Irrespective of what the state government in any state of the United States might decide, it is now official that Google has taken a strong stance against weed in the Play Store as well.

You can check out the official statement in the store itself, but it can be summarized with the bottom-line that from now on, the Play Store won't support any applications that has anything to do with the weed business at all, irrespective of the business's legal/illegal status in the state of question.

It is disappointing and surprising to see Google taking the same stance as Apple and Facebook already did, especially when the industry has started to grow so profoundly.

Personally, I think it might just have something to do with the strained relationship that Canada now shares with the US. Similar to how Huawei has been shunned by Google due to the new policies implemented by the Trump administration, this could very well be a result of the political pressure on Google to affect the cannabis industry's uninhibited growth in Canada. Then again, it's just a hunch and I could be completely wrong.

Saikat Kar

 

Google's latest device Pixel 3A isn't the attractive one in the market, nor it has the specs to die for, but it cost way less, and it gets the job done. In fact, Google market it that way suggesting that it is a phone that gets it done which seems kind of brilliant. For years, the smartphonemanufacturers have been pushing the technologies to ge the bigger and faster smartphones. In fact, lots of these have features we don't even need like Galaxy Fold. Samsung spend millions in research to find a screen that is foldable. These have been an extra burden on consumer's wallet. 

 

Last week, Google unveil its latest smartphone, the Pixel 3A and Pixel 3AXL, which are essentially the budget variants of the last year's version Pixel 3. Google simply, removed the high-end hardware and released at the way less price. The pixel 3 has already won the recognition for its superior photography, especially for the night-time photography Pixel 3 has far better results than any other existing camera.

The pixel 3A costs only $399. Google seems not to be bothered by the race of ‘being first' or ‘having the most expensive smartphone'. It is focusing on the market that is budget-conscious and wants a phone that has a good screen, reliable functionality, and perhaps a good camera too. Despite of its cost, it can run your business productivity apps like Gmail and slack, takes great photos, and affordable.

Pixel 3A runs on Android 9 Pie out of box, has 5.6-inch display with 2220x1080 resolution. It is powered by Qualcomm snapdragon 670 octa-core processing chip. It has 64GB storage and 4GB memory. The rear camera is 12.2MP with optical + electronic image stabilization f/1.8 aperture, 76 field of view, and 3,000mAh batter with fast charging.

Smartphone manufacturers are steering the industry into an era of the folding phone. Sure, the Samsung Galaxy Fold and Huawei Mate X are not available until later in the year, but they show a new direction for mobile technology. Not wanting to be left behind, Google seems to be developing its own Pixel smartphone with folding screen tech.

A WIPO Patent filed by Google and discovered by Patently Mobile shows the company is exploring bendy screens. Titled "Foldable display neutral axis management with thin, high modulus layers", the patent describes on device components that would allow a smartphone to bend.

Google's apparent entry into the foldable phone market is significant as it suggests bendy screens are here to stay. Samsung and Huawei are already on board, the two largest smartphones manufacturers on the planet. Now Google seems to also be on board, the owner of the Android ecosystem.

In fact, it really isn't any surprise to see Google move into the foldable phone market. After-all, the company has tweaked Android to provide the software underpinning for devices with bending screens.

Stopping to think about the potential, it is easy to see how folding smartphones will be revolutionary. Users can have a video chat in WhatsApp going on one side of the screen, while posting on Facebook on the other side. Or what about consuming media while also using an online service. For example, a user could be watching a ball game live on one side of the screen while making in-game bets with a New York sports betting website.

Patent Details

 

Google's plan for folding technology centers on Young's modulus to create layers that move independently of the neutral plane. If you are unfamiliar with Young's modulus, it is a number that measures the elastic abilities of a given material. Foldable displays are easier said than done because separate layers of the screen bend at different angles, creating a bump at the fold.

In its patent, Google has its own way of overcoming this issue. By using materials to make elasticity adjustments, the company's tech would theoretically remove the bump that is currently visible on folded smartphone screens.

The obvious question is what material will Google use? Well, the company is working with a material comprised of glass fibers and polymers for the transparent layer.

Another notable piece of information from Google's patent is that the company seems to be pursuing a clamshell design for its foldable phone. Samsung and Huawei have opted for a book style device, which would allow the handsets to be tablet sized when unfolded. Google's approach could mean a smaller device in the pocket, which unfolds to be the size of a modern smartphones.

As is always the case with patents, it is worth remembering that there are no guarantees the technology will ever be developed. Still, it does show that Google is working on folding screens and that could one day mean a folding Pixel smartphone. 

Google's flagship Pixel 3 XL smartphone is less than six months old, but the company is already deep into development on its successor. While the Pixel 4 XL will not launch until nearer the end of the year, Google is working on the handset now. In fact, this week we learned more about the camera technology on the Pixel 4 XL thanks to some new renders of the upcoming device.

Two important changes will be made to the design of the Pixel XL. Specifically, Google will follow the recent high-end Android trend of a hole-punch screen and will also embrace a new camera configuration on the back of the handset.

New Camera Module

 

According to a leaked image discovered by SlashLeaks, the Pixel 4 XL will have two cameras on its rear. Ok, you are probably thinking most flagship devices have three or more camera lenses, and you'd be right. Google has always approached smartphone imagery differently to other OEMs and the Pixel 2 XL and Pixel 3 XL only have one rear camera.

Instead of using multiple lenses to create different imaging capabilities, Google leveraged its market-leading AI and machine learning technology. The result has seen the single lens of the Pixel smartphones achieve image quality other smartphones need multiple lenses to match. It is a strategy that has worked as Pixel cameras are considered amongst the best in the industry.

However, for the Pixel 4 XL, Google seems to be embracing a multiple camera setup. The linked device drawing you see below shows the smartphone with two lenses. Considering Google has managed to use a single lens to create a stunning smartphone camera, we are really excited to see what the company will do with two.

Hole-Punch Display

 

The drawing also shows Google will use a hole-punch screen for the Pixel 4 XL, a design element that was backed up by renders that leaked this week by iDroidbg. Google has previously followed Apple's path of using a notch to house the front-facing selfie camera module.

While a notch is not a deal breaker, I have often found it slightly obtrusive. My smartphone activity revolves around sending messages on WhatsApp, playing games, or browsing when looking for a pa iLotterybonus code. In all cases it is hard to ignore the notch jutting out from the top of the screen.

The answer to that problem is the hold-punch display, which is becoming a smartphone trend in 2019 thanks to the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus. Google has noticed this trend and it seems the Pixel 4 XL will now have its selfie camera embedded into the screen.

Interestingly, both the render and the drawing show that the Pixel 4 XL will come without a fingerprint sensor on the rear. All previous Pixel smartphones have housed the fingerprint scanner on the back panel below the camera. On the upcoming 2019 model it seems Google has followed OEMs like OnePlus and Samsung by embedding the sensor within the screen. 

There is about half a year still left in between now and the release date of the next Pixel flagship smartphones, but that has not managed to put a lid on the rumor jar though! Even before we actually get to the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, let us inform you that Google may likely release cheaper versions of the Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3 XL much sooner. They will both be the "Lite" versions of their costlier siblings, but we are not sure about what Google will sacrifice on those two comparatively budget smartphones, if and when they come out.

As far as the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL are concerned though, a few things are almost for certain and one of them is the fact that both the new phones might be launched in October, 2019. If there is another piece of reliable info that can be depended on, then it would be that both the flagship handsets will be sporting Android Q, aka Android OS 10. Not much is known about the Android Q OS yet though, except vague information regarding a comprehensive dark mode, better security and reliable facial recognition support.

Saikat Kar