If you watch movies and TV on a 1080p screen, the Chromecast with Google TV (HD) provides a rock-solid streaming experience on the cheap. This is the HD version of Engadget’s top choice for streaming devices. Today, Amazon has it for $10 off, letting you pick up the HDR10-capable streaming stick for only $20, nearly a record-low price.
Google
Stream over 700,000 movies and TV episodes on the Chromecast with Google TV (HD).
The Chromecast with Google TV (HD) plugs directly into an open HDMI port on your TV. (There’s an optional power adapter with a USB cable if your TV can’t supply enough juice.) If you have a 4K television, you’re better off with the more expensive model designed for higher-res displays. But for HD screens, this model is hard to beat. It offers the same terrific user experience as the high-end model, only less expensive and downscaled for 1080p.
Setup is quick and easy. You scan a QR code with your phone to begin the sign-in process in the Google Home app. (That’s also where you add your Wi-Fi network.) So, you don’t need to worry about entering long email addresses and passwords using the remote and a clunky onscreen keyboard.
The device has relatively lightweight specs (1.5GB of RAM and an Amlogic S805X2 chip) that may reveal some nearly imperceptible lag when navigating the UI, especially right after startup. But it provides smooth performance when it matters most: playing content.
The software streamlines things as much as possible, including a Live tab that draws from a handful of streaming services to let you resume or jump into new content straight from the home screen. Google advertises support for over 700,000 movies and TV episodes, and you can install just about any streaming service you can name, including Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV+, Max, Peacock, YouTube TV and much more.
Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
The remote includes a built-in mic and a dedicated Google Assistant button. The latter lets you control TV content and smart home features with your voice. It also has standard IR integration, so you can control some of your TV’s essential functions and potentially leave its remote in a drawer.
If you don’t want to wait for Amazon’s shipping, Target has the same deal. If your local stores have them in stock, you could get instant gratification while saving five percent on your purchase if you check out using a Target RedCard.
Recent leaks claim Google is working on further integrating satellite connectivity to their Pixel phones and could introduce support for the tech in Google Maps. This information comes from two industry insiders: AssembleDebug who shared his findings with PiunikaWeb and Nail Sadykov over on Telegram. Beginning with the former, users will apparently be able to share their location with others via satellite connection.
Hints of the location-sharing tool were found in the strings of code on the latest Google Maps beta. It’s unknown exactly how it’ll work. The report doesn’t go into detail. They do, however, say people “will be able to update their location” in the app every 15 minutes to maintain accuracy. But there’s a catch – you can only refresh your whereabouts “up to five times a day.” It makes sense why Google would implement some sort of restrictions.
This is supposed to be an emergency, potentially life-saving feature akin to Emergency SOS on the iPhone and Google may not want people messing around with it.
Setting up a satellite connection
As for the other update, Nail Sadykov states he found evidence of something called the Android Satellite Pointing UI.
It appears to be a help guide for Pixel that’ll teach people how to connect their smartphone to an orbiting satellite. A video posted to the unofficial Google News channel on Telegram shows how the process could work.
Users will have to hold their phone in front of them and physically move it around to find a satellite. Once found, you’ll need to keep moving the device until a blue satellite icon reaches the middle of an on-screen circle and stays there for several seconds. Holding the icon in place allows the device to establish connection. If you don’t connect, you’ll receive an on-screen message telling you the session failed.
(Image credit: Nail Sadykov)
Sadykov goes on to say the guide will be a part of the Pixel’s “Adaptive Connectivity Service (ACS) app”. It’s unclear if he meant the currently available feature or if there will be a new app solely for ACS.
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He says it’ll be possible to minimize the window into a floating widget on the home page so you can continue texting while trying to establish a connection. When it’s all done, Pixel owners can see Satellite SOS running by swiping down on Quick Settings. You’ll also receive a short message in the menu telling you to avoid buildings, trees, and mountains to ensure a clear view of the sky and not interrupt service.
