Following our previous report, Google is officially unveiling a new 3D logo for Android. The broad goal of this updated branding is to “help connect Android to Google,” and it follows the previous modernization in 2019.

Despite recent rampant speculation that the Pixel 8 series could remove the SIM tray and go eSIM-only, sources tell 9to5Google that reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated. The Pixel 8 series will keep the physical SIM card tray in place, while the Pro will add Night Sight video.

With the Pixel 6, Night Sight photos got “sharper and more detailed” thanks to a larger rear sensor that captures more light, a new laser autofocus system, and the Tensor ISP running new motion detection algorithms that work more quickly.

On the Pixel 7, the minimum exposure times for Night Sight were half as long, thus resulting in less motion blur, due to updated HDR+ with Bracketing and new ML techniques.

This year, the Pixel 8 Pro will offer Night Sight video for better recording in low-light situations. It’s a straightforward capability that could easily be the highlight of the new camera.

With the first-generation Tensor, Google “drastically accelerated” Live HDR+ thanks to the Tensor image signal processor (ISP), with the SoC also allowing for real-time tone mapping of people. Last year, the Pixel 7 saw the addition of Cinematic Blur to bring Portrait Mode to video. That trend of bringing photo-first features to video, which is more computationally intensive, continues and makes the larger phone this year even more compelling.

Meanwhile, the idea popped up in recent weeks that the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro would drop the SIM card tray, like iPhone 14 models sold in the US, to go all-in on eSIM as Android works on simple transfers when setting up a new device. The adoption of eSIM has certainly increased over the past few years, as led by the iPhone, and Android support can vary but has been getting better. However, there are still edge cases, like when traveling to a country where local carriers don’t offer eSIM support.

Fortunately, according to sources familiar with the matter, that is simply not happening, and the SIM tray will remain (on the left edge) as usual.

I have a Pixel 7 Pro, but for me it's a few things.

• Improved modem
• Increased battery life
• Better thermals
• SoC upgrade to 3nm process
• Improved camera
• Good deal or free stuff (e.g. free Pixel Watch 2, high Pixel 7 Pro trade in value)

What phone do you have and why might you want to upgrade to the Pixel 8?

I've had a Bellroy for my Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro, but I've found that they reduced the quality significantly on the newer ones. My care is scuffed and torn, but I've always handled my phone just as gently as before.

I may go for the Hazel silicone one from the Google store this time, it's really pretty.

What cases do people recommend? Personally I don't care for the OtterBox type cases, but I'm open to hearing what everyone uses!

I recently saw this update from MKBHD about what he and others think about the phone.

https://youtu.be/wOuWmM18jMY

Majority of them felt that, strangely, the best part of the phone was the external screen used about 90% of the time, and the internal screen used 10% of the time, though they still loved the internal screen when apps supported it.

I'm wondering how other Pixel Fold owners feel, now that they've had the phone for some time?

I've already asked this on the lemmy.ml instance, but I figured I'd ask here as well!

What weather app does everyone use?

Personally I like the built in Google one, though I always consider getting one with DarkSky in it so I can get weather notifications.

A massive underground deposit of high-grade phosphate rock in Norway, pitched as the world’s largest, is big enough to satisfy world demand for fertilizers, solar panels and electric car batteries over the next 100 years, according to the company exploiting the resource.