According to the newly-leaked renders, the upcoming smartphone by the search engine giant will feature a circa 6.5-inch flat display with a centered punch-hole cutout for the front-facing camera.

The renders also confirm that Google Pixel 9 Pro will flaunt thin bezels on all four sides of the display, making for a sleek and modern design.

Google going the Apple and Samsung way with Pixel 9 Pro

OnLeaks suggests that the flagship smartphone will sport a flat frame with the power button and volume rockers on the right side of the device. The overall design is similar to what we’ve seen on the iPhone, and more recently, the Samsung Galaxy S24 series.

The left side of the device will remain clean, except for the antenna markings. The bottom of the device will feature a USB Type-C port, speaker grille, and SIM card tray.

In terms of measurements, the Google Pixel 9 Pro will reportedly measure 162.7 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm. The camera bump will push that area’s thickness to 12mm. The smartphone will also have an mmWave antenna cover and a microphone on top.

While both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro have a microphone on the top area, only the Verizon-version of the Pixel 8 Pro has the mmWave antenna.

But what caught our attention the most was the rumored refreshing design upgrade for the rear cameras. The leaked renders indicate that Google might introduce a new triple-camera setup that will feature a telephoto sensor, along with the standard wide-angle camera sensor.

The large camera island suggests that the smartphone might support variable aperture, making it one of the most sought-after smartphones for photography enthusiasts.

As of now, nothing is official because we still have many months to go before the release of the new Pixel 9 line. However, with the recent leaks and rumors, we can undoubtedly say that the Google Pixel 9 Pro is one of the most eagerly awaited flagship smartphones of the year.

Until then, however, we’re still hoping to get the Google Pixel 8A this spring.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• New Google Pixel 8A render gives us the best look at the phone yet
• Google Pixel 8A dummy unit gives a close look at the phone’s design
• Galaxy S24 series gets a seven-year Android update promise
• Wi-Fi, RAM, and modem upgrades rumored for iPhone 16 series

The post Google Pixel 9 Pro design leaks in new renders with a familiar look appeared first on KnowTechie.

Three new features will be introduced, including a tab organizer that suggests ways to group open tabs by topic, a text editor that can help draft text for reviews and social media posts and customizable themes generated by AI.

All of these features are experimental and must be enabled through the settings menu by turning on the “Experimental AI” toggle, Google notes in a blog post.

What new features is Google Chrome getting?

The Tab Organizer feature is designed to make managing multitasking simple. Chrome will suggest and create tab groups based on open tabs, which can be particularly helpful when working on several things at the same time.

For instance, when planning a trip, researching and shopping. Let’s be honest, here – we all have too many tabs open at any given moment.

The AI theme creator aims to make browser customization effortless. Users can generate custom themes based on a chosen subject, mood, visual style, and color.

Finally, the AI writing assistant uses machine learning power to help users write with more confidence on the web. The tool will help users craft well-written reviews, RSVPs, or inquiries about specific topics.

To try out these new features, follow these steps:

1. Sign into Chrome.
2. Click on the three-dot menu and navigate to Settings.
3. Go to the Experimental AI page.
4. Test out the new features.

In the future, Google intends to integrate its Gemini model, other AI tools, as well as its Bard assistant into Chrome. It’s going to be interesting to see how this will change the browser and how users will learn to interact with AI.

If successful, these AI-powered features could improve users’ web experiences. On one hand, the text editor, for instance, can be helpful for people to find their words better, but AI-generated content is far from perfect or error-free.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• You can now create AI images directly from Google’s search bar
• How to access Google Bard
• Google Assistant with Bard may first come to Pixel 8, Galaxy S24
• Google Podcasts is going lights out – all hail YouTube Music

The post Google Chrome gets three new experimental AI tools appeared first on KnowTechie.

According to multiple sources, YouTube has been caught red-handed, intentionally dragging its feet when it comes to loading videos for users who are using ad-blocking tools.

Reports from Android Police, supplemented by user rants on Reddit and discussions on Hacker News, suggest that YouTube has been deliberately slowing down video load times for those with ad blockers enabled.

This isn’t their first rodeo either; it seems to be similar to a test they ran back in November. The move appears to be part of a broader campaign to discourage the use of ad blockers, which are a thorn in the side of YouTube’s ad revenue model.

While YouTube is pointing the finger at ad blockers for the slowdown, some are calling out the platform for what they perceive as a tactical move to nudge users away from ad-blocking extensions.

What’s really happening here?

Some speculate that this might even be a step towards pushing users to switch to browsers where YouTube’s parent company, Google, can exert more control, like Chrome.

