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Pixel 11’s dark-friendly face unlock and Pixel 10’s 4K HDR: Google’s Next Big Steps in Smartphone Tech

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Google’s upcoming Pixel 11 could tackle a long-standing issue with its face unlock feature, allowing it to work seamlessly even in dark or low-light settings. Leveraging the new Tensor G6 chip, Google is reportedly enhancing its face unlock capabilities by potentially adding an under-display infrared (IR) camera system, which is designed to be energy-efficient. While specific details haven’t been confirmed, this new IR technology is expected to be key for reliable face unlock in any lighting, making Pixel 11 a big step forward in biometric security.

The concept of face unlock on Pixel devices dates back to the Pixel 4, which used a combination of dot projectors, flood illuminators, and IR cameras to recognize faces even in complete darkness. However, with the Pixel 7, Google shifted to a camera-based approach, which was later enhanced in the Pixel 8 with Google’s upgraded Class 3 face unlock, enabling secure access to Google Wallet, banking apps, and other services requiring high-level security. Although this system works well in bright conditions, it often struggles in low light, making users rely on the fingerprint sensor at night or in dim spaces.

The integration of an under-display IR camera in the Pixel 11 may eliminate this limitation, enhancing face unlock reliability across all lighting environments. This IR feature is particularly promising because it allows Google to avoid bulky bezels or design changes that could detract from the Pixel’s sleek look, an essential factor for 2026 and beyond.

Beyond just face unlock improvements, Google’s Pixel series is expected to bring significant camera upgrades with the upcoming Tensor G5 and G6 chips. According to recent leaks, the Pixel 10, powered by the Tensor G5, is set to support 4K video recording at 60 frames per second with HDR, a substantial upgrade from the Pixel 9’s 4K30 limitation. This change puts Google’s video capabilities on par with industry leaders and adds a new level of detail and clarity to high-quality video content.

In addition, Google plans to introduce AI-enhanced video editing features on the Pixel 10 through the Photos app, potentially offering tools similar to the Magic Editor for photos. The Tensor G5 will power on-device Stable Diffusion-based models, enabling features like “Speak-to-Tweak” and “Sketch-to-Image” for more intuitive editing experiences.

Looking even further ahead, Google’s Tensor G6 chip is expected to bring an on-device “Ultra Low Light video” feature on the Pixel 11. This capability aims to capture high-quality video in dim or cloudy environments without requiring cloud-based processing. This local processing will save time and resources, allowing smoother video capture in challenging lighting conditions like dusk or indoors with minimal light.

On the hardware side, the Pixel 11 is anticipated to introduce a new telephoto camera, offering advanced machine-learning powered 100x zoom for both photos and videos. This technology could potentially revolutionize zoom functionality, providing crisp detail at extreme magnifications. Google’s cinematic blur feature is also expected to see improvements, supporting 4K30 video and a new “video relight” function to adjust lighting effects in recorded footage, along with improved power efficiency during video recording by almost 40%.

With these advancements, the upcoming Pixel 10 and Pixel 11 will set new standards in both video quality and AI-enhanced editing, while also addressing user experience with powerful, reliable face unlock that works regardless of lighting conditions. Google’s use of AI to redefine smartphone photography and security marks a forward-thinking shift, positioning its Pixel lineup as a leader in mobile technology.

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Google One AI premium now includes enhanced notebook features and student discount

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Google One AI Premium has rolled out exciting new features with the addition of NotebookLM Plus, making it easier for users to manage and interact with their notes. Additionally, there’s good news for students in the US, as they can now enjoy a 50% discount on this premium service.

NotebookLM Plus brings significant upgrades over the basic version:

  • Increased Audio Overviews: Users can now generate 20 audio summaries per day, up from the original 3 in the free version.
  • More Notebooks: You can create up to 500 notebooks, a jump from the 100 allowed in the free tier.
  • More Sources per Notebook: Each notebook can now include up to 300 sources, compared to just 50 before.
  • More Chat Queries: The daily chat query limit has been increased to 500 from the previous 50.

