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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Google will formally unveil the Pixel 11 lineup on Aug. 12.
- The brand new Pixel Glow characteristic may very well be the spotlight.
- Pixels want an AI kill swap and higher magnetic equipment.
Google has officially scheduled the Pixel 11 occasion — Aug. 12. In lower than a month, we’ll see what Google has in retailer for this 12 months, together with a redesigned Fold, the Pixel Watch 5, and the Pixel 11 telephone lineup with the highly-touted Pixel Glow. Pixel Glow is a multi-colored LED mild characteristic on the rear of the telephone. It was initially thought this is perhaps a lightweight strip across the digicam bar, however the newest leaks present a round mild that lives within the present flashlight place.
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I have been a Pixel person because the first telephone debuted in 2016, and I am nonetheless firmly on group Google. Nonetheless, I really feel like Pixel telephones are beginning to change into a bit of stale in comparison with the modern powerhouse they as soon as had been. Google is promising quite a bit for its subsequent telephone collection, and whereas I do know some (perhaps even most) of my wishlist will not occur, here is what I might like to see on the Pixel 11 occasion.
What I need from the Pixel 11
1. Discover a technique to hold the thermometer
First launched with the Pixel 8 Professional in 2023, the built-in thermometer has change into one of my favorite Pixel features. I exploit it typically for a fast verify if my youngsters aren’t feeling effectively, and it is turn out to be useful fairly a number of instances if I am out with household or buddies and somebody wonders if they may have a fever. It is a unbelievable “try what my telephone can do” trick, and I can not depend what number of instances somebody requested how I did it.
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A number of leaks of the upcoming Pixel 11 Professional point out that the temperature sensor is being dropped to make room for the Pixel Glow characteristic. It isn’t clear precisely what telephones are getting Glow (not less than the Professional), however I hope Google can discover a technique to ultimately make these two options coexist if the shiny new lights are coming to the entire Pixel 11 lineup.
2. Most performance for the Glow characteristic
If Google goes to kill my favourite characteristic for Pixel Glow, I hope it isn’t only a mild present for notifications. The brand new lights do look cool, and it looks like this may very well be a pleasant technique to hold your telephone out of your fingers (by deciding if the color-coded notification is value your consideration), however I might prefer to see Google to get essentially the most use attainable out of Glow — features like a digicam timer, charging standing indicator, connection to Android’s “At a look” notifications to see how shut your rideshare or supply is, or a comfortable fill mild for pictures.
3. Extra Pixelsnap equipment
If there’s one space I’m jealous of Apple, it is MagSafe equipment. I’ve added a generic steel ring to my telephone case and a magnetic holder to my automobile, and I like snapping my telephone in sight once I want it. Google launched this to the Pixel 10 lineup with Pixelsnap, however I need to see greater than only a charger and stand.
4. Add an AI kill swap
Whereas I am not all-in on AI on my telephone, I do use a few of my Pixel 9 Professional’s AI options (particularly the picture enhancing, video increase, and Gemini). As corporations hold injecting AI into each conceivable nook of our tech, some shoppers are beginning to push again. If Google may embrace an AI kill swap — one thing like “Native processing solely” or “Basic mode,” it will win a few of these followers. Body it as a privateness measure, or as a technique to save battery life — customers ought to have a technique to flip AI completely off.
5. Ditch lithium-ion batteries
A number of telephone producers, notably Motorola and OnePlus, have ditched conventional lithium-ion batteries for silicon carbon. The most important names, although, like Apple, Samsung, and Google, have but to comply with go well with. A swap to silicon carbon couldn’t solely repair battery issues which have plagued Google telephones for years now, however it will additionally permit for a bigger battery capability with out making the machine cumbersome (for comparability, these producers can match 6,000mAh to 7,300mAh batteries whereas Google caps out at 5,100mAh). This might end in dearer manufacturing prices and a brand new provide chain, however it will place Google on the entrance of the pack.
