GoKawiil
Tech News
Google will launch a prototype satellite to test how its Tensor Processing Units perform in orbit, part of Project Suncatcher, a research effort first announced last year. The initiative explores whether satellites in low Earth orbit, which can access near-constant sunlight and generate far more solar power than on Earth, could eventually host machine learning infrastructure.
Android Authority's review of the Google Pixel 11 finds the $899 phone doubles base storage over its predecessor and pairs a larger 48MP main camera with a slimmer all-glass camera bar. The reviewer reports the Tensor G6 chip underperforms rivals and, lacking the vapor chamber in Pro models, causes real overheating and stuttering during everyday use.
MediaTek has launched the Dimensity 9600 Pro, a flagship mobile processor supporting Triple-SIM Triple Active connectivity, 4K/240fps slow-motion video capture, and VVC video encoding. The chip targets premium Android devices and aims to outperform rival silicon in both performance and camera capability.
Arm has announced its new C2-Ultra CPU architecture, the successor to last year's C1-Ultra, which is expected to appear in Samsung Exynos and MediaTek Dimensity chips around 2027, and possibly Google's Tensor G7. Arm claims up to 15% peak performance gains over its predecessor, though most of that comes from a higher 4.45GHz clock speed rather than architectural changes, while power efficiency improves by 38% at equivalent performance thanks to a 2nm process and larger L2 cache.
Android Authority's three-week review of the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL finds the phones fall short on paper, with less RAM than last year, a modest Tensor G6 upgrade, higher prices, and a disappointing HiLight feature. Despite these shortcomings, the reviewer says daily use of the devices remains compelling thanks to strong hardware, cameras, and software.
The piece explains how Google's Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), built for AI workloads in data centers, differ from GPUs and NPUs. TPUs are now replacing NPUs in Google's upcoming Pixel 11 phones, with Google claiming up to 3.5 times faster AI processing at up to 3.5 times less energy use. GPUs, meanwhile, remain versatile chips handling gaming, 3D rendering, AI training and crypto mining.
Google's Pixel 11 series still impresses with software and AI features, but the Tensor G6 chip continues to lag well behind rival flagship processors in CPU, GPU and efficiency benchmarks. That leaves the upcoming Tensor G7 as a critical opportunity for Google to close the performance gap before it becomes a bigger problem for the Pixel 12.