Google Pixel 5 might use a mid-range chipset and it's rumoured to be Qualcomm's new SD768G

Earlier, rumours have been saying that the Google Pixel 5 would house a mid-range chipset instead of a flagship one. We think that if Google is really going for that, they would at least use a powerful mid-range chipset. Today, Qualcomm has launched the Snapdragon 768G chipset and rumour has come saying that the chipset will probably be the one powering up the upcoming Google Pixel 5.

Before the launch of the Snapdragon 768G, Google Pixel 5 was rumoured to come with a Snapdragon 765G chipset. However, even if they're making the switch, it is still said to be easy as the new chipset is pin- and software- compatible with the Snapdragon 765G. Plus, we don't see any reason why Google would give up using the new and more powerful Snapdragon 768G.

The Snapdragon 768G has been introduced to offer a clock speed of up to 2.8Ghz from the 2.4GHz with 765G. It will also boost the performance of Adreno 620 GPU by 15%, and has updatable graphic drivers making it future-proof. If Google Pixel 5 is really using a mid-range chipset, we guess we would have no problem with it as long as it's a powerful one.

Let us know what you think about the rumour of Google Pixel 5 on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more latest smartphone updates.


Google Pixel 5 spotted in Android source code

It was just a few days ago when news of a leaked render for a prototype of the Google Pixel 5 XL emerged. At the time, many were doubtful that a new Pixel would appear so soon. But now there's another piece of news that points to the possibility of the Pixel 5 appearing sooner than later.

According to Gadgets 360, the name Google Pixel 5 has allegedly appeared in the latest commit for the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). A developer that has been testing new changes to AOSP talked about how he or she was doing some test of the kernel version 4.14 on the Pixel 4 that failed but didn't get to do the same test using kernel version 4.19 on the Pixel 5.

Leaked render of Pixel 5, courtesy of Front Page Tech

Of course, this is speculative at best and mere rumour at worse so do take it with a pinch of salt. Even if developers are already starting to conduct tests on the Pixel 5 devices, Google's newer in-house smartphones are unlikely to be revealed this early in 2020.

Google's smartphones always get some of the company's new features first, which is why some people want them. But if all you want is a device running stock Android, there are plenty of other options out there like the Nokia 7.2 that are more accessible.

With that said, what are the features locked to a Google Pixel device that you would like see spread to other brands? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news.


Google Pixel 5 will come in with Snapdragon 765G instead of the flagship Snapdragon 865+ chipset?

Google Pixel 5 will be officially unveiled on 30 September but retailers in both UK and Europe have already been listing it out with some images. Today, we got the full specs leaks for the upcoming device ahead of the launch from Germany.According to the source, the Google Pixel 5 will be coming in with the Snapdragon 765G chipset instead of the flagship SNapdragon 865 or 865+ and also lack of support for mmWave 5G network. It is coupled with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage for the base model. It is equipped with a 6-inch OLED Gorilla Glass 6 display with 90Hz refresh rate.

As for the cameras, it sports a 12.2MP main camera,16MP ultrawide angle camera with a fingerprint sensor on the rear and an 8MP punch-hole selfie camera on the front. In terms of the batteries, it has a 4080mAh battery that supports an 18W fast charge, wireless charging as well as reverse wireless charging. It also comes with IP68 water and dust resistance certification.

Either way, there’s still no official confirmation on the tech specs and local pricing yet, so do take this with a pinch of salt. But it is expected with the starting price of €629(~RM3042) in the Eurozone. Stay tuned for the latest tech news updates on TechNave.com


Google Pixel 5A 5G release: Snapdragon 765G, 6.43-inch display, 6GB RAM at ~RM1903

It seems that Google might have unveiled the Pixel 5A 5G smartphone at the price of $449 (~RM1903), and it sports a Snapdragon 765G chipset, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of internal storage. Besides that, the device comes with a 6.43-inch FHD+ OLED display and is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3.

As for the cameras, it sports an 8MP selfie snapper and dual rear camera with 12MP (main camera) + 16MP (ultra-wide lens). It is powered by a 4680mAh battery that supports an 18W wired charge. Other than that, the device supports a 3.5mm audio jack port, rated IP67 water-resistance, stereo speakers, dual-SIM, and runs Android 11.

The four colour variants of the device which are Black Moss, Maybe Moon, Likely Lime, and Partially Pink

Would you buy this if it is launched in the Malaysian market? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to stay tuned for more tech news on TechNave.com.


Google Pixel 5a could be launched soon as it gets certified by India's BIS

The Google Pixel 5a could be launched soon as it is being spotted on India’s BIS certification bureau. Although the model number GR0M2 is not going to prove anything, being a Google device and getting certified at this time with the Pixel 5a being the device Google should launch next pretty much explained it.

It is said that the previous Pixel 4a was a hit in India and Google had underestimated the demand. This time, the company is going to make amends with the upcoming Pixel 5a. Could this be the reason that the phone has been found certified in the country before others?

The Pixel 5a is expected to be a budget phone by having a similar price tag as its predecessor Pixel 4a. It is also possible to arrive with the same 12.2MP main camera sensor which is used on every Pixel smartphone since the Pixel 2, with the secondary camera being an ultra-wide camera. Furthermore, the phone is said to be made out of polycarbonate and offers the same minimalistic design that the Pixel phones are famous for.

Let us know what you think about the Pixel 5a on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more exciting smartphone news.


Google Pixel 5a live images and tech specs leaks

Last month, there was a leak about the Google Pixel 5 Pro. Today, we found a new leak about the Google Pixel 5a with some live images and tech specs.

According to sources, the device could sport an in-display fingerprint sensor, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of internal storage. As for the camera features, the device might be similar to the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G. Besides that, there's no punch-hole for the selfie snapper, and we think it could be the under-display camera as well.

The Google Pixel 5a might perhaps come in May 2021. So are you excited about the device even though it would not come to the Malaysian market? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to stay tuned for more tech news on TechNave.com.


Google Pixel 6 could finally be the one having an in-display fingerprint scanner

Other than the Pixel 4, Google's Pixel smartphones have been depending on a physical fingerprint scanner for security. This time, it looks like the company is finally trying to hop on the trend by using an in-display finger scanner. It is said that the technology could be seen on the upcoming Pixel 6.

Thanks to the recent release of Android 12 Developer Preview 2, developer kdrag0n has spotted that the code is changed with several new classes added in the SystemUIGoogle app. One of those classes is “UdfpsControllerGoogle” and the “Udfps” refers to “under-display fingerprint scanner”.

The source mentions that this would be a good time for Google to introduce the technology on its smartphone as the optical in-display fingerprint scanner has been around for years. Therefore, there is hardly any trouble if Google chose to replace the rear fingerprint scanner with something that the other smartphone manufacturers have been using.

Let us know what you think about this news on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for the latest smartphone report.


Google Pixel 6 could launch on 13 September, one day ahead of Apple iPhone 13

September is the month when we'll be getting to see two of the highly-anticipated flagship smartphone series, one from Google and one from Apple. According to sources, Google could present the Pixel 6 series on 13 September, one day ahead of the Apple iPhone 13's launch.

Instead of doing it in October, Google might have planned to start the party ahead of schedule. However, it turns out that the company might be too good at choosing dates by somehow letting the event happen one day before Apple iPhone 13's launch. At the moment, all of these have not been confirmed yet, but the official news could probably come in just a few days.

Google is serving something new with the Pixel 6 series, and we could see it in the teasers released earlier. Not only a completely different design compared to previous Pixel smartphones, but the company is also making a bunch of breakthroughs by upgrading the tech specs for them to be in line with current trends.

If this is happening, it would be a tense competition between both brands. Which smartphone launch you're more excited to see? Let us know through comments and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more smartphone rumours.


Google Pixel 6 hinted to come equipped with gimbal camera and a 50MP main sensor?

It seems that Twitter user @FrontTron recently posted a tweet, hinting that the Google Pixel 6 will come equipped with an embedded gimbal camera that provides much better image stabilization when capturing video and pictures. But that’s not all, a separate statement by Twitter user @UniverseIce seems to hint that the aforementioned smartphone will most likely come equipped with a Samsung 50MP ISOCELL sensor as the main camera.

In conjunction with Google’s new Whitechapel chip, we can expect the smartphone the Pixel 6 to with much better camera performance compared to last year’s Pixel 5. However, do take every bit of information with a grain of salt, due to the fact that Google has yet to provide an official statement on the leak.

Pixel 6 stuffGimbal like steady cam modeBigger Samsung sensor, Google custom NPU and ISP -> better than pixel 5Big improvements in video

Not only that but there’s also no news on whether Google plans on releasing the Google Pixel in the Malaysian market. What are your thoughts on Google’s new Pixel 6 smartphone? Let us know no our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Google Pixel 6 renders leaked, shows completely new design

For the last few years, Google has stuck with similar designs for its Pixel series smartphones. But that may finally be changing this year with the Google Pixel 6. Jon Prosser has revealed renders of the device that's set to be announced at Google I/O 2021, and it looks pretty good.

Based on the renders, the Google Pixel 6 will see a departure in the design language from the Pixel 5. Instead of the plain mono colours from before, the new model sports a black camera block, orange horizontal stripe, and a white back cover. The front has changed as well, with notably thinner bezels and the front camera moved to the top-centre.

Speaking of the cameras, the Pixel 6 is expected to have a dual-camera setup, while the Pro variant will use a triple-camera setup at the back. What's different is that the cameras are no longer aligned in a square block on the top-left. Instead, they're aligned horizontally across the top. The renders also seem to indicate that the phone will come with an under-display fingerprint sensor.

Prosser has a decent track record with Google leaks, but please take the news with a grain of salt. It's good to see that Google is serious about its phone business, but what do you think about it? Share your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for further updates on this.


A vulnerability in HUAWEI AppGallery allows users to download paid apps for free

A flaw has been discovered in the HUAWEI AppGallery recently, whereby a vulnerability is allowing users to download paid apps in the store for free. Moreover, it was also found that the AppGallery API doesn’t offer any protection for paid apps in the store.

