Tag: Source: Androidcentral.com

Google indicates that the ads will be enhanced using AI in conjunction with shorter formats.

Pixel’s New Transit Feature: Streamlining Your Commute Experience

Google has rolled out a new capability for Pixel devices known as Transit mode, aimed at improving the user journey during everyday travels. This function, integrated into the Android 16 QPR3 update, permits users to automate various phone settings while moving, whether by train, bus, or car.

Transit mode represents a notable enhancement to the existing Modes feature on Pixel smartphones, replacing the conventional Do Not Disturb configuration. It grants users the ability to tailor notifications and interruptions according to their commuting preferences.

Key Highlights of Transit Mode:

1. **Automatic Sound Control**: Transit mode can seamlessly transition your phone from regular sound mode to silent or vibrate, avoiding disruptive ringtones in crowded areas.

2. **Bluetooth Control**: Users have the option to activate or deactivate Bluetooth connectivity while commuting.

3. **Notification Management**: This mode lets users designate which contacts or applications are permitted to send notifications, ensuring that only vital alerts come through.

4. **Customizable Preferences**: Users can modify Transit mode settings by going to Settings > Modes > Transit on their Pixel device. Here, they can adjust volume behaviors, manage connectivity options, and specify which notifications to permit.

5. **Commute Insights**: The At a Glance widget on Pixel devices will now offer expanded commute information, including reasons for delays on regular routes.

To enable Transit mode, users must provide permissions such as background location access for Google Maps and establish their home and work addresses. It could take several weeks for Google Maps to understand commuting habits and begin delivering alerts.

At present, Transit mode is accessible on Pixel 7 and newer models worldwide, excluding Europe and the UK. This feature is part of Google’s continuous efforts to improve the capabilities of Pixel devices through routine updates, making daily commutes more convenient and less disruptive.

Acquiring a firm like this embarks on a journey toward gesture controls.

Oura’s recent purchase of Doublepoint, a company focused on AI-powered technology for biometrics and gesture controls, represents a noteworthy advancement in improving user interaction through cutting-edge gesture control functionalities. Oura intends to merge Doublepoint’s technology with its health-centric strategy to provide “subtle, beneficial features” that enhance user experience. Although details regarding the gesture controls are scarce, Oura’s CEO, Tom Hale, highlights the significance of AI and user interaction methods, indicating a future where basic movements operate devices. This acquisition is in line with Oura’s dedication to user health, illustrated by their recent Preventive Health update, which tackles chronic stress and possible hypertension threats. As Oura goes on to innovate, the inclusion of gesture controls could transform how users engage with wearable technology, ensuring a smooth and intuitive experience.

Somehow, the Find N6 from OPPO has succeeded in introducing a foldable device with a seamless inner display, making it a pleasure to use.

The Garmin Venu 4, an elite fitness watch, is now offered at a special price of £389.99, reduced from its initial £469.99, as part of Amazon’s Spring Deal Days promotion. This limited-time deal showcases an impressive 17% discount on a device celebrated for its elegant design, AMOLED display, and extensive health and fitness monitoring features. The Venu 4 comes with dual-band GPS, ECG, HRV, SpO2, and skin temperature sensors, positioning it as a prime selection for fitness aficionados. Although it has a slightly bulkier design and slower charging times in comparison to its predecessor, the Venu 4 continues to be an appealing choice for those in pursuit of advanced fitness tracking features and smartwatch capabilities, such as Bluetooth calling and voice commands. This promotion is a unique chance to obtain a high-end fitness watch at an exceptionally low price, making it a desirable option for individuals aiming to elevate their fitness journey with state-of-the-art technology.

The Galaxy S26 devices are set to receive a security-centric update just ahead of their wider release.

**OnePlus and Oppo Increase Smartphone Costs in China Due to Escalating Memory Expenses**

OnePlus and Oppo have revealed plans to boost smartphone prices in China effective March 16, 2026, attributed to escalating component expenses. All OnePlus devices will experience price hikes, while Oppo will primarily increase prices for its budget and mid-tier products. The price adjustments are presently confined to China, although global markets may experience similar increases in the future.

This move comes on the heels of Samsung’s recent price adjustment for the Galaxy S26 series. Both firms pointed to rising expenses of essential mobile phone components as the cause for the price changes. Currently, Oppo’s flagship Find and Reno series, along with the Oppo Pad collection, remain unaffected.

OnePlus has verified that it is not raising prices in the U.S. at this time, but did not dismiss potential future increases. Oppo does not market its phones directly in the U.S., but its affiliated brand OnePlus provides several options there. Should the company adopt a similar approach globally, price hikes for models like the OnePlus 15R and OnePlus 13 could be anticipated.

Smartphone prices are projected to increase this year as the market persists in its slowdown. Analysts express concerns that global smartphone shipments might dip below figures witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is yet to be determined which other brands may implement comparable price hikes.

Google’s Gemini AI assistant, embedded in Chrome, is broadening its availability to individuals in India, Canada, and New Zealand. This extension features support for over 50 extra languages, including Hindi, French, and Spanish, improving accessibility and function for a wider audience. The capabilities of the Gemini 3.1 model drive these enhancements, ensuring a smooth experience across various platforms. On desktops and iOS, Gemini can be accessed through an icon in the upper-right corner, while Android users can activate it by pressing the power button.

