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The Weekly Authority: 👀 Pixel tablet deets leak

Pixel tablet deets, Samsung's budget beefy battery release, IFA launches, a new Mafia game, and more top tech news.
By
September 3, 2022
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G in Black showing front and rear
Samsung

⚡ Welcome to The Weekly Authority, the Android Authority newsletter that breaks down the top Android and tech news from the week. The 210th edition here, with a Pixel tablet leak, Samsung’s budget beefy battery release, IFA 2022 launches, a new Mafia game, and more of the week’s top tech news.

🍁 Though it’s not officially fall, it feels like it here. There’s a chill in the air, pumpkin spice lattes are back on the menu (see this edition’s Weekly Wonder), and friends keep asking what my plans are for Halloween. I don’t mind — fall is my favorite season!

Popular news this week

Samsung:

Sony:

  • Sony announces the Xperia 5 IV: A little less phone for a lot less cash – hello bigger battery and brighter screen, goodbye variable telephoto lens.

Apple:

IFA 2022:

Social media:

Space:

Elsewhere:

Movies/TV:

cinema seats
Paolo Chiabrando on Unsplash

Gaming:

Reviews

samsung galaxy z fold 4 home screen open
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
Z Fold 4 (unfolded)

Features

Nokia Logo IFA 2022
Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Weekly Wonder

nokia x100 close up image of pumpkins
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
A close up image of pumpkins

We’re now into September, and though fall doesn’t officially start until September 22, it seems like Starbucks is already early with its pumpkin spice latte (PSL) game. The popular spiced fall drink first landed back in 2003, and has become a regular on the seasonal calendar every year, though it seems to arrive earlier each year that goes by.

As a huge fan of anything involving pumpkin spice, this got me thinking. What’s the history of this much-lauded spice, and why do we love it so much?

  • It turns out that the popular spice blend is over 200 years old — 223 years old, to be precise.
  • The term usually refers to a blend of spices used to flavor pumpkin pie, including cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice.
  • Recipes for spice-filled “pompkin pie” date back to the late 1700s.
  • But it wasn’t until the 1930s that pre-blended Pumpkin Spice mix was available to purchase.
  • And we still don’t know who to credit for the invention of the pumpkin spice latte. It’s said Peter Dukes (who was Starbucks’ director of espresso — and yes, that is a real job title) was the one who brought the idea to the company, alongside seasonal drinks like peppermint mocha and eggnog latte.
  • Apparently, when developing the pumpkin spice latte, Starbucks’ research and development team poured espresso on top of pumpkin pies to determine the perfect ratio of spices to coffee and steamed milk. Sounds delicious.
  • It wasn’t until 2015 that Starbucks started using real pumpkin in the drink.
  • Turns out, the PSL wasn’t even intended to be such a huge hit: It debuted in just 100 Starbucks stores across Washington, DC and Vancouver, BC.
  • These days it’s hard to imagine this time of year without it.

Pay more for your PSL

If you’re craving your favorite fall beverage, a bit of sad news. This year pumpkin spice lattes are back with an all-time price hike thanks to inflation:

  • According to CNN, a grande PSL will set you back 4% more compared to last year.
  • That means you’ll pay between $5.45 and $5.95, depending on your location.
  • But you could always pick up some pumpkin spice blend, coffee, and milk of your choice to make your own PSL at home.
  • Grabbing one of the best smart coffee makers is a good place to start, and you’ll also want to get your hands on a coffee mug warmer to ensure your drink stays toasty.
  • Just go easy with the PSL — too much caffeine could impact your sleep, though the best sleep trackers make it easier to keep an eye on bedtime habits.

Tech Calendar

  • September 2-6: IFA Berlin
  • September 6: HUAWEI Mate 50 series launch
  • September 7 @ 10 AM PT (1 PM ET, 7 PM CET): Apple’s Far Out event
  • September 10 @ 9 PM CEST: Ubisoft Forward showcase
  • September 29: OnePlus 10T on sale
  • October 6: Pixel 7 launch? (TBC)
  • October 13: Pixel 7 on sale? (TBC)
  • November 8: Skull and Bones release date on Xbox Series S/X, PS5, PC, Stadia, and Luna
  • November 9: God of War: Ragnarok launches on PS4, PS5
  • November 18: The Dark Pictures: The Devil in Me launches on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, and PC

Tech Tweet of the Week

It finally happened: an AI-generated artwork won first place in a competition…

It was inevitable. https://t.co/mEd9CK2Eb5
— Motherboard (@motherboard) August 31, 2022

Something extra: Check out this happy little stoat playing on a trampoline to brighten up your week.

Until next week!

Paula Beaton, Copy Editor.