Discovered by Android developer Dylan Roussel who shared the finding via his blog, he had already informed the vulnerability to HUAWEI in February earlier this year. However, the issue still persists until today.

According to Roussel, those that have the technical know-how can easily obtain an APK link for paid apps on the AppGallery and download them without paying. In fact, he actually managed to download and use multiple apps by exploiting the flaw.

He further said that the vulnerability is not from the app developers’ side, but something that must fix from HUAWEI’s end. Well, let’s hope that the Chinese tech giant fix the issue soon as the flaw could potentially lead to data privacy issues too for users and developers.

What do you guys think? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for the latest trending tech news.


Google Pixel 6's case leaked further confirming the design but case makers might not like it

Not long ago, we've seen leaked renders of the upcoming Google Pixel 6 roaming in the wild. The renders suggest that the next-generation Pixel device will have a rather different design compared to all of its predecessors. With that said, it might also create problems for the case makers because of its unconventional camera bump. However, at least someone has successfully made it and leaked it on the internet.

Looking at the latest leaked picture of the Pixel 6 case, it might have confirmed that the previous renders' design could be the final one. As you can see, the case features a protruding part for the long camera bump that matches the one we've seen on the renders. The case will also not cover the middle part of the camera module but only the sides.

It is said that it can be troublesome for the case makers to come out with something that can properly protect the camera bump. If the design leak is accurate, the camera bump will be curved from the left to the right side. It might seem easy to make cases with silicone, but it could present problems when premium materials such as leather and metal are used.

Let us know what you think about this news on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more interesting smartphone news.


Google Pixel 6's price leaked, to be a lot cheaper than Apple iPhone 13

After Google announced its Pixel 6 series back in early August, many thought the devices would be expensive. Not only the Pixel 6 will be utilizing a new in-house chip, but several other tech specs also sound like they cost a lot. However, the latest price leak has revealed that the Pixel 6 would be much cheaper than the Apple iPhone 13.

Preorder details from a German retailer show that the vanilla Google Pixel 6 will cost only €649 (~RM3,137) in Europe, with free Bose headphones. Meanwhile, the current 128GB iPhone 13 costs €899 (~RM4,346) in the same country. Other than the Pixel 6, the source also mentions that the Pro variant is likely to have a price tag of €899 (~RM4,346), which is basically the same price as the standard iPhone 13.

Last year, the Pixel 5 only cost €629 (~RM3,043), but it's not worth comparing it with the iPhone 12 side by side as it's not a flagship considering its tech specs. Since Google is returning to the flagship market, it makes sense for people to compare the price of an Android flagship to Apple's. Unsurprisingly, the result shows that iPhone is expensive after all.

If Google Pixel 6 is coming to Malaysia, would you get it as your new daily driver? Let us know by leaving a comment and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more smartphone news.


Google Pixel 6 series' custom chipset could be slower than Snapdragon 888

Recently, there has been a few rumours about the upcoming Google Pixel 6 series. It's said that the company is working on a custom chipset called Whitechapel for its new phones. Yesterday, some new details on the chipset and phones were hinted at.

According to Mobile Tech Podcast (via Wccftech), Google's Whitechapel chip is a collaboration with Samsung. It's manufactured on the Korean company's 5nm process and its performance is expected to be between the Snapdragon 865 and 888 chipsets. In our opinion, this is probably a variant of the Exynos 2100 chipset. What's different is that the chip would have a custom Neural Processing Unit and Image Signal Processor.

Besides that, some specs for the Pixel 6 series were revealed. It's suggested that the Pixel 6 Pro will have a 6.7-inch Quad HD OLED display, with a refresh rate of 120Hz. Also, it will come with a 50MP main camera and an 8MP periscope camera with a 5x optical zoom. It's also expected to have a 5000mAh battery, which is quite sizable.

Of course, Google has yet to confirm anything, so do take the news with a grain of salt. Regardless, would you be interested in importing a Pixel 6 device? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for further updates.


Google Pixel 6 series release: Google Tensor SoC & Android 12, starting price from ~RM2486

Finally, after a few months of speculations, the Google Pixel 6 series got unveiled in the West. In this article, we will be focusing on what's new about the Pixel 6 series so read on below to find out more.

As mentioned before back in early August 2021, the Pixel 6 series got a new Google Tensor SoC in 5nm process. To summarise it, this chipset is designed and manufactured by Google and it was made to compete with the big boys in the premium price range. According to Google, they said the Tensor is 80% faster than the Pixel 5 which uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G.

Moving on, the Pixel 6 Pro's memory configuration goes up to 12GB of RAM and has three storage options - 128GB, 256GB and 512GB. As for the vanilla Pixel 6, it uses 8GB of RAM in either 128GB or 256GB storage. The display specs are not bad as well, featuring a 6.4-inch FHD+ Smooth Display with 90Hz refresh rate and of course, the pro variant has a massive 6.7-inch LTPO Smooth Display in QHD+ and 120Hz refresh rate.

Another highlight would be the camera design that sports a massive bump on the back. On the Pixel 6 Pro, Google has finally upgraded the camera sensors with a set of 50MP (main) + 12MP (ultrawide) + 48MP (telephoto) triple rear camera module. The Pixel 6 has the same but just lacks the telephoto lens and both have an LDAF sensor. On the other hand, the pro has an odd 11.1MP front camera whereas the latter is using 8MP.

Other similar features are that both Pixel phones are using the latest Corning Gorilla Glass Victus as the cover, wireless fast charging compatibility, an in-display fingerprint unlock sensor and obviously, running on Android 12 out of the box. Finally, the Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6's battery life is 5003mAh and 4615mAH respectively.

The Pixel 6 series is not coming to Malaysia officially as usual, but if you must know the price, the pro and vanilla's starting prices are $899 (~RM3732) and $599 (~RM2486) respectively. So what do you think of the new Pixel 6 series? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Google Pixel 6 series to support faster 33W charging speed

Google Pixel 6 series is making its way to the market in the coming months. Before that, more information regarding the Pixel 6 duo has once again surfaced on the internet. This time, it's about the battery, and it's reported that it would feature faster charging speed by surpassing previous Pixel smartphones' benchmark at 18W.

According to tipster Yogesh from 91Mobiles, the upcoming Pixel 6 series will feature 33W wired charging speed, which is an ~83% increase compared to the Pixel 5 and Pixel 5a's 18W. It's mentioned that fully charging the Pixel 5a’s 4,680mAh battery would need about 2 hours long. As mid-range smartphones usually can last pretty long, it would be a problem for the probably power-hungry Pixel 6 series.

However, as Google already confirmed that Pixel 5a would be the last smartphone model to ship with a charger, those who want to get the Pixel 6 will need to prepare extra money to get the upgraded charger. It's worth mentioning that the same source also claims that the Pixel foldable is delayed. Therefore, if you're expecting to see it at Pixel 6's launch, that might not be happening.

Are you happy with Pixel 6's charging speed? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for the latest smartphone news.


Google Pixel 6 series will get at least 5 years of software updates

Back in May, renders of the Google Pixel 6 series were leaked online. Apparently, case makers hate the design since it's hard to build a casing for it. However, Android users will probably love the software since it'll get lots of updates.

In fact, Front Page Tech claimed that Google has committed to delivering five years of software updates for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. That's fantastic news for anyone who loves using a vanilla Android OS free from bloatware. He also mentioned that sources put the potential launch window for the two phones in October 2021.

Besides the software, some other details of Pixel 6 series devices were also discussed previously. They're expected to use a custom Google chipset, up to 12GB of RAM, and up to 512GB of internal storage. It's also supposed to feature a 50MP main camera, OLED display, and come with Android 12 out of the box. In my opinion, Google finally has flagship-class smartphones that could entice more people to buy into Google phones.

But what are your thoughts about it? Would you be interested in importing one in, as they won't be available locally? Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned to TechNave for more updates about the Pixel 6 series.


Google Pixel 6a release: Google Tensor SoC, 6.1-inch OLED display and more from ~RM1969

Google officially released the Google Pixel 6a during its Google I/O event earlier today, the latest in its popular ‘A-series’ mid-range smartphone lineup. Echoing the same design aesthetics from the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, the Pixel 6a has a raised visor-like camera module at its rear and a two-toned colour scheme.

Under the hood, the device is powered by the company’s custom in-house SoC, Google Tensor. In the Pixel 6a, the SoC is paired with 6GB LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB of UFS 3.1 flash storage.

Display-wise, Pixel 6a features a 6.1-inch 1080x1920 OLED display with a standard 60Hz refresh rate. The screen is also protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3.

Of course, with any other Pixel smartphones, the cameras are the main focus and Google seems to be taking the “don’t fix what’s not broken” adage as it’s still keeping the same camera hardware used in the 5A. Well, considering most of Google’s imaging prowess comes from its computational photography, the 12MP main + 12MP ultra-wide rear dual-camera  setup and 8MP selfie camera will still give users flagship-level photos.

The Pixel 6a will also feature an under-display fingerprint sensor, 4400mAh battery capable of up to 30W fast charging, USB Type-C and IP67 water and dust resistant rating. Other notable features include a Titan M2 security chip, Android 12 out of the box and 5 years of minimum security updates.

With the Pixel 6a, Google also decided to discard a few things present in its predecessors. These include the 3.5mm audio jack as well as the charger, whereby it won’t be included in the box.

The Pixel 6a will go on sale in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, United Kingdom and United States starting July with for USD449 or ~RM1969. It comes in either Chalk, Charcoal and Sage colour choices.

As always, Google won’t be officially selling the Pixel 6a device in Malaysia, with the nearest country to have the Pixel device available is in Singapore. Well, thankfully our international border has reopened. :P

So, what do you guys think of the Pixel 6a? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for the latest tech news!


Google Pixel 6a’s in-display fingerprint sensor bug allows anyone to unlock the device

The Google Pixel 6a is set to officially launch on 28 July 2022, but it looks like Google may already have to make some tweaks to its software due to a rather problematic bug. According to various tech personalities that are reviewing the smartphone, the in-display fingerprint sensor is allowing almost anyone to unlock the device despite their biometrics are not registered to the device.

