The Pixel leaks just keep on coming - shortly after several images showing the supposed Pixel 8a color variants were shared online, it looks like another tidbit of pre-launch information has once again made rounds online. This time however, the new leaks reveals some information about the Pixel 9.

Posting on Twitter, tech informant @Za_Raczke states that will feature a new modem, in addition to satellite connectivity. More specifically, the Pixel 9 is expected to come with the Samsung Modem 5400 via the Tensor G4 chip, which is expected to be a significant upgrade over previous Samsung modems that Google has used in the past.

It should be noted that Google's Tensor-powered smartphones have been notorious among users for spotty connectivity, which included issues with both cellular and Wifi signals. Many have blamed this on the Samsung-made modems in the phones.

As for satellite connectivity, it's stated that this year's Pixel flagships will be the first to natively come with Android's satellite-communication feature, which will be initially provided in partnership with both T-Mobile and SpaceX. However, the feature will only allow messaging in addition to a "Satellite Gateway" app for reaching out to communication services.

After a lot of pressure from governments and the tech industry, Apple confirmed back in November last year that they will bring RCS support to its iPhones. The company did mention it will arrive in 2024, but stopped short of providing specific dates. But this hasn't stopped Google from predicting when.

In a new landing page for Google Messages, the company has made a bold claim that RCS will arrive on iPhones come fall of 2024. We can't say that they're completely wrong. Fall is when Apple will announce their new iPhones. It is also when Apple typically releases the next major iOS update - iOS 18.

It has been speculated that RCS message support will most likely be part of the iOS 18 update. Apple hasn't confirmed anything yet, so that's why it's still speculation. It's probably a pretty safe bet, but we think it's still a bit premature of Google to be so confident in its announcement, unless they know something we don't.

Support for RCS messages means that iOS users will soon be able to send rich text messages to non-iOS users with support for media files, support for encryption, and more. For the most part, a lot of the world relies on third-party apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram to chat with friends cross-platform. RCS support will mostly be beneficial to those in the US, but we suppose it doesn't hurt to have it anyway.

The EU's recent doubling-down on enforcing its guidelines upon big tech has seen no slowdowns, and it looks like Google has once again proceeded to comply with certain regulations, this time concerning its hardware and software under the Fitbit division. An official support page states that the company has decided to take down third-party apps and clocks in the EU. As per the notice:

Following a careful assessment of the impact of new regulatory requirements, we have made the decision to remove third-party apps and clocks from the Fitbit app gallery for users in the European Economic Area in June 2024. You can continue to download and install third-party apps until that date. Afterwards, you'll have access to a selection of Fitbit and Google apps. Users in other countries will not be impacted.

As such, this decision will affect several Fitbit models including the Fitbit Sense 2, Fitbit Sense, Fitbit Versa 4, Fitbit Versa 3, Fitbit Versa 2, Fitbit Versa Lite, Fitbit Versa, as well as the Fitbit Ionic. Google states that users will still be able to download and install third-party apps until June 2024. Afterwards, all apps and clock faces will be a first-party affair with Fitbit and Google solely at the helm.

Just recently, Google announced that it will roll out a new AI-powered Fitbit chatbot for Fitbit Premium subscribers on Android that are also part of Fitbit Labs, which the company says will help users analyze their health data and provide actionable insights.

Not too long after an FCC database listing was spotted bearing several of its model numbers, it looks like the Pixel 8a is once again the subject of newly-leaked information. According to a report from the folks over at Android Authority, the Pixel 8a is shaping up to be one formidable midrange Android phone.

According to a source with direct intel over at Google, the Pixel 8a will come with some familiar and new features not found on the Pixel 8 flagship phones. For one, the handset is rumored to have a 120hz display, a major step-up from the 90Hz screen on the Pixel 7a from last year. It will also come with the Tensor G3 chipset, the same SoC found inside the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro.

Interestingly, the leaker says that the Pixel 8a will also come with support for a display-out feature, which will allow it to output content onto external screens via a USB-C connection. Meanwhile, the 8a will come with the same camera configuration as on the Pixel 7a, which ditches the 12MP Sony sensor used in several earlier A-series Pixel phones in lieu of a 64MP primary camera sensor.

Finally, the source also states that Google will be selling the Pixel 8a in several more regions worldwide, including countries in Easter Europe. With the amount of leaks involved such as its price, design and even retail packaging, all that's really left for Google to do is to showcase the full range of colour variants available for the Pixel 8a, which we can expect during this year's Google I/O conference, set to be held on May 14.

Every year, Google launches a Pixel A series phone. This is meant to be a cheaper alternative to the flagship version. Last year we got the Pixel 7a, which means that unless Google changes their mind, this year we'll see the Pixel 8a. Now it looks like the phone has been confirmed.

In a post on the Google Issue Tracker page, a Google employee has more or less confirmed the existence of the phone. They mention the Pixel 8a explicitly, which means that it's pretty much a guarantee that Google will launch the handset soon enough. We can't say we're too surprised, but it's nice to have confirmation all the same.

If Google were to keep the specs of the Pixel 8a in the same veins as its predecessor, it means that we can look forward to the use of the Tensor G3 chipset. It might be slightly underclocked to help differentiate it from the Pixel 8, but otherwise it should still be a pretty capable handset.

We have heard rumors that the phone could also come with a battery upgrade. A rumor from last week also suggested that the handset could see a price hike. Google increased the price of the Pixel 7a last year. We thought we were safe from another price hike, but we guess not.