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Rumored Google Products We’re Still Waiting to See in 2023

Google announced several new gadgets at I/O, but we haven’t yet seen the Pixel 8 or new Pixel Buds.

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Google announced a ton of new gadgets and services at its I/O developers conference, from the Pixel Fold to the Pixel Tablet, Android 14 and more AI features for its search engine. But if Google’s history is anything to judge by, there are likely still more devices to come later this year. 

The most significant product we didn’t hear about at Google I/O was the expected Pixel 8 lineup, which would serve as Google’s answer to the rumored iPhone 15 and Samsung’s Galaxy S23 family. We also didn’t hear much about the Pixel Watch at I/O, although the company typically introduces its new mobile products in the fall timeframe. There’s also a chance Google could say more about the mixed reality platform it’s developing in partnership with Samsung and Qualcomm. 

While Google largely laid out the vision for its approach to new products at I/O, its fall Pixel event is where we get a closer look at how the company is executing on that approach through fresh hardware. Here’s a look at what we’ll be watching for later this year based on rumors and the company’s previous product launches. 

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Watch this: Pixel 7 vs. Pixel 7A: How Do the Specs Stack Up?

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Pixel 8 and 8 Pro

Pixel 7 Pixel 7

James Martin/CNET

Google typically releases new flagship Pixel phones in the fall, and we’re expecting the company to follow that same pattern in 2023. We won’t know what’s in store for Google’s Pixel 8 and 8 Pro until it announces those devices. 

However, Google’s updates have been very camera-centric in recent years, with the Pixel 7 lineup gaining improved zoom and the Pixel 7 Pro receiving a new macro photography mode. With the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, which were the first Pixels to run on Google’s Tensor chips, we saw new features like Magic Eraser, Face Unblur and Real Tone. With that in mind, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Google push the camera even further on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, although we won’t know exactly what that looks like just yet. Both phones will also likely have a new Tensor processor, too.

Leaks have been scarce so far, but there have been a few reports claiming to provide details about Google’s next pair of Pixels. The most recent comes from leaker Kuba Wojciechowski, who shared a video with the blog 91mobiles claiming to show the Pixel 8 Pro. The video suggests the phone will have a thermometer for measuring body temperature. WinFuture reports the new phones will run on Android 14 and have 12GB of RAM. Well-known gadget leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer also partnered with blogs MySmartPrice and SmartPrix to publish what are said to be renderings of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. 

Pixel Watch 2 

Google Pixel Watch Google Pixel Watch

James Martin/CNET

Google hasn’t discussed plans for future Pixel Watches, nor have there been many leaks or rumors about what’s next for Google’s smartwatch. But since Google’s Pixel phones follow a yearly cadence — as do the Pixel Watch’s biggest competitors like the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch — it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Pixel Watch follow suit. Blog 9to5Google also reports that Google is indeed planning to announce a new Pixel Watch in the fall alongside the Pixel 8 lineup. 

Based on Google’s current direction for the Pixel Watch, we can probably expect to see the same round design on its sequel. The latest version of Wear OS will also likely make an appearance. I’m also hoping to see longer battery life and a few extra health and fitness-tracking features, such as auto-workout detection.

Mixed reality platform

samsung-gear-vr-2016-19.jpg samsung-gear-vr-2016-19.jpg

The Samsung Gear VR headset pictured above launched 2015. At its Unpacked event, the company announced that it’s partnering with Google and Qualcomm on a new mixed-reality initiative.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Google, Samsung and Qualcomm have teamed up on a new mixed reality platform, as Samsung announced in February. However, we haven’t heard much about it since then. 

«We’re working towards a new generation of computing enabled by immersive experiences across brand new form factors that will further elevate what you can do with Google,» Hiroshi Lockheimer, Google’s senior vice president of platforms and ecosystems, said on stage at Samsung’s event. 

Neither company has revealed details about the partnership yet, meaning it’s still unclear what types of products will result from the collaboration or what the software will look like. TM Roh, the head of Samsung’s mobile division, described the announcement as a «declarative» moment showing the company’s commitment to building an XR ecosystem when speaking with CNET in February. 

But Sameer Samat, Google’s vice president of product management for Android, said during I/O 2023 that the company will share more about its «immersive XR» partnership later this year. The announcement also comes as Apple is expected to reveal its first mixed reality headset during its Worldwide Developers Conference, which starts on June 5. 

New Pixel Buds A-Series

Three Google Pixel Buds A-Series earbuds and charging cases are displayed against a yellow background. Three Google Pixel Buds A-Series earbuds and charging cases are displayed against a yellow background.