The various reports of the problematic fingerprint sensor was posted by u/BadlyInfected on Reddit’s r/Android subreddit yesterday. Furthermore, the post also attached videos on the issue by tech YouTube personalities GeekyRanjit and Beebom.

In the videos, the Pixel 6a can be seen being unlocked using unregistered fingerprints, which is definitely something to be concerned about for those that are planning to purchase the device. However, given that the device hasn’t reached consumers yet and that it can easily be fixed via a software update, Google can easily roll out an OTA update for the Pixel 6a upon release.

As of the time of writing, Google has not released any official statement addressing the issue. Well, let’s hope the tech giant do so soon!

What do you guys think of the whole situation? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for the latest trending tech news.


Google Pixel 7 Pro's render sports an eye-catching sky blue shade

We only spotted the Google Pixel 6a's design recently, and now we can have some looks at the Pixel 7 Pro. Although the Pixel 7 series is expected to only arrive in October, someone has already made high-quality renders for the mentioned device.

Retrieved from a source that goes by Fast Technology, the rendered Pixel 7 Pro sports an attractive sky blue shade. The design is similar to the last one, having a huge camera block that houses two lenses, could be wide and ultra-wide, and a periscope camera.

The major difference compared to the predecessor is the colour scheme. While the Pixel 6 series came with black camera blocks, the render has one in silver. Besides that, the sides have also turned into the same colour in order to match. Of course, this is just a concept made by some designers, so it doesn't necessarily represent what we'll be getting in that month.

What do you think about the render of the Pixel 7 Pro? Does it look nice? You could leave a comment to let us know your thoughts, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more smartphone rumours.


Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro release: Tensor G2 SoC, LTPO AMOLED display and 50MP main camera from ~RM2785

Google has finally released the Google Pixel 7 series today which includes the flagship Google Pixel 7 Pro and the smaller Google Pixel 7. Powered by a new custom Tensor G2 processor with a Mali-G710 MC10 GPU, the Pixel 7 series features enhanced imaging capabilities, which the Pixel smartphones have always been known for.

First up, the vanilla Pixel 7 features the Tensor G2 SoC paired with 8GB of RAM and either 128 or 256GB of storage. It sports a flat 6.3-inch 90Hz AMOLED display with an FHD+ resolution and has a 4355mAh battery.

In terms of cameras, the Pixel 7 has a 50MP main + 12MP ultra-wide dual-camera setup at its rear and a 10.8MP selfie camera at its front. It shares a few camera enhancements and features with the Pixel 7 Pro which we will get more in-depth into further down the article.

As for the Pixel 7 Pro, it is equipped with the same Tensor G2 chip paired with 12GB of RAM and either 128, 256 or 512GB of storage. The smartphone sports a 6.71-inch LTPO (10-120Hz variable refresh rate) AMOLED display with a resolution of QHD+ and a 5000mAh battery.

The Pixel 7 Pro features a 50MP main + 12MP ultra-wide + 48MP telephoto triple-camera setup. The main camera utilises a 1/1.31-inch sensor with the option for 4-in-1 binning and Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS), while the ultra-wide offers a 125.8-degree field-of-view with autofocus and macro capabilities.

As for the telephoto, it offers 5x optical zoom, which is an upgrade from the 4x optical zoom of the Pixel 6 Pro. As for the selfie camera, it is the same 10.8MP shooter from the vanilla Pixel 7. Notably, the front-facing camera of the Pixel 7 series doesn’t have autofocus but utilises a fixed focus instead.

The Tensor G2 chip allows for several new camera and imaging tricks on the Pixel 7 series thanks to it being able to run machine learning tasks 60 per cent faster and 20 per cent more efficient than its predecessor. Among the new camera features include Photo Unblur which uses Google’s advanced AI to remove blur and noise from old photos. Besides that, there’s also Super Res Zoom which uses computational photography to iron up the details of photos when you go up to 30x zoom.

Other notable features include an under-display fingerprint scanner, Extreme Battery Saver mode, IP68 dust and water resistance and 3 major OS updates as well as a 5-year security patch guarantee. The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are now available for pre-order in selected countries, with the Pixel 7 starting at USD599 or ~RM2785 and the Pixel 7 Pro starting at USD899 or ~RM4180.

However, just like other Google Pixel devices in the past, the Pixel 7 series won’t be making its way to Malaysia officially. So, what do you guys think of Google’s latest smartphones? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more trending tech news such as this!


14-inch MacBook Pro with Apple M2 chip could launch in 2H 2022, new Mac Pro in Q4 2022

If you're looking for a small laptop, a 14-inch model is probably the smallest you can get. Apple launched a 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 chip back in 2020, but that size may no longer be available this year. Indeed, sources claim that it will be replaced.

According to @dylankt, Apple will replace the 13-inch MacBook Pro (2020) with a new 14-inch model. This 14-inch MacBook Pro is expected to launch later this year in 2H 2022 and will be equipped with an Apple M2 chip. This chip is supposed to have a 10-core GPU, making it capable of gaming and video rendering. Due to the new chip, this model is also expected to be slightly more expensive than its predecessor.

The currently available M1 MacBook Pro 13 will be replaced with a MacBook Pro 14 with an M2 chip in the 2H of 2022. It will receive a slight price increase over the previous generation. Alongside this release time frame, we will receive the redesigned M2 MacBook (Air).

The Apple Silicon transition will end by Q4 of 2022. The Mac Pro will be the last device to be replaced. The Mac Pro’s processor will not be an extension of the M2. The processor of the Mac Pro will instead be a further extension of the M1 beyond the cores of the M1 Max.

Besides that, the source claimed that Apple will fully transition to using Apple Silicon by Q4 2022. This lines up with the previous prediction from Mark Gurman, who predicted that the transition would be complete by November 2022. More importantly, the model that will be launched during that time would be a new Apple Mac Pro high-end desktop computer.

As usual, these predictions might not be accurate, so take it with a grain of salt. Having said that, is there anyone who plans to get an Apple computer this year? Which model are you going for? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news about them.


A way to chat with Keanu Reeves himself in a private Zoom call

Cover image source: Entertainment Tonight

Keanu Reeves is an A-list celebrity that always keeps his profile low. The man doesn't have any social media accounts and would like to keep his life as private as possible when he's not on the silver screen. Now, it is reported that he will be on a Zoom call with a person who bids the highest in a charity drive. Therefore, not only you're doing it for a good cause, but you'll get to meet your favourite celebrity too.

The initiative is to fund a children’s cancer charity, Camp Rainbow Gold, located in Idaho, the U.S. in which Keanu Reeves has partnered with. For the highest bidder, he or she will get a 15-minute "date" with the celebrity. Those who are bidding have also been asked to prepare questions in case they got the opportunity. The highest bid currently sits at 18,500 USD (~RM79,143) thanks to a generous anonymous donor.

Of course, this is not the first time for himself to be involved in charity events. He is a person who doesn't like to put his name on the good things that he has done. Reeves also believes that health is more important than money, that's why he gives a lot and lives simply. It is also mentioned that he had actually set up a charity foundation years ago to help children who are battling cancer.

Let us know what you think about this news on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more viral news.


Google Pixel 7 series could bring a new variant other than the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro

If this new report turned out to be accurate, Google could be planning to change its strategy for the next flagship smartphone series. With that said, 9to5Google discovered a third device for the Pixel 7 series, suggesting that it could be a new variant other than the standard and Pro.

The device discovered has a codename 'G10'. We already know about the 'C10' and 'P10', which would be the Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 7 respectively. Furthermore, this device is expected to be powered by the Tensor SoC and has a 120Hz QHD+ (3120 x 1440) display made by BOE, which comes in a physical size of 71 x 155mm. Therefore, it's not the Pixel tablet, nor it belongs to the A series.

It's still unknown if Google is following other smartphone manufacturers' footsteps by launching an 'Ultra' variant for the Pixel 7 series. However, the source mentions that it's unnecessary as the vanilla Pixel 7 and 7 Pro should be powerful enough for most users.

What is your stance on this article? Would you like to see a Pixel 7 Ultra? Let us know by leaving a comment, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more smartphone reports.


Google Pixel 7 series will launch on 6 October, according to "very reputable sources"

There will be quite some flagship smartphones from different brands launching in the upcoming months. With Samsung leading the scene on 10 August, Apple will go on to reveal the latest generation of iPhones in September. Until now, someone claims that the Google Pixel 7 series will arrive in the following month.

According to tipster Jon Prosser from Front Page Tech, the new Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are scheduled to debut on 6 October. The source cites that it's from "very reputable sources". It also mentions that the pre-orders for the devices will commence on the same day. After that, they will be available to purchase on 13 October and start being shipped to customers.

Google had already shown us the design during Google I/O 2022 happened back in May. Now all left are the tech specs and features the devices will offer. The two are believed to pack the second-generation Tensor chip with improved performance. Therefore, let's wait and see what Google can pull off with its upgraded in-house chip this time.

Are you excited about the launch of the Google Pixel 7 series? Leave a comment to let us know, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more smartphone news.


Google Pixel 7a appeared online ahead of launch

If there's one thing that's become common these days, it's leaks that appear ahead of a product's launch. One of them was the Google Pixel Fold we mentioned yesterday, which is Google's first attempt at a foldable device. Another one is the Google Pixel 7a.

Yesterday, details of the Google Pixel 7a were revealed in a YouTube video. At a glance, the design of the new model hasn't changed significantly. But the hands-on video did explain the subtle changes made. First, the screen now sits flush against the frame, instead of sitting above it like on the Pixel 6a. The volume buttons were also moved downwards, and there's an additional antenna band on the side now.

Next, let's check out the specs. The Pixel 7a sports the Google Tensor G2, the same custom chipset found in the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. The phone also has 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM, a 90Hz refresh rate for the AMOLED display, and a 4300mAh battery. As for the cameras, the two cameras at the back is believed to consist of a 64MP main camera and 13MP ultra-wide camera. There should also be a 13MP front camera for selfies.

