When the first pictures of the upcoming Google Pixel 8 Pro started to leak earlier this year, folks noticed that it had an extra sensor in the camera strip, but it wasn’t clear what that sensor did. Now we (probably know): it’s an IR temperature sensor that lets your phone as thermometer.
Here’s a roundup of recent tech news from around the web.
Google Pixel 8 Pro leaked video reveals design, built-in thermometer feature [91Mobiles]
It looks like the Pixel 8 Pro could have a temperature sensor when it launches later this fall, according to a leaked demo video that shows how it can be used to detect fevers when waved over your forehead. The video has been removed, but Ars Technica has screenshots.
Sneak peek at the Anbernic RG Nano [NITTRX]
This keychain-sized game console has a 1,050 mAh battery, a USB-C port, and what looks like barely-bigger-than-a-thumbnail sized display. More details, including pricing, should be available closer to launch.Â
Huawei introduces MateBook E 2023 as Microsoft Surface Pro competitor with 120 Hz OLED display [NotebookCheck]
Huawei’s new MateBook E (2023) is a 2-in-1 Windows tablet with a 12.6 inch, 2560 x 1600 pixel 120 Hz OLED display, an Intel Raptor Lake-U processor, up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, and a 42 Wh battery. Available first in China for $1070 and up.
Google updates inactive account policies [Google]
Google is updating its inactive account policy – if you haven’t used or logged into a personal Google Account in at least two years, Google “may delete the account and its content” starting in December, 2023. You should get “multiple notifcations over the months leading up to deletion” before that happens though.
Amazon Introduces Four All-New Echo Devices [Amazon]
Amazon’s new Echo Buds are its cheapest true wireless earbuds yet ($50 list, $40 during a pre-launch promotion). They lack active noise cancellation, but offer 5 hour battery life, come with a charging case, and support Alexa (if that’s a selling point for you). There’s also a new entry-level $40 Echo Pop smart speaker, plus a couple other Alexa-enabled products.
Update to Windows Subsystem for Android [Microsoft]
The latest update to Microsoft’s software for running Android apps on Windows 11 PCs includes virus scanning for packages before installation, support for configuring how much RAM is available to Android, and other improvements.
Framework Laptop 13 review: a DIY dream come true [The Verge]
Seems like Framework managed to deliver on its promise of longer battery life with the new Framework Laptop. A bigger battery, new chipset and better BIOS, helped one reviewer consistently got 9+ hours on the new model (up from 6+ hours last year).
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Googles slow and less updates than others make me say no way keep it until you wise up, also battery life has been below standard
A new sensor to test if you are Covid compliant!
I like the way that you think, but I’m sure that was probably not the intention. Perhaps it was thought up to just make it easier to check to see if you have symptoms instead of doing one of those home test. I dunno.
Totally not dystopic, though! /sarcasm
Bingo! Setting us up for some more dystopian fun!
Being able to take your own temperature or the temperature of other objects without having to keep a separate thermometer around is really just a convenience. And there’s a lot of thermometers lying around still regardless. Getting worked up about this is a distraction by a triviality. The google/apple partnership for contact tracing and medical product consumption certificates are far more dystopian, and still in place. They’re just less visible, especially when people with authority have quit talking about them…for now.
Sure, there’s a lot of things big tech offers that makes our lives more convenient, but they almost always have a nefarious purpose behind the “convenience” factor so I don’t understand why pointing this out is some kind of worked up trivial distraction. It’s possible to be concerned about two or more things at once.
Also, until we’re all forced to carry around a smart device that’s constantly taking our temperature and sending our vitals back to Klaus Schwab I’m hardly worked up about it.