March 20, 2025
Tech News
Google has officially unveiled the Pixel 9A, marking its entry into the midrange smartphone market. The device boasts a larger 6.3-inch screen, a powerful Tensor G4 processor, and enhanced water resistance, all at a competitive starting price of $499.
The larger screen reaches peak brightness levels of 2,700 nits, making it 35% brighter than its predecessor, the 8A, while maintaining a lightweight feel.
The Pixel 9A includes significant camera improvements, featuring a 48-megapixel rear camera designed for quality image capture and a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens. It also introduces a macro mode that utilizes the primary sensor, elevating photography capabilities in this affordable segment.
Moreover, the device is equipped with enhanced durability, now rated with an IP68 classification, ensuring resistance against deeper water immersion. The 5,100mAh battery also promises an extended lifespan, combined with the convenience of wireless charging and up to 23W of wired charging speed.
Shifting gears, Boston Dynamics has brought a new era to its humanoid robot series with an all-electric version of the Atlas. Following the retirement of its hydraulic predecessor, this robotic marvel showcases remarkable agility and enhanced design elements, including improved dexterity and advanced sensory systems.
The latest version of Atlas is capable of performing various autonomous tasks in simulated environments, highlighting its practical applications in industrial settings. Utilizing reinforcement learning, Atlas demonstrates its ability to navigate complex scenarios and efficiently handle object sorting in factories.
Furthermore, Atlas continues to push boundaries in dexterity, showing off impressive movement capabilities, including running, crawling, and breakdancing. These advancements underscore Boston Dynamics’ commitment to ensuring robots that extend human capabilities rather than replace them.
In another update, Google Wallet will soon offer tap-to-pay services specifically for kids, allowing them to use the feature on Android devices with parental consent. Parents can oversee their children’s purchases and manage payment card access through the Family Link app, enhancing security in digital transactions for young users.
With this innovation, Google aims to empower parents while allowing their kids to engage with digital wallets safely. The rollout will include features to track purchases, set limits, and prevent online transactions, aligning with similar offerings from competing services like Apple’s Family Sharing.
Tech Explained
Tensor G4 – The Tensor G4 is Google’s custom-designed system on a chip (SoC) used in their devices, optimizing performance and AI capabilities for tasks such as photography, graphics, and machine learning, making it suited for smartphones and other advanced technology.
IP68 – The IP68 rating indicates a device’s level of water and dust resistance. Specifically, IP68 means the device can withstand immersion in water deeper than one meter for an extended period, making it suitable for harsh conditions and outdoor usage.
Family Link – Google’s Family Link is an application that allows parents to manage their children’s device usage, including monitoring and controlling app installations, screen time, and now payment functionalities, promoting safer digital experiences for younger users.