Potential arrival date
An arrival date for everything you see here is unknown, although both sources believe their respective features will launch on the Pixel 9. The two groups mention a third leak from April 15 about the Pixel 9 series possibly receiving the Samsung Modem 5400 to enable satellite connectivity. The same satellite icon (albeit red) and guide animations from Sadykov’s post were found in the earlier report. PiunikaWeb also mentions seeing the same symbol.
So what we’re seeing today could be the fruits of this new labor – at least potentially. Things could always change at the last minute. Be sure to take all this info with a grain of salt.
Many of you reading this article might be using Google Messages as the default messaging app but most of you might not know that the messaging platform can show you who is providing you Rich Communications Service (RCS). To check that information, click on the profile icon/picture, go to ‘Messages settings,‘ and select ‘RCS chats,‘ and you will be able to see the RCS provider at the bottom of the page. Well, Google is rolling out an update to the app that changes the location where it shows the RCS provider information.
According to a new report from 9To5Google, Google Messages now shows you who is providing you RCS behind the ‘info’ icon beside your phone number on the ‘RCS chats’ settings page. So, now you have to click on the info button to see the RCS provider. Reportedly, for some users, the app neither shows the RCS provider at the bottom of the page nor the info icon beside the phone number after the update, which is kind of strange. Considering that very few people care about it, this change might not affect many people.
For your reference, RCS is either provided by your network carrier, in which case, Google Messages will show “RCS is provided by your mobile carrier” or it is provided by Google’s Jibe platform, in which case, the messaging app will show “Chat features from Google provided by Jibe Mobile.” Many network carriers globally, including AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, have moved from their own implementations to Google’s Jibe platform lately to offer better interoperability and reduce issues with RCS messaging.
It’s a big day for Google Maps. First, the 3D buildings layer is rolling out to all Android users after months of waiting. And now we’re learning the app is expanding its eco-friendly features by introducing new ways to find EV charging stations and “lower-carbon travel alternatives”. The former, according to the announcement, aims to help electric vehicle owners map out those long road trips for the summer.
First, text summaries will appear in Google Maps describing the exact location of a nearby charging station. The tool utilizes artificial intelligence to take “helpful information from user reviews” to build directions below the name of a charger. As the company explains, you’ll see step-by-step instructions telling you to drive down into an underground parking lot, follow the signs, and turn right just before you exit to find a station.
The company explains that since it sources from the community, generated summaries are “accurate and up-to-date”. To continue feeding the feature, reviews for charging stations will ask for extra details from the type of plug you used to how long you spent waiting.
(Image credit: Google)
While driving in your EV, Google Maps will highlight nearby chargers on your car’s dashboard display. Indicators provide the name of the station, how many ports are open at a given time, and the ports’ charging speeds.
Lastly, Google Maps will recommend the best charging locations for people taking multi-stop trips. The suggestions it makes depend on your EV’s battery level. For example, if the car is fully charged, the app will point out stations nearer your destination rather than the ones closer to you.
Everything you see here is scheduled to roll out within the coming months, but their availability differs. Review summaries will be available on the mobile app while the charging station indicators and suggestions will be exclusive to vehicles with built-in Google software.
(Image credit: Google)
Google Search’s travel update
The other half of the patch will see Google Maps make “public transit or walking suggestions” below driving routes – so long as travel times are “practical.” It won’t recommend you hop on a bus if it takes longer to go from point A to point B. This feature is receiving a limited rollout as it’s only being released for around 15 cities around the world including London, Paris, and Sydney.
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(Image credit: Google)
Google Search is also getting a travel-centric update. The search engine began adding information for long-distance train routes into results back in 2022. Moving forward, these details will include schedules and ticket prices with a purchase link on the side. What’s more, long-distance bus routes are going to be present too.
The new train data on Search is now available across 38 countries such as the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Spain. The bus route info, on the other hand, is seeing a more limited release as it’ll only show up in 15 global regions, including the United States, France, and Germany.
