AllYouCanTech

Pixel 10 December Update Allegedly Interferes with Always-On Display Feature

The December update for Pixel smartphones has rolled out multiple improvements, featuring AI-enhanced notifications, lock screen widgets, and new customizable icon shapes. Nevertheless, users of Pixel 10 are facing an unexpected problem with the always-on display (AoD) flickering. This issue occurs during wireless charging when the clock refreshes, and sometimes after the device is unlocked. The flickering appears to be specific to Pixel 10 models, with no similar feedback from owners of older Pixel versions.

Reports on Reddit suggest that the flicker is evident when the screensaver activates during wireless charging and when the clock refreshes in AoD mode. Furthermore, some users have noted the screen turning entirely black for a moment after unlocking their phone. Although not all Pixel 10 devices exhibit the issue, a considerable number of users are impacted.

At present, the only solution for those affected is to turn off the always-on display feature. This can be accomplished by going to Settings > Display & touch > Always-on display and switching it off. This isn’t the first display problem encountered by Pixel 10 users; a prior issue involving the screen turning black during transitions was patched by Google in a later update.

As of now, Google has not officially responded to the AoD flicker issue, but if it is found to be widespread, a hotfix could be issued shortly. Users are recommended to remain alert for future updates concerning a possible resolution.

Comparison of Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, Snapdragon 8 Elite, Tensor G5, and Dimensity 9500

It has been an excellent year for smartphones, and the overall hardware landscape is at its peak. Qualcomm is achieving significant advancements with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, MediaTek has made similar strides with the Dimensity 9500, and even Google has stepped up its game with the Tensor G5, finally adopting TSMC’s 3nm process — the same utilized by Qualcomm and MediaTek.

Over the past month, I tested five devices featuring the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 — the OnePlus 15, POCO F8 Ultra, iQOO 15, Redmagic 11 Pro, and Realme GT 8 Pro — alongside four devices with the Dimensity 9500: Vivo X300 Pro, Find X9 Pro, and Find X9. Additionally, I explored key models from the Pixel 10 series, including the Pixel 10, 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

While I won’t delve too deeply into specifics for each platform, at a high level, all chip manufacturers are utilizing the latest cores and reporting impressive advancements. Clearly, Qualcomm stands out due to its implementation of custom cores in the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, with the platform showcasing a second-generation design featuring notable performance improvements, matched by increases in gaming capabilities.

That said, MediaTek’s achievements are even more captivating. The company is leveraging Arm’s latest cores, including the C1 Ultra, C1 Pro, and C1 Premium. The G1 Ultra GPU is outstanding as well, and overall, Arm has significantly enhanced its offerings this year. In that context, the Tensor G5 actually performs well this time around. Although it still does not utilize the latest Arm cores or match the speed provided by Qualcomm and MediaTek, it does not feel purposefully limited, which is an accomplishment in itself.

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 vs. Snapdragon 8 Elite vs. Tensor G5 vs. Dimensity 9500

Now, let’s examine how the new platforms perform in synthetic benchmarks. I am using the Redmagic 11 Pro and Redmagic 10S Pro to assess Qualcomm, the Vivo X300 Pro for the Dimensity 9500, and the Pixel 10 Pro XL with the Tensor G5.

The Geekbench 6 single-core scores indicate that Qualcomm truly has the leading single-core architecture on Android, thanks to a custom design and higher frequencies, with Qualcomm reaching up to 4.6GHz, while MediaTek peaks at 4.21GHz. As evident, the multi-core performance differences between the two are minimal, but compared to last year’s chipsets, there’s still a notable enhancement.

Similarly, Qualcomm leads in the 3DMark’s Wild Life benchmark, although results are balanced in the ray tracing-focused Solar Bay tests. The performance improvements over the previous year are not as pronounced, and these benchmarks starkly reveal how the Tensor G5 lags behind. Google emphasizes an AI-centric approach rather than chasing raw performance, which is reflected in the benchmarks.

Fortunately, this does not carry over to real-world scenarios. I utilized the Pixel 10 Pro XL as my primary phone for over two months, and it proved just as responsive as the POCO F8 Ultra or the X300 Pro for many everyday tasks. While it doesn’t perform as strongly in gaming — despite improved thermal management — there is noticeable throttling during prolonged gaming sessions. Nonetheless, it performs better than nearly every other Pixel I’ve used — which isn’t a high bar.

Regarding Qualcomm and MediaTek, there is essentially no significant difference in real-world performance. Both demonstrate comparable efficiency, but if I had to choose, I’d say the Dimensity 9500 comes out ahead — my Find X9 Pro lasts longer even though its battery is similar in size to that of the OnePlus 15.

