It’s Friday again, which means that we’re ending the week with a quick look at some of the biggest tech news over the past few days. The consumer electronics industry is never not busy, and as such there have been some rather interesting developments, both in terms of software and hardware products. With that said, let’s take a look at some of the biggest news in tech this week.
Bye-bye, Google One VPN
One of the biggest advantages of subscribing to the Google One service is that you got access to VPN services, which does come in handy for users who want to access content and such that they wouldn’t normally be able to due to geographic or licensing restrictions. With that said though, it’s reported that Google has informed subscribers that it will be discontinuing the included VPN service with Google One as not many people were using it. However, Pixel 7 and 8 owners will still be able to use the built-in VPN on their handsets, which will supposedly last for five years.
Meet the Leica Leitz 3
While Leica is more known for its line of consumer and pro-grade cameras, the manufacturer also makes a region-exclusive line of smartphones. In fact, it’s on its third one now, aptly named the Leica Leitz 3. Exclusive for buyers in Japan, the phone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, and includes other specs such as a single 47.2MP 1-inch CMOS camera, in addition to a 12.6MP selfie camera, a 5000 mAh battery, and Android 14 onboard.
Magic Editor Arrives for more Phones
Despite being described as an exclusive feature for Google’s Pixel 8 and 8 Pro handsets, the company has announced that it will be bringing its Magic Editor AI tool to more users, and will be accessible via the Google Photos app. There’s a catch though – the editor is free to use unlimitedly for Pixel device users, while other smartphone owners will only be limited to 10 edit saves per month, unless they pay for a Google One subscription.
More Pixel 8a Leaks Emerge
As has become the standard tradition for nearly all Google smartphones, the company’s upcoming Pixel 8a handset has once again been leaked online, this time with a fresh coat of paint. Several product renders show the Pixel 8a in several different colour variants, which include Mint, Bay, Porcelain, and Obsidian. It’s also rumoured that the 8a will feature a matte rear panel, somewhat similar to the Pixel 4a series from a few years back. You can view the full images here.
Messenger now Supports HD Photos
One of the biggest complaints about Facebook Messenger is that photo files sent via the app tend to look unflattering due to aggressive file compression, although this no longer seems to be the case thanks to a new update. Meta recently announced that users can now send HD photos via a simple toggle within the app; users will also be able to send files larger than 100 MB.
