12 things you need to know in tech today
Here’s your daily tech digest, by way of the DGiT Daily newsletter, for Wednesday, May 8, 2019!
1. Google I/O 2019: Pixel 3a the new phone to beat, and all the big news
The big keynote opening of Google I/O headed up by CEO Sundar Pichai saw a whirlwind 1-hour 40-minute presentation packed with a range of updates, surprises, new releases, and confirmation of a bunch of stuff we previewed yesterday.
Perhaps the biggest news that exists more underneath the surface is that Google has pivoted on privacy, right now:
- While Facebook made announcements that it promises it will change with Mark Zuckerberg’s incredibly bad “joke”, Google has started already.
- Or, as TechCrunch put it: “Mark Zuckerberg: ‘The future is private’. Sundar Pichai: ‘The present is private.’”
- The big change is on-device data processing. No longer will Google upload data for features, but do it all entirely on-device.
- New incognito modes are rolling out for Google Maps and Search, plus an auto-delete feature for your other data.
- Part of that shift is also in its updated Nest privacy policies with plain English, as noted by The Verge.
- The list goes on, with Pichai penning a NY Times op-ed, published yesterday, which included a very Apple-focused attack: “privacy cannot be a luxury good offered only to people who can afford to buy premium products and services.”
The hardware highlights:
- The Pixel 3a and 3a XL debuted, complete with attractive $399/$479 pricing, headphone jack, and immediately went on sale in 13 countries. My colleague Joe Hindy picked up two in a matter of hours.
- (Only if you’re in the US, use Google Express here with $20 off with code MAYSAVE19. Otherwise, here’s where to buy the Pixel 3a and 3a XL.)
- What do you sacrifice for a cheaper price tag with the Pixel 3a? Glad you asked.
- Pixel 3a reviews are immediately out too: Android Authority’s detailed review assures you the main camera is just as good as the Pixel 3 with slightly slower processing times, while the selfie camera is a step-down. Also, for some reason, pricing is very different around the world.
- The Verge’s review offers a very simple conclusion: “if you want to buy a new smartphone that costs between $300 and $500, you should buy a Pixel 3A or Pixel 3A XL,” while CNET is a little less enthused, noting the hard limit of 64GB storage and lack of water resistance.
- All reviews concurred that while the 3a doesn’t pack flagship performance specs, it doesn’t miss a beat across normal use or even high-demand games.
- Also, Bloomberg noted the 3a Pixels are the “first developed primarily in Taiwan” by the new Google in-house team, compiled of former HTC employees.
- Other devices: Google Nest Hub Max, a smart display with Nest Cam (that you switch off!) for $229, meanwhile the existing Google Home speaker range saw some good price drops. Also, yes, this means Google Home and Nest brands have now merged.
The other big announcements:
- Android Q Beta 3 was dropped, with new features including very cool Live Captions, system-wide Dark Theme, improved gestures, new Digital Wellbeing features, and Smart Reply.
- Google Maps got incognito mode for when you want to use Google Maps but not have it log where you’ve been, plus a wider rollout of the helpful AR walking directions.
- Google Assistant is getting 10x faster and more capable, with this demonstration of personal references one of the most impressive parts of the whole show. There’s also more accessibility features for people with differing abilities.
- Google Duplex is also doing more – it will soon be able to help make it easier to book rental cars, and buy movie tickets on the web. (Notably, that means it was less of the “human-sounding voice” that we saw last year, and more autofill of different webpages.)
- Also, finally, finally, my two big hopes from yesterday were fulfilled. The Pixel 3a is just-about affordable! And, soon, you’ll be able to make Google Assistant stop its alarms or stop talking by just saying “Stop”, instead of the full “Hey/OK Google, stop” hot-word requirement. Hooray! (The number of times I’ve tried shouting ‘OK Google’ over the top of a blaring alarm…)
The vibe from the ground:
- Android Authority’s David Imel, live at the Amphitheatre Parkway all this week, dropped a message for DGiT Daily readers.
- David passed on that the big buzz out of the keynote for those at the event getting hands-on with devices was pretty close to what everyone else was saying: any new Pixel device is going to get most of the attention, and the Pixel 3a is a big deal because of its pricing and all-around value.
- As far as the software side of things, which is really the focus of Google I/O, excitement is in the air! The switch to on-device processing and AR navigation are the two talking points going out of day one and into day two.
- Stay tuned!
2. Google is working on a foldable phone, but you won’t see it soon (Android Authority).
3. Waymo and Lyft partner to scale self-driving robotaxi service in Phoenix (TechCrunch).
4. 20 years ago, Microsoft introduced its optical mouse, killing off the old dirty ball mouse – remember those? (Gizmodo).
5. One of the world’s largest crypto exchanges, Binance, hacked to the tune of $40 million (Gizmodo).
6. Cray, AMD to build world’s fastest supercomputer for US government (Ars Technica).
7. San Francisco bans cashless stores, joining Philadelphia (SF Examiner).
8. We’ll soon know the exact air pollution from every power plant in the world: why that’s huge (Vox).
9. Is conference room air making you dumber? (NY Times).
10. Meanwhile PUBG Mobile is now the patriotic ‘Game for Peace’ in China (Engadget). This GIF is incredible.
11. Disney: Star Wars and Avatar movies coming every Christmas until 2027 (CNET).
12. “You’re transported 200 years into the past with a fully charged smartphone but no charger. What do you do?” (r/askreddit)
DGiT Daily: Your Tech Resource
In case you don’t know, the DGiT Daily delivers a daily email that keeps you ahead of the curve for all tech news, opinions, and links to what’s going down in the planet’s most important field. You get all the context and insight you need, and all with a touch of fun, and the daily fun element that you otherwise miss.
from Android Authority http://bit.ly/2vKtx75
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