Gemini in Chrome serves as a tailored browsing assistant, permitting users to chat for immediate answers or creative ideas without navigating away from their current web page. It can provide summaries of long web pages, create quizzes, and respond to numerous inquiries, such as converting recipes into vegan versions. Moreover, it retains a record of previously visited pages, assisting users in managing their tabs more effectively.

The AI assistant can also examine multiple open tabs, unifying information into a single view, which proves beneficial for activities like research or shopping comparisons. It works seamlessly with popular applications such as Gmail, Maps, Calendar, and YouTube, allowing users to set up meetings, obtain location information, engage with videos, or write and send emails directly from the browser.

Google has further rolled out the Nano Banana 2 model in Chrome, enabling users to modify images online without the need to upload files or open additional tabs. This functionality enhances the user experience by allowing for quick edits, such as experimenting with different furniture arrangements before making a purchase.

Security remains a core concern for Google, with Gemini in Chrome created to identify and prevent threats, including prompt injection attacks. The system necessitates user approval for sensitive actions and utilizes automated red-teaming alongside Chrome’s auto-updates to swiftly tackle new threats.

For users in the newly supported areas, Gemini’s tools are set to transform browsing by conserving time and increasing productivity. However, users are advised to manage permissions cautiously to prevent unintended disruptions, such as calendar errors.

TCL not only produces phones and TVs; the company also manufactures the displays for these devices, providing them to numerous other firms. TCL China Star Optoelectronics Technology (CSOT), a branch of TCL Technology Group, focuses on display manufacturing, and at MWC 2026, the company unveiled several display advancements, many targeted at mobile devices.

There was an abundance to exhibit at the booth; too much for me to detail here. However, here are the most captivating items I noticed at the TCL CSOT booth.

Super Pixel

The highlight at the booth was the cutting-edge Super Pixel technology. This innovation seems to provide multiple advantages, from enhanced clarity to reduced power usage and improved refresh rates.

Super Pixels differ from standard display pixels due to their configuration. TCL CSOT states that sub-pixel density is boosted by 1.8%, which may seem minimal, but this significantly enhances image sharpness. Unlike traditional pixels, which often rely on colors from neighboring pixels to achieve the desired effect, Super Pixels have a genuine RGB setup for authentic “Pixel-level picture quality.”

TCL CSOT claims that this technology can cut display power consumption by 25% because the display operates more efficiently. Thus, even with a high 420ppi, a Super Pixel display will consume less power than a WQHD or FHD+ display of equivalent size.

Ultimately, TCL CSOT has achieved an impressive 165Hz refresh rate, which is particularly popular among gaming smartphones.

What’s even better is that TCL’s Super Pixel technology is already being commercially utilized and can be found in Xiaomi’s latest smartphones.

Portable and foldable monitor

TCL CSOT’s Portable IJP OLED Monitor Display takes the concept of a trifold monitor to new heights. When closed, it resembles a large 16-inch notebook, but unfold the sides and you’re greeted with an expansive 28-inch ultra-wide display.

TCL CSOT boasts it has the “world’s largest waterdrop hinge” to facilitate enhanced versatility across different modes. The display is indeed very reflective, and the bezels are quite large; I would love to see TCL incorporate its NXTPAPER technology into something like this to minimize glare.

That said, it’s still an impressively designed and very cool device, and the integrated stand further enhances its utility for increased productivity on the move. Could you imagine using a portable foldable monitor like this?

Foldable laptop

TCL CSOT also unveiled a foldable laptop created for Huawei, noted as the world’s first tandem LTPO flexible laptop, capable of a refresh rate ranging from 10-120Hz and featuring a high contrast ratio.

This isn’t the first instance of a foldable laptop, but they remain relatively scarce, and the execution appears solid. You can operate it in a traditional laptop mode, with the lower part of the display designated as a touch keyboard, or lay it flat like a large tablet, ideal for creative work or media consumption.

If a touch keyboard doesn’t suit your needs, you can slide a physical keyboard onto the bottom section to effectively transform it into a conventional laptop.

Ultra-bright display

Smartphone displays seem to brighten each passing year, with recent models surpassing 6,000 nits. It almost feels excessive, but TCL CSOT is pushing the boundaries further with the world’s brightest OLED display, achieving an astounding 15,000 nits. With such brightness, you shouldn’t face issues viewing your display under direct sunlight, although I am curious about its impact on battery consumption.

Smallest bezel

While I appreciate flip phones, one issue I have with them is their relatively wide bezels. TCL CSOT is attempting to rectify this by unveiling the world’s narrowest border on a foldable OLED display.

I didn’t obtain a specific measurement of the bezel’s size, but it is noticeably slimmer than any other flip phone bezel I’ve encountered, and I’ve tested quite a number of them.

To add to this, the phone was undergoing its own folding test to demonstrate the display’s durability. It’ll certainly be intriguing to see if and when Android OEMs will embrace such a slim display on their foldables, though the larger borders are partly to serve as bumpers to prevent the display glass from colliding with itself.

Sun screen

Finally, the last innovation I found notable was TCL CSOT’s natural light-certified mobile OLED display. The concept is that rather than simply being a bright display to counteract sunlight obscuring your screen, the phone employs a second-generation circular polarizer technology to diminish glare.

Furthermore, it’s

Naturally, Gemini is leading the way.