Pixie, Google’s Gemini-Infused AI, Steals the Spotlight; Expected to Arrive with Pixel 9

Pixel devices, driven by the Android OS, carve out a distinctive niche in the dynamic realm of smartphones. Google orchestrates this differentiation through a pioneering strategy, marked by the periodic Pixel Feature Drops and the swift rollout of monthly security updates, setting the Pixel apart from its counterparts. In a strategic move to widen this technological chasm, Google is gearing up to introduce a groundbreaking feature.

As per revelations from The Information (via 9to5google), Google is on the brink of infusing the prowess of the Gemini AI model into a novel AI assistant dubbed “Pixie,” set to be an exclusive asset to Pixel devices. This revelation holds promise, as Pixie is anticipated to deviate from the conventional Google Assistant, breathing life into a distinct narrative within the Android landscape.

Distinguishing itself further, Pixie is projected to harness the intelligence gleaned from Gmail, Maps, and other Google products, sculpting a profoundly personalized iteration of the Google Assistant. The move comes hot on the heels of Google’s announcement regarding the integration of Gemini Nano’s AI capabilities into the Pixel 8 Pro, ushering in features like Summarise in the Recorder app and Smart Reply in Gboard.

Rumours abound that Pixie might make its grand debut alongside the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro, potentially shouldering tasks that the ubiquitous Google Assistant finds elusive. This exclusivity sets Pixel apart and serves as a persuasive nudge for consumers to opt for Pixel over rival Android brands.

Furthermore, Google’s strategic deployment of Tensor processors, engineered explicitly for on-device AI tasks and machine learning, indicates a broader ambition to extend these AI features beyond flagship models to encompass lower-end phones and wearable devices. The unfolding narrative suggests that Google is poised to redefine the landscape of AI-infused smartphone experiences.

Best Cameracentric Phones for Photography Enthusiasts in 2023

The modern world is dominated by pixels, lenses, and the relentless pursuit of the perfect shot. Having a smartphone with superb cameras instead of the actual camera is the trending nature of today’s generation. So, here, we present a lineup of smartphone marvels that aren’t just phones – they’re visual sorcerers, capturing moments with finesse and flair.

Google Pixel 8 Pro

Say hello to the smartphone camera maestro that not only dances circles around its price tag but also throws some slick moves at the iPhone 15 Pro and casually outshines the iPhone 14 Pro Max without breaking a sweat. The flagship smartphone from Google is like the James Bond of the smartphone universe – smooth, suave, and armed with a camera license to thrill. The name is 8 Pro, the Pixel 8 Pro.

The Pixel 8 Pro doesn’t take photos; it gives them a spa day. With a new RAW capture feature, it unleashes the full potential of its 50MP sensor, making other cameras look like they’re stuck in a pixelated time warp. And if you’re feeling like the Spielberg of your own life, the pro controls mode hands you the director’s chair, letting you tweak and twist your images to perfection.

The camera mix is like a gourmet meal for your visual taste buds. It’s got a higher-megapixel wide-angle lens that’s sharper than your grandma’s wit, and a telephoto lens so good, it might as well have a superhero cape. Video? It’s taken a leap from Pixel 7 Pro, though it’s still trying to catch up with the iPhone Pro Max – like the underdog in a blockbuster movie, getting there but not quite stealing the spotlight.

With a design sleeker than a catwalk model, a screen mightier than a superhero’s punch, and the promise of software support for seven whole years (yes, you heard right), it’s basically the Benjamin Button of smartphones, ageing like fine wine. So, if you’re looking for a smartphone that’s more than just a status symbol, consider your search officially over. Cheers to the phone that’s as smart as it is pixel-perfect!

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the reigning monarch of camera phones, a visual virtuoso that laughs in the face of photographic challenges. With more lenses than a bug’s eyes and features that could make a Swiss Army Knife jealous, this phone is the superhero of snapshots – there’s no photo it can’t conquer. Sure, other phones might flex slightly better muscles in specific situations, but the S23 Ultra is the Virat Kohli of the camera world, handling everything from macro close-ups to nocturnal escapades to zooming in on the neighbour’s barbecue three blocks away.

The 12MP ultrawide and the dynamic duo of 3x and 10x 10MP telephoto sensors might feel like your old pals, but hold on to your selfie stick – the S23 Ultra throws a plot twist. Out with the old 108MP primary sensor, in with the new 200MP powerhouse, making Samsung the Beyoncé of smartphone photography, slaying the game with unprecedented resolution. The S23 Ultra’s 200MP Adaptive Pixel Sensor is like a maestro conducting a symphony of pixels, ensuring a consistent and jaw-dropping experience that would make even the toughest critics break into applause.

