Sources: ‘Fitbit Air’ is a screen-less Whoop competitor debuting with ‘Google Health’ subscription
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Deals: OnePlus Pad 2 bundle $90 off, Snapdragon X Elite Copilot+ PCs up to $350 off, smart home gear from $16, and more
Before we head into Labor Day weekend, let’s scope out the best deals on Android tablets, accessories, Google-ready smart home gear, smart TVs, and much more. Firstly, we are now tracking the new OnePlus Pad 2 down at $500 with a free official folio case thrown in for $90 in savings alongside a whole host of Labor Day deals on Snapdragon X Elite-powered Copilot+ PCs at up to $350 off. Samsung tablets, TP-Link Google Assistant-ready smart home gear from $16, and much more await down below in today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break.
Expand Expanding CloseFree Gemini gets faster 1.5 Flash responses, Google Tasks Extension rolling out
Last month, the Gemini free tier was upgraded with 1.5 Flash and Google now says those responses are “up to 50% faster.”
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Pixel 9 raises the bar for fast charging, should apply to other Android phones too
The Pixel 9 series has way better battery life, but it also delivers improvements to charging. One of those improvements is that the Pixel 9 has higher requirements for fast charging, helping you better know if your charger is truly up to speed.
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Here’s where you can still buy the Pixel Watch bands that Google has stopped selling
With the launch of Pixel Watch 3, Google is also shuffling its Pixel Watch band lineup, with some of the best color options going away. However, you can still buy them, for now, elsewhere.
Expand Expanding CloseNest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) display is too dim, brightness controls are coming
The new Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) is a long-awaited sequel to one of the best smart home products of all time, but the new generation has a key complaint for many early buyers – a dim display.
Expand Expanding CloseLive Nest Cam streaming won’t be exclusive to Pixel Watch 3
With the Pixel Watch 3, you can go beyond Nest Cam notifications and stream the live feed on your wrist. This capability is coming “soon” to other Wear OS devices.
Expand Expanding CloseYou cannot charge the Pixel 9 Pro Fold with Pixel Stand 2 — here’s why
Ahead of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold launch next week, buyers should be aware that the Pixel Stand 2 cannot be used to charge the 2024 Google foldable.
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Updated Pixel Watch 3 Weather Tile comes to all Wear OS devices
As part of optimizing Wear OS apps for the bigger Pixel Watch 3, Google boosted the information density of its Weather Tile, and the update is now available for all wearables.
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Google Store adds new Pixel Watch 3 accessories: cases, stand, more
Ahead of the Pixel Watch 3 launching next month, the Google Store is adding new third-party accessories.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music can also transfer playlists to Apple Music in Google & Apple partnership
Through a new joint initiative, Google and Apple are making it possible to transfer playlists between Apple Music and YouTube Music in either direction using the “Data Transfer Project.”
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Android game and app price drops: ScourgeBringer, Sigma Theory, Wreckfest, more
Your Thursday afternoon Android price drops have now been collated down below the fold for your money saving pleasure. Alongside the Google Play deals, we are also tracking solid price drops on Samsung’s new Music Frame smart speaker, Google’s wireless Nest video doorbells, up to $1,900 off The Frame smart TVs, and Galaxy Watch 7 from $224. Moving on to the software offers, highlights include titles like ScourgeBringer, Sigma Theory, Rush Rally Origins, Wreckfest, and more. Head below for a complete look at today’s best Android game and app deals.
Read MoreGalaxy Z Fold 6 reportedly sold less than 300,000 units globally in its first two weeks
Foldable smartphones are still a relatively small part of the market, but it seems even by that standard Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Fold 6 is struggling, as the first two weeks of availability saw less than 300,000 sales on the global market.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1.1 for Pixel 9
Following last week’s initial release, Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1.1 is rolling out to Pixel devices. Notably, the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro XL are now supported.
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Deals: Google Nest Doorbell $80 off, Galaxy Watch 7 from $224, SmartTag 2 $15 ea., Snapdragon X Elite PC $280 off, more
Your Thursday edition of 9to5Toys Lunch Break is now live with the return of Amazon all-time pricing on Google Nest Doorbell (Battery) from $100, or up to $80 off. We are also tracking some solid deals on Samsung Galaxy wearables with the latest 7 series model and the 6 series variants starting from $200, alongside the best price yet on the new ASUS Vivobook S 15 Copilot+ PC down to $1,020 and the 2024 unlocked Motorola Edge smartphone down at $450. All of that joins up to $1,900 off the latest Samsung The Frame smart TVs, plenty of charging gear, and more.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle 45W charger tested: Not quite Watt it’s cracked up to be [Video]
So, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is the first Google phone to get above 30W charging when using the official 45W charger. The results are more interesting than you might have expected.
Expand Expanding CloseYelp sues Google over dominance in local search
Yelp has filed a lawsuit against Google over the company’s dominance in local search results, calling it the “largest information gatekeeper in existence.”
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung may bring the 200MP camera Galaxy Z Fold 6 should have had to the ‘Special Edition’
According to new reports, Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Fold “Special Edition” will bring the long-awaited camera upgrade that the Galaxy Z Fold 6 lacked.
Expand Expanding CloseVerizon launching satellite-based messaging using the same network as Google Pixel 9
Satellite connectivity is starting to show up on more smartphones, and now Verizon is stepping into the ring with its own satellite messaging for smartphones that uses the same tech as Google’s latest Pixel phones.
Expand Expanding CloseHonor’s Magic V3 can fit a tiny apology to Z Fold users on the very thin hinge
Honor is expected to launch the world’s thinnest foldable in just a few days, so the company decided to print a tiny apology to Samsung users along the hinge of its own very thin folding phone.
Expand Expanding CloseApple Music now lets you export playlists directly to YouTube Music
You can now effortlessly move from Apple Music over to YouTube Music, as Apple has launched a new tool to export playlists to Google’s service.
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The Motorola MA1 wireless adapter for Android Auto has vanished from Amazon
In a strange turn of events, one of the best wireless Android Auto adapters have vanished from Amazon, with the Motorola MA1 no longer being available to purchase from its main retailer.
Expand Expanding CloseEverything you should know about Satellite SOS on Pixel 9 before you ever have to use it
This year, Google has officially equipped the Pixel 9 series with Satellite SOS, specifically built for situations where mobile data and Wi-Fi are not an option. This quick guide will explain how it works so you’re prepared to use it when a situation arises.
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Circle to Search now lets you quickly crop and share
At Made by Google 2024, Google announced a small Circle to Search addition that lets you share what you’ve highlighted, and it’s now rolling out.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle posts Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold repair manuals
Back in December, Google started offering Pixel repair guides in English (after originally limiting to just French). Repair manuals for the Pixel 9 series are now available.
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