Michael Brown

Eric Migicovsky announced on a blog post the news about Google open sourcing Pebble OS, making way for the future of Pebble to be alive again.

Google Al Studio’s lead product manager announced that Google AI Studio and the Gemini Developer API, along with our teams, are moving to DeepMind! This will allow for better collaboration and accelerate the research to developer pipeline.

This brings me back to Google’s early 2024 restructuring, which consolidated Al research and product development (including Pixel and Gemini) under a single department managed by Rick Osterloh. Integrating the Google Al Studio pipeline could further streamline the process of moving Al research from fundamental research to Al product development. This could significantly accelerate the release of new Al-powered features and products."

After watching Marques Brownlee’s exclusive look at the Samsung prototype running Android XR, I’m buzzing with a level of excitement I haven’t felt for a new tech platform in years. While Apple’s visionOS and Meta’s HorizonOS are intriguing, Android XR feels different. It carries the same vibrant energy as the early days of Android, promising a wave of innovation and diverse hardware experiences that could truly revolutionize the XR space.

Think back to the launch of Android. Every time Google’s mobile OS enters a new form factor – smartphones, tablets, smartwatches – it ignites a spark. Suddenly, a flurry of manufacturers, both established giants and nimble startups, emerge with unique hardware interpretations. We see a burst of creativity, pushing the boundaries of design and functionality. This is precisely what Android XR promises for headsets.

The open nature of Android fosters a healthy ecosystem. It’s not just one company dictating the entire experience, limiting choices and stifling innovation. Instead, Android XR empowers hardware makers to focus on what they do best: crafting amazing devices. Companies like Sony, XReal, and countless others we haven’t even heard of yet will have access to a robust software foundation, allowing them to differentiate themselves through innovative hardware designs and specialized features. This echoes the dynamism we’ve seen in the Android smartphone market, and it’s precisely what the XR space needs.

But the excitement doesn’t stop at the open ecosystem. What truly blew me away was the sheer polish and sophistication of the Android XR software, even in its prototype stage. Remember those early “Nexus” devices, the developer previews that often left a lot to be desired? Think back to the barebones experience of the first Nexus phones or the initial Android Wear watches like the LG G Watch. Android XR is a completely different beast. It’s clear that Google and Samsung have poured significant effort into crafting a premium software experience from the get-go.

The integration of AI, exemplified by the Gemini assistant, is truly mind-blowing. Seeing how effortlessly Gemini can be used for navigation, app interaction, and even real-time environmental information feels like stepping into the realm of science fiction – in the best possible way. The “circle to search” feature, similar to Google Lens, adds another layer of intuitive interaction. It feels like we’re witnessing the birth of a truly intelligent and immersive computing platform.

This whole experience resonates deeply with me. As I’ve been reading Chet Haase’s “Androids: The Team that Built the Android Operating System,” the collaboration between Samsung and Google on Android XR feels like a modern-day parallel to the “mixing bowl” of engineering talent that birthed the original Android. Just like the engineers from Danger, Be/PalmSource, and WebTV/Microsoft came together to create something magical, the partnership between Samsung and Google has the potential to shape the future of XR. But where exactly does Android XR fit within the broader Android ecosystem? We’ve seen Android expand into smartphones, tablets, wearables… how does this new form factor integrate, and what possibilities does it unlock?

I’m keeping my expectations in check for now, but the potential of Android XR is undeniable. More than just one company selling its ecosystem and controlling every aspect of the experience, Android XR represents a fundamental shift. It’s a platform that fosters open innovation, empowers hardware makers, and promises a diverse range of devices and experiences. It’s the dawn of a new era in headset technology, and I, for one, am incredibly excited to see what the future holds.

Which brings us to an even bigger question: what is XR for? Is this the future of gaming, offering experiences far beyond what consoles can deliver? Is it destined to replace our desktop computers, providing immersive workspaces and holographic collaboration? Or is it something else entirely, a new category of computing that we can’t even fully imagine yet? These are the questions that keep me up at night, pondering the possibilities.

Google just announced quite a few updates to Gemini and is partnering with Samsung to bring these features at scale with the Galaxy S25. And, to no surprise, it's rolling out to Pixel 9 series and soon to older Pixel devices such as the Pixel 6.

