ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech news stories from Google's Pixel 9 reveals
to OpenAI's GPT 4-o concerns

Date:
Sat, 17 Aug 2024 07:00:10 +0000

Description:
ICYMI here are the biggest tech news stories from Google, Meta, Pico, OpenAI and more for August 18, 2024.

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This week Google wowed us with its Made by Google event, which introduced us to four Pixel phones including the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold , a new
smartwatch, new earbuds, and (of course) plenty of Gemini AI updates to sink our teeth into.

We were also exposed to major VR headset leaks from Meta and Pico, and
Apple's iPhone Air was rumored as a slim alternative to its usual
smartphones.

To get up to speed on all of this, scroll down for a round-up of the week's biggest tech news, and we'll see you next weekend for another quickfire roundup. 7. Made by Google: Gemini AI got an upgrade (Image credit: Google)

This week Google wowed the world with Gemini Live at its Made for Google event, where it launched gorgeous new Pixel 9 phones. The new AI-powered version of its digital assistant can now converse with you on complex topics, knows whats in your calendar, and can tell you what Jane asked you a week ago in an email. It also has ten different voices for you to choose between, so you can start to have a much more personal relationship with your phone.

Other new AI features include manipulating your photos in Pixel Studio, so
you can add things that werent there originally, like the sun, a tree, or
even a spaceship. As if thats not enough, Gemini can also do all your
research for you now, producing a Google Doc with sources, references, and links. Homework will never be the same! Read more: Google is making Gemini AI part of everything you do on your phone 6. Made by Google: four new Pixel 9 phones were revealed (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

Google took a big design swing with its latest line of Pixel 9 phones. The camera arrays are still bold, but instead of bands, we get islands, and instead of curved backs, we get a look across the Pixel 9 , Pixel 9 Pro , and Pixel 9 Pro XL that has more in common with Apples iPhone design aesthetic than ever before.

Google upgraded the power across the line, moving from the Tensor G3 to G4
and adding a lot more RAM. Theyre all joined by the completely redesigned foldable, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Its super thin and has a huge 8-inch flexible screen inside.

Of course, the big story of all these phones may be how they use all the new Gemini AI features like Add Me for photos and Gemini Live. We spent time with all these phones (and these cool AI features) and came away impressed, but we wont know for sure if theyre a must-buy or must-upgrade until we review them all. Read more : Google Pixel 9 launch proves RAM is the next smartphone separator 5. Made by Google: Pixel Watch 3 killed Fitbit smartwatches (Image credit: Future/Lance Ulanoff)

To wearables, the new Pixel Watch 3 revealed at the Made By Google event is bigger and better than ever. A new 45mm model sits alongside the existing
41mm model, with a 40% larger screen that can reach up to 2,000 nits of brightness. Both watches pack advanced running metrics, Wear OS 5, all-new watch face complications, and Fitbit Premium's Readiness score, now free from its paywalled shackles.

Unfortunately, it's not all good news for Fitbit: its smartwatch ranges,
Versa and Sense, have been axed. Fitbits are back to being slim, band-size trackers like the Luxe and Inspire, while the Google Pixel Watch will be the only smartwatch series sold by Google going forward. RIP. Read more: Hands-on Google Pixel Watch 3 review 4. Made by Google:Pixel Buds Pro 2 came out swinging (Image credit: Future)

Alongside new Pixel phones including the mouthful that is the Pixel 9 Pro Fold Google also dropped a new pair of earbuds, and we got the chance to go hands-on. The new Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 aims to roll with other high-end earbuds with active noise cancellation, long battery life, and a $229.99 /
219 / around AU$379 price.

However, the biggest chance might not be a more natural default playback or the ability to take to Gemini in your ears when connected to the right phone. Its the fact that Google dramatically shrunk the size down from the first generation for an earbud that is way more cozy, sticks out from your ears less, and does a much better job delivering a passive seal. Oh, and they come in two really fun shades: Peony or Wintergreen.

Were eager to spend more time with them and jam out to artists like Bruce Springsteen and Olivia Rodrigo, but for now, head over and read our full
first impressions. Read more: I tried the new Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 3. New Meta and Pico VR headsets were leaked (Image credit: ByteDance)

This week was a big one for VR headset leaks. We got a look at the Final Design of the all-but-confirmed Meta Quest 3S a cheaper alternative to the Quest 3 that's a sort of Quest 2.5, which Meta itself has leaked the
existence of twice which looks bulkier than we want but could come with an all-new action button that is either programmable or serves as a way to quickly swap between VR and MR. Well probably find out more at Meta Connect
on September 25 and 26.

Then there was the Pico 4S, with leaks suggesting its instead a high-end
model with the leaker saying in some regions itll be called the Pico 4
Ultra. If its real, it would be Picos answer to the Meta Quest 3, which would be exciting. The Pico 4 was a solid Meta Quest 2 rival, only let down by software; if the Pico 4S (assuming its real) can claw back points in this area, it could be the first true Quest 3 alternative (ignoring Metas other headsets) especially since it has more RAM making it more powerful. Well
just have to wait and see how the real thing shapes up when and if its announced officially. Read more: The leaked Pico 4S is a more powerful Meta Quest 3 rival Read more: Meta Quest 3S leak teases the VR headset's 'final design' 2. OpenAI updated GPT 4-o, but has concerns about its AI (Image credit: OpenAI)

This week, OpenAI revealed that it is observing users developing feelings for its ChatGPT bot. They are using language that youd normally only use with friends or loved ones rather than a gadget. Its also concerned that human-to-human interactions might be affected by users ability to interrupt the AIsomething thats rude in normal conversations.

Additionally, a new update for GPT 4-o was rolled out. However, because it doesnt have a tentpole new feature to point to, OpenAI doesnt know how to explain how the upgrade makes ChatGPT betterwhich could be an issue other AI makers run into in the future, too. How do you effectively quantify the usefulness of AI?

If not solved soon, these issues might be extra bad news for AI makers. Skeptics are pointing to these unintended negative side effects and AI's
black box nature as reasons it needs to be more highly regulated. But well have to wait and see if any government bodies take action or if AI
development will stay in the wild west a little longer. Read more: OpenAI is worried that ChatGPT-4o users are developing feelings for the AI Read more: ChatGPT just got a surprise update, but OpenAI cant explain how it's better
1. New iPhone Air rumors put us in a quandary (Image credit: Front Page Tech)

A lot of people will be thinking about upgrading to the iPhone 16 next month. But some new rumors this week may have derailed those plans or at least thrown them up in the air, so to speak.

According to reliable Apple commentators, the company is planning to launch a new iPhone Air model next year, alongside the iPhone 17. This super-slim
model will apparently sit somewhere between an iPhone 17 and 17 Pro in price and act like the MacBook Air of Apples phone lineup.

We dont know about you, but that sounds like a good excuse to not splash upwards of $799 / 799 / AU$1,499 on a new phone this year Read more: New iPhone Air rumors suggest it could be a reason to skip this years iPhone 16



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/tech/icymi-the-weeks-7-biggest-tech-news-stories-fro m-googles-pixel-9-reveals-to-openais-gpt-4-o-concerns


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