Latest news with #A-series
Tom's Guide
01-08-2025
- Tom's Guide
Here's our first look at the Pixel Buds 2a — currently expected to launch next month
It wouldn't be a Google launch event without a serious number of leaks in the weeks prior, and it looks like 2025 will also be sticking with that tradition. We've already seen various leaks for the Pixel 10 series, and a handful for the Pixel Watch 4, which means it's time for the Pixel Buds 2a to make an appearance. Official-looking renders for the new buds have arrived courtesy of Android Headlines, showcasing the follow-up to 2021's A-series buds. And to be totally honest, they don't look all that different from other Google earbuds, particularly the Pixel Buds Pro 2. But they'll surly be vying for a position on the list of the best cheap wireless earbuds later this year. The renders show the new "Iris" color, though the site notes that the buds should also be available in other hues. The only two mentioned are "Strawberry" and "Fog Light". Presumably some kind of pink and gray, to Iris's blueish-purple. Past leaks have claimed we'll also see a Hazel color, which is a gray-ish green. The Pixel Buds Pro 2, on the other hand, will reportedly be available in a new "Moonstone" color as well. The site doesn't have much in the way of details, but we'd hope that the new buds at least improve upon the originals' weaknesses — especially given the four year gap. In our Pixel Buds A-Series review, we noted the buds themselves had pretty mixed sound quality, and there were times when everything was way too quiet. The battery life wasn't ideal either, with Google promising five hours of music playback per charge. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Considering the Pixel Buds Pro 2 ups that number to eight hours with ANC switched on (or 12 without), I personally hope that the Buds 2a will see a significant improvement. Even if it doesn't quite snag the same longevity. Noise cancelling would be nice too, come to think of it. The first generation A-series may have been cheap, but that did feel like a glaring omission. So adding ANC to the new version would go a long way towards helping it land it a place on our best cheap wireless earbuds page. We'll presumably find out all the key details on August 20, during the next Made by Google event. So far we're expecting the Pixel Buds 2a to debut alongside the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro Fold and the Pixel Watch 4. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
The Hindu
30-07-2025
- The Hindu
Google Pixel 6a warning issued by Australian product safety regulator
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) published a product recall notice for the Google Pixel 6a, and warned that it had battery overheating issues. The notice came on July 25, with the product safety regulator warning that incidents had occurred which resulted in serious burn injuries. The overheating battery could also lead to a fire, per the regulator. 'The battery may overheat. An automatic firmware update to Android 16 was rolled out to Pixel 6a devices in Australia on 8 July 2025. Google advises that the firmware update provides new battery management features that mitigate the risk of overheating. Consumers do not need to return their devices,' noted the ACCC in its product statement. However, the ACCC said the issue did not affect all Pixel 6a devices. For affected devices, the new battery management system will be activated once the device gets the firmware update and reaches 400 battery cycles. For others, the firmware update will have no impact on battery management and the device will be as before. Tech outlet Android Authority also highlighted cases of Reddit users who claimed that their Google Pixel 6a phones had caught fire or started burning. There have been complaints about other Google smartphone models from the A-series seeing similar issues. Users noted battery swelling in the Pixel 7a and overheating in the Pixel 4a, per Android Authority. While some pointed to the use of off-brand chargers as a possible cause for the phone catching fire, Google is yet to formally address the issue and confirm its underlying cause.
New Indian Express
17-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Samsung leads as Apple's share dips in Q2 smartphone market globally
Samsung retained its top position in the global smartphone market in Q2 2025, according to preliminary estimates from Counterpoint Research's Market Monitor service. The company captured a 20 percent sell-in market share, holding steady from the previous quarter and up from 19 percent in Q2 2024, marking an 8 percent year-over-year growth in shipments. Sell-in shipments refer to the number of devices that manufacturers ship into the sales channel (distributors, retailers, and mobile operators), rather than the number of devices sold directly to end-users. As per the report, Samsung's growth was driven by continued strong demand for the Galaxy S25 series, supported by a stabilizing mid-tier lineup, particularly the refreshed A-series. The company also benefited from growing traction in foldable smartphones and early adoption of AI-led features, which helped sustain customer engagement across key markets including North America, Europe and Japan. 'Samsung maintained the first position in the global smartphone market in Q2 2025 while witnessing an 8 percent yearover-year growth in shipments. The growth, which followed a strong Q1 driven by the Galaxy S25 series, came on the back of mid-tier phones, stabilizing performance across key markets— especially the A-series refresh. The company's foldables and AI-led features helped retain brand stickiness,' said Senior Analyst Shilpi Jain. The report also noted that the global smartphone market recorded its second consecutive quarter of growth, with total shipments increasing 2 percent year-over-year in Q2 2025. Growth was largely driven by strong performance in North America, Japan, and Europe. 'The earlier concerns around tariffs, which disrupted shipments in Q1, started to ease in the second quarter. Still, markets like China and North America continued to feel some impact, leading North America to stockpile shipments. Entry-level and budget 5G devices saw growing traction in emerging markets, while premium demand remained steady in mature markets,' said Tarun Pathak, research director at Counterpoint Research.