Now, for those who like to dive into the nitty-gritty of photography, the Expert RAW mode is your backstage pass, belting out up to 50MP of pure visual genius. Feeling a bit extra? Snap a 200MP still (in jpeg form), because why settle for anything less than the full sensor’s glorious detail? While other Android phones are stuck in the stone age, Samsung’s playing chess, ensuring your pics and videos get the red carpet treatment, leaving your followers in awe and envy. It’s a visual masterpiece in the palm of your hand. Say cheese, world!

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

 

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the Chuck Norris of smartphones. It’s a pocket-sized powerhouse thicker than a bowl of oatmeal but packs a punch that will leave you wondering if you accidentally bought a superhero’s gadget. Sure, it’s got some girth, but don’t let that fool you. The little beast boasts a footprint so compact, it’s practically doing yoga in your pocket. And photographers, rejoice! The camera and power combo is like a match made in tech heaven – an offer you can’t refuse.

I’m not saying it’s perfect, as there’s no pro mode for manual photography, but the automatic mode’s photo processing is like the Gandalf of phone photography – you shall not pass without capturing stunning shots. The 5x telephoto camera is like having a spyglass that sees further and clearer than your nosy neighbour peeping through the curtains. Beautiful natural blur on portraits? Say no more – the Pro Max has got your Instagram game covered.

The iPhone 15 range has joined the 21st century by adopting the USB-C port. It’s like Apple finally realised we’re not living in the era of dial-up internet anymore. Now, you can connect to monitors and camera accessories with the ease of a hot knife through butter. The price is up there in the stratosphere, but think of it as an investment in your happiness. The iPhone 15 Pro is like that reliable friend who never lets you down – powerful, long-lasting, and always ready for a good time.

Google Pixel 7a

The Google Pixel 7a – is the Cinderella of budget camera phones, proving that you don’t need a royal budget to capture breathtaking moments. In fact, it might just be the belle of the ball, giving its pricier sibling, the Google Pixel 7 Pro, a run for its money in the photo quality department. The 7a is priced at midrange money, so Google had to make a few sacrifices. Compared to its elder siblings, there are fewer cameras onboard, and wireless charging is a distant fairytale dream. But hey, who needs a magic carpet when you’ve got Google’s wizardry?

Google’s not one to flex muscles in the hardware gym; it prefers a PhD in cleverness. The Pixel 7a is no exception. Armed with the Google Tensor chip – think of it as the Dumbledore of smartphone brains – it boasts features like an under-display fingerprint scanner, unlocking your phone with a touch so discreet it’s practically a secret handshake. And let’s not forget the AI photo editing powers – it’s like having a personal Photoshop sorcerer in your pocket. Sure, it might not bench-press as much as its beefier counterparts, but the 7a is a camera ninja. 

Google’s software magic transforms it into a powerful shooter, snapping pics that make other budget phones blush. And who says budget can’t be stylish? The 7a mounts its stuff with a design so playful, it’s practically doing the cha-cha in your hands. So, while the hardware might be sipping a decaf, the Pixel 7a is a budget superhero, delivering a bang for your buck that feels more like a dynamite explosion. Who needs wireless charging when you’ve got brains, beauty, and budget brilliance?

Vivo X90 Pro

Tired of seeing the prominent names? Now, you’ll see a different name in the list. Armed with a 1-inch primary sensor that’s practically the Beyoncé of the camera world, the Vivo X90 Pro is the Picasso of smartphone photography. If cameras were superheroes, the X90 Pro would be the one with a cape and a dazzling smile. Accompanying this camera juggernaut is a 50MP telephoto sensor, a.k.a. the portrait lens with 2x optical zoom, and a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, because who needs limits when you can go wide and wild? 

Now, we’ll admit, there were a couple of bumps in the road when we first took this camera for a spin – the watermark on photos and the beauty mode for portrait shots were like uninvited guests at a party. Our advice? Disable those party crashers pronto. The Zero Shutter Lag feature is like having a magical genie that grants your photography wishes in the blink of an eye. Lighting is on point? It’s like catching the perfect moment before it even realises it’s perfect. And the sensor? Oh, it’s so high-quality, it practically moonlights as a professional photographer. 

And let’s not forget the selfie camera, a 32MP resolution wizard that turns every selfie into a masterpiece. The natural depth of field effect is like having a built-in Instagram filter that says, “I woke up like this.” The portrait camera is a rockstar, but let’s spill the beans – the bokeh effect is like having a backstage pass to a rock concert. The X90 Pro is a magic show in your hands, turning ordinary moments into extraordinary memories. So, if you want a smartphone that’s more camera than a phone, say hello to the Vivo X90 Pro.