Google has been emailing Android users about an update to the Play Store allowing you to enable biometric verification for purchases. We got the message over the weekend buried in our inbox. It states users can set fingerprint or facial recognition on the digital storefront as long as they have a mobile device that supports the technology. Once set up, “you’ll be asked to verify it’s you with biometrics” every time you buy something on the platform.
We can confirm the update is live as it appeared on our phone. To turn it on, open the Play Store app then tap Settings near the bottom. Expand Purchase Verification and toggle the switch to activate Biometric Verification. The storefront will then ask you to type in your password to confirm the setting change.
It’s important to mention that the final step will change within the coming weeks. According to the email, Google will let users use biometrics instead of requiring them to enter their account password.
The purpose of this feature is to seemingly provide an extra layer of safety to protect yourself against unauthorized transactions in case your phone is ever compromised. You don’t have to use a password anymore, although you will always have the option.
(Image credit: Future)
Minor, yet important detrails
There are a few minor details you should know regarding the feature.
At a glance, it seems the biometric verification will primarily live on the Play Store. We attempted to purchase an ebook and were met with a fingerprint reader to authenticate our identity before checkout. Then we discovered the security feature will appear on third-party apps, but its presence on them varies.
We purchased items for the game Arknights on our Android phone to see if a biometric verification reader popped up. It didn’t. The checkout went through without any hindrance. However, when we signed up for a three-month trial on Amazon Music, a Play Store message showed up asking if we would like to enable biometrics for future purchases.
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This leads us to believe that some apps will support the new verification method while others won’t. It may depend on whether or not a developer decides to support the security fixture on their product.
Do note this has been our personal experience with the tool. It may operate differently for you. Google didn’t provide much information in their email or Play Store Help page. Of course, we reached out to the tech giant for clarification and will update the story if we learn anything new.
Google appears to be working on adding quick access to its AI chatbot Gemini to the drop-down menu that appears in your address bar. If you want to talk to the bot quickly you’ll be able to type in ‘@gemini’ and get instant access to the bot.
According to Windows Report, Chrome is due to have a ‘chat with Gemini’ shortcut to the address bar, so you don’t have to go to the official Gemini website. The feature is yet to be widespread, but with the ‘chat with Gemini’ shortcut, you should be able to give it a try.
It’s not surprising to see Google forging ahead with its newest AI assistant in Chrome (and on Chromebooks) – in fact, Gemini was technically implemented into the browser back in February, when Google introduced an AI-powered ‘help me write’ feature. Microsoft has been pushing its own AI helper Copilot aggressively across everything from the Edge browser to Windows tablets. Google has demonstrated a more reserved approach to AI tools compared to Microsoft’s bull-in-a-china-shop efforts, but it makes sense that the search engine giant wants to keep pace with the competition.
How to use Gemini in Chrome right now
You can try typing out ‘@gemini’ and see if anything comes up, but as of right now it’s not functional – you can’t click on it or select it. It’s still part of a Chrome Canary patch, which is Google’s channel for testing out potential new features that enthusiasts and developers can try out and give feedback on.
If you’d like to try it out, you can launch and set up Chrome Canary, and once the test browser is installed you can enter chrome://flags in the address bar and hit enter. This should take you to the ‘Expansion pack page for the site’ and you’ll be able to enable the starter pack.
Restart the browser and you’re done! You should then be able to chat with Gemini from the address bar. Of course, as this is still in testing there’s no guarantee that it’ll work flawlessly, and we can’t be sure just yet that the feature will make it to the public version of the browser. However, if it does make it to the public it’ll be good news for Gemini fans or anyone who wants to get more familiar with the ChatGPT alternative.
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A mesh router system can be a great option for those with a large home or those with multiple floors or walls in a row. They can help mitigate Wi-Fi dead zones and help make sure that you have internet coverage throughout your entire residence. The Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro 6E is one of our and our top pick for newcomers who want something that just works more or less out of the box. Right now, you can save on packs at Wellbots thanks to our exclusive discount code. A bundle of three nodes is with the code ENGADGET60. You’ll get free shipping too.
