Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Google.
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Google's Pixel Tag is an AirTag for Android phones
Google has announced its own trackable accessory, the Pixel Tag, which is positioned as a competitor to Apple's AirTag. This new device aims to provide similar tracking functionality for Android users.
This is the $1,900 Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold
The Google Pixel Fold is priced at $1,900, positioning it as a premium foldable smartphone. The device features Google's Tensor G6 chip, indicating advanced processing capabilities for its mobile operations.
Google Pixel 11 launch: Live updates as the company unveils new devices, AI features and more
Google is holding a live launch event for its new devices, including the Google Pixel 11. The event will also showcase new artificial intelligence features. Updates will be provided throughout the day.
Google is now sending out emails with discount codes for the Pixel 11
Google is sending out discount codes for the upcoming Pixel 11 to select users via email. This suggests potential promotional offers for those looking to purchase the device.
Authors face backlash for participation in 2022 Google AI study
Authors who participated in a 2022 Google AI study are now facing backlash for their involvement. The study's details and the authors' participation have recently come under scrutiny.
Anthropic is stamping a hidden watermark on every Claude output worldwide, and it “may persist through some editing”
Anthropic is implementing invisible watermarks on all outputs from its Claude AI models globally, starting August 2, 2026, to comply with the EU AI Act's transparency requirements. These watermarks are designed to persist through some editing and copying, with metadata also being applied to supported file formats. While Anthropic is rolling this out worldwide, the effectiveness of the watermarks, especially through editing and translation, remains to be fully tested, and verification tools are still forthcoming.
My Lovely Planet spins its Web3 features into a standalone portal with build 3.3.0
My Lovely Planet has launched build 3.3.0, introducing a dedicated Web3 portal that consolidates its blockchain features, including in-game purchases, NFTs, and treasury voting. This update separates the Web3 functionalities into their own environment, as previously outlined by founder Clément Le Bras. The game, a match-3 puzzle title with an environmental focus, utilizes an ERC-20 utility token on Polygon.
Firefox stunts on Edge as Microsoft gears up to neuter adblockers: 'uBlock Origin isn't going anywhere'
Microsoft Edge is following Google Chrome's lead by phasing out support for Manifest V2 extensions, which impacts adblockers like uBlock Origin. Mozilla Firefox has publicly stated its continued support for uBlock Origin, positioning itself as a haven for users seeking robust ad-blocking capabilities. While other browsers also support adblockers, Firefox is highlighted as a major player in this space, and efforts are underway to bring similar adblock support to its iOS version.
YouTube is raising its monetization bar to 8,000 watch hours from February 1
YouTube is significantly raising its monetization requirements for creators, doubling the required watch hours to 8,000 over the past twelve months, effective February 1. For Shorts-first channels, the requirement increases to 20 million qualified Shorts views within the last 90 days, up from 10 million. Existing YouTube Partner Program members are unaffected by these changes.
Google’s Pixel 11 Event Starts at 6PM ET Wednesday — But Its Own Store Spoils It Eight Hours Early
Google's upcoming 'Made by Google 2026' event, scheduled for Wednesday at 6 PM ET, has been preempted by leaks from its own Google Store, which revealed preorder details eight hours early. The event is expected to unveil four new Pixel phones, including the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold, alongside the Pixel Watch 5 and potentially a Pixel Tag tracker. Leaks suggest the new phones will feature a Tensor G6 chip built on TSMC's 2nm process, increased base storage, but reduced RAM for Pro models, with price increases across the board.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite Cloud Version on Nintendo Switch Has Been Shut Down
The cloud version of Aliens: Fireteam Elite has been shut down on Nintendo Switch, preventing players who purchased it from accessing the game. This shutdown follows the game's delisting from the eShop and raises concerns about game preservation in the era of cloud streaming. While services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus continue to offer cloud gaming, the closure of Google Stadia serves as a cautionary tale about the format's long-term viability.
An Android app store competitor is available in the Play Store
Aptoide Games, an alternative app store for Android, is now available for download directly from the Google Play Store. This move allows users to access Aptoide's offerings through Google's official distribution channel.
A Texas Gas Plant Built for One Amazon Data Center Could Out-Pollute America’s Biggest Coal Facility
A new natural gas power plant in Texas, built to supply an Amazon data center, has a permit allowing up to 33 million tons of CO2 emissions annually, potentially exceeding the output of the nation's largest coal plant. While plants rarely operate at full permitted capacity, the high ceiling raises concerns about environmental impact, especially as companies like Meta and Google also invest in non-renewable power sources for their data centers. This trend conflicts with corporate climate pledges, including Amazon's commitment to carbon neutrality by 2040.
Before Google took over, search was a wide-open experiment
Before Google's dominance, the internet search landscape was a diverse experiment with various methods like Yahoo's human-curated directories, webrings, and early search engines like AltaVista, Lycos, and Ask Jeeves. These systems prioritized different aspects such as breadth, speed, or conversational queries, and faced challenges with scaling and manipulation before Google's PageRank algorithm and user-friendly interface established a new standard for relevance and usability.
OpenAI’s Ring-Shaped Speaker Reportedly Lands at $300–$400
OpenAI is reportedly developing a ring-shaped smart speaker with moving parts, expected to launch in 2027 with a price tag of $300-$400. The device, designed in collaboration with Jony Ive's LoveFrom studio, aims to bring ChatGPT into homes as a persistent presence. However, the premium price point and the competitive smart speaker market, where giants like Amazon and Google have struggled with profitability, pose significant challenges. OpenAI also faces a lawsuit from Apple over alleged trade secret theft related to its hardware ambitions.
Anthropic Starts Building In-House Silicon for Claude
Anthropic is forming a custom silicon team to design in-house chips for its AI model Claude, following similar moves by OpenAI, Google, and Meta. The company plans a multi-chip approach, integrating its own designs with third-party hardware. This initiative aims to gain greater control over hardware, improve performance, and reduce reliance on single suppliers like Nvidia.
ChatTJB is a fake chatbot where a guy called Tucker Bryant answers queries himself: 'I tend to overcommit to…
ChatTJB is a service where Tucker Bryant personally responds to user inquiries, acting as a human "AI" chatbot. Bryant, a Stanford graduate and former Google employee, created the project as a satire on AI and the tendency for people to blindly trust AI outputs. While initially an art project, Bryant is now exploring involving approved volunteers to help answer the high volume of questions.
Ask Maps Can Now Put Your food in the Cart Before You Leave the Office
Google Maps is introducing new features to enhance its utility, including an "Ask Maps" function that allows users to order food for pickup by scanning restaurants along their route. The app will also integrate AI, powered by Gemini, to personalize responses using data from other Google services like Gmail, and will provide real-time transit updates. These updates aim to allow users to accomplish more tasks directly within the Maps application.
Evening Mobilization
Google is rolling out a new navigation bar for Chrome on Android that includes a button for its Gemini AI assistant. This integration aims to provide users with quick access to AI-powered features directly within the browser.
Google open-sources an AI model it says can help with earlier hurricane warnings
Google has open-sourced WeatherNext, an AI model capable of providing a 15-day forecast for storm tracks and intensity. The company states this technology can aid in delivering earlier hurricane warnings.