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Tech News
More than a dozen graphic designers describe clients and employers increasingly using tools like ChatGPT to generate design briefs, concepts, or finished visuals before handing them over for execution. Creative director Emily Foran says she has not been asked to originate an idea from scratch in a year, with her role shifting toward implementing AI-generated concepts rather than creating them.
A popular Android PS2 emulator has released an update that improves performance specifically for devices using Mali-powered GPUs, including older Pixel phones and MediaTek-based devices. The update targets hardware that previously saw weaker emulation performance compared to devices with other GPU architectures.
Google's Pixel release date page lists exact support end dates for each device. Pixel 6 and 7 series phones get five years of updates, while Pixel 8 and later models get seven years, with a-series phones following their own release-based timelines. Phones up to the Pixel 5a are already out of support.
Samsung and Motorola have issued guidance on maintaining foldable phone hinges, recommending users clear debris from the inner display before closing the device and avoid excessive pressure. Samsung notes its Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 carry IP48 ratings, meaning protection from objects 1mm or larger but not full dust resistance, while Motorola warns that dust buildup can shorten hinge life and damage internal displays, advising against pressurized air dusters.
Google posted teaser images on Instagram and X confirming the name of its upcoming 'Fitbit Edge' fitness tracker, with a reveal date set for October 12. The device had previously leaked via marketing materials and reports from Android Headlines and Dealabs, which detailed its design, battery life, and possible European pricing around €179.
Trend Micro's Zero Day Initiative concluded Pwn2Own Ireland 2026, awarding $1,262,000 across three days as researchers demonstrated 98 zero-day vulnerabilities in devices including the Samsung Galaxy S26, Google Pixel 10, OpenAI Codex and Oracle's Autonomous AI Database. Ikotas Labs won the contest overall with $361,000 and 42.5 Master of Pwn points, including a $300,000 payout for a chained exploit against the Pixel 10, ahead of runners-up Xint and Team ZyGoat.
Google is discontinuing Safety Signal, the LTE-based safety tool on the Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Watch 3, with access ending December 12. Users will get email and push notifications giving 30 days' notice before their access is cut off. Features like emergency SOS, fall detection and emergency contact calls will still work via WiFi, Bluetooth pairing to a phone, or an active cellular plan.
Amazon is offering 18% off the top-spec 1TB configuration of Google's Pixel 11 Pro XL, a $300 reduction from its launch price. This marks the first discount since the phone's release.
Google said in a community post that it is discontinuing free cellular access to Safety Signal features—Emergency SOS, Fall Detection, and Safety Check—on the LTE versions of the Pixel Watch 2 and 3. The free access, previously bundled with a Google Health Premium subscription, ends after December 12th, with affected users given a 30-day transition window starting when they receive an email notice.
Google has announced that its Pixel smartphones' Connected Camera feature will now be compatible with eleven additional applications, including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Slack. This expansion allows users to utilize their Pixel devices as mini camera studios within these platforms. The update aims to enhance remote communication by integrating Pixel's camera capabilities directly into widely used work apps.
Google released Android Canary 2610, an experimental build that showcases upcoming Pixel customization options and notification features. The update hints at potential new ways for users to personalize their devices and manage alerts. Notably, the HiLight feature is absent in this release, suggesting it may be delayed or removed from this version.
Microsoft announced the Surface Laptop Ultra, equipped with an NVIDIA RTX Spark GPU capable of up to one petaflop of AI processing power. The device features a 15-inch mini-LED display, support for up to 128GB of memory, and a new cooling system, with pre-orders starting at $2,599. It also offers expanded ports, a larger haptic touchpad, and the first built-in USB-C magnetic charger.