Google Nest Audio and Chromecast with Google TV retail leaks reveal even more details before next week’s launch

Google recently started sending out media invites for its upcoming Pixel 5 launch event. In the invite, the company revealed that it would showcase the Pixel 4a 5G and the Pixel 5 at the event, along with a new Chromecast device and a smart speaker. While the company is yet to unveil any details about the upcoming devices, we’ve already seen plenty of leaks in the last couple of weeks that have given us a good look at all the devices and their specifications. Just a few days ago, we saw an extensive leak of the new Google Chromecast and Nest Audio smart speaker which revealed almost everything about their design and hardware. Now, just a week ahead of the launch, retail packaging of the devices have been spotted online, revealing even more information.

A retail listing of the upcoming Google Nest Audio smart speaker (AKA Google J2) has popped up on Lowe’s. The listing includes several images of the speaker along with a few key specifications. As per the listing, the Nest Audio smart speaker will measure in at 6.89 x 4.88 x 3.07 inches and it will weigh 2.64lbs, which puts it somewhere between the Nest Mini and the original Google Home.

The smart speaker still features a fabric cover like the older models and has a few LED indicators underneath the fabric to indicate when Google Assistant has been activated. The speaker also looks to have a mute switch on the back.

Looks like walmart jumped the gun on the unreleased speaker from google. @Google @Walmart @madebygoogle #NestAudio #GoogleNest #Leak #HeyGoogle @MKBHD pic.twitter.com/aUrExg0Cwx

— Marcos Frausto (@SweetDaddy69) September 24, 2020

Twitter user Marcos Frausto has also shared an image of the retail packaging of the Google Nest Audio smart speaker, which was spotted at a Walmart outlet. While the retail packaging doesn’t list the price of the speaker, previous leaks suggest that it could retail for around €100.

Furthermore, a video showing off the retail packaging of the new Chromecast device was recently shared on Reddit by u/jsterninja. The packaging confirms that Google will be rebranding Android TV as Google TV with the new Chromecast device. It also shows the remote we saw in previous leaks, which features a dedicated Google Assistant button, a D-Pad, a YouTube button, a Netflix button, and more.

In the comments, the Redditor has revealed that the Chromecast device has a USB Type-C port (likely for power) and more details about the remote. As per the information on the box, the remote will be called ‘Google Chromecast Voice Remote’ and it will take 2 AAA batteries. As with the smart speaker, the Chromecast box doesn’t mention any pricing information. However, previous leaks suggest that it will retail for around $49.

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Source: Lowe’s, Reddit, Twitter

Via: Twitter

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Developers can now start building Windows apps with Flutter

Flutter is an open-source app development framework made by Google. One of its main goals is to make developing for multiple platforms easier, by allowing developers to share a single codebase across multiple targets. Up until now, you could use Flutter to build a unified application for Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, and the web. If you look closely, you’ll notice there’s a pretty important operating system missing from that list. That omission is now being remedied, as Google has announced that Flutter for Windows is now available in alpha. With that, Flutter has become possibly the most cross-platform framework available for developers.

Windows support means a lot of things, but arguably the biggest effect is that it’s now possible to develop an app for 6 different platforms, without the need for 6 different codebases. On top of encouraging developers to start using Flutter, it also means existing Flutter-based apps can now natively come to Windows.

This is proper support, too. Google has updated the Flutter toolchain to properly support the Windows CLI, along with adding the necessary Win32 shell app that contains the actual Flutter app. And just like with the rest of the platforms, if there’s something you need to do in native code, you can do that too, thanks to Flutter’s plugin system.

If you’re curious how Flutter looks on Windows, Google also has you covered. You won’t need to download the entire SDK and build your own app. Instead, you can take a look at a couple of Windows-compatible Flutter apps, such as Flokk by gskinner and Flutter Gallery.

Finally, if you want to set up your own Flutter for Windows environment, here’s how. First, follow Google’s instructions for installing the Flutter tools on Windows. Next, enable Windows support by running the following commands.

flutter channel dev
flutter upgrade
flutter config --enable-windows-desktop

And that’s it! You should now have Flutter for Windows up and running. If you need more information, see Google’s documentation. Happy developing for all platforms!

