pricing leaked previously. The Pixel 8 series includes the Google Pixel 8 and Google Pixel 8 Pro smartphones.

Google Pixel 8 Series Specifications Leak

A leak by tipster Kamila Wojciechowska has revealed the complete specifications of the Pixel 8 series. Starting with the Pixel 8, it will sport a 6.2-inch Full-HD+ OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 2,000 nits. The phone will come with 128GB or 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage paired with 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM. Moreover, it has Gorilla Glass Victus and IP68 water and dust resistance.

It will have a 50-megapixel primary camera and a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens with OIS support. Furthermore, there is a 10.5-megapixel camera on the front for taking selfies. The Pixel 8 will pack a 4,575mAh battery with support for 27W fast charging and 18W Qi-Wireless charging. On the connectivity, it has Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 and NFC.

On the other hand, the Pixel 8 Pro will feature a 6.7-inch Quad HD+ LTPO panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. It has a peak brightness of 2,400 nits and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for protection. The phone will have up to 1TB of storage in the US and 512GB in the rest of the world, paired with 12GB of RAM.

For optics, it has a 50-megapixel primary sensor apart from a 48-megapixel ultrawide lens with OIS support. Furthermore, there is a 48-megapixel telephoto lens with up to 30x Super Res zoom and a 10.5-megapixel front-facing camera. The Pixel 8 Pro will pack a 5,050 mAh battery with 30W fast charging and 23W Qi-Wireless charging. For connectivity, it has Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 and NFC.

With seven years of software updates, both phones will run on Android 14 out of the box. This is two years more than the five years of software updates Google previously offered. The Tensor G3 chip and the Titan M2 security co-processor will power the phones.

Moreover, both devices have an in-display fingerprint sensor and IP68 dust and water resistance. The Pixel 8 will weigh 187 grams, whereas the Pixel 8 Pro will weigh around 217 grams. The Pixel 8 will be available in Obsidian, Hazel and Rose colours, while the Pixel 8 Pro will go on sale in Obsidian, Porcelain and Bay colours.

Google Pixel 8 Series Pricing And Availability
The Google Pixel 8 Series will launch on October 4, with pre-orders in India going live on October 5. Both phones will be available exclusively on Flipkart in the country. The Pixel 8 will start at $699 in the US, whereas the Pixel 8 Pro will retail for $899 for the 128GB variant. While the Pixel 8 has received a $100 price hike, the Pixel 8 Pro will likely maintain the same price as its predecessor.

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Smartphone

Oxygen OS 14 Coming Soon To OnePlus Devices: Check Details!

OnePlus will soon roll out a new version of its Oxygen OS skin for all smartphones. The company has confirmed that the Oxygen OS 14-based Android 14 update will be coming soon for eligible phones. The OnePlus 11, OnePlus 11R and the OnePlus Nord 3 could be among the first phones to receive the update. The closed beta test has already begun on the three phones.

A New Version Of Oxygen OS Is Coming On September 25

OnePlus has confirmed that the new version of Oxygen OS will arrive globally on September 25. The company claims it will be one of the first custom skins based on the upcoming Android 14. Oxygen OS 14 will bring many changes and improvements, including a performance feature called Trinity Engine. It claims to “achieve greater synergy between hardware and software” by unleashing “the full potential of our smartphones”.

The Trinity Engine consists of CPU Vitalization, RAM Vitalization, ROM Vitalization, HyperBoost, HyperTouch, and HyperRendering. Furthermore, the company claims it will improve multi-tasking and better efficiency while maintaining a smooth and fluid experience. This can be useful if you are a heavy multi-tasker or intensive mobile gamer looking for sustained performance.

The HyperBoost technology debuted with the recently released OnePlus Ace 2 Pro. It claims to offer the frame rate stability while gaming by 10 per cent. Similarly, the HyperTouch feature can reduce the latency when gaming.

The OnePlus 11, OnePlus 11R, and Nord 3 will be among the first devices to get the Oxygen OS 14 update. The OnePlus 10 Pro will follow it as the beta test of the phone has started. The upcoming OnePlus Open could be the first phone from the company to ship with the new Oxygen OS out of the box. While Google is yet to announce a timeline for the Android 14 stable rollout, other companies like OnePlus seem to have taken the lead.