Honestly, the Pixel 7a sounds like it could be a solid device. Unfortunately, it's not like we'll get this phone in Malaysia. But if you could get one, would you? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Google Pixel 7a pre-order - 8GB + 128GB & more, starting price from ~RM2K

Next up, the latest Pixel 7a was unveiled by Google as the next successor. By now, you should know that it's not coming to Malaysia but here's everything you need to know about the latest Google flagship.

Like the Pixel Fold, the Pixel 7a is also powered by the Google Tensor G2 chipset and Titan M2 security chip. The Pixel 7a has a lot of firsts in the A series lineup, such as having 8GB of RAM, Face Unlock, up to 90Hz refresh rate and wireless charging. The design is still more or less the same, though, but with an all-new midframe architecture and its aluminium body is 100% recycled.

Onto the tech specs, the OLED display is 6.1 inches and is protected by Gorilla Glass 3. The main camera is 64MP with OIS, an upgrade from 12MP from the predecessor and only has a 12MP ultrawide lens. Meanwhile, the 13MP front camera hangs out as a cutout dot at the top centre and apparently can record a 4K at 30fps video. The rear camera is impressive too, supporting up to 5K video at up to 60fps.

Last but not least, the battery is 4385mAh but only supports an 18W fast charging technology. The aforementioned wireless charging is also 18W so that's fine, and it also has a better IP67 water and dust resistance. Oh, Google also highlighted its Super Res Zoom up to 8x, giving you high-quality zoomed-in images.

The Pixel 7a's starting price is $499 (~RM2224) for the 8GB + 128GB (UFS 3.1 storage). Again, it won't be coming to Malaysia but apparently, the Indian market can get their hands on it. You can check out the full details of the features and availability right over here, and stay tuned for more Google I/O news.


Google Pixel 8 Pro could sport Samsung's largest ISOCELL GN2 sensor

Can smartphones replace digital cameras today? The answer used to be "no", but these days it depends. Sure, nobody uses compact cams anymore. But proper digital cameras are still used by enthusiasts. But larger mobile camera sensors could blur the divide more, and Google could be the next to do so for its 2023 flagship.

As you may know, some smartphone brands have been equipping their flagships with large camera sensors. This is because larger sensors can capture more light and detail, which directly translates to improvements in photo quality. According to Ice Universe, Google could follow use Samsung's large 1/1.12-inch ISOCELL GN2 sensor for its Google Pixel 8 series this year. Specifically, for the Google Pixel 8 Pro.

In terms of specs, this sensor has an effective resolution of 8160x6144 (50MP). It also uses a 4-in-1 pixel binning process to combine four pixels into a large 2.8μm pixels, which should result in greater low-light performance. The sensor also has Dual Pixel Pro for faster and more accurate autofocus. Besides that, the sensor is great for slow-mo videos since it supports video recording of 8K at 30FPS, 4K at 120FPS, and Full HD at 480FPS.

Mind you, the source stated that it's a maybe, so Google could use a different sensor for all we know. But personally, this trend of larger sensors for the main camera is one I support. How about you? Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Google Pixel 8 series to feature improved camera sensors according to new leak

When it comes to hardware, Google is horrible at keeping secrets, with a majority of its Pixel lineup being leaked or even spotted in the wild long before their launches. The trend is continuing with the upcoming Google Pixel 8 series too, as its camera specs have allegedly been leaked.

This time around, the leak was shared by Android Authority which claimed to have received the information from an insider inside Google. According to the leak, the main camera sensors of both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will see significant improvements.

Both devices will allegedly sport the Samsung ISOCELL GN2 as its main camera sensor, which can capture 35 per cent more light than the ISOCELL GN2 found on the Pixel 7 series. The sensor is also capable of shooting video at 8k30fps, though the current GCAm software doesn’t actually support this frame rate just yet.

Besides that, the leak also revealed a better  64MP Sony IMX787 ultra-wide camera on the Pixel 8 Pro. If the sensor sounds familiar, it’s actually the same sensor as the Pixel 7a’s primary camera. Meanwhile, the telephoto camera remains the same as the Pixel 7 Pro.

As for the Pixel 8, its ultra-wide camera is still the same sensor with a slightly wider field of view. Of course, do take this information with a grain of salt as nothing is confirmed yet. Well, based on Google’s previous Pixel leaked information history, we won’t be surprised if it turns out to be true.

So, what do you guys think of the Pixel 8 series? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more trending tech news.


Google Pixel 8 series to feature staggered HDR solution

We're now getting rumours of the Google Pixel 8 series. According to the latest report, the devices will take it to the next level for photography by featuring an advanced solution, bringing a huge upgrade over the Pixel 7 series.

The Pixel series was one of the first to support HDR+ photography. Now, discovered by Kuba Wojciechowski, the source code in the Google Camera Go app revealed that 2023 Pixel devices could feature staggered HDR. It appears to be a solution that allows the sensor to capture different exposures simultaneously with the same pixels.

Long story short, courtesy of Google we got a clean, unobfuscated version of Google Camera Go, that includes references that seemingly confirm that flagship Pixels in 2023 - Husky and Shiba - will support staggered HDR. pic.twitter.com/YdaWTlGznN

Staggered HDR is claimed to be better than standard HDR as it achieves the same effect in a shorter time without the blurriness caused by movements while taking pictures. The current Pixel 7 series packs the ISOCELL GN1 sensors. However, the Samsung sensor doesn't support staggered HDR. Therefore, it's expected that the next series will feature the ISOCELL GN2.

Furthermore, the source code also reveals a device called Pixel Tangor Pro. It's said to be a possible Pro version of the Pixel tablet. It is exciting news, suggesting that Google has been preparing more than one tablet.

Are you looking forward to seeing the future Google Pixel products? Leave a comment to let us know how you feel about them, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech news.


Google Pixel Buds A-Series release: 24 hours of music listening with Adaptive Sound, priced at ~RM408

Not only the Pixel phones have more affordable versions of themselves, but Google has also introduced the Pixel Buds A-Series today as the cheaper Pixel Buds. Let's read on to find out the features that Google's new audio gadget offers!

The Pixel Buds A-Series includes a custom-designed 12mm dynamic speaker driver to deliver full, clear and natural sound along with Bass Boost. It also has a spatial vent for in-ear pressure reduction and spatial awareness. There are dual beamforming mics as well for phone calls and a feature called Adaptive Sound that automatically adjusts the volume according to the surroundings. It is also worth mentioning that there's no active noise cancellation in this one.

For the battery, the Pixel Buds A-Series can last for 5 hours of music or 2.5 hours of talking on a single charge. With the charging case, it can last up to 24 hours of total music listening or 12 hours of total talk time. It is claimed that a 15-minute charge is enough for it to deliver up to 3 hours of music listening or 1.5 hours of talk time. As for protection, the pair are certified IPx4 for resistance to splashing of water. The Pixel Buds A-Series is on sale in the US with a price of 99 USD (~RM408) and is available in Clearly White or Dark Olive.

Let us know what you think about Google's new TWS earbuds on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech gadget launches.


Google Pixel Buds A series accidentally revealed, comes with fast pairing

It's normal to see 'leaks' all the time, but it's another thing for companies to reveal something completely by accident. At least, that's what seemed to have happened when Google revealed the Pixel Buds A-series on Twitter.

According to 9to5Google, Google revealed the Pixel Buds A-series on Twitter yesterday. You can tell that it's either a deliberate leak or a mistake, as the tweet was soon removed. Anyway, the tweet doesn't really tell us much, except that the new Pixel Buds A comes with quality sound and supports one-tap Bluetooth pairing. This suggests that it may support NFC pairing.

In terms of design, it doesn't look like Google made a lot of changes. In fact, the Pixel Buds A look identical to the Pixel Buds 2 that was launched last year. But like the Pixel phones, the A-series moniker could mean that it's a more affordable model. In that case, it may lack key features like active noise cancelling.

If we're not mistaken, Google could officially unveil this at this year's Google I/O, which will be held from 18 to 20 May 2021. We can probably expect Google to introduce Android 12 at the event too. Other than that, what else are you expecting to see? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news.


Google Pixel Buds Pro release: ANC, Multipoint connectivity, and 11-hour battery life for ~RM873

Due to the lack of Google presence in Malaysia, you don't hear much about Pixel devices here. But the company makes does make them, and unveiled a whole lineup of new products at Google I/O 2022. One of them included the Google Pixel Buds Pro, the company's latest TWS earbuds.

The Pixel Buds Pro is the successor to the Pixel Buds and Pixel Buds A. But as you can tell, its design doesn't look all that different from its predecessors. It has the same oblong charging case but does come with two mics on the outside of the rounded earbuds. The new model also has more colour options, namely Coral, Lemongrass, Fog, and Charcoal.

According to Google, the significant upgrade here is the active noise cancellation (ANC). The Pixel Buds Pro also have a Silent Seal design that allegedly adapts to your ears to maximise the ANC effect. Another feature is Multipoint connectivity, which can automatically switch between previously paired Bluetooth devices. As for the battery life, they're supposed to last up to 11 hours without ANC.

The Google Pixel Buds Pro will go on sale in the US in July 2022 for USD199 (~RM873). Currently, there's no news on whether it would make its way here. But would you be interested in getting one anyway? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


A wife forced her husband to sell the PlayStation 5 after finding out it wasn't an air purifier

While Malaysian gamers are still waiting for the PlayStation 5 arrival on 11 December 2020, we just came across a piece of funny news of a Taiwanese man who owned one before. The news travelled all across the Southeast Asia region a week ago after this young man shared his story on his Facebook account.

So basically, what happened was Jin Wu found an affordable PS5 console from a reseller last week and agreed to meet up for the trade. Upon meeting the reseller, it turned out to be a middle-aged man and turned out that it was his wife who forced him to sell it (he even mentioned that he could see the pain in his eyes lol). However, the reseller also blurted out a funny comment saying that women can still tell the difference between a PS5 and an air purifier.