Tom's Guide
30-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
Apple could launch a cheap Macbook next year — powered by the iPhone 16 Pro's chip
There are plenty of reasons to buy a MacBook, but saving money certainly isn't one of them. The best MacBooks give you a lot for your money, but they're not budget devices by any definition of the word. The good news is that analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims Apple will be releasing a cheaper Macbook next year — and it'll apparently be powered by iPhone chips. According to Kuo, this machine will have a display somewhere around 13-inches, and will be powered by the A18 Pro chipset. That's the same chip as the iPhone 16 Pro, which has already proven to be a performance powerhouse. On top of that the machines could come in a variety of different colors, including silver, blue, pink and yellow. Apparently this new cheaper MacBook will go into mass production at the end of this year, or early next year. Apparently this new machine is projected to sell between 5 and 7 million units in 2026. According to Kuo, this will help Apple get shipment figures back to their pre-COVID shipment peak of 25 million units — up from 20 million in 2025. It's no secret that Apple's M Series chips came about because of the success of the iPhone's A-series. Compared to old Intel Macs, this offered far better performance and efficiency — boosting the capabilities and battery life. So bringing the A-series into the MacBook lineup brings that whole idea full circle. The main question I have is, how much of a hit would this rumored machine take in both those areas? The A-series may be able to perform well on iPhones, but there's a reason why the best iPads have been using M-series chips for the past few years. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. I'm also curious as to how cheap this "cheap" Macbook might actually be. The M4 MacBook Air models start at $999, but is discounted to $849 right now. A cheaper model would have to be at least $200-$300 cheaper to make it worthwhile and that kind of price point could come with some other sacrifices like worse cameras, fewer ports and a less impressive screen. Of course we won't know for sure until Apple actually announces the laptop, which isn't likely to happen until it's ready to go on sale. Meaning we've got almost a year of waiting ahead of us.
Indian Express
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- Indian Express
This is how Apple created a custom iPhone camera to shoot F1 movie
If you have ever watched a Formula One race, you may have seen clips showing the angle from behind the cockpit, capturing the top or side of the driver's helmet. Traditionally, onboard cameras fitted in the car are used primarily for broadcast and record at lower resolutions using specific colour spaces and codecs. However, to film certain sequences for the long-anticipated F1 movie, Apple's engineering team replaced the broadcast module with a camera built using iPhone components. The idea to use a custom iPhone instead of regular broadcast cameras was to capture authentic, high-quality point-of-view footage from inside Formula One cars without disrupting the vehicles' performance. This aligned with the vision set by director Joseph Kosinski and cinematographer Claudio Miranda. They wanted footage that went beyond traditional broadcast quality, which is typically low-resolution and optimised for live TV. That's when Apple's engineering team stepped in and designed a custom module that looks identical to a standard F1 broadcast camera but is built using components from an iPhone. In a Wired report that detailed the custom iPhone camera used to film sequences in the F1 movie, Apple created a special module that looks virtually identical to a standard broadcast camera. However, inside, it's essentially an iPhone camera system, featuring an A-series chip, an iPhone battery, and a neutral density filter to control exposure. The camera module reportedly ran iOS—the same operating system that powers the iPhone—but had to be customized specifically for this use case. While Apple hasn't disclosed full specifications, the camera system appears to match the 48-megapixel setup found in the iPhone 15 Pro. But Apple went far beyond just swapping parts. The team ensured the custom iPhone camera met all requirements and adhered to strict conditions to match the car's specifications. In fact, Apple had to ensure the camera module could withstand extreme shock, vibrations, and heat. Footage was recorded using Apple's ProRes codec in a log format, capturing flat, low-contrast visuals ideal for extensive post-production color grading. The module lacked wireless connectivity, so Apple developed a custom iPad app to control the system via USB-C. This allowed the production team to adjust the frame rate, shutter angle, white balance, and exposure gain, as well as start and stop recording. YouTuber Bobby Tonelli has also shared a detailed look at the custom iPhone camera. Here's the video. Apple is going all-in on the F1 movie, starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski, who previously helmed the box office smash Top Gun: Maverick. Apple has also developed a haptic trailer exclusively for iPhones, leveraging the smartphone's Taptic Engine to let viewers 'feel the action' in the palm of their hands. The movie is receiving a full theatrical release, including an IMAX rollout. Apple also featured the film prominently at its recent WWDC event and held a special screening for attendees at the Steve Jobs Theater. F1: The Movie marks Apple's first attempt at producing a big-budget summer blockbuster for theaters. Cupertino has been bullish on its Apple TV+ streaming service over the past few years, expanding its original catalogue and delivering several hit shows, including Severance, Slow Horses, and The Studio. F1: The Movie, an Apple Original, releases worldwide on June 27 including India.