One thing I want to point out, though, is how, just 7 months ago, I was considering switching to an iPhone because of Apple Intelligence. You see, when Apple performed their tech infomercial at WWDC, showcasing Apple Intelligence, I was smitten. On cloud nine, envisioning two things: 1. There's no way Android would be able to replicate Apple's AI cohesiveness across the entire mobile OS and 2. Me walking into my carrier's retail store to purchase the latest iPhone 16 that would come with all of the Apple Intelligence features that was announced at WWDC. Wild what can change in 7 months.

During that 7 months, news got out that not only is the iPhone 16 not getting all of those Apple Intelligence features on day one, but it'll be a whole six to twelve months before all of those features will be available. Maybe I missed that part of the WWDC infomercial, but I'm not alone in that brief misunderstanding.

But then, the tides turned. Google swooped in with Gemini, and suddenly the AI landscape shifted dramatically. Fast-forwarding to today, just about everything that I was excited about in Apple Intelligence that still isn't out, not even on the latest iPhone, is currently available on Android with Gemini, specifically Pixel 9 Pro. One of the highlighting features is multi-extensions — the ability to prompt Gemini to do multiple things simultaneously.

For example, and this just happened a few hours ago, I received an updated note about a wedding my wife, Fatima, and I are going to this Saturday, confirming the location of where the reception is going to be held and what time. It was a pretty lengthy note that would've taken me multiple swipes back and forth between the Messages app, the wedding note, copying back and forth and vice versa to relay the message to my wife. Instead, all I did was prompt Gemini with the wedding note in its entirety and vocally told Gemini, "Summarize this wedding note, send it to my wife, letting her know that I received this from our friends, and add the reception on my calendar." And, in one swoop, it did all three of those things. Summarized the wedding note, created a text to Fatima that prompted me to confirm with a simple, "Yes", and added the reception event with the location and correct time on my Google Calendar. Truly a marvelous experience.

To really grasp how seamlessly this all works, take a look at this…

There are quite a few other features that Google announced during Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event, but this one truly confirmed to me that I made the right decision sticking with my Google Pixel and not getting an iPhone this year. Maybe Apple can magically pull a MacBook Air out of a dossier (hope you get that reference) and change my mind. Probably not.

"Mark Zingaburg" is at it again! At least, that's what my mom exclaimed when she called me the other day. Yes, called me. On the actual phone. Seems the latest Facebook shenanigans have finally pushed her to the edge. "Is there an alternative?" she asked, her voice laced with a mix of frustration and hope. And, for a moment, I was stumped. The truth is, there isn't an easy answer, especially for someone not steeped in the world of tech. My mind immediately went to the Fediverse, but explaining that to my mom—who'd never even heard the term before—felt like opening a Pandora's Box of technical jargon. This got me thinking.

Here I am, a tech enthusiast, once a proud Google+ user, now longing for the simpler days of the early Web 2.0 blogosphere. It's almost like admitting defeat, isn't it? But after being burned twice—first by Google+, then by Twitter's dramatic transformation into X—I've come to realize the vital importance of owning my own digital space.

Now, for those unfamiliar with the Fediverse, it's a bit like… well, it's easier to show you than tell you.

Hopefully, that gives you a clearer picture. It's a fascinating concept, this Fediverse, but it's not without its challenges. It's still a bit like the Wild West out there, with different communities and protocols, and it can be quite daunting for those who aren't particularly tech-savvy. And that's precisely where the "burn me once, shame on you..." feeling comes in. After pouring time and energy into building a presence on Google+, only to see it wither and die, and then experiencing the upheaval of Twitter's metamorphosis into X, I've become hesitant to invest heavily in any single platform. It's like building a house on rented land – you never know when the landlord might decide to change the terms of the lease or even evict you altogether.

That's why owning a domain, having your own little corner of the web, is more crucial now than ever. It's like owning the land your house is built on. You have control, you have stability, and you're not subject to the whims of some corporate overlord. This whole "convenience-over-ownership" trend extends beyond the digital realm, doesn't it? Leasing instead of buying, streaming instead of owning your media… we seem to be losing choice in favor of ease of use. It reminds me of that quote, often (though perhaps erroneously) attributed to Mahatma Gandhi: "Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes." Are we trading the freedom to tinker and customize for the perceived safety of the walled garden?