昨天去面交買PS5 提早到了面交地點後 撥打電話給對方 電話那頭聲音是個女生 聽起來也不像會打電動的類型 價錢也是當天找到最便宜的 但還是一副急著想要賣掉的語氣。 對方到了之後，結果是個一看就知道典型愛打電動的中年男子，當然免不了在驗貨...

PS5どっかで見たことあると思ったら、友人宅の送風機だこれ。#ps5 #空気清浄機 pic.twitter.com/gD0CswM8g2

If you still remember, this is very reminiscent of an animated South Korean video parody of a man who tried to disguise the PS5 as an internet router with the help from a telecom worker, his brother-in-law and even his son. Regarding the similarity between the PS5 and air purifier, it really exists as seen from the Twitter post above.

As a gamer, I could really feel the middle-aged man's pain for being forced to sell off his PS5. But did you also pre-order one? And is your wife or girlfriend allowing you? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Google Pixel Fold design officially unveiled on Star Wars Day

On May The 4th which is associated with Star Wars Day, Google actually unveiled its Pixel Fold officially before the Google I/O launch event on 10 May 2023. With a cheeky pun play on "May The Fold Be With You", the Pixel Fold is no longer just a rumour.

From the short teaser video, the Pixel Fold looks very similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 but to be fair, that's how all foldable phones look like. On the rear camera, it has the standard rectangular Pixel camera bump design, showing three camera sensors with an LED flashlight. It's said that the exterior display is 5.8 inches.

May The Fold Be With Youhttps://t.co/g6NUd1DcOJ#GoogleIO #PixelFoldMay 10 pic.twitter.com/K8Gk21nmo8

As it unfolds, it shows the alleged 7.6-inch interior display. The bezels on the interior display look rather thick and we aren't sure if the phone was closed completely, for there could be a tiny gap in between. We aren't also sure if there would be a visible crease in the middle as well, but we guess we just have to wait and see.

The Pixel Fold should be running on Android 13 out of the box and you can already see some widgets hanging out on the home menu. We expect the phone to equip the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and there should be an Always-On mode on the outer screen. We will know the rest of the tech specs once Google I/O launches.

You can keep yourself updated with the latest Google products when Google I/O launches on 10 May 2023 by signing up your email right over here. Until then, stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Google Pixel Fold pre-order - First foldable phone by Google powered by Tensor G2, priced from ~RM8K

The Google I/O event just kicked off a few hours ago and the Google Pixel Fold was officially announced. It's now available for pre-order but as always, it's not coming to Malaysia at all. Regardless, here's everything you need to know about the newest Android foldable device.

Powered by the Google Tensor G2 chipset + Titan M2 security coprocessor, it's confirmed that the interior OLED display is 7.6 inches and Google claims that the Pixel Fold has a thinner profile than any other foldable device in the market. On top of that, it has a 6:5 aspect ratio, a 120H refresh rate, and up to 1450 nits peak brightness. The exterior display is 5.8 inches and oh, there's no gap in between when folded.

There are two memory configuration variants - a 12GB + 256GB or 12GB + 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage. The camera setup is pretty tamed if compared to other Android phones, using a 48MP main camera alongside ultrawide and telephoto lenses with 10.8MP each. The front camera is hanging out on the exterior display with a 9.5MP sensor.

Moreover, the battery pack is just 4821mAh, supporting 30W fast charging and the charger adapter is sold separately. It's worth noting that the power button also functions as a fingerprint sensor and the displays use Gorilla Glass Victus. Also, it's only water resistance rated and of course, it has Android 13 out of the box and it will be upgraded to Android 14 when the time is right.

The official starting price is $1799 (~RM8019) and customers who pre-order it will get a free Pixel Watch. Well, not that it matters since Malaysia is often out of reach for Google's market (lol). Stay tuned for more Google I/O news.


Google Pixel Fold to be unveiled this 10 May, to feature “most durable hinge” on a foldable

Google’s first foldable smartphone, the Google Pixel Fold has long been in the rumour mills. Now, we may just receive confirmed details about the device and its launch date thanks to alleged internal documents from Google.

As shared by CNBC which viewed the tech giant’s internal communications, Google is planning to announce the Pixel Fold on 10 May 2023. This is during the annual Google I/O or annual developer conference on that day. However, the report claims that the foldable will only be launched in June 2023.

Besides that, the documents reveal that the Pixel Fold has the internal codename “Felix” and will feature the “most durable hinge on a foldable” smartphone. It also revealed the price point of the foldable, starting at USD1700 or ~RM7543.

The documents further suggest that Google will market the device as a water-resistant and pocket-sized foldable. There’s a 5.8-inch outer screen which opens to a 7.6-inch display when unfolded.

Under the hood, the Pixel Fold is touted to feature the same Tensor G2 SoC found on the Pixel 7 series. Of course, do take this with a grain of salt as nothing is confirmed as of yet.

Well, let’s wait until Google I/O this 10 May to find out for sure. Until then, make sure to stay tuned to TechNave for more trending tech news!


Google Pixel Hands-on Review Video!

Google launches the Google Pixel for quite sometime and finally we got our hands on it here in Malaysia. It packs a tech spec of Snapdragon 821, 4GB of RAM, 2770mAh battery, 12MP camera with laser autofocus and f/2.0 aperture.There are lot more features coming from the Pixel,so do check this video below for more details!

There's still no news from Google Malaysia about the release date and price details here in Malaysia but make sure you stay tuned on TechNave.com for upcoming news & photo samples!


Google Pixel Plan unveiled as an all-in-one plan, starting from ~RM186

Besides the newly announced Google Pixel 6 series, Google also announced a new Pixel Pass plan that comes with the phones together. Created as a "solution" for new Pixel 6 series users, it is an all-in-one plan for extra storage, ad-free videos in YouTube, music and mobile games.

Priced from $45 (~RM186) per month, the Google services that are included in the Pixel Pass are Google One, Preferred Care (phone repairs), YouTube Premium, YouTube Music Premium and Google Play Pass. According to Google, customers who subscribe for the Pixel Pass with Pixel 6 can save up to $176 (~RM731) over two years. For Pixel 6 Pro users with Pixel Pass, it starts from $55 (~RM228) per month and can save up to $294 (~RM1221) in the same period.

For context, Google One for the Malaysian market starts from RM8.90 per month (100GB) but can go up to 30TB for RM649.90 per month. Then for YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium, these services cost RM17.90 and RM14.90 per month respectively. Google Play Pass and Preferred Care are not available in Malaysia but if you choose to subscribe to the former, it's about ~RM21 per month.

Looking at the price, it's probably only worth it for heavy Google service users particularly on Google One for extra cloud storage. Since the Pixel 6 series isn't likely to launch in Malaysia, that goes the same for the Pixel Pass as well. But what do you think? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Google Pixel Tablet pre-order - Google Tensor G2 & Chromecast built-in, starting price from ~RM2K

For the last Pixel device presented from Google I/O, here's the newest Pixel Tablet. It's been a really long time since we last heard of a tablet by Google (the last time was in 2015) so here's what's new about it.

Just like the other new Pixel Fold and Pixel 7a, the Pixel Tablet too, also uses a Google Tensor G2 chip. Equipped with an 11-inch display and a quad-speaker system, as well as 8GB + 128GB or 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. As a tablet, you can use any styluses (USI 2.0) to doddle on it and this first tablet has Chromecast built-in, so you can cast videos or music from your phone to the tablet when it’s in Hub Mode.

There is an 8MP camera on both the front and back of the Pixel tablet, while the power button also functions as a fingerprint sensor. The battery wasn't mentioned for some reason but Google said its 27Wh battery can last up to 12 hours of video streaming and supports 15W charging. Besides doing Google stuff on top of Android 13, Google said you can use Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur for editing images and much more.

The starting price of the Pixel Tablet is $499 (~RM2223) and comes with a free Charging Speaker Dock. On the other hand, there's also a Pixel Table Case with a huge metal ring stand for $79 (~RM352) if you want. You can check more details on the features and availability right here.


Google Pixel Tablet will reportedly get a first-party keyboard and stylus soon

Google recently launched its first tablet in a long time, the Google Pixel Tablet, which comes with a nifty dock inside the box. Well, users might also get new first-party accessories for the device soon too, if a leak is to be believed.

As spotted by Android Authority, a closer look into the Pixel Tablet’s Retail Demo app shows a couple of strings alluding to the new accessories. The two lines simply said, “Keyboard for Pixel Tablet” and “Pen for Pixel Tablet”, teasing their potential release soon.

Currently, the only accessory Google offers for the Pixel Tablet is a dock inside the box that turns it into a Google Nest Hub-like device.

The dock can be purchased separately too and also wirelessly charges the tablet, as well as provides better audio quality with a larger speaker built-in. Well, it’s only natural for more first-party accessories to be offered by Google and a keyboard and a stylus are definitely welcomed.

Of course, do take this with a grain of salt as nothing is confirmed yet. Well, make sure to stay tuned to TechNave for the latest development on this and for more trending tech news.


Google Pixel Watch announced, to be released this fall with Pixel 7 series

At the Google I/O 2022 event, multiple tech presentations were announced. This includes the Google Pixel Watch which has been rumoured about a few weeks prior to the event. It should be noted that this is Google's ever the first smartwatch under the Pixel brand so read on below to know more.

At first glance, the Pixel Watch is a pretty unique smartwatch because it has a pure circular and thin design alongside a crown on the right side. The display is all curved inside that gives it a premium look, as well as has a simple default watch face with a heart rate monitor below. Of course, the watch is using Wear OS with improved UI with more fluid navigations and notifications.

If you happen to use Google Maps a lot, you'd be pleased to know that the map can be used directly on the Pixel Watch without your phone around. On top of that, Google Wallet can also be used as a convenient eWallet method, although that's not likely going to happen in Malaysia anytime soon. All in all, you can do a lot of tasks on the Pixel Watch like adjusting your smart home devices and more.

As a smartwatch, you can expect some health functions on the Pixel Watch and Google wasted no time in announcing its partnership with Fitbit. Heart rate tracking, sleep monitoring, Active Zone mins, and many working outmodes and stats for you to check.