Google/CNET

It’s been a while since Google released a new pair of Pixel Buds. If the company does have a new pair of wireless earbuds in its 2023 roadmap, there’s a chance we could hear about them in the fall. Google’s $99 Pixel Buds A-Series are particularly due for a refresh since the company hasn’t released a new version since June 2021, aside from new color options. Amazon just launched a new budget-friendly version of its Echo Buds that are competitively priced at just $50, giving Google more rivalry in the market for cheaper wireless earbuds space. While we haven’t heard many rumors yet, we’re hoping Google addresses some of our criticisms of the current Pixel Buds A-Series, such as their lack of volume touch controls. 

Fitbit Charge 6

Fitbit charge 5 on shoe displaying September 20 at 8:59 Fitbit charge 5 on shoe displaying September 20 at 8:59

Lexy Savvides/CNET

Google’s Fitbit brand also typically releases new products in the late summer or early fall. One of the major updates we’re expecting this year is the Fitbit Charge 6, considering the Fitbit Charge 5 launched in 2021. Fitbit’s next main fitness tracker will look nearly identical to the Charge 5, according to 9to5Google. It also wouldn’t be surprising to see the Charge 6 inherit some features from the Sense 2, such as Google Wallet support and the ability to continuously monitor for signs of stress throughout the day.

If the rumors prove accurate and Google maintains its previous product launch patterns, the fall could be a major moment for the company’s wearables division. As the fall gets closer, we’ll also get a better sense of how Google’s new devices compare to those from Samsung and Apple. Samsung usually releases new foldable phones and wearables in the August time frame, while Apple typically debuts new iPhones and Apple Watches in September. 

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Thursday, July 3

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for July 3.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.


Today’s Mini Crossword stumped me in a few spots. 8-Across had me thinking of a couple different words, but I landed on it eventually. Need answers? Read on. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times’ games collection. If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue:  Glaswegian or Edinburgher
Answer: SCOT

5A clue: 2025 Pixar film about a boy who gets abducted by aliens
Answer: ELIO

6A clue: Strong string
Answer: TWINE

7A clue: Religious devotee with a shaved head, maybe
Answer: MONK

8A clue: Calligrapher’s assortment
Answer: INKS

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Attach, as a button
Answer: SEWON

2D clue: Sound of two glasses being «cheers-ed»
Answer: CLINK

3D clue: Noises from a pig
Answer: OINKS

4D clue: «Little piggy»
Answer: TOE

6D clue: «Did I overshare?»
Answer: TMI

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Technologies

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Scary Survey Results: Teen Drivers Are Often Looking at Their Phones

New troubling research found that entertainment is the most common reason teens use their phones behind the wheel, followed by texting and navigation.

A new study reveals that teen drivers in the US are spending more than one-fifth of their driving time distracted by their phones, with many glances lasting long enough to significantly raise the risk of a crash. Published in the journal Traffic Injury Prevention and released on Thursday, the research found that, on average, teens reported looking at their phones during 21.1% of every driving trip. More than a quarter of those distractions lasted two seconds or longer, which is an amount of time widely recognized as dangerous at highway speeds.

Most distractions tied to entertainment, not emergencies

The top reason teens said they reached for their phones behind the wheel was for entertainment, cited by 65% of respondents. Texting (40%) and navigation (30%) were also common. Researchers emphasized that these distractions weren’t typically urgent, but rather habitual or social.

Teens know the risks

The study includes survey responses from 1,126 teen drivers across all four US regions, along with in-depth interviews with a smaller group of high schoolers. Most participants recognized that distracted driving is unsafe and believed their parents and peers disapproved of the behavior.

But many teens also assumed that their friends were doing it anyway, pointing to a disconnect between personal values and perceived social norms.

Teens think they can resist distractions

Interestingly, most teens expressed confidence in their ability to resist distractions. That belief, researchers suggest, could make it harder to change behavior unless future safety campaigns specifically target these attitudes.

The study’s lead author, Dr. Rebecca Robbins of Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, said interventions should aim to shift social norms while also emphasizing practical steps, such as enabling «Do Not Disturb» mode and physically separating drivers from their devices.

«Distracted driving is a serious public health threat and particularly concerning among young drivers,» Robbins said. «Driving distracted doesn’t just put the driver at risk of injury or death, it puts everyone else on the road in danger of an accident.» 

What this means for parents and educators

The researchers say their findings can help guide educators and parents in developing more persuasive messaging about the dangers of distracted driving. One of the recommendations is that adults need to counter teens’ beliefs that phone use while driving is productive or harmless.

While the study’s qualitative component was limited by a small and non-urban sample, the authors believe the 38-question survey they developed can be used more broadly to assess beliefs, behaviors and the effectiveness of future safety efforts.

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