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Google Maps adds a COVID-19 layer to track coronavirus trends by region

Earlier this year, Google Maps added new safety features to help people navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, Google is adding a layer that will display COVID-19 outbreak data. The COVID-19 layer was originally discovered by Jane Manchun Wong earlier this month.

According to Google, the COVID-19 layer will show information for all 220 countries and territories that Google Maps supports, along with state or province, county, and city-level data where available. Information included in the COVID-19 layer will be sourced from “multiple authoritative sources,” such as Johns Hopkins, The New York Times, and Wikipedia. These sources, in turn, get data from public health organizations, including the World Health Organization.

The COVID-19 layer in Google Maps lets users see outbreak information by state and county.

Google said the new COVID-19 layer will display a seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people for the area of the map you’re looking at. Color coding will also be used to help people easily distinguish the density of new cases in an area, and there will be labels that indicate whether cases are trending up or down.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 earlier this year, Google has been active in using its resources to help people track SARS-CoV-2. One of the company’s major initiatives saw it partner with Apple to create the Exposure Notifications System, an API and Bluetooth Low Energy spec designed to securely implement contact tracing in apps.

With summer winding down and the busy holiday period on the horizon — not to mention an election in the U.S. — being able to easily access COVID-19 data in such a widely used app should be helpful for people attempting to navigate the pandemic. Google said the new COVID-19 layer in Google Maps will roll out worldwide on Android and iOS beginning this week.

Maps - Navigate & Explore (Free, Google Play) →

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A new Pixel 4a 5G leak confirms it has the same processor but cheaper build than the Google Pixel 5

Yesterday, we got a thorough look at the upcoming Google Pixel 5. Thanks to Roland Quandt from WinFuture once again, we have an equally detailed look at the Pixel 4a 5G, which features some notable similarities to Google’s upcoming flagship.

If specs are all you care about, the Pixel 4a 5G matches the Pixel 5 in some key areas.

Similarities:

• The Pixel 4a 5G will feature the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor as the Pixel 5.
• The Pixel 4a 5G’s display will feature the same 2340 x 1080 resolution as the Pixel 5 display. However, the Pixel 4a 5G’s display will reportedly be 6.2 inches, while the Pixel 5 screen is rumored to be 6 inches.
• The Pixel 4a 5G will come equipped with a dual-camera setup, with a 12.2MP main lens and a 16MP wide-angle lens. It’ll also feature an 8MP front-facing camera. Those specs match what’s been rumored for the Pixel 5.
• The Pixel 4a 5G will offer 128GB of internal storage just like the Pixel 5.
• The Pixel 4a 5G is rumored to offer 18W charging over USB-C, matching the Pixel 5.
• Both devices are said to support 1080p at 240FPS and 4K60 video recording.

If all you’re looking at is key specs, the Pixel 4a 5G is quite similar to the Pixel 5. But there are some differences worth noting, according to WinFuture’s report.

Differences:

• The Pixel 4a 5G’s battery is said to be 3,885mAh, smaller than the Pixel 5’s rumored 4,080mAh battery. The Pixel 4a 5G also won’t feature wireless charging or reverse wireless charging, something that WinFuture previously said the Pixel 5 will get.
• The Pixel 4a 5G will apparently come with 6GB of RAM instead of 8GB of RAM in the Pixel 5.
• The Pixel 4a 5G’s display will feature a refresh rate of 60Hz, rather than the Pixel 5’s rumored 90Hz display.
• The Pixel 4a 5G is said to come with Gorilla Glass 3 instead of the Pixel 5’s reported Gorilla Glass 6.
• The Pixel 4a 5G seemingly doesn’t feature any sort of IP rating, while the Pixel 5 is expected to feature IP68 water and dust resistance.
• The Pixel 4a 5G only has two microphones, rather than three.
• Due to its larger size and build materials, the Pixel 4a 5G is expected to be heavier than the Pixel 5 (168g vs 151g).
• The Pixel 4a 5G will be 153.9 x 74 x 8.2 mm compared to the Pixel 5 at 144.7 x 70.4 x 8 mm.

One area where the Pixel 4a 5G might have an advantage over the Pixel 5 is it’s expected to feature a 3.5mm headphone jack.