Google said the Pixel Watch will be arriving this fall (from the end of September 2022 onwards) alongside the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. That said, we may never see it coming here in Malaysia because we aren't in their market target segment (lol). But what do you think of the watch? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Google Pixel Watch is said to use Samsung's 5nm processor instead of Qualcomm's

Google is rumoured to launch its first smartwatch in October alongside the Pixel 6 and Pixel 5a. Before it happens, we've already seen some leaked renders that show off a casual sporty design rather than a premium stainless steel design. Now, a source has arrived claiming that the upcoming Pixel Watch will also use a Samsung's SoC.

The latest information is shared by tipster Max Weinbach during his appearance in a podcast. Surprisingly, the tipster claimed that Google will not be using Qualcomm's SoC for its smartwatch. Instead, the tech giant will opt for a Samsung's 5nm processor. He also said that the smartwatch could be delayed if the chip shortage persists.

According to the previous rumour, the Google Pixel smartwatch codenamed "Rohan" is expected to have a thin metal body. It will also have a watch crown on the right, which users can turn to interact with the device. With that said, it suggests that the device may not use a capacitive touch screen. Furthermore, we could also see the reworked Wear OS on the device.

Let us know what you think about this news on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech gadget updates.


Google Pixel Watch may use the same CPU as Samsung’s Galaxy Watch from 2018 according to new leak

The Google Pixel Watch, the tech giant’s first foray into the smartwatch market is set for release later this year and according to a new leak, it may not be the flagship wearable that Pixel fans have been craving for. Get this, the upcoming Pixel Watch may be powered by an almost 4-year old chip, the Exynos 9110 found in the first Samsung Galaxy Watch released back in 2018.

The leak does makes sense considering the relationship between Google and Samsung, whereby the latter has been the main supplier for the Tensor chip found in the Google Pixel 6 lineup, as well as the upcoming Pixel 7 lineup. In fact, the Tensor processor is actually a custom Exynos CPU chip from Samsung, using virtually the same architecture.

Shared by 9to5Google, an insider revealed that Google is most likely using the old Exynos chip because the Pixel Watch project started as far back as 2018, when the processor was still brand new. Switching chipsets might delay the Google wearable’s development hence the tech giant is sticking with the Exynos 9110 rather than updating the project with a new processor.

Well, just because the chip is quite outdated, doesn’t mean that the Pixel Watch won’t be a compelling device. With top-notch software optimisation (which Google has vast experience in), the upcoming smartwatch might still be super capable and runs Wear OS perfectly.

However, do take this information with a grain of salt as nothing is confirmed just yet. We’ll just have to wait for the release of the Pixel Watch to gauge its performance and capabilities.

Speaking of which, as we’ve reported before, the Pixel Watch is set for release alongside the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro as early as September 2022. However, like all other Google Pixel devices, it won’t be sold officially in Malaysia.

So, what do you guys think of the upcoming Pixel Watch? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for the latest tech news!


A woman accidentally swallowed an AirPod (and recorded her stomach sounds)

How can someone like that accidentally swallow an Apple AirPod like that? Well, it was really by accident when a 27 years old woman from Boston, USA, Carli Bellmer, was taking her painkillers but later became a temporary nightmare.

According to the woman's TikTok video, she wasn't feeling well one day and wanted to take painkillers. So while laying down in bed, she was holding painkiller pills on one hand and a pair of AirPods on the other. Well, the rest was history.

Due to her fatigue-ness, she didn't realize that she had swallowed an AirPod with warm water. She felt the "pills" was rather difficult to swallow and didn't taste right. After realizing her mistake, she became helpless and was unable to vomit out the AirPod. While she sent a text to her friend about the incident, the AirPod in her stomach recorded her insides instead of her voice.

So yes, the AirPod was still alive and because she forgot to turn off the headset and the phone, the sounds of her stomach were recorded. Fortunately, she went to a hospital for an x-ray checkup and has been discharged. Bellmer doesn't know what happened to the AirPod either but presumably unusable.

There are actually cases of people and children accidentally swallowing wireless earbuds and earphones. We would like to remind everyone to keep your accessories safe in the case given. Funny story, but stay safe everyone and stay tuned for more trending news at TechNave.com.


Google Pixel Watch release: 1.2-inch AMOLED, built-in ECG and 294mAh battery from ~RM1623

Despite only being released today, the Google Pixel Watch has been in public knowledge for quite some time now thanks to Google itself purposely ‘leaking’ details of the wearable. Officially launched during an event earlier today, the Pixel Watch comes in a single size, which is a 41mm case with a domed, scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass 5 crystal.

The Gorilla Glass 5 is meant to protect the wearable’s 1.2-inch AMOLED display, which has a peak brightness of 1000 nits and 320ppi. The display also supports always-on and automatic brightness.

Under the hood, the Pixel Watch is powered by an Exynos 9110 SoC paired with a Cortex M33 co-processor and 2GB of RAM. There’s also 32GB of storage and a 294mAh battery that Google claims can last up to 24 hours on a single charge, as well as be recharged up to 50 per cent in 30 minutes with its magnetic charging plate.

According to Google, the design of the Pixel Watch is made with comfort and durability in mind, being both water-resistant for up to 5ATM and scratch-resistant. In terms of health tracking, the wearable has a built-in ECG, activity, heart rate and sleep tracking. There’s also a unique life heart rate that will measure users’ vital signs by the second.

Given that Google also owns Fitbit, there are some features that utilise the Fitbit brand, including the aforementioned health tracking features. Those that buy the Pixel Watch will also be getting a six-month free trial of Fitbit Premium, as well as three-month YouTube Music Premium for free.

Running on Wear OS by Google (Wear OS 3.5), the wearable has a few app integrations too, including Adidas Running, MyFitnessPal, Strava, Spotify and Calm. You can also use Google Maps on the Pixel Watch for navigation.

The Pixel Watch is available for pre-order in selected countries (United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, France, Japan, Australia and Taiwan) starting today and is available in a WiFi/Bluetooth or LTE variant. The Bluetooth/WiFi variant is priced at USD349 or ~RM1623 and the LTE configuration is priced at USD399 or ~RM1856.  Unfortunately, like other Pixel devices, the Pixel Watch won’t be officially sold in Malaysia.

So, what do you guys think of the Pixel Watch? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more trending tech news!


Google Pixel Watch's packaging box leaked, revealing Fitbit integration

Google is gearing to launch the Pixel 7 series next week. Besides smartphones, the tech giant is also bringing the first Pixel smartwatch, which we have known how it looks completely through a promo video. Until now, the packaging box has been leaked as well, revealing a box design that is different from what we've seen from the others.

It looks like Google has opted for a square box rather than a long rectangular box like how Apple and Samsung pack their wearables. The model appears to be the 'Silver' one with a 'Charcoal' watch band. According to the source, the box includes a charging cable with a magnetic connector, which you'll use to connect the watch. Of course, you're not getting the charging adapter.

Furthermore, the box also features a 'with Fitbit' logo on the bottom right. It's worth mentioning that Google acquired the wearable company in 2021, so the Pixel Watch would have some Fitbit integration. For now, it's just one week left for us to know everything about it, and we also can't wait to see how the Pixel 7 series will shine in the competition.

Are you excited about the arrival of these upcoming Google products? Share how you feel by leaving a comment, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech reports.


Google Pixel Watch teaser image leaked online

While Google is a big contributor to the Android open source project, the company doesn't make much in the way of actual hardware. A few years ago, Google and LG were working on a Pixel Watch, which got cancelled in the end. Now, a new rumour claims that Google is going to launch it after all.

Earlier today, the leaker Jon Prosser posted a teaser image of what he claimed is the Google Pixel Watch. The image was vague, showing only the watch face and a physical dial on the right. However, Prosser also said that more images and videos would be coming soon, which means there's more to show. We'll definitely update this post once those images are released.

Will have multiple images / videos / full-res downloads for the press.

Going back to the design, the physical dial here indicates that Google could be going for a smartwatch with a classical watch design. This would mean that it will have a round watch body made from some kind of metal, such as stainless steel. If Google is aiming for a premium device with this, we can also expect advanced sensors like ECG.

Of course, we're just speculating based on vague hints here, so do take our word with a grain of salt. Having said that, would you be interested in a premium Google Pixel Watch like that? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Google Pixel XL teardown reveals iFixit repairability score of 6 out of 10

Google's own Pixel XL smartphone has been taken apart by the folks at iFixit who have given it a repairability score of 6 out of 10. To put this into perspective, the recent Apple iPhone 7 got a score of 7 so while the iFixit teardown shows modular components from both Samsung and HTC, getting to them from the thin screen is a bit more difficult. No Malaysia release dates for the Google Pixel or Pixel XL but we may soon get our hands on one so stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Google Pixel and Pixel XL officially announced from about RM2697 with DxOMark's best camera yet

In a move largely expected by mostly everybody, Google have announced their Pixel phones by Google, consisting of the 5-inch FHD display Google Pixel and 5.5-inch 2K display Google Pixel XL. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet, but the Pixel will be priced from $649 (RM2697) with pre-orders starting from 4 October 2016 and a release date on 20 October 2016. They will be powered by Google Assistant.

Featuring a 12MP rear camera with Electronic Image Stabilization that Google says DxOMark rate as 89, their highest rating yet, the phone comes in black, blue and silver metallic bodies. Google says they are DayDream VR-ready, with 4GB RAM, 128GB storage and Android 7.1 tech specs right out of the box. You can check the full tech specs with our tech spec comparison tool.


Google Pixel and Pixel XL quickly compared vs Huawei Nexus 6P, ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe and more

With the Google Pixel and Pixel XL phones officially announced already, we couldn't help but make some quick comparisons with the phones using our tech spec comparison tool. You can see some of our comparisons in the links below but clearly the Pixel and Pixel XL bring Electronic Image Stabilization and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor to the table, features which can be seen in both the Huawei Nexus 6P and ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe.