And then there’s Raymond Hill, the creator of uBlock Origin, the open-sourced ad blocker. Hill suggests that the situation is more complex than initially thought.

He claims that deactivating ad blockers isn’t a silver bullet for the slowdown. Instead, the residual code from these extensions continues to affect page load times until the pages are completely refreshed or reopened.

It’s also not an issue exclusive to YouTube. Hill indicates that similar performance hitches could plague any dynamically updating websites.

For those installing uBlock Origin afresh, Hill advises patience while the filter lists update, after which webpages should function without hiccups.

So, what does YouTube have to say about all this?

They’ve confirmed that the ‘suboptimal experience’ is indeed a result of using ad blockers regardless of the browser, according to a statement provided back in early November 2023.

It seems like a clear message: disable ad blockers on YouTube or prepare for a less-than-stellar streaming experience.

It’s a bold strategy, Cotton. Let’s see if it pays off for them. Meanwhile, users might start looking for new ways to bypass these digital roadblocks or, heaven forbid, actually sit through a few ads. 

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• You can now export your Google Podcasts shows to YouTube Music
• Teens are tuned in to TikTok and YouTube ‘almost constantly’
• YouTube Premium price hike to soon hit grandfathered accounts
• Google Bard gets the ability to understand YouTube videos

The post YouTube is punishing ad-block users with longer load times appeared first on KnowTechie.

Most Android users should be familiar with Nearby Share. Google introduced it back in 2020 as its answer to Apple’s AirDrop. 

The feature enabled users to share images, videos, files, links, and Wi-Fi passwords between Android, Chromebooks, and Windows devices. 

While a few prior leaks were indicating Google/Samsung collaboration, it is now official. Nearby Share will now be called Quick Share.

What are the differences between Nearby Share and Quick Share? 

Samsung owners are very much aware of Quick Share. It is the Korean company’s proprietary tool for transferring files. 

It is also very similar to Google’s Nearby Share, as both employ Bluetooth Low Energy and Wi-Fi Direct to find devices close by and transfer files.

However, unlike Nearby Share, Samsung’s file transfer technology only works for Galaxy users. While there is a workaround, it requires a few extra steps. 

Another big difference comes in the form of the number of devices. Quick Share allows users to share files with up to five devices simultaneously, but Nearby Share sticks to transferring one device at a time. 

The file transfer limits of both solutions also vary. Nearby Share allows 500 files/day of unlimited size, while the latter allows files of up to 1GB for a single transfer and a total of 5GB per day.

New Google/Samsung collaboration blurs the limitations

All these limitations should fade away after the merger, as it simply turns into Quick Share. 

However, it’s unclear at the moment whether the merged solutions will be based on Google’s version of Nearby Share or Samsung’s existing version of Quick Share. According to Google’s blog post,

We’ve integrated the experiences and created the best default, built-in option for peer-to-peer content sharing across all types of devices in the Android ecosystem, including Chromebooks.

The companies are in talks with PC manufacturers like LG to expand the horizon of Quick Share to turn it into a pre-installed application for Windows PCs. 

Either way, Google will start rolling out Quick Share to all the Nearby Share-enabled devices next month.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Google Nearby Share now lets you send files directly to your PC
• Google Drive files are going missing for some desktop users
• Dropbox unveils features that shares your data with OpenAI
• Samsung’s In&Out Flip concept reimagines its flip phones

The post Google, Samsung partner to merge Nearby Share into Quick Share appeared first on KnowTechie.

The lawsuit was filed back in 2020 by three Internet users — a resident of Florida and two residents of California — who argued that Google continues to collect information from users when they switch into Chrome’s Incognito mode.

In support-related materials published by Google, the tech giant claims that Incognito mode allows users to “browse the web privately” in a way that doesn’t allow Chrome to retain certain information, like browsing history and cookies.

But the three plaintiffs in the case said certain Google services, like Google Analytics and Google Ad Manager, still transmitted some data directly to Google about the types of websites Chrome users visited and how they interacted with them.

This led to the massive lawsuit against Google, which has now been settled outside court. For now, we don’t know all the implications and the possible payout, but that will likely become public come January 2024.

$5 billion lawsuit against Google settled outside court

The plaintiffs alleged Google violated various federal wiretapping laws by collecting data from users who opted for Incognito mode. They sought at least $5 billion in restitution from Google on behalf of Chrome users.

Google tried to have the lawsuit thrown out of court in 2021, but a judge ruled against them after determining the company “did not notify users that Google engages in the alleged data collection while the user is in a private browsing mode.”