If you care about the design, this is one area where the Pixel 4a 5G will fall short compared to the Pixel 5. The Pixel 4a 5G is rumored to feature a polycarbonate build, while the Pixel 5 is expected to use metal.

Google Pixel 4a 5G Forums ||| Google Pixel 5 Forums

Google previously confirmed the Pixel 4a 5G will be available for €499. There’s no confirmation yet on how much the Pixel 5 will cost, but rumors suggest it’ll cost €629 in Europe.

Google has an event scheduled for September 30, where the company is expected to share more details about the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5. We’re also expecting a new Nest speaker, a new Chromecast with Google TV, and maybe even a new Nest router.

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Samsung’s ECG monitoring app goes live on the Galaxy Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch Active 2 in the US

Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch Active 2 users in the United States patiently waiting to use their smartwatches’ electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor don’t have to wait any longer. After getting FDA clearance for its ECG monitoring app in August, Samsung on Wednesday announced the functionality is rolling out to both smartwatches. ECG capabilities were previously made available to users in South Korea.

The feature will allow Galaxy Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch Active 2 owners to monitor their heart rhythm for irregularities, according to Samsung, and detect irregularities such as Atrial Fibrillation (AFib). To take a reading, place your fingertip on the top button, and your watch will record an ECG. Samsung recommends users be seated when testing.

Once a reading is recorded, users can log symptoms, such as fatigue or dizziness, and view a PDF report in Samsung’s Health Monitor app when connected to a Galaxy-branded phone. According to Samsung, the ECG feature isn’t meant for users with known arrhythmias or for anyone under 22 years old. The feature also doesn’t detect heart attacks. “Users should not interpret or take clinical action based on the device output without consultation of a qualified professional,” Samsung warns. “The ECG Monitor app is not intended to replace traditional methods of diagnosis or treatment and is for information purpose only.”

In addition to ECG monitoring, Samsung also points to the Galaxy Watch 3’s ability to monitor blood oxygen levels, which was first detailed in an update in August. Monitoring your blood oxygen levels will allow you to track how well your respiratory system is transferring oxygen into the bloodstream. Apple’s recently announced Watch Series 6 introduced a similar feature.

The addition of ECG monitoring in the Galaxy Watch 3 and Galaxy Active 2 rounds out what are excellent wearables from Samsung. The wearables can track your sleep, provide fitness feedback, and track your workouts, among other features. The Galaxy Watch 3 is available from Samsung’s website for $369 as of this writing, $30 off its usual $399 price. Samsung is also gearing up to launch the Galaxy Watch 3 in titanium on October 2 for $599.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 3

The Galaxy Watch 3 is arguably the best smartwatch to pair with an Android phone, and it doesn't even run Android itself.

Buy at Samsung

Galaxy Watch 3 Specs

Specifications	Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
Dimensions & Weight	41mm: 41.0 x 42.5 x 11.3 mm, 48g 45mm: 45.0 x 46.2 x 11.1mm, 53g
Display	41mm: 1.2″ Super AMOLED Corning Gorilla Glass DX 45mm: 1.4″ Super AMOLED Corning Gorilla Glass DX
Watchband size	Large: 22.0 x 130.0 x 9.4mm Small: 20.0 x 115.0 x 9.4mm
Memory	1GB RAM, 8GB internal storage
Connectivity	LTE Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, 2.4GHz Bluetooth v5.0
Other features	2 physical buttons Rotating bezel Mic Linear Motor Speaker
Sensors	8 LED photoplethysmography (PPG) Electrocardiogram (ECG) Accelerometer (up to 32G) Gyroscope Barometer Ambient light
NFC Payments	Yes, Samsung Pay
Battery	41mm: 247mAh 45mm: 340mAh
Durability	5ATM + IP68/ MIL-STD-810G
OS	Tizen Based Wearable OS 5.5

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MWC 2021 delayed from March to June 2021 due to COVID-19 concerns

Big tech conferences were canceled left and right this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Though some events managed to successfully go virtual, others, like MWC 2020, weren’t able to make the transition in time. If you were hoping that things would return to normal next year, we have some bad news to share. With no end in sight to the COVID-19 pandemic, the GSMA has decided to delay MWC 2021.

