Hey guys!
It’s almost time again for the latest and greatest iterations of Pixel devices, where Google will show off their newest hardware and software upgrades to the masses.
The event will debut on October 4th at 10 AM EST (https://dateful.com/convert/est-edt-eastern-time?t=10am&d=2023-10-04), showcasing what’s to be the Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and likely the Pixel Watch 2.
Rumors indicate signs pointing to a new Tensor chip in the Pixel devices, temperature sensors, Magic Audio removal features for video clips, and even a Qualcomm-based chip in the Pixel Watch 2.
Feel free to watch the event and sign up to be notified when it’s live, at the following YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxlaUCJZ27E
See you all soon!
Temperature sensor? Is this a typo?
Do they come with an SD slot?
Yes, temperature sensor! I couldn’t tell you why, but maybe they have some super secret feature planned.
No SD slot no. Modern smartphones don’t have them anymore since they are a security risk.
Security risk? How so? By not allowing the manufacturer to get 100s of dollars for a few more GB of storage?
https://www.engadget.com/2011-01-29-android-2-3-security-bug-shows-microsd-access-vulnerability.html
It’s been well documented. They can also use them to place malicious files on and potentially gain access to the phone by having the Android phone read them and run malicious code.
So do you argue that all manufacturers should get rid of the usb port as well and switch to wireless charging because juicejacking is a thing?
That’s a really poor argument to make when the usb port is more prone to attacks (as it requires 0 app use on the user front) vs sd cards, which requires a user to hand over permissions.
If you yank out an SD card on it from a phone that was forgotten behind:
- You now have access to all of the potentially unencrypted files on it
- Threat actors can replace trusted files with malicious ones to exploit potential vulnerabilities in applications running on the Android device
- In 5 seconds you’ve walked away with it, as opposed to a laptop which requires you to physically unscrew it
If you have a phone without an SD card they only have access to the USB port, which is locked with software and in some cases hardware. Removing the SD card slot is one less attack vector, it will make the device more secure one way or another.
Leaving your laptop around someone can also yank the SSD. Modern laptop operating systems generally have the option to encrypt their storage devices.
You can encrypt microSD cards but you must do file transfers through the phone itself through USB which I guess is no different than having an encrypted drive on a laptop. I haven’t looked into how modern SD encryption works on Android.
Arguing security flaws based on someone having physical acess to a device is on a completely different level of vulnerabilities.
Thats like treating vulnerabilities like Spectre/Meltdown/Downfall/Zenbleed on the same category as ones that require physical access to the machine, many which dont get names due to being severe is small because they are firmware patched quickly.
On the topic of SD card encryption, its not native to android, however many companies who offer sd card models(e.g Samsung) have encryption as a setting put in theirselves.
In computer security, you always have to consider both physical and digital security. They go hand in hand.
You can put as many passwords on a computer as you want but as soon as you have local access to a computer or storage device it’s game over.
Check out the 8 security domains in relation to computer security.
https://www.itgovernance.co.uk/blog/the-8-cissp-domains-explained#asset-security
Taking someones phone to then put a file on it is not something I would call a security risk, let alone one that warrants removal of such a basic feature.
At that point, there are WAY more severe AND realistic attacks happening. Relevant XKCD this reminds me of.
Temperature sensor? Is this a typo?
Leaks suggest that it would be a MLX90632 sensor, which Melexis describes as “a miniature SMD thermometer IC for accurate non-contact temperature measurement, especially in thermally dynamic environments and when available space is limited”.
I have absolutely no idea either why Google would add a thermometer to its phones, it’s definitely a senseless addition and it doesn’t help that the MSRP for the Pixel 8 got a $100 bump vs the Pixel 7.
Leaked Google Store pages for the Pixel 8 (source: kamila):
Doing the same for the Pixel 8 Pro:
Manual shutter speed and ISO! FINALLY!
This might be my reason to upgrade to a P8P from my 6a. It’s still a good phone, but the camera features are just lagging behind now with no software updates to it in sight. Other contender might be the Xperia 1 V, but that’s a way more manual camera. I’d love to see photo and video comparisons when people get their hands on them.
Putting together the latest leaks and what we know so far:
- expected US prices;
- latest leaked specs sheets;
- 7 years of Android updates;
- new generative AI features;
- “Audio Magic Eraser” feature;
- same storage options as the Pixel 6 and 7;
- no Samsung GN2 sensor and no IMX787 ultrawide sensor;
no Wi-Fi 7EDIT: recent leaks actually seem to indicate that it will have Wi-Fi 7;- matte glass back;
- first Pixel 8 unboxing video.
I read the opposite! There is indeed WiFi 7
https://www.91mobiles.com/hub/google-pixel-8-pro-specifications-revealed/
You’re likely right, this specs sheet (https://nitter.net/Za_Raczke/status/1706191603717574669) also seems to confirm it:
no GN2 = no buy from me
especially with the price bump
I wonder what OnePlus is cooking up next…
On the other hand, everyone was so sure they would put in the GN2 because of the Staggered HDR in the code. So what’s up with that now?
7 Years of android updates? I guess the rest of us previous pixel owners can go eff ourselves
We’re starting to feel what the pre-P6 owners felt when the 5 years of updates were first announced 😅
Is a smaller pixel tablet too much to wish for? Lol
I’m rocking a P6 at the moment it’s fine but I find myself wanting a better camera for shots that aren’t at the optimal distance so I’m very tempted to pick up a P8 Pro. The Pixel Watch 2 preorder bundle makes it very very tempting as I need a new watch for running anyway.
The optical zoom even in the current P7 Pro is indeed a game changer and after seeing people take photos with it it’s the only thing making me from time to time question my P7a purchase 😅 I hope we get early reviews of the Pixel 8 Pro camera!
Just adding that the #MadeByGoogle 2023 keynote will be broadcast on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxlaUCJZ27E
Added it to the description, thanks!
Long write-up about the launch event: https://lemmy.world/post/6305324