Both chipsets deliver excellent gaming experiences, managing resource-intensive games effectively. There is some level of throttling with extended use, but it doesn’t markedly impact visual quality. The primary concern is overheating — this issue affects Qualcomm significantly more than MediaTek. In my experience, the Redmagic 11 Pro became considerably warmer than the X300 Pro during gaming sessions over an hour, and while it didn’t reach temperatures as high as during synthetic testing, it remained uncomfortable to grip.

The X300 Pro also heats up, but never to an extent that made it unmanageable. It peaked at 43 degrees Celsius, while the Redmagic 11 Pro exceeded 48 degrees and surpassed 52 degrees during 3DMark tests.

JBL Earbuds Now 60% Discounted on Amazon After Black Friday and Cyber Monday

The JBL Tune Flex earbuds typically sell for $100. Currently, they are available for only $40.

Google and AWS Team Up to Tackle Widespread Outage Problems

Both firms are aiming to eliminate significant outages altogether.

What you need to know

– Amazon and Google have reportedly announced their collaboration to develop a new “multicloud networking service.”
– The goal is to enable “reliable connectivity” and enhance “network interoperability” to ideally help minimize major outages.
– A significant outage that recently took place was on October 20, when AWS experienced downtime, resulting in a substantial portion of the internet going offline.

Following that substantial AWS disruption in October, Google and Amazon have come together to work towards rendering outages a thing of the past.

The collaboration between Amazon and Google was detailed by Reuters, which refers to a comment from both entities. Per the announcement, the two companies have united to establish a “multicloud networking service” aimed at promoting “reliable connectivity.” Reuters quotes Robert Kennedy, AWS’s vice president of network services, who remarked, “This partnership between AWS and Google Cloud signifies a critical evolution in multicloud connectivity.”

The intricate specifics of this new service indicate that Amazon’s portion of the agreement brings its internconnect-multicloud services into play.

This is complemented by Google Cloud’s Cross-Cloud Interconnect. Reports indicate that, in conjunction, the cloud services from Amazon and Google should enhance “network interoperability,” with the hope of decreasing the chances of significant outages disrupting the internet. Officially, Rob Enns, vice president and general manager of cloud networking at Google Cloud, informed Reuters that this cooperative effort is designed to streamline the movement of data and applications “between clouds” for users.

Amazon and Google assert that their collaborative initiative to develop this multicloud networking service should assist clients with “private” and “high-speed” connections between the two platforms.

October 20 marked a grim chapter… for several hours

It was hard to overlook, as October 20 was the date when a significant AWS outage affected thousands, effectively bringing the internet down for hours. AWS (Amazon Web Services) reached peak outage around 3 AM ET, though issues began around midnight. The outage severely impacted the US-EAST-1 (Northern Virginia) region, which serves as the largest data center hub for the service.

This disruption, which knocked out a portion of the internet, along with major applications like Reddit, Snapchat, and even Fortnite, highlighted a crucial reality: AWS is immensely relied upon. Global government services were also affected, amplifying calls for diversity in multi-cloud strategies to prevent such severe occurrences.

The problems within the EC2 network caused significant latency and “increased error rates” for users attempting to access online services. AWS even reported that its connection health was “degraded,” prompting ongoing efforts to address these issues. After approximately six hours, applications and services started to come back online, but the impact had already been felt.

Best Buy Provides $200 Off on Slim Galaxy Chromebook Plus, Aligning with Black Friday Pricing

The Black Friday sales may be over, yet Best Buy appears to have overlooked the update. Whether you’re indulging in some festive shopping or enhancing your home office, I recently spotted a lingering Cyber Monday Chromebook offer that warrants your immediate focus. Best Buy has opted to prolong a discount that slashes $200 off the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus, a super-light and adaptable laptop that excels at both productivity and leisure.

Having tested numerous Chromebooks over the years, the Galaxy Chromebook Plus distinguishes itself as one of the top laptops we’ve experienced. However, it does come with a hefty price tag, which makes offers like this vital for consumers.

Visit Best Buy today, and you’ll find a direct $200 reduction on the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus, one of our top Chromebook picks available. The purchase also includes a complimentary one-year subscription to the Google One AI Premium plan.

The Galaxy Chromebook Plus is additional evidence that Samsung excels in crafting stylish, lightweight devices that don’t compromise on performance or innovative features. Out of the box, the Chromebook Plus boasts a stunning 15.6-inch AMOLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate, powered by a robust Intel Core 3 100U processor and 8GB of RAM. There’s also 256GB of expandable storage and an impressive array of ports, especially considering that the laptop is just 11.8mm thick, making it sleeker than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. It is also the inaugural Chromebook to feature the Quick Insert key, a new functionality that facilitates access to Gemini and other streamlined AI features.