With the premium subscription, you also get access to exclusive features:

  • Controlled Sharing: You can share notebooks in “Chat-only” mode, where others can chat with the notebook but not see your sources or notes unless you allow it.
  • Customized Chat Experience: You can tweak your chat settings to get responses in your preferred style, like ‘Guide’ or ‘Analyst’, and choose how detailed or brief you want the answers to be.
  • Notebook Analytics: After sharing, you can track how many people have viewed your notebook and how often they interact with it.

Google previously enhanced NotebookLM with updates like Gemini 2.0, a new three-column layout, and an interactive mode for audio conversations. These features are now also accessible for business, education, and enterprise through Google Workspace and Google Cloud.

The Google One AI Premium service costs $19.99 monthly, offering 2 TB of storage, advanced AI features with Gemini, extended Google Meet capabilities, scheduling in Google Calendar, and special perks in Google Photos and the Google Store.

For students aged 18 and over in the US, Google offers this premium access at just $9.99 per month for the first year, which could be a great tool for handling schoolwork, custom study aids, and efficient email management. More details on eligibility can be found on Google’s official site.

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New Android Auto update brings fresh app features

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Google has just released a new update for Android Auto, version 13.7. This update doesn’t bring many changes that you can see, but it does some work under the hood. This is the second update for Android Auto in 2025, and while there aren’t big changes you can see right away, there are some small tweaks to how things look with the Material You design. However, these tweaks are so small you might not even notice them.

Like most updates, this one mainly focuses on fixing little problems behind the scenes. Google hasn’t said exactly what they’ve fixed, though. But something is interesting if you look closer at the update’s code. There are new messages about new apps coming to Android Auto. One message says an app is now available for use in Android Auto, and another says an app is available but only when the car is parked.

These messages read:

  • “Now available in Android Auto”
  • “Now available in Android Auto while parked”

We’ve seen similar messages before, but this time, it might be connected to Google’s new push for “Car ready mobile apps.” Google updated a page in January saying they would start helping developers make their apps work well on car screens from February 2025. This includes apps that work when the car is parked.

However, this February rollout is only for cars with Android Automotive OS, not for Android Auto on your phone, which will get these updates later. This update started rolling out late last week, so by now, it should be available for most users. Keep an eye out for new apps that might make your drive or your parked time more enjoyable.

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Big trade-in deals for Samsung’s new Galaxy phones

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Samsung is making it easier and more rewarding for customers to switch to their latest Galaxy phone, the Galaxy S25, with impressive trade-in offers. Even after the pre-order period, Samsung is keeping the trade-in values high and has expanded the list of eligible devices to include the Pixel 9 series.

Previously, you could trade in for top dollar on older Samsung models, but now, the Galaxy S25 series offers even better deals. During pre-orders, Samsung gave up to $900 for certain devices when trading for the Galaxy S25 Ultra, a jump from the $750 offered for the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Now that the Galaxy S25 series is out in the stores, those high trade-in values are still available on Samsung.com. This is surprising because usually, such offers decrease after the initial launch buzz.

A new addition to the trade-in program is the ability to exchange your Pixel 9 or Pixel 9 Pro for a Galaxy S25. Previously, only up to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro were accepted. The trade-in value for a Pixel 9 Pro can go up to $650, which is about 65% of its original price, and for the Pixel 9, you can get up to $550, which is just under 70% of its retail price. These values are quite competitive, matching what you might get selling privately, especially since these models were only released in August.

Here’s a quick look at what you can get for trading in different models:

  • Google Pixel 9 Pro: Up to $650 for the Ultra, $400 for the S25+
  • Google Pixel 9: Up to $550 for the Ultra, $300 for the S25+
  • Older Samsung and iPhones: Values range from $100 to $900 depending on the model and the new phone you’re buying.

Remember, these trade-in values are exclusive to Samsung.com, and they might not last forever. Besides the trade-in, Samsung is also offering additional credits and larger storage options for each Galaxy S25 model. The starting price for the new phone is $799. So, if you’re thinking about upgrading, now might be a great time to do so with Samsung’s generous trade-in offers.

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