Daily Authority: 📷 Pixel-perfect photos

☕ Good morning, welcome to Tuesday’s Daily Authority! This morning I cracked into my new box of “experimental” tea flavors and tried buttered popcorn tea. Surprisingly nice, actually.

Possible Pixel cameras leak

The Pixel 7 series is coming later this year — and our recent survey revealed it’s the flagship series that over 50% of our readers are most looking forward to. But perhaps the thing we’re most excited about is the quality camera experience we’ve come to expect from Google, though there’s no official word on camera hardware yet.

Earlier today, developer Kuba Wojciechowski dug into Google’s code, and dug up some interesting changes coming to the Pixel 7 series’ cameras (and some other devices, too).

• The Pixel 7 series will reportedly use the same 50MP Isocell GN1 main sensor and 12MP IMX381 ultrawide sensor as the Pixel 6 series.
• Both are expected to have the same selfie cam: an 11MP Samsung 3J1 sensor with dual pixel (an upgrade from the Pixel 6’s 8MP sensor).
• The telephoto sensor on the Pixel 7 Pro is also reportedly changing from the 48MP Sony IMX586 to Samsung’s 48MP GM1 sensor. When both were released in 2019, the GM1 was considered inferior, so why this move?
• Using more sensors from the same manufacturer should offer more consistent image processing results. However, that could also lead to supply chain issues if the manufacturer in question experiences any problems or delays…

Pixel tablet and foldables

With the Pixel tablet coming in 2023, we already know it packs a single rear camera and selfie cam. Now we also know that both cameras are expected to be 8MP IMX355 sensors.

Details of foldable camera specs were also shared, likely for the rumored Pipit or Passport:

• The lineup includes 50MP GN1, 12MP IMX464, and 12MP IMX386 sensors, plus an 8MP IMX355 selfie cam.
• We don’t know yet if there’s a selfie cam for each screen.

Lynx lineup

Wojciechowski also mentioned a new device:

• Code-named Lynx, it could be a third high-end Pixel phone for 2022.
• Or it could just be a device for internal testing — only time will tell.
• Either way, it’s rumored to have a 50MP Isocell GN1 camera, the same 64MP IMX787 sensor as the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra, and a 13MP IMX712 selfie cam sensor.

Keep an eye on our Pixel 7 series and Pixel tablet pages for any new leaks in the coming weeks and months!

Roundup

🔒 Google Pixel 6a’s fingerprint sensor reportedly may have a big unlocking issue, but Google’s yet to address the issue. While you’re here, check out our Pixel 6a review (Android Authority).

📷 Google quietly disabled a key Pixel camera feature, with a fix coming for an unspecified issue (Android Authority).

📱 The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Flip 4 may use batteries from three companies — and you can find out more about what to expect from the Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4 (Android Authority).

⌚ Apple Watch Pro to feature a redesign and larger display, new sensors delayed (9to5Mac).

🎧 Following the news Nokia’s latest phone lets you store and charge your earbuds inside it, we asked if you want to see earbud slots on smartphones (Android Authority).

💲 Amazon’s raising Prime prices in Europe by up to 43% due to “increased inflation and operating costs” (The Verge).

▶ Google Play celebrates its first decade with a new promo and a new logo (Android Authority).

📺 Marvel’s new Disney Plus “Daredevil” series arrives in 2024 — the new 18-episode show will see Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio reprise their roles as Daredevil and Kingpin (Engadget).

🎭 Iconic British actor David Warner died on Sunday, aged 80 — you probably saw him in Star Trek, The Omen, Titanic, and Tron (CNET).

💻 Logitech’s new ‘gender-inclusive’ PC gaming accessories come with the pink tax — though, personally, I’m not sure why a coral pink and white keyboard has anything to do with gender. (The Verge).

🐷 Finishing up with something fun I read today: Shakin’ bacon? Belgian researchers study pigs’ response to music (Reuters).

Chart Tuesday

A heatwave’s wreaking havoc across Europe, with many countries seeing record-breaking temperatures, as you’ll see from the above map from Visual Capitalist:

• Last week London’s rail service urged passengers to stay home and only travel if absolutely necessary, with some major rail lines closed for part of the day on July 19.
• And the UK recorded its hottest day on record: 40.3C (the previous record of 38.7C was in 2019).
• Towns across France saw record-breaking temperatures up to 42C on July 18.
• In Scotland, the highest ever temperature of 34.8C was recorded in the Scottish Borders last Tuesday, July 19.
• And yes, climate change has its part to play, with global surface temperatures rising by about 1.0C worldwide since the 1850s. But there are other factors at play here, too, such as changing air currents blowing hot air from North Africa to Europe.
• Feeling the heat? Chill out with our pick of the best heatwave movies 🥶.

Have a fan-tastic day (sorry!)

Paula Beaton, Copy Editor.