Naturally, the Galaxy Chromebook Plus has its limitations. For one, it lacks a touchscreen and a convertible design, and the battery life (estimated at a maximum of around 13 hours) could be better considering the high cost. Additionally, a fingerprint scanner is not included with the Galaxy Chromebook Plus, and you are restricted to the 256GB storage option (although storage expansion via a microSD card is possible).

On a $300-$500 Chromebook, these drawbacks might not be significant, but I generally expect more from laptops priced in the $750 range. Thankfully, this Best Buy promotion brings the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus much closer to the expected price point, just in time for the holiday shopping season.

Samsung’s Upcoming Galaxy Watch Ultra Pushed Back to 2026: Significance of the Restart

The anticipation may indeed yield beneficial results.

Pixel Watch Leak Unveils Progress on Gesture Controls Removing the Requirement for Touch

A gesture that has been observed gives off Apple Watch vibes as well.

Save 38% on Our Premier Band-Style Fitbit to Reach Your 2026 Fitness Objectives Cost-Effectively

The era of the Fitbit has come to a close, but that might be beneficial for your wallet.

It’s the moment to start considering those New Year’s resolutions, and if yours involve enhancing your fitness routine, I’ve discovered a remnant Cyber Monday Fitbit offer that could simplify things. The Fitbit Charge 6, the newest and finest band-style device from the brand, is still available at a 38% discount on Amazon, a full week after Black Friday.

This elegant wearable features a subtle, lightweight design, offers up to seven days of battery life, and incorporates all of the extensive health and fitness monitoring capabilities that established the brand’s reputation. However, it’s also several years old, and one might argue that Fitbit’s reign might be concluded now that Google has taken over the brand. Is this Fitbit Charge 6 offer even worthwhile? Let’s dive in.

Since finalizing its acquisition of the company in 2021, Google has been gradually reducing its focus on Fitbit in favor of the Pixel Watch. This is due to data suggesting that the majority of consumers today prefer to purchase a smartwatch with fitness capabilities instead of a device dedicated solely to fitness tracking.

This indicates that the Charge 6 could be the last conventional Fitbit we encounter, which is disappointing for those who merely wish to monitor their fitness objectives without the extra features (and the associated cost) of a smartwatch.

The silver lining is that, although it first appeared in stores in 2023, the Fitbit Charge 6 remains one of the finest fitness trackers money can buy. You receive the legendary petite design that once made Fitbit a household name, along with thorough health and fitness monitoring that tracks HR, SpO2, ECG, EDA, skin temperature, and more. Additionally, it includes features like sleep tracking, NFC, and GPS right out of the box, plus up to seven days of battery life on a single charge.

We were also pleased to find out that Google will eventually introduce new Fitbit hardware in 2026, so not all hope is lost for those who prefer band-style fitness trackers. So yes, if you’re after the best fitness wearable available, choose the Pixel Watch 4 or possibly a model from Garmin. But if you desire something lightweight and straightforward that doesn’t compromise on fitness-oriented specs, the Charge 6 continues to be an excellent option (especially at this price).

How Oakley Meta HSTN AI Smart Glasses Revamped My Spartan Race Journey and Enhanced My Training Drive

It’s about more than merely appearing attractive!

Meta Acquires Two Principal Designers from Apple, Indicating Significant Progress in VR, Smart Glasses, and AI

Alan Dye and Billy Sorrentino have been essential figures in influencing Apple’s design realm over the last ten years. Their recent transition to Meta’s Reality Labs division signifies a major transformation in the design landscape of the tech industry. Both designers are poised to shape the forthcoming generation of wearable technology, such as VR and smart glasses, at Meta.

Alan Dye, who has directed Apple’s user interface team since 2015, will now lead design efforts for hardware, software, and AI integration at Meta. His vast experience at Apple encompasses managing the Vision OS user interface design and playing a key role in significant redesigns of Apple’s operating systems. Dye’s responsibilities at Meta will include modernizing consumer devices with artificial intelligence capabilities, starting December 31.

Billy Sorrentino, recognized for his contributions to Apple’s Vision OS design, Liquid Glass, and the iPhone camera, will be part of Meta’s leading design team. Sorrentino’s award-winning design proficiency will be instrumental in shaping Meta’s Horizon OS, which drives the Meta Quest headsets and upcoming VR devices.

Meta has encountered difficulties in crafting interfaces for its VR headsets and smart glasses, frequently undertaking UI revisions. With the combined expertise of Dye and Sorrentino in Vision OS, Meta intends to develop more cohesive and efficient user interfaces, potentially affecting future products like Meta’s minimalist headset anticipated in 2026.

This strategic hiring initiative by Meta highlights its dedication to progress in the fields of AI, wearables, and spatial computing, capitalizing on the skills of two of Apple’s most prominent designers.