Technologies

Google Has a New Device Protection Program: Here’s What to Know About Pixel Care Plus

You might worry less about cracks and spills involving your Google Pixel and Android devices — but that peace of mind will cost you.

Thinking about getting the new Google Pixel 10? Google has a new way to protect your new device at a monthly rate with a newly renovated device protection program, Pixel Care Plus, that replaces Google Preferred Care.

Pixel Care Plus covers damage from accidents, such as water spills or screen cracks. It also offers unlimited free screen repairs and battery replacements. Additionally, the program covers loss and theft protection with a separate plan. But before you gear up to register your smartphone or smartwatch, or if you’re worried about what this means for your Google Preferred Care coverage, here’s what to know.

How does Pixel Care Plus work?

According to Google, if your screen is cracked, you must file a claim online first. Once approved, you can get it fixed in person at a Google store or repair center listed on UBreakIFix. Google says Pixel phones’ front and back glass can be replaced, but the inner screens on Google’s foldable phones can’t be replaced.

Battery replacement coverage is only available for batteries holding less than 80% of the device’s charge. The program only applies to new devices purchased within 60 days.

If you have Pixel Care Plus, your device can be fixed at a repair location with Google-authorized parts. Google also promises free next-day shipping after your repair or replacement claim is approved.

How much is Pixel Care Plus?

There’s a cost. Pixel Care Plus has two plans: Pixel Care Plus, starting at $5 a month for the Google Pixel Watch 4, and Pixel Care Plus with Loss and Theft, starting at $6 a month for the same smartwatch. The monthly cost may vary depending on your device. You can pay for either plan monthly or buy two years of support. Both plans can be canceled at any time.

What’s the difference between Pixel Care Plus and Pixel Care Plus Loss and Theft?

The difference is evident from the names of the plans. Both Pixel Care Plus and Pixel Care Plus Loss and Theft cover unlimited screen and battery replacements. Pixel Care Plus Loss and Theft also covers your device if it’s lost or stolen. Pixel Care Plus Loss and Theft limits two loss or theft claims over one year. There’s no limit for claims due to mechanical issues.

What Google Preferred Care subscribers need to know

If you’re already enrolled in Google Preferred Care plan, you will automatically be moved into Google’s new device protection plan in the coming months.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Friday, Aug. 29

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Aug. 29.

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 was a fairly easy one. But if you need some help, read on. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

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: Recede, as the tide
Answer: EBB

4A clue: Fictional creature voiced by Rihanna, James Corden or Nick Offerman, in a 2025 animated movie
Answer: SMURF

6A clue: Diet that harkens back to prehistoric times
Answer: PALEO

7A clue: It’s tough to digest
Answer: FIBER

8A clue: Trippy drug, for short
Answer: LSD

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: One might start «Hope you are well»
Answer: EMAIL

2D clue: Future tulips
Answer: BULBS

3D clue: Munchkin or Maine Coon
Answer: BREED

4D clue: No. on a sunscreen bottle
Answer: SPF

5D clue: Supportive of
Answer: FOR

Technologies

AI Is a Threat to the Entry-Level Job Market, Stanford Study Shows

Early-career workers in roles most exposed to AI, such as software development and customer support, have experienced big declines in employment.

Will artificial intelligence take your job? A recent Stanford study provides six facts supporting «the hypothesis that the AI revolution is beginning to have a significant and disproportionate impact on entry-level workers in the American labor market.»

The study noted that «since the widespread adoption of generative AI, early-career workers (ages 22-25) in the most AI-exposed occupations have experienced a 13% relative decline in employment.»

Easily automated jobs are most affected

The decline in employment can be seen primarily in occupations where AI automates the work rather than when it augments people’s labor. The study found «substantial declines in employment» for those in their early 20s working in fields most exposed to AI, including customer service and software development.

By contrast, employment for more experienced workers in those fields and those working in less AI-exposed fields like nursing «has remained stable or continued to grow,» the study said.

The research showed that job declines remained even when such considering such industry shocks as interest-rate changes. The adjustments are more visible in employment than compensation, meaning AI might affect employment more than wages, at least for now. The patterns also hold in jobs that aren’t affected by remote work and for both fields with a high share of college graduates and those without.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall unemployment remains relatively stable. July’s rate was 4.2%, slightly up from 4% in May and 4.1% in June.