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Pixelated 125: Google’s glasses, Meta’s baggage
Welcome to Pixelated episode 125. This week, Abner has tried out Google’s new lineup of “Intelligent Eyewear,” and he’s got plenty to share with Damien and Will. Can Google nail the smart glasses experience while digging itself out of a privacy hole Meta first dug? For as much work as the company’s doing, only time might tell.
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Expand Expanding CloseThe UGREEN HomeAgent is a ‘local-first’ way to make your smart home even smarter
Smart home tech often relies solely on cloud connections and pricey AI subscriptions, but UGREEN is delivering a local-first solution in its new HomeAgent collection, delivering cameras, speakers, and more that bring the bulk of the functionality and processing directly to your home.
Expand Expanding CloseMotorola MA2 wireless Android Auto adapter just vanished days after finally going on sale
The long-awaited Motorola MA2 wireless Android Auto adapter is gone just days after it went on sale.
Expand Expanding CloseYou can get a new phone plan for as low as $6.50/month for Black Friday
Phone plans are incredibly expensive, but they don’t always have to be. With Black Friday deals in full swing, you can currently score a new phone plan for as little as $6.50 per month.
Expand Expanding CloseFriday’s Android game and app deals: Echoes of Vatheria, Raiders of the North Sea, MEGA MAN, more
The early Black Friday sales are in full swing at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy has now launched a suite of new Doorbusters, but we also have Friday’s Google Play app and game deals: Echoes of Vatheria, Raiders of the North Sea, MEGA MAN X DiVE Offline, Streets of Rage 4, Ace Attorney Trilogy, Legend of Keepers, [Premium] RPG Onigo Hunter, Premium-RPG Wizards of Brandel, and more. Alongside the all-time low on the Google Home Speaker and the now available Google Pixel Tag, the Nothing early Black Friday deals exploded today with new all-time lows Headphone (a), the brand new Nothing CMF milk carton speakers, and the Nothing CMF Buds Neo at just just $17, among a whole lot more. The apps await below.
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Expand Expanding CloseThe Xiaomi 18 Pro’s rear displays support Google apps, Spotify, and custom GenAI apps
The Xiaomi 18 Pro series’ rear displays might actually be useful, after all.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid Auto 18.2 update starts rolling out with more light mode teases
Google has started rolling out the Android Auto 18.2 update, but don’t expect much to change on your car’s display.
Expand Expanding CloseDeals: Nothing early Black Friday now live – Headphone (a) 45% off, Buds Neo $17, Phone up to $300 off, much more
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Expand Expanding CloseEverything Nothing sells is up to 49% off today; Phone (3) for $499, $17 Buds, more
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Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch update brings a sweet redesign I wish was on more apps
Google has been at its gradient redesign schtick for a while now to varying levels of success, but its latest redesign has just landed on the Pixel Watch for the Media Controls app, and I love it.
Expand Expanding CloseProton Pass is up to 60% off for Black Friday—and it does way more than just store your passwords
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Expand Expanding CloseThis year’s Meta Quest 3S early Black Friday doorbuster deal is the best I’ve ever seen
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Expand Expanding CloseThis Quest 3 golf club actually improved my scores, but it comes at a cost
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Expand Expanding CloseI’d rather use Android XR glasses over Meta Ray-Bans for the app alone
In trying out Google’s Intelligent Eyewear Android XR glasses for the first time, one of my main takeaways is that it’s the app, not necessarily the glasses themselves that would push me into using them over the mainstay Meta Ray-Bans.
Expand Expanding CloseGalaxy SmartTag 3 at $20 makes a compelling case to skip the Google Pixel Tag
Barely a week after its launch, Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag 3 is already on sale for as little as $20, making it a fairly compelling alternative to Google’s new Pixel Tag, assuming you have a Galaxy phone, of course.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out Android 17 QPR3 Beta 4 for Pixel
Following the early stable launch of QPR2, Android 17 QPR3 Beta 4 is rolling out to Pixel devices today.
Expand Expanding CloseToday’s Android app deals and freebies: Agent A, Swim Out, The Mutiny, more
The early Black Friday sales are now live at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, and so are today’s best Google Play app and game deals: Agent A: A puzzle in disguise, Swim Out, Potion Permit, Burst Busters: Action Survival, The Mutiny, Stop Santa: Tower Defense, KORG Kaossilator for Android, and more. Just be sure to scope out the ongoing all-time low on the Google Home Speaker, the very first deals on the new new Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 3, and the now available Google Pixel Tag Find Hub tracker as well.
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Expand Expanding CloseGoogle announces Gemini 4 Hydrogen with ‘significant leaps’ in speed, intelligence
After this week’s Carbon availability, Google today unveiled Gemini 4 Hydrogen instead of keeping the “Flash” branding. This model is billed as bringing “cutting-edge intelligence to everyone.”
Expand Expanding CloseFour excellent Garmin watches are on deep discount ahead of Black Friday
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Expand Expanding CloseNothing’s screen-less new gadget really looks like yet another AI recorder
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Expand Expanding CloseDeals: Galaxy SmartTag 3 up to 30% off, Chromebooks, Google Home Speaker, Walmart early Black Friday now live, more
The early Black Friday sales are now flying at Amazon, Best Buy, and, as of this morning, Walmart with all-time lows on Google Home Speaker, the $100 price drop on Pixel Watch 5, and even some early savings options for the all-new Google Pixel Tag. But we are also now tracking the first chance to save on the brand-new Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 3 at $20 each (up to 30% off), TCL’s NXTPAPER 14-inch Android tablet at $100 off, and this Acer touchscreen Chromebook at $319 (46% off). Just be sure to also dive today’s Black Friday Deals of the Day at Best Buy – Samsung Galaxy Watch, Christmas tree, Windows laptops, more from just $22 – and then head below for a closer look at everything.
Expand Expanding CloseThe price of your Android XR glasses can quickly skyrocket with add-ons
Google’s first collection of Intelligent Eyewear has arrived and, oh boy, the prices are not cheap. While this first batch starts at $395, you’ll be paying a fair bit more for a pair of Android XR glasses if you need to add anything on. Here’s a quick overview.
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