The Google Pixel is clearly the lower-end version of the two new Pixel phones with a 5-inch full HD display compared to the 5.5-inch 2K display on the Google Pixel XL. That being said, both feature an overly chamfered metal body thanks to their HTC manufacturers but go for Google or "G" branding. At 8.6mm thin, they aren't the thinnest phones around but they do pack in the more current features like a rear fingerprint sensor, 4GB of RAM and a 128GB microSD slot. The smaller Pixel phone obviously packs a smaller 2770 mAh battery compared to the 3450 mAh packing Pixel XL but both support fast charging for 7 hours of usage in just 15 minutes of charge.

While the Nexus 6P offers a similar 1/2.3" camera sensor, the Pixel phones use phase detection autofocus and offer Electronic Image Stabilization. Only the Pixel XL offers the same 2K display though but both Pixel phones offer 4GB of RAM and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor over the Snapdragon 810 and 3GB of RAM on the Nexus 6P. The Nexus 6P retains a price advantage over both Pixel phones though as it can be had for as low as RM2087 in gold while the Pixel phones we expect to go up to about RM3K if or when they arrive in Malaysia.

Compared to the ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe on the other hand, the Pixel phones share the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor and Electronic Image Stabilization for video recording but the ZenFone 3 Deluxe offers a version with 6GB of RAM and 256GB of storage over the 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage on the Pixel phones. At 7.5mm, the ZenFone 3 Deluxe is also clearly thinner than the Pixel phones.

The Pixel phones also offer Android 7.1 right out of the box with enhanced Google Assistant usage along with 12MP rear cameras that lay flush compared to the 23MP rear camera hump on the ZenFone 3 Deluxe. We still expect the Pixel phones to outprice the ZenFone 3 Deluxe but only time will tell. Were we missing a comparison you wanted to see? Feel free to add it in the comments section and tell us what you think about it.


Google Pixel devices overheating after latest update

When it comes to software, you sometimes get improved performance and new features. But an update could also screw some things over unintentionally, like the latest Google app update for Pixel devices.

Recently, some Google Pixel users have complained about their phone overheating. One such instance was a Reddit user, who reported of the Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6 experiencing this issue. Allegedly, the devices were draining battery at a rate of 20% per hour even when they were not in use.

The culprit is believed to be an update for the Google app, and seems to only affect Pixel devices so far. But if your phone has been losing battery faster than usual, it could also have affected yours. Rolling back to an older version by using the relevant APK file seems to fix the problem, but Google will have to eventually come up with a proper bug fix.

Mind you, Google Pixel devices aren't available in Malaysia. But the Google app is on most Android devices, so you could run into a similar issue some day (or with another app). Has this ever happened to you? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Google Pixel devices to stay premium. Pixel 2 will be coming this year.

While we might still be far away from the next generation release of the Pixel smartphone, but AndroidPit recently had the chance to talk with Rick Osterloh, head of hardware at Google, during MWC 2017 and here are some details about its successor, the Pixel 2.

While there are some rumours earlier on that there might be a budget Pixel, according to Rick Osterloh, the Pixel 2 will indeed arrive this year, and that it will stay a premium device. In a way, this confirms that last year’s Pixel, wasn’t just a one-off experiment by Google, and there won’t be a cheaper variant of this flagship device. Maybe a cheaper “pure Android” device by Google would be the form of an Android One device from now on? Or, it could also be HMD Global's Nokia range of devices.

If Google plans on having the Pixel 2, it’ll probably go with the annual release cycle rhythm, just like the rest of the industry, placing a possible Pixel 2 launch in October 2017. Well, one thing’s for sure, there will be no cheap Pixel. Do check out our Google Pixel Hands-on Review Video above.


Google Pixel smartphone gets torture tested

It was inevitable but it looks like the Google Pixel is the latest smartphone to get torture tested in the video below. Done by the folks at JerryRigEverything the tests include scratch and bend tests along with a lighter test as well. Check it out for yourself below.

Watch the Google Pixel get scratch, burnt and bent


Google Pixel smartwatch's design might have been leaked

Not long ago, we've heard that Google could launch a new smartwatch in 2022. The wearable gadget is suggested to be put under the Pixel lineup, expanding the product catalogue of the popular franchise. Now, the smartwatch's design might have been leaked, revealing a round and bezel-less display as stated.

The image shared by a YouTube channel named Front Page Tech is claimed to be an official marketing material of the Pixel smartwatch. Previously, the same source has also done some renders for the device, which look exactly the same as the one we're looking at now.

The first Pixel smartwatch is also expected to bring the latest version of the Wear OS, which is only used by Samsung's smartwatch at the moment. However, the Wear OS on Google's smartwatch is said to be different from the one Samsung since the Korean tech giant has applied its own skin on top of the operating system.

What are your opinions on the design? Drop a comment to let us know and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech gadget news.


A woman driver got stuck at a palm oil estate because of Waze

If you often use Waze, there's a good chance that the software will bring you to weird places and shortcuts to a designated location. While drivers usually get through the shortcuts, a woman was unfortunately stuck in her car around a palm oil estate yesterday morning at 8AM, just because Waze told her to.

Not to say that Waze specifically asked her to get stuck in a puddle of mud, but while receiving instructions from Waze, her car just unfortunately got stuck while navigating her way to her customer's house. The palm oil estate was in Bandar Saujana Putra and she was rescued by the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department Fire and Rescue Department crew. According to the Deputy Operation Director of the Fire and Rescue Department, Norizham Mohd Nudin, he said:

“The woman was from Ulu Yam and she used the navigation app to go to her customer’s house before she got lost at the palm oil estate. After getting into a muddy path, her car got stuck and she decided to call the fire and rescue department,”

He said the crew got the call at 8.36AM and the Teluk Panglima Garang Fire and Rescue Station sent a six-man team to the rescue. Thankfully, she was brought out of the car safely.

Looking at the pictures, the car is definitely not suitable for that kind of terrain but I guess that didn't cross her mind, as she should have driven a four-wheeler. Well, at least she's ok now. But what about you? Has Waze brought you to a sticky situation before? Let us know in the comments below!


Google Pixelbook Go with 4K screen and Intel Core i7 CPU now out for ~RM5784

Been waiting for a lightweight, powerful Chromebook? The Google Pixelbook Go has a variant with an Intel Core i7 CPU and 4K screen, which may just be what you need. But according to 9to5Google, it's going to cost you a hefty 1399 USD (~RM5784).

The new variant comes with pretty decent tech specs, including an Intel Core i7-8500Y CPU, 16GB of RAM, 256GB of SSD storage, and a 4K screen. It's also ultra-portable, with a weight of 1.09kg and 13.4mm in thickness. But the question is: Would anyone need a Chromebook with a 4K screen? Maybe if you need that extra display sharpness for video entertainment and a more powerful CPU to support that, but that's about it.

Currently, the Pixelbook Go is not available in Malaysia, but would you buy it if once it does become available? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned for more news on TechNave.com.


Google Play Games for PC beta announced, allows you to play mobile games on Windows PC

Have you ever wanted to play certain mobile games on PC? You could do that with emulators, but they can sometimes be buggy and resource hogs. Fortunately, Google has been working on bringing Android games to PC, and now have something to show users.

Earlier today, Google announced the Google Play Games beta for PC. This app lets you browse the Google Play Games store for Android games, then download and play them on your Windows PC. It supports keyboards and mice controls, so you can have better controls in games. Moreover, progress in your games will be synced across your Google account, so you can play selected games on both your phone and PC.

The Google Play Games for PC requires hardware virtualisation, so it's still technically an emulator and could be a resource hog. In other words, you'll need a powerful PC to run games smoothly. Also, the beta is currently available only in Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan. But mobile gaming is a huge industry in SEA, so we think it'll come to Malaysia relatively soon.

You can visit the beta page to sign up or get more details. We'll keep an eye out for a beta launch in Malaysia, so stay tuned to TechNave for further updates!


Google Play Games for PC beta has finally arrived in Malaysia, and you can download to test it out now

Google Play Games for PC beta was announced earlier this year but finally, towards the end of 2022 - the Google Play Games beta is now available for download. All mobile players in Malaysia alongside the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Indonesia, Philippines, and Singapore can now visit the beta website and check it out here.

To get yourself started, your PC or laptop would need to meet the minimum requirements which can be checked on the website. But to break it down, you would need Windows 10 OS, 10GB of available SSD storage space, Intel UHD Graphics 630 GPU (or similar), 4 CPU physical cores, 8GB of RAM, and a Windows admin account. The hardware virtualisation must be turned on too.

For the games available in the beta, you should be able to play a number of popular mobile games. Google said that its Google Play Games catalogue has grown, with the likes of 1945 Air Force, Blade Idle, Cookie Run: Kingdom, and Evony: The King’s Return. All of these titles and dozens more can be played on Windows PCs via a standalone application built by Google.

Besides PCs and laptops, players can play their favourite mobile games across their tablets and Chromebooks as well. Moreover, Google will continue to add new features and evaluate developer and player feedback during the beta, If you’re an Android games developer looking to learn more about Google Play Games, you may visit the developer site for more information.

So what do you think? Let us know in the comments below and do stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Google Play Games for PC now available in more countries, has a less demanding system requirement

Earlier this year, we reported on how Google launched the Google Play Games for PC which as the name would suggest, allows users to play Android mobile games on Windows PC. Fast forward some 8 months later, the platform is still in beta but with some improvements, including being available in more regions as well as requiring a lot less demanding PC specs to run.

As reported by Android Police, Google officially adds Thailand and Australia to the beta programme. Previously, only Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan got the chance to use Google Play Games for PC.

Besides that, Google is also reducing the PC specs needed to run the platform, whereby integrated GPUs are also supported by Google Play Games for PC now. Previously, users need to have a ‘gaming-class’ GPU, 8GB RAM and 20GB of fast SSD storage as a minimum requirement to run the platform.

Now, you’d only need Windows 10 or higher, a 4-core CPU with integrated graphics and 10GB of SSD space to run Google Play Games for PC. That pretty much makes it more accessible for many PC users out there and let’s hope that Google will make it available in all regions including Malaysia soon.

