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.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
Adele: The Stories Behind The Songs
Caroline Sullivan
Carlton Books
Try out the test yourself
Q1 Suppose you had $100 in a savings account and the interest rate was 2 per cent per year. After five years, how much do you think you would have in the account if you left the money to grow?
a) More than $102
b) Exactly $102
c) Less than $102
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
Q2 Imagine that the interest rate on your savings account was 1 per cent per year and inflation was 2 per cent per year. After one year, how much would you be able to buy with the money in this account?
a) More than today
b) Exactly the same as today
c) Less than today
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
Q4 Do you think that the following statement is true or false? “Buying a single company stock usually provides a safer return than a stock mutual fund.”
a) True
b) False
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
The “Big Three” financial literacy questions were created by Professors Annamaria Lusardi of the George Washington School of Business and Olivia Mitchell, of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Answers: Q1 More than $102 (compound interest). Q2 Less than today (inflation). Q3 False (diversification).
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Kanye%20West
%3Cp%3EYe%20%E2%80%94%20the%20rapper%20formerly%20known%20as%20Kanye%20West%20%E2%80%94%20has%20seen%20his%20net%20worth%20fall%20to%20%24400%20million%20in%20recent%20weeks.%20That%E2%80%99s%20a%20precipitous%20drop%20from%20Bloomberg%E2%80%99s%20estimates%20of%20%246.8%20billion%20at%20the%20end%20of%202021.%3Cbr%3EYe%E2%80%99s%20wealth%20plunged%20after%20business%20partners%2C%20including%20Adidas%2C%20severed%20ties%20with%20him%20on%20the%20back%20of%20anti-Semitic%20remarks%20earlier%20this%20year.%3Cbr%3EWest%E2%80%99s%20present%20net%20worth%20derives%20from%20cash%2C%20his%20music%2C%20real%20estate%20and%20a%20stake%20in%20former%20wife%20Kim%20Kardashian%E2%80%99s%20shapewear%20firm%2C%20Skims.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog
From: Upper Egypt
Age: 78
Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila
Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace
Favourite building in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
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