October 2023 – Tech Launches of the Month

Google Pixel 8 Pro

Thanks to Google, almost half of the people already knew what the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro were going to look like. The elder sibling from the 2023 Pixel smartphone series sports a 6.7-inch QHD+ LTPO 120Hz OLED Super Actua display with a topping of Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The Pixel 8 Pro has a few exclusive features, such as a skin temperature sensor placed next to the main cameras and a Pro Controls feature. The smartphone has a polished aluminium frame, matte back glass and is powered by a new Google Tensor G3 chip, custom-designed with Google AI.

Specs:

Display – 6.7-inch QHD+

RAM/Storage – 12GB + 128GB

Battery – 5050 mAh with fast charging support

SoC – Google Tensor G3 and Titan M2 security coprocessor

Security and OS updates – 7 years of OS, security, and Feature Drop updates

Cameras – 50MP Octa-PD Main + 48MP Quad-PD ultrawide + 48MP Quad-PD telephoto

Google Pixel 8

Google Pixel 8 looks damn cutesy than every other smartphone available in the current market. The little Pixel is now 10g lighter, a bit smaller than its predecessor, and has a great display that can joggle between 60Hz and 120Hz. Just like its older sibling, the Pixel 8 offers crystal clear calls and can fix your photos with AI, even the ones from your older phones, be it an iPhone or Android. Both smartphones from the Pixel 8 series offer 6 months of Fitbit Premium,  6 months of Google One Premium up to 2 TB and 3 months of YouTube Premium free.

Specs:

Display – 6.2-inch FHD+

RAM/Storage – 8GB + 128GB

Battery – 4575 mAh with fast charging support

SoC – Google Tensor G3 and Titan M2 security coprocessor

Security and OS updates – 7 years of OS, security, and Feature Drop updates

Cameras – 50MP Octa-PD Main + 12MP ultrawide with autofocus + 10.5MP selfie camera

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE

After skipping the Galaxy S22 FE in 2022, Samsung is back with an FE edition smartphone – the all-new Galaxy S23 FE. The 2023 fan edition smartphone features a flat 6.4” Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with FHD+ resolution and 60-120Hz refresh rate. The smartphone has a timeless design adopted from the iconic design of the Galaxy S23 Series and is available in captivating 4 colour options – Mint, Graphite, Cream and Purple. The S23 FE arrives with a Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5 shielding the front and back, along with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

Specs:

Battery – 4500 mAh

Selfie Camera – 10 MP

SoC – Exynos 2200 (4 nm)

RAM/Storage – 8GB + 128GB

Cameras – 50.0 MP + 12.0 MP + 8.0 MP

Display – 6.4” Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with FHD+

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE and S9 FE+

By launching the Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Galaxy Tab S9 FE+, Samsung has expanded the already piled-up lineup of S9 tablets. The FE tablets come with Stylus support, run on Android 13, are powered by an octa-core Exynos 1380 chipset and are available in 4 colour options – Grey, Lavender, Mint and Silver. The S9 FE has a 10.9-inch display with 2304×1440 pixel resolution, and the S9 FE+ has a 12.4-inch display with 2560×1600 pixel resolution. The FE tablets come with dual speakers tuned by AKG, 45W fast charging support and have an IP68 rating, making them dust and water-resistant.

Specs: 
S9 FE / S9 FE+

SoC – Octa-core Exynos 1380

Battery – 8000mAh / 10090mAh

RAM/Storage – 6GB + 128GB / 6GB + 128GB and 8GB + 256GB

Cameras – 8MP main + 12MP front / 8MP main + 8MP ultra-wide + 12MP front

Display – 10.9-inch with 2560×1600 / 12.4-inch with 2560×1600 pixels resolution

Google Pixel Watch 2

Along with two stunning and innovative smartphones, Google has also launched a smartwatch – Google Pixel Watch 2. The 41mm smartwatch is made to keep your health, safety, and productivity on point and offers an enhanced 24-hour battery with an always-on display and faster charging. The Pixel Watch 2 is loaded with lots of features, but the one that attracts the most is setting a timer when you’re heading out and the watch shares your location if the time expires. It also offers 6 months of Fitbit Premium and 1  month of YouTube Music Premium.

Specs

OS – Wear OS 4.0

IP68 water resistance

Battery – 306 mAh (typical)

Display – Custom 3D Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5

SoC – Qualcomm 5100 and Cortex M33 co-processor

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE

Alongside the S23 FE smartphone and FE tablets, Samsung also launched the new TWS earbuds – Galaxy Buds FE. The earbuds feature a wingtip design, a single-driver audio system and a powerful bass. Buds FE boasts three microphones along with an AI-powered Deep Neural Network to bypass unwanted background noise during calls and offer you a great calling experience. The earbuds offer 30 hours of battery backup and are available in two colour options – graphite and white.

Exit mobile version