So, what do you guys think of the Google Play Games for PC beta? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNaev for more trending tech news.


Google Play Music might give you the option to "Unlock Movies by Watching Ads" in the future

Based on source code found by XDA Developers, it seems that Google plans to introduce an option for viewers to watch ads in order to unlock movies. While we have no exact numbers on how many movies can be unlocked, the source code hints that there could be several hundreds of movies available as soon as the feature goes live.

With all that said, do take every bit of information with a grain of salt, due to the fact that Google has yet to provide an official statement in regards to this leaked info. Not only that, but there’s also no info on the Malaysia release date of this feature, as well as which smartphone it could be compatible with.

Would you be interested in watching ads in order to unlock movies? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Google Play Store has new guidelines to improve the quality of apps on large screen devices

Apple iPad has always been superior to Android tablets when it comes to the quality of apps. As most of us know, some apps downloaded from Google Play Store might have not been tuned for the tablet experience. Therefore, users would have to bear with the apps displayed in low quality on large screens. However, things might change soon with Google announcing a new plan.

According to the announcement on Android Developers Blog, Google Play Store will help surface and prioritize apps and games optimized for large screens when viewing the store on a large screen device such as a tablet or foldable phone. The tech giant also mentioned that the changes will be made in the coming months.

Besides that, Google will also start to warn users if apps didn't meet the basic large screen requirements. Therefore, you would know that you'll get a low-quality experience out of them. Furthermore, the rating and reviews will also be shown according to the device type, be it phones, tablets and foldables, Chrome OS, Wear OS or Android Auto.

Do you think these changes will bring up the quality of the Android tablet apps? Drop a comment to let us know your thoughts, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for the latest tech report.


Google Play Store policy updated, banning sugar dating apps from 1 September 2021 onwards

Recently, Google just released a new policy for its Google Play Store and it's a long one. However, one particular interesting change is that the platform will no longer allow any sugar dating apps starting on 1 September 2021.

That said since it's happening on the Google Play Store, that also means that Android users are affected. In the policy, Google is standing firm on disallowing apps that contain or promote sexual content or profanity. You can also read where it stated "Apps that promote sex-related entertainment, escort services or other services that may be interpreted as providing sexual acts in exchange for compensation".

All in all, Google wants the Google Play Store to remain a safe and respectful platform for everyone to use. Other inappropriate contents include hate speech, violence, marijuana, tobacco and alcohol as well. However, it's surprising to know that mainstream dating apps like Tinder, will not be affected by the upcoming policy. Perhaps this is because it was registered as a dating app.

A few months ago, Sugarbook caused quite a controversy by releasing a list where university students were one of the top app users. Although the owner got arrested, there was no further news of charges that can be brought forward as there wasn't enough evidence of promoting sexual services. Oh well, what do you think of this? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Google Play Store to use a floating bubble as a download progress indicator

When downloading or updating apps from Google Play Store, the only way to check the progress without going in the app store is by swiping down the notification panel. In the future, it might be unnecessary to do so while waiting for the download to complete, as Google could use a floating bubble as a progress indicator.

An in-app setting discovered by 9to5Google reveals that the feature is in the works. It seems that Google will use a floating bubble to indicate the download progress with the 'Show install progress bubble' option. Once enabled, the floating bubble will show the progress of the current app getting installed. Similar to other bubbles in Android, it can get dragged around the screen or to the bottom to dismiss it.

Besides that, Google Play Store also announced that app archiving would soon arrive as a way to conserve space on Android phones as part of November's Google System Updates. It works by uninstalling an app without deleting its data when running short on storage. If users wanted the app back, the 'Install' button for the app not existing on your phone would get displayed as 'Restore'.

What do you think about these upcoming Google Play Store features? Drop a comment to let us know your thoughts, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech reports.


Google Play now tells you if the app you are downloading has ads

If you do not like ads in the Android apps you download from the Google Play store, the next time you want to download an app, check out the app's description. Google recently activated a feature that tells if the app you are downloading comes with ads or not.

The new “Contains Ads” line will now appear in the app description (regardless if it is paid or free) to signify if the app will show ads when the user uses it on his/her device. This notification is great for users, as users who do not want to download apps with ads can stay clear from these apps.

While ads are a necessary evil, it is nice to see that Google is trying to help users in getting the best experience out of their mobile experience with this new small but important feature.


Google Play sets deadline for Android apps to implement its billing system

With the ongoing fiasco between Epic Games and Apple for Fornite, Google has decided to make its stance on the matter clear. The company has announced that developers that have apps on the Google Play Store must use Google Play's billing system. In other words, apps that bypass it will not be allowed.

In a new blog post, Google singled out Epic Games' Fornite as an example, so it's clear what kind of direct payments the company is referring to. Any app that doesn't use Google Play's system, which takes a cut for all app purchases, will not be allowed on the store. In return, developers get to enjoy the services and security provided by the platform.

Google has updated its development policy

Google has updated its developer programme policy on payments to reflect this change that will go into effect starting from 20 January 2021. However, developers that already have apps on Google Play Store have a longer deadline. Specifically, apps that still haven't integrate the billing system will have until 30 September 2021 to complete the update.

The gist of it is that if your app charges payment, Google takes a cut and that isn't up for debate. Makes you wonder if Epic Games will now attempt to sue Google. With that said, what do you think about this change? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


A woman got scammed RM18,000 through a fake SMS and KWSP is warning us about that

After tricking the public by building a fake Maybank website, the scammer has another method to get your money now. It is reported that a woman has lost RM18,000 after interacting with a link in an SMS notifying her that her bank account is locked. KWSP is warning the public to beware of such suspicious SMS to not fall into the trap set up by vicious scammers.

During this time, some of you may have applied to withdraw money from your KWSP account under the i-Sinar program as well. Therefore, it is important to verify any SMS received before clicking on anything. Not just SMS, you should also be doing the same for phone calls or e-mails to avoid being scammed.

Let us know what you think about scams like this on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more local tech news.


Google Play turns 5! Here's the list of Top 5 apps and games.

5 years ago, on 6th March 2012, Google opened its doors to their digital one stop shop for apps, games, movies, music and books across all devices running on the Android operating system, the Play Store. In five years, it had grown to more than 1 billion active users in 190 countries, whom had downloaded countless apps and movies, along with 40 millions songs and 5 millions books.

Not only is Google Play available on all Android phones and tablets, it is now in more places than ever before, including Chromebooks, Android Wear devices, as well as Daydream, Google’s Virtual Reality platform. In celebration of Google Play’s 5th birthday, Google released a list of Top 5 most popular content from the past five years. (Do note that Google did clarify that the chart for Top Installed Apps is for download only, and does not include pre-installed apps on Android devices.)

So, what are the Top 5 apps that you have installed on your Android device? Did you still have them on your device or had you once had it installed before? Let us know what are the must-have apps on your device in the comments below, or on our Facebook page.


Google Put Nexus on the Samsung Galaxy S4

In a move which came as a surprise to everyone, Google announced that it would provide a Nexus experience on the Samsung Galaxy S4 at the recent Google I/O event. While many were expecting the announcement of a new Nexus device (most likely for LG to do a Google Nexus 5 smartphone) Google are instead offering the Samsung Galaxy S4 minus the Samsung TouchWiz interface. Instead it will feature stock Android Nexus and have an unlocked bootloader (so you can root it easier).

Tech specs for the Google Samsung Galaxy S4 don't differ from a standard LTE-enabled Samsung Galaxy S4 but bear in mind that you lose access to all those S Features Samsung has been hyping about. Instead Google are now offering the following for their Nexus Samsung Galaxy S4 device:

No news yet on availability here in Malaysia but we could perhaps expect it as another option over at a Samsung store nearby perhaps. According to Google they will release it for the aforementioned price of $649 on the Google store on 26 June 2013.


Google Search Labs introduces generative AI to selected users in the US

As you may already know, AI has been hitting the headlines in recent months. And it doesn't look like that's ending anytime soon. Google has been doing various tests on its Bard AI platform, and one of them is generative AI for its Google Chrome browser via Search Labs.

Recently, Google announced that it's opening limited access to Search Labs. This is an early access program to Google experiments like Search Generative Experience (SGE), Code Tips and Add to Sheets. It's only available to users in the US for now, but you can opt-in to a waiting list through the Google app or desktop Chrome browser.

Once signed up, users will get to try the new AI-powered generative search. While a regular Google search spits out a results page with search links, generative AI will provide extra info like factors. In the example provided, the AI provided some factors that users should consider when choosing a new product. Generative AI also promises to help users understand topics faster and quickly uncover info to specific questions.

Long story short, you can consider generative AI as a system that improves your web search experience. Of course, we won't know how accurate or useful it could be until we try it. With that said, would you want to try Google Search Labs if it becomes available here? Please let us know in the comments below!


Google Search now makes it easier to find results from Reddit and other online forums

Google today announced a couple of new features that are coming to Google Search that are sure to make our lives better online. The new features are a new module that will show relevant search results from online forums such as Reddit and Quora and the other is a new way to find translated news coverage using machine learning.

As announced in a blog post, Google Search asserted that it is adding a “discussions and forums” module alongside more traditional search results. The module will list down relevant posts from online forums such as Reddit, Quora and others.

According to Google, search results from the new module will “appear when you search for something that might benefit from the diverse personal experiences found in online discussion”. The feature is now rolling out for mobile searches in the United States, with global availability not yet revealed by the tech giant.

As for the translated news coverage feature, Google elaborated that it will make it easier to browse international news headlines that are published in languages other than English. Moreover, news-related searches will yield relevant local coverage translated by Google using its machine learning technology.

Google said that by elevating stories from international outlets directly in search by translating them to make sense to the user, it will provide “new global perspectives” on important news stories. The feature is currently in beta and will only roll out sometime next year. Besides that, it will first introduce the ability to translate headlines and stories from Spanish, French and German into English, with other languages potentially being added in the future.

So, what do you guys think of these two new features on Google Search? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for the latest tech news!