This even impacts how we view our devices. With Android, I feel like I own it, unlike iOS, where Apple controls everything. This is slowly changing through regulation (link an article here), but it makes you wonder about the long-term effects. A Dell study found 37% of Gen Z feel unprepared for the demands of the digital world, and 56% lack digital skills education. Are we raising a generation that can only operate within restrictive ecosystems? A friend recently pointed out how we've drifted from the "old internet," where human-created content and community-run services were the norm. He argues that we've prioritized convenience over ethics, safety, and community. This really hit home.

My wife and I were discussing how, if you post an Instagram photo directing people to a blog post or article on your own site, they're less likely to click. It's just more convenient to stay within Instagram's walled garden, even if it means missing out on potentially valuable content or different perspectives.

The Fediverse, with its decentralized nature and emphasis on community, offers a potential solution. By moving to these platforms, we can regain some of the control we've lost and prioritize factors like ethics, safety, and community. Of course, the Fediverse and other decentralized platforms offer a glimmer of hope. They represent a potential future where we're not at the mercy of tech giants. But for now, they remain a bit too complex and fragmented for mass adoption. So, where does this leave us in our quest for a Facebook alternative? Well, the truth is, there's no easy answer. The Fediverse, while promising, is still a bit like the Wild West, and it may not be everyone's cup of tea. But this whole exploration has underscored a crucial point: we can't just passively accept the status quo. We need to be mindful of where we build our digital homes and who controls the land they sit on.

Whether you decide to dip your toes into the Fediverse, explore other emerging platforms, or simply double down on owning your own domain, the key is to stay informed and take control of your online destiny. Don't let "Mark Zingaburg" (or anyone else, for that matter) dictate your digital life. Explore your options, find what works best for you, and remember – the internet is vast and ever-evolving. There's a whole world out there beyond the walled gardens of Facebook and the like. Go explore it

Pixel Pro-Tip:

Pixel 8a, 8, and 9 series phones have a hidden camera feature called "Rich color in photos" that unlocks more vibrant colors and richer tones in photos.

Learn more about Apple’s Display P3 (which Rich color in photos is based on).

To enable it:

1. Open your Camera 📷 app.

2. Tap the gear icon for Settings ⚙️ .

3. Tap "More Settings."

4. Scroll down and tap "Advanced"

5. Toggle "Rich color in photos" on.

P.S. Photos taken with Display P3 might look less vibrant on devices that don't support it.

A curious choice.

Samsung has announced that its 2025 TVs will feature Eclipsa Audio, a new audio format developed in collaboration with Google. This move is interesting, considering Eclipsa's current lack of popularity compared to established audio standards.

It seems Samsung is making a bold bet on Eclipsa, hoping it will become the future of audio. Whether this gamble will pay off remains to be seen.

In the podcast interview, Greg Wayne, Director of Research at Google DeepMind, emphasized the importance of user feedback in shaping the development of AI. This collaborative approach is essential for creating AI that truly benefits humanity. As Greg Wayne put it:

"It's a co-creation process where it's not only sort of some kind of thing that's being cooked up in a lab, it's also being cooked up in collaboration with a group of users...around the world."

Project Astra is a glimpse into the exciting future of AI assistants. I'm confident that it will revolutionize the way we interact with technology and it's one of my top tech things I look forward to in 2025. 

What really catches my attention is Astra's ability to perceive and interact with the physical world. This is a significant step forward in AI technology, and I can't wait to see how it develops. Watch the full interview below. 

So, Google Pixel is now the official smartphone of the Australian Open.  Pretty cool, right?  I mean, I love my Pixel 9 Pro (no bias here!), and I’m a casual tennis fan, so this partnership makes sense to me. 

Here’s what Google had to say about it on their Ideas page on the Google Store:

 “We are excited to partner with the Australian Open to bring fans closer to the action than ever before…With Google Pixel’s innovative camera features and the Australian Open’s world-class tennis, fans will be able to capture and share their memories in a whole new way."

I’ve never actually played tennis myself, but I’ll occasionally catch a few matches, especially when something amazing is happening. 

Google’s been doing this kind of thing for a while now – they’ve teamed up with the NBA, NWSL, and even some European football clubs. They’re doing some fun stuff at the Open, too, like a “Pixel Playground” with interactive exhibits and a chance to win courtside seats. 

I’m curious to see how this partnership plays out.