Still, Google held firm. A spokesperson told financial news outlet Bloomberg that the company “strongly dispute these claims, and we will defend ourselves vigorously against them.” The spokesperson said,

“Incognito mode in Chrome gives you the choice to browse the Internet without your activity being saved to your browser or device. As we clearly state each time you open a new Incognito tab, websites might be able to collect information about your browsing activity during your session.”

Now, nearly three years later, Google has decided to settle the case. In a court filing published this week, Google said it reached a “binding term sheet,” or firm commitment, that resolves the issues at the center of the lawsuit.

The agreement still requires the approval of a federal court judge that is overseeing the case, but courts typically green-light settlements like this, particularly where there are no objections from either side.

What a lawsuit could have meant for Google and other developers

Google Chrome is the most-widely used web browser in the United States, with six out of 10 devices running some version of the software.

In addition to being the default web browser on most phones and tablets running Android, Google Chrome is extremely popular on desktops and laptops with Windows and MacOS, and a version of Google Chrome is also available for those who prefer Linux.

Being one of the most-popular browsers comes with several advantages: The company behind the number one web browser essentially gets to dictate how certain levers of the Internet are pulled.

Chances are, you’ve encountered a website that incorporates a mixture of Google Analytics, Google Ad Manager, Google Fonts, Google Amp or some combination of the four — or maybe all four.

When you want your website to work for the most people, you build around the browser people tend to use the most — and Google Chrome is it.

Google Chrome also helps set industry trends and standards. It may not have been the first browser to offer extensions (Internet Explorer did it in 1999) or private browsing (Safari did it in 2005) or any of the other features we take for granted (like autofilled password fields).

However, it arguably improves upon those features, and other browsers tend to franchise those improvements.

But no one wants to own the most-popular anything when it comes to litigation. In this instance, a class action lawsuit would have counted anyone and everyone who ever used Google Chrome’s Incognito feature to browse the web between mid-2016 and early 2020.

The plaintiffs sought $5,000 from Google for every user who was allegedly duped into thinking that Incognito mode didn’t collect or transmit any web-related data to Google.

That number quickly adds up when counting the tens of millions of Google Chrome users in the United States — and that is how the plaintiffs came up with their $5 billion demand that was presented to the court.

Beyond requiring Google to open up its checkbook, the lawsuit could have been devastating to other tech companies that offer up similar features to Chrome’s Incognito browser.

Chrome aside, the next four most-popular web browsers in the United States are Safari, Microsoft Edge (a fork of the Chromium browser, which powers Google Chrome), Mozilla’s Firefox and Opera, each of which has its own private browsing mode that functions similar to Incognito.

An unfavorable outcome for Google in its class action lawsuit could have invited similar lawsuits against those and other developers that offer web browsers with private modes.

Technically, the outcome of this lawsuit doesn’t legally prevent similar class action cases from being launched. But, it seems highly unlikely that any plaintiff or law firm will rush to the courthouse to file one, since the lawsuit against Google was ultimately settled.

What does the settlement mean for Google and Chrome users?

The outcome of this particular class action lawsuit is something of a mystery: The case was settled behind closed doors and through a mediator, which means a lot of what was discussed between the two sides will remain private.

Had the case proceeded to trial, the plaintiffs would have been entitled to certain records related to the development and marketing of Google Chrome and its Incognito feature.

Those records could have included internal developer notes, logs of various bugs, e-mails between Google employees and marketing materials related to Chrome and Incognito mode.

They could also include the precise number of people who installed Chrome and turned on that feature — if any of that materials was actually available. At least, in this case, the public will not know, because the case was settled.

The terms of the settlement are also unknown at this time. Neither Google nor the plaintiffs in the case offered details of the settlement, including whether Google will agree to pay out anything or change how it promotes Chrome’s Incognito feature to users.

The last time Google agreed to settle a consumer-driven class action lawsuit (it happened just a few weeks ago), the outcome was a $2 credit for Play Store purchases. 

The plaintiffs in the case and Google are expected to notify the court about the terms of the settlement by late January 2024, at which point it will become a matter of public record.

That is, unless both sides agree to keep the settlement confidential (which seems unlikely to happen). The judge overseeing the case is expected to approve the settlement in February.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Is Google Chrome’s Incognito Mode really as private as you think?
• How reliable is ChatGPT’s incognito mode?
• Chrome for Android adds biometric locks for Incognito tabs
• Ghost without guilt: Instagram’s forthcoming incognito mode

The post Google to settle Chrome Incognito Mode lawsuit — will you get paid? appeared first on KnowTechie.