MWC 2021 was originally scheduled to be held in March 2021 in Barcelona, Spain. However, SARS-CoV-2 will likely still be a major concern around that time. Even if the Spain manages to contain the spread of the coronavius, an international event the size of MWC 2021 could reintroduce the disease to Spain and even spread it to other parts of the world again. While the first batch of vaccines may be ready by March, it’ll take a while before it’s been safely administered to most people—and it seems a vaccine is the only real way the world can return to some sense of normalcy. Because of this risk, the GSMA has decided to postpone MWC 2021 until June of next year.

[ANNOUNCEMENT]
#GSMA today announced a rescheduling of MWC Barcelona & MWC Shanghai 2021.

Moving the Barcelona event to 28 June – 1 July 2021 allows the GSMA to contend with external circumstances related to COVID-19.

Read the latest details – https://t.co/b9lG6sn67g #MWC21 pic.twitter.com/MHGzjTghFH

— GSMA (@GSMA) September 23, 2020

It is not clear if this postponement will affect smartphone launches planned for next year as it did when MWC 2020 was canceled. While it’s true that a lot of smartphones launched during the first half of the year are announced during MWC, most companies have already learned their lesson this year and will likely have contingencies in place. Since MWC was cancelled this year, most smartphone announcements were made by each OEM at their own virtual events. Samsung’s first Unpacked event of each year, while typically occur around the same time as MWC, are almost always a separate event, so that is likely to go on as normal. We can expect the same will happen for next year’s smartphone announcements: They will be held online. MWC 2021, then, if it ends up actually happening, may instead be the place for other mobile-related announcements or smaller launch events.

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OxygenOS 11 Beta 2 (Android 11) rolls out for the OnePlus 8 series with a new “Canvas” feature

OnePlus on Wednesday rolled out the second beta of OxygenOS 11 for the OnePlus 8 series, introducing a handful of important system fixes and optimizations. The company has also added a new ambient display feature that will bring some style to your device.

Some of the system changes include a fix for a black screen issue when users entered the “Tips & Support” interface, and a fix for the failure to wake up Google Assistant in certain situations. OnePlus has also addressed an issue that saw numbers disappear in the Timer under some special circumstances.

But it’s a new ambient display feature that is the most interesting addition to the OnePlus 8 series in OxygenOS 11 Open Beta 2. Known as “Canvas,” the feature “can automatically draw a wireframe picture based on a lock screen photo on your phone,” the release notes explain.

The gallery above shows what the Canvas feature looks like in action. Essentially, the phone automatically sketches the photo you’ve set for your lock screen. Users will be able to view the wireframe picture at any time without waking up their screen. Canvas can be found by going to Settings > Customization > Wallpaper > Canvas > Choose photo preview.

This is the second beta of OxygenOS 11 for the OnePlus 8 series. The company previously introduced the first beta back in August, which we got our hands on. The first beta featured a number of notable changes, including Always On Display, a Conversations section in notifications, and more.

OnePlus 8 Forums ||| OnePlus 8 Pro Forums

OnePlus also recently detailed OxygenOS 11’s emphasis on one-handed use, analyzing anthropometric data to determine the general regions of the screen where people can easily reach.

OxygenOS 11 Open Beta 2 for the OnePlus 8 Series – Changelog, Downloads

You can download OxygenOS 11 beta 2 for the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro below. Here’s the full changelog:

System

• Optimized some UI display in Settings
• Fixed the low probability issue that widgets did not respond
• Fixed the failure to wake up Google Assistant in some cases
• Fixed the issue that the HD icon on the call log interface was not centered
• Fixed the black screen issue when user entered “Tips & Support” interface
• Improved the system stability

Clock

• Fixed the issue that numbers disappeared in Timer under some special circumstances

Ambient display

• Newly added Canvas feature that can automatically draw a wireframe picture based on a lock screen photo on your phone. You can view it anytime without waking up the screen (Path: Settings-Customization-Wallpaper-Canvas-Choose photo preview and it can be generated automatically)

Network

• Optimize the power consumption of the Smart 5G

Download OxygenOS 11 Open Beta 2 Full OTA: OnePlus 8 ||| OnePlus 8 Pro

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