Part of the point of using an e-ink reader is to disconnect from the constant noise of our digital lives. So why would you want your reader to run Android? That’s a question the Onyx Boox Poke 5 answers masterfully and affordably.
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Kyle Bradshaw joined 9to5Google in 2018 with a special interest in Google’s Fuchsia OS, rooted in his experience of being the first to offer a visual preview of the revolutionary design of the in-development operating system. Since then, his attention has broadened to include the secrets hidden within other areas of Google’s public codebases.
By reading the public Fuchsia code, Kyle was able to prove the existence of the Nest Mini and the Nest Hub Max months ahead of their respective announcements. With evidence from Chromium, he reported on Google’s since-canceled efforts to create an offshoot of Android designed for “touchless” feature phones.
In 2018, Kyle reported on three distinct Made by Google Chromebooks in development, the Pixel Slate, the Pixelbook Go — a full year before its release — and “Meowth,” the original version of the Pixel Slate that was canceled due to Intel’s delays that year. For ChromeOS itself, Kyle was the first to demonstrate the upcoming light theme redesign in action.
Looking at the early evidence of the Pixel 5’s specs, Kyle accurately predicted in February 2020 that the Pixel 5 might not be a traditional “flagship” phone. In 2021, he reported that Google’s next headset would be the “Pixel Buds A.”
Kyle was the first to report that the Pixel 6 would mark the debut of Google’s in-house processors, later revealed to be the Tensor chips.
Kyle contributes to the APK Insight column at 9to5Google, discovering the hidden changes in Google’s apps. These efforts have revealed hotly anticipated features, details about upcoming devices, and unexpected connections between companies.
He can be reached for tips or just friendly chat by Threads, Mastodon, Bluesky, or email. If you’re looking for his other works or side projects, head over to Kyle’s personal portfolio.
Review: Asus Chromebook Plus CX34, at $399, is an excellent everyday laptop
At the vanguard of Google’s Chromebook Plus initiative, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 delivers everything you need from an everyday laptop at an excellent starting price of $399.
Expand Expanding CloseBard update adds better email summarization and image sharing
Google’s latest update to Bard allows the AI chatbot to offer better and more thorough summaries of your recent emails as well as share the images uploaded to a conversation.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Assistant on Pixels can now ask if an incoming call is urgent
As was first announced at the Made by Google event at the beginning of the month, you can now use the Google Assistant to ask if an incoming call from a contact is urgent.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle app shows renewed work on ‘Iris’ smart glasses with Assistant support
Despite reports of the project being canceled, work may have resumed on Google’s “Iris” augmented reality glasses, based on a new teardown.
Expand Expanding CloseChromecast with Google TV 4K update brings July 2023 security patch
Google is rolling out an update for the Chromecast with Google TV (4K), bringing the dongle up to the July 2023 Android security patch.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle releases Pixel 8 ‘shiba’ and 8 Pro ‘husky’ factory images ahead of launch
While the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro aren’t set to formally arrive in customers’ hands and store shelves until later this week, Google has released the first set of Android 14-based factory images for the two phones.
Expand Expanding Close‘ProtoLayout Renderer’ update appears for Pixel Watch
Owners of the Google Pixel Watch are now seeing an update for “ProtoLayout Renderer,” which is making its first appearance on the Play Store.
Expand Expanding CloseYou can save hundreds on a Pixel Watch 2 by trading in an Apple Watch
If you’ve decided this is the year to make the swap from iPhone to Pixel, you can also trade in your Apple Watch to get some hefty savings on the new Pixel Watch 2.
Expand Expanding CloseWhere to pre-order the Pixel Watch 2 for the best deals
With the Pixel Watch 2, Google is offering a significantly better package for the same $349 starting price as last year’s wearable. Here’s where you can pre-order the Pixel Watch 2 and how to save some extra money while doing so.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Store offering solid trade-in values toward Pixel Watch 2
If you’ve read our hands-on coverage of the Pixel Watch 2 and are feeling ready to upgrade, the Google Store has you covered with solid smartwatch trade-in values, including $150 for a first-gen Pixel Watch.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 8 Pro brings ‘Pro’ camera controls, ‘Video Boost,’ Night Sight Video
In announcing the Pixel 8 Pro, Google has confirmed that its flagship phone will bring an overhaul of the Google Camera app, bringing DSLR-like “Pro” controls for settings like focus, shutter speed, and ISO, along with upcoming “Video Boost” and Night Sight Video capabilities.
Expand Expanding CloseFitbit Labs teased with AI feedback on recent workouts and trends
During today’s Made by Google event, Fitbit’s James Park teased a new line of “Fitbit Labs” features that use generative AI to deliver helpful, relevant feedback on your recent workouts based on your recent health data.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pixel 8 series boosts camera, AI features, and lifespan, starting at $699
During its hardware event in New York City, Google formally unveiled its latest flagship phones, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. The Pixel 8 series packs major upgrades to the camera and AI features while increasing the devices’ lifespans to rival the iPhone.
Expand Expanding CloseNew Google Pixel foldable ‘Comet’ surfaces, possibly a Fold 2 or a Pixel Flip
It seems that this summer’s Pixel Fold will not be Google’s last foldable Android phone, as new evidence points to a new device in development that could be a Pixel Flip or Pixel Fold 2.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Buds app readies ‘Hearing Wellness,’ ‘Conversation Detection,’ more
Ahead of this week’s Pixel 8 event, the company has rolled out an update for the Pixel Buds app, preparing for new features like “Hearing Wellness,” “Conversation Detection,” and more, confirming our earlier reporting.
Expand Expanding CloseHands-on: You can’t go wrong with the first Chromebook Plus models
Today, Google took the wraps off its “Chromebook Plus” initiative, which sets a new standard for quality in ChromeOS hardware and brings an exclusive set of features. At launch, there will be nine Chromebook Plus models available from Acer, Asus, HP, and Lenovo – but really, you could safely choose any of them.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Bard readies ‘Memory’ to adapt to important details about you
Each of us has preferences or requirements that need to be respected, and soon Google’s Bard will be able to adapt to you by remembering important details that you tell the AI chatbot.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages has been installed 5 billion times
In the midst of Google’s “#GetTheMessage” campaign, the company’s own RCS/SMS/MMS app for Android, Google Messages, has now been installed over five billion times.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle is putting search at the center of Android 14 QPR1
With Android 14 QPR1, Google is continuing to improve and rethink how searching for things can work on phones and tablets through a more immersive design and a new gesture.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle’s ‘Studio Bot’ AI now available in 170+ regions, EU and UK still excluded
Google is making one of its AI tools for developers, Studio Bot, available to people in over 170 regions around the world, but those in the United Kingdom and European Union are still barred from access.
Expand Expanding CloseUsing my Pixel as a webcam on Android 14 QPR1 is a game-changer
With the arrival of Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1, some Pixel phones – and eventually other Android devices – can now be used as a webcam for a PC, Mac, or Chromebook. This long-awaited feature is a real game changer, making high-quality video calls easy and affordable.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 14 QPR1 adding ‘repair mode’ to Pixel phones, copying Samsung
Following the example of Samsung’s “Maintenance Mode,” Google is preparing a new “repair mode” for Pixel phones to keep your sensitive data safe when others are working on your phone.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 14 QPR1 Beta 1 adds new ‘Metro’ lockscreen clock
One of the headlining features of Android 14, at least on Pixel phones, is the ability to customize your lockscreen clock. With the first beta release of Android 14 QPR1, an additional clock, “Metro,” has appeared.
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