A while back, Google was rumored to be working on an easier way to unsubscribe to emails in the Gmail app. And now, the folks at the Android Authority have spotted an “unsubscribe” button in the Gmail app for iOS.

The button is located below the email’s subject line but above the email content. 

Unsubscribe with a single at on the Gmail app on iOS

While there already was a way to unsubscribe to emails on the Gmail app, this way is more convenient.

Previously, users had to tap the three-dot menu at the top of the message window and then select the “unsubscribe” option from the list or scroll to the bottom of the email and look for the sender’s “unsubscribe” button. 

In contrast, the new approach requires a single tap, eliminating the need for scrolling and searching. 

This new method is vastly similar to the unsubscribe button on Gmail’s web version, placed below the subject line and next to the sender’s details.

Although we love the app’s approach to the new unsubscribe button, it is currently exclusive to the iOS version. Android users are yet to experience this convenience. 

It wouldn’t be a matter if this way any other app, but it’s kind of a shame that Google’s own platform didn’t get this feature first. 

However, it’s not the first time Google brought new features to iOS before Android. So, don’t worry. Google should roll out the feature to the Android version of the app soon. 

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Google’s Play Store monopoly ends with $700 million Epic win
• You can now export your Google Podcasts shows to YouTube Music
• Google Maps update will let you keep location history more private
• Google’s new ChatGPT competitor, Gemini, rolls out to the masses

The post Unsubscribing in the Gmail app just got quicker, but only on iOS appeared first on KnowTechie.

UPDATE 12/20/2023:  Google, just flashed its wallet and said, “Let’s make this go away.” They’re coughing up a cool $700 million to settle the score with a number of states that weren’t too happy about the whole ‘one app store to rule them all’ vibe.

Google has been dealt a major blow. A jury, in what can only be described as a unanimous tech judgment, found that Google’s Play Store practices on Android devices violated antitrust laws.

In layman’s terms, Google’s been playing Monopoly, only this isn’t a board game, and there’s no ‘get out of jail free’ card.

This legal punch has been delivered courtesy of Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite. Epic accused Google of stifling competition and restricting alternatives to the Play Store, which, mind you, accounts for over 95% of Android app downloads in the US.

Epic Games argued their case over 11 questions before the jury, and after three weeks of deliberations and only three hours of final pondering, the jury sided with Epic.

Epic Games, living up to their name, celebrated the verdict via a blog post, stating the win as a victory not just for them but for all developers and consumers.

“Today’s verdict is a win for all app developers and consumers around the world. It proves that Google’s app store practices are illegal and they abuse their monopoly to extract exorbitant fees, stifle competition and reduce innovation.”

What happens now?

Google has to pay up. And they’re doing it sooner than later, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Alphabet just decided to smooth things over with a hefty $700 million payout. That’s right, the Google mothership is settling up to put an end to the grumbles about Google Play’s grip on the app world.

Some states threw the monopoly card on the table, claiming Google Play was elbowing out the competition on Android devices.

But it’s not just about the cash—Google’s also pledging to tweak a few dials on the Google Play store. They’re shaking hands on making it a bit more playground-friendly for other app distributors to come and play.

Bottom line: Even the big fish in the tech sea have to swim by the rules. Google’s making moves to keep things cool on the legal front, and we’re all eyes on how this will mix up the app marketplace

Google, being Google, plans to appeal the verdict, telling the WSJ that the fight was “far from over.”

The fun is just getting started, folks. Meanwhile, Google is also preparing for an antitrust case regarding their search business, set for a ruling in mid-2024. When it rains, it pours.

So, what does this mean for the tech world? Well, if the outcome forces broader changes to Google’s Play Store policies and business model, we could be seeing a seismic shift in the app marketplace.

One thing’s for sure: this landmark case has set a precedent, and the ripple effects will be felt throughout the tech industry.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Epic Games Store opens self-publishing to boost its game library
• How to get your money back from Epic Games’ Fortnite settlement
• Everything that has been revealed in the Apple vs. Epic Games lawsuit
• Everything that has been revealed in the Apple vs. Epic Games lawsuit

The post Google’s Play Store monopoly ends with $700 million Epic win (update) appeared first on KnowTechie.

A few weeks ago, Google announced that it is ending its long-running Podcasts app. So, users will have to look into other platforms to meet their needs.

And to help with that process, Google promised to launch a new tool to help users migrate to different platforms. 

The company has finally launched the said tool and is currently rolling out to users in the United States. 

New Google Podcasts feature is currently available only to US users 

The announcement comes through a support page, where Google has announced it is launching a way for listeners to move their shows over to YouTube Music or other platforms. 

