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Google to Remove Third-party Apps and Clocks from Fitbit Devices in the EU

 

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.

 

Google to Remove Third-party Apps and Clocks from Fitbit Devices in the EU

 

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.


More Pixel 8a Specs Emerge: 120hz Display, Tensor G3, and Display Output Feature

 

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.

 

More Pixel 8a Specs Emerge: 120hz Display, Tensor G3, and Display Output Feature

 

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.


Google confirms the existence of the Pixel 8a

 

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.


Gemini Nano will not be coming to the Pixel 8

 

Last year, Google announced its new LLM called Gemini. There are several versions of Gemini, including Gemini Nano that is designed to run directly on mobile devices. It is basically an on-device AI versus the Pro and Ultra models that are run in the cloud. Unfortunately, it will not be making its way onto the Pixel 8.

 

Google announced towards the end of 2023 that Gemini Nano would be finding its way onto the Pixel 8 Pro. During The Android Show, a Google engineer from the Android generative AI team confirmed that Gemini Nano will not be coming to the Pixel 8 due to "hardware limitations". The company did reassure that they are working to bring Nano to more devices in the future, specifically "high-end" devices.

 

Based on that statement, this is bad news for Pixel 8 owners and owners of lower-end Android devices. In terms of specs, the Pixel 8 only differs from the Pixel 8 Pro in the RAM department. The Pixel 8 comes with 8GB of RAM while the Pro model comes with 12GB of RAM. Otherwise, both are powered by the same Tensor G3 chipset.

 

So, what are Pixel 8 owners missing out on? In this instance, they would be missing out on features like the Recorder's Summarize feature and Gboard Smart Reply. Hopefully Google will come up with a cloud-based alternative in the future, but for now, this is the situation we are in.


Google Maps will soon show you building entrances

 

Google Maps is a great navigation tool. It's perfect for finding your way around a new city, navigating roads you're unfamiliar with, and so on. But generally speaking, it's only good in terms of "bigger picture". That could change soon as Google seems to be testing out a new Google Maps feature that shows building entrances.

 

We know that many of you have probably used Google Maps to find the location of a building. But when you get to the area, finding the entrance could become tricky. As spotted by Android Police, Google is testing a new feature that will show the entrances of a building on the map.

 

This means that when you get to a location and want to find out how to get in, all you need to do is zoom into Google Maps and you will see entrances and exits marked on the building. Google already has a similar feature for the public transit navigation that shows station exits and entrances, so it makes sense that they would apply this to other locations as well.

 

At the moment the feature isn't live yet for all users. It also isn't available for all locations yet. We imagine that Google might have to add these entrances and exits manually, so it could take a while. Either way, it's actually a pretty useful feature and we can't wait for it to roll out to the public.

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