Google has used all the key words to describe its newest smartphones, with artificial intelligence of course the central theme.
The Alphabet-owned company introduced its new Pixel 10 line-up of smartphones on Wednesday, continuing to challenge heavyweights Apple and Samsung Electronics.
The biggest upgrades on the new devices feature a more AI-focused chip, new AI-powered camera tricks and what Google says is an even better AI system.
"Our 10th generation of Pixel phones come with a refined design, cutting-edge AI, enhanced cameras and more helpful support than ever," Stephanie Scott, product manager at Google, said in a blog post.
What are the new Pixels?
Google released four devices, including the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL and Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
The Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro each have a 6.3-inch (16cm) display, though the latter has a higher resolution and maximum brightness. The XL has a 6.8-inch screen and even higher resolution.
As is the case with token upgrades, the only difference they have from their predecessors is increased brightness.
Google says all of them can run for more than 24 hours, similar to the 9 series, although battery capacities have been bumped up. Even charging times remain the same: up to 55 per cent in about 30 minutes with a Google 45W USB-C charger, sold separately, for the 10 and 10 Pro, and up to 70 per cent for the 10 Pro XL. Switch on extreme battery saver and all devices could give you more than 100 hours of life, Google says.
Memory and capacity options remain the same for the 10 and 10 Pro, 12GB of RAM and 128GB and 256GB of storage for the former, and 16GB of RAM and additional 512GB and 1TB options for the 10 Pro. For the 10 Pro XL, Google eliminated the 128GB version – that's becoming a theme lately – with choices at 256GB, 512GB and 1TB, all with 16GB of RAM.
The 512GB and 1TB versions of the 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL now also come with Zoned UFS, which, in simplest terms, is the latest standard in allowing faster storage speeds. Google, however, has yet to give details of how this upgrade – the first change on this front since 2021's Pixel 6 line-up – will relate to performance.
The Pixel 10 now has a triple lens system, against the Pixel 9's dual setup.
For the Pixel 10 Pro, the sole difference from its predecessor is that its telephoto lens now has optical image stabilisation, which is the same case for the XL.
New Pixel Fold and updated AI
Meanwhile, Google's newest foldable, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, has not changed much either. Dimension-wise, it's akin to the 9 Pro Fold, the only two upgrades being a bigger 6.4-inch cover display and higher brightness. The main inner screen stays put at 8 inches.
The foldable shares the same memory and storage options as the 10 Pro XL, as well as a triple camera that has lower sensor sizes.
Its battery, which can also last for more than 24 hours, has been bumped up – 5015mAh from 4650mAh – with Google saying this now results in more than 84 hours with extreme battery saving, from the 9 Pro Fold's 72 hours.
All four new Pixels use the Google Tensor G5 chip, built to handle more complex AI tasks.
Speaking of which, all smartphones have Gemini Nano, which Google has described as its "most efficient" on-device AI model. Of course, you'll also get Google's AI regulars, including Gemini Live, Gemini apps, Pixel Screenshots, Magic Cue, Circle to Search, Live Translate and Call Assist, among others.
Is it available in the UAE?
Not directly from Google. Unlike Apple and Samsung, Google does not have an official retail channel. In fact, Google Store only has a retail presence in 38 countries – none in the Middle East and North Africa, and the closest being India – its website says.
Pixel smartphones, however, have been sold through online platforms such as Amazon and Noon, although there would be a premium as a result of shipping costs and taxes. Also, the device might come without warranty, so this is an important consideration should you decide to pursue one.
The starting prices of the Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL and 10 Pro Fold are $799, $999, $1,199 and $1,799, respectively.
Google said establishing a presence in certain markets is a "process [that] takes time", a representative told The National on Thursday.
"A lot of work goes behind supplying our products like ensuring product readiness, engineering support [and] distribution, as well as customer service," the representative said.
ICC Intercontinental Cup
UAE squad Rohan Mustafa (captain), Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Saqlain Haider, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Naveed, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Boota, Amir Hayat, Ashfaq Ahmed
Fixtures Nov 29-Dec 2
UAE v Afghanistan, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Hong Kong v Papua New Guinea, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Ireland v Scotland, Dubai International Stadium
Namibia v Netherlands, ICC Academy, Dubai
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
The lowdown
Bohemian Rhapsody
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee
Rating: 3/5
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HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX RESULT
1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 1:39:46.713
2. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 00:00.908
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-GP 00:12.462
4. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-GP 00:12.885
5. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing 00:13.276
6. Fernando Alonso, McLaren 01:11.223
7. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 1 lap
8. Sergio Perez, Force India 1 lap
9. Esteban Ocon, Force India 1 lap
10. Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren 1 lap
11. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso 1 lap
12. Jolyon Palmer, Renault 1 lap
13. Kevin Magnussen, Haas 1 lap
14. Lance Stroll, Williams 1 lap
15. Pascal Wehrlein, Sauber 2 laps
16. Marcus Ericsson, Sauber 2 laps
17r. Nico Huelkenberg, Renault 3 laps
r. Paul Di Resta, Williams 10 laps
r. Romain Grosjean, Haas 50 laps
r. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing 70 laps
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
Saturday's results
Women's third round
- 14-Garbine Muguruza Blanco (Spain) beat Sorana Cirstea (Romania) 6-2, 6-2
- Magdalena Rybarikova (Slovakia) beat Lesia Tsurenko (Ukraine) 6-2, 6-1
- 7-Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) beat Polona Hercog (Slovenia) 6-4. 6-0
- Coco Vandeweghe (USA) beat Alison Riske (USA) 6-2, 6-4
- 9-Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) beat 19-Timea Bacsinszky (Switzerland) 3-6, 6-4, 6-1
- Petra Martic (Croatia) beat Zarina Diyas (Kazakhstan) 7-6, 6-1
- Magdalena Rybarikova (Slovakia) beat Lesia Tsurenko (Ukraine) 6-2, 6-1
- 7-Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) beat Polona Hercog (Slovenia) 6-4, 6-0
Men's third round
- 13-Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) beat Dudi Sela (Israel) 6-1, 6-1 -- retired
- Sam Queery (United States) beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France) 6-2, 3-6, 7-6, 1-6, 7-5
- 6-Milos Raonic (Canada) beat 25-Albert Ramos (Spain) 7-6, 6-4, 7-5
- 10-Alexander Zverev (Germany) beat Sebastian Ofner (Austria) 6-4, 6-4, 6-2
- 11-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) beat David Ferrer (Spain) 6-3, 6-4, 6-3
- Adrian Mannarino (France) beat 15-Gael Monfils (France) 7-6, 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-2
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
The biog
Hobbies: Writing and running
Favourite sport: beach volleyball
Favourite holiday destinations: Turkey and Puerto Rico
PROFILE OF STARZPLAY
Date started: 2014
Founders: Maaz Sheikh, Danny Bates
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment/Streaming Video On Demand
Number of employees: 125
Investors/Investment amount: $125 million. Major investors include Starz/Lionsgate, State Street, SEQ and Delta Partners
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