Here’s how to migrate from Google Podcasts to YouTube Music:

1. Visit the Google Podcasts app
2. Select Export subscriptions at the top of the screen.
3. Select Export under ‘Export to YouTube Music’
4. Select Transfer on the YouTube Music app
5. Select Continue
6. Select Go to Library to view your subscriptions once the transfer is complete

After completing the process, users will be able to see the subscriptions pop up in their library.

However, if you want to migrate to a different platform, Google Podcasts has provided the option to download the subscriptions as an OPML file or through Google Takeout.

The company has also addressed that it will be a long process, and some podcasts may not be available on YouTube Music. However, you will be able to save the missing shows to your library via the show’s RSS feed link.

The “Export” function on Google Podcasts is currently only available to listeners in the US, but the company has promised that it will soon make it available in more regions through an update. 

While there’s no rush to export your subscriptions, remember that Google Podcasts will go lights up in March 2024, and users will have until July to make their move. 

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Google finally adds YouTube Music streaming to Wear OS watches
• Popular podcast app Stitcher is shutting down August 29th
• Apple will refresh Podcasts interface, search later this year
• What Joe Rogan’s AI podcast with Steve Jobs means for the world

The post You can now export your Google Podcasts shows to YouTube Music appeared first on KnowTechie.

Earlier today, Google announced these three new privacy-focused features in a blog post. These features will help both Android and iOS users keep their movements discreet and more private. 

Delete activities right from Maps 

According to Google’s announcement, Google Maps users will soon be able to delete their activities for a specific location straight from the application. 

It will help if someone is snooping around. For example, you visit a place frequently and don’t want anyone to know, you’ll be able to delete your searches, directions, visits, and shares with a few steps.  

The new function will start rolling out to both Android and iOS users in the coming weeks. 

Changes to the Google Maps’s Timeline feature

Next is the timeline feature or more specifically, changes to the timeline feature. Google is making it possible to store your Timeline on your device instead of on the cloud by default. 

The timeline feature on Google Maps works when location history is enabled and is designed to show the user a summary of where they have been. 

More importantly, Google will restore the Timeline locally on your device to provide more control over your data. It means you will be able to delete all or part of your data instantly. 

There’s also no fear of losing all your data if you switch to a new device, as you can back it up to the cloud, if needed. Google has promised to encrypt your information so no one except you can read it.

The company has also set the auto-delete function in Google Maps to three months by default, which gets activated when you enable location history for the very first time.

Upon its activation, three months’ worth of your location and movement data gets deleted automatically. Previously, auto-delete was set to 18 months by default. However, You could change it. 

Accessing location control on Google Maps will also become easier.

According to Google, after the new update, you will simply have to tap the blue dot that shows your current location to access the advanced settings, like location history or Timeline controls. 

These changes to the Google Maps timeline feature will start rolling out next week for both Android and iOS. According to Google, you will get a notification as soon as the update arrives. 

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Jury ruling declares Google Play Store violates antitrust laws
• Google Bard gets the ability to understand YouTube videos
• Google Podcasts is going lights out – all hail YouTube Music
• Millions of inactive Google accounts soon to be deleted

The post Google Maps update will let you keep location history more private appeared first on KnowTechie.

Back in July, YouTube announced the price hike for Premium users in the United States, but grandfathered accounts were spared from the price increase and could keep the old rates for a few more months. 

At that time, YouTube Premium subscriptions went up by $2, making it $13.99 per month for both current and new subscribers. 

YouTube didn’t implement the same price hike for its grandfathered accounts and provided an extra few months at the older price.

However, a new 9to5Google report says all that is about to change in 2024.

Loyal YouTube Premium users, get ready to pay more

However, YouTube’s appreciation for its loyal customers is coming to an end. Now, grandfathered accounts that were paying $9.99 or $7.99 will have to pay $13.99 for their YouTube Premium subscription starting January 2024. 

An annual YouTube Premium plan costs $139.99, so you end up saving around $27 if you subscribe yearly instead of paying monthly.

Meanwhile, grandfathered YouTube Premium subscribers who also use YouTube Music are seeing an “Upgrade” tab in the bottom bar. 

The “Upgrade” tab is reserved for the free or trial users. However, due to a bug, the tab is appearing for paying customers as well. Hopefully, YouTube will fix the issue as soon as possible.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Google Podcasts is going lights out – all hail YouTube Music
• Ad blockers might be behind YouTube’s slowdown on Firefox
• YouTube’s new AI experiment turns your text into a song
• YouTube’s ad-blocker detection results in criminal charges 

The post YouTube Premium price hike to soon hit grandfathered accounts appeared first on KnowTechie.