Google rumoured to aim for longer lifespan, better support with Pixel 8 series

Google

Google Pixel phones are known for their excellent update support. For example, the Pixel 7 series offers five years of updates, including three OS upgrades and quarterly feature drops. But the next Pixel 8 series could surpass that. The Pixel 8 devices will likely receive more OS upgrades, extending their lifespan beyond Samsung phones. Rumours claim Google seems to be competing with Apple in terms of update support. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro could set a new standard for future Pixel phones.

The upcoming Tensor chip could help Google achieve better support. With rumours of a custom in-house chipset (possibly the Tensor G5 coming in 2025), Google aims to have complete control over hardware and software for enhanced longevity. This is similar to what Apple does with its iPhones through its A-series chips. Apple has provided many years of operating system updates, even for eight-year-old iPhone models.

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Duet AI comes to all of Google's Workspace apps

Google’s Duet AI assistant is now available for all Workspace apps, the company announced. Duet is a virtual assistant that can help you with various tasks in Google apps, such as creating slides, charts, images, summaries, and more. It can also be a creative partner, generating email responses, grammar checks, and other content. Duet combines the helpfulness of Clippy and the creativity of ChatGPT.

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Meta’s news ban in Canada doesn't affect Facebook usage, data shows

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Meta’s decision to block news links in Canada has not affected Facebook usage, according to data from Similarweb and Data.ai. The company faces criticism from the Canadian government over the move, which is a response to a new law that requires platforms to pay publishers for news content. (Google plans to do the same once the law takes effect.)

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Apple to unveil new products and services at September 12 event

Apple

Apple announced its first fall special event on September 12 and invited the media to watch a live stream of the Apple Event from Apple Park. The online presentation will start at 10:00 a.m. Pacific, 1:00 p.m. Eastern, and will be available on Apple’s Events page and the Apple TV app.

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