Google
The Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro 6E is our top pick for mesh router newcomers.
Each router can cover up to 2,200 square feet, so three of them can cover as much as 6,600 square feet — perhaps enough to reach the furthest edge of a large garden. If you don’t need quite that much coverage, you can opt for . That bundle typically costs $300, but by using the code ENGADGET50, you can save $50.
Wi-Fi 6E routers deliver speeds that are up to twice as fast as Wi-Fi 6. That’s because they use a newer and less-congested radio band that directs a signal along a more direct route to the most dependable internet connection — as long as the devices connecting to the network support Wi-Fi 6E too.
Google claims that it uses ongoing optimization and network performance analysis to minimize network congestion. The Nest Wi-Fi Pro will also be aware when you’re streaming video or on a video call, and it will you more bandwidth.
We gave the Nest Wi-Fi Pro 6E . While there are faster and more powerful Wi-Fi 6E mesh systems, Google’s offering is easy to set up and use. It also integrates with Google Assistant (and has support for Matter and Thread). So, if you’re already entrenched in the Google smart home ecosystem and have other compatible products, the Nest Wi-Fi Pro 6E might be a logical solution for you.
Google is expected to launch a new Pixel 8a phone at its I/O conference next month, but if you’re willing to buy last year’s model, a new sale has dropped the Pixel 7a down to the lowest price we’ve tracked. The handset is now available for $349, which is $150 less than Google’s list price and $25 below the prior low we’ve seen in recent months. The only better deals we’ve found for an unlocked model have required you to trade in another device. This discount applies to the black, light blue and white colorways and is available at several retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, Target and Google’s online store. Google says the offer will run through May 4.
Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
This is a new low for the unlocked version of Google’s midrange smartphone.
The Pixel 7a is the top budget pick in our guide to the best Android phones, and Engadget’s Sam Rutherford gave it a score of 90 in our review last May. When it’s discounted to this extent, it remains a good value. Its cameras still outshine just about everything else in this price range, and it still provides a largely bloat-free version of Android. Its Tensor G2 can sometimes run hot but is still plenty quick for everyday tasks. Though it won’t be kept up to date for as long as the flagship Pixel 8, it’ll still receive OS updates through May 2026 and security updates through May 2028.
The mostly plastic design and 6.1-inch OLED display are both a step down from more expensive devices, but they should be more than acceptable at this price. The latter can run at a 90Hz refresh rate, which again isn’t on the level of top-tier models but makes scrolling feel smoother than it’d be on many cheap Android phones. Along those lines, while the Pixel 7a’s wireless charging tops out at a relatively slow 7.5W, the fact that it supports wireless charging at all is welcome. Battery life is solid but not class-leading in general, though wired charging also isn’t the fastest at 18W.
If you don’t need a new phone right this second, it still makes sense to see if Google followstradition and releases a new A-series phone in a few weeks. There’s been a spate of Pixel 8a leaks over the past several months, all of which suggest a device that’ll fall more closely in line with the current Pixel 8. Exactly how much the new phone will cost is unclear, however. If you want upgrade today and must stay on a tighter budget, we’d expect this deal to stay worthwhile after I/O has passed. It’s also worth noting that the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are on sale for $549 and $799, respectively, though neither of those are all-time lows.
That’s not the only Pixel that features the new Exynos modem. Even the Pixel Fold 2 and the Pixel Tablet 2 reportedly use Samsung’s newer modem inside a new Tensor chipset.
While the Pixel Tablet was a Wi-Fi-only device, the Pixel Tablet 2 (codename ‘Clementine’) will reportedly come in a cellular (Wi-Fi + 5G) variant featuring the new Exynos 5400 modem. Apparently, T-Mobile will provide the satellite-based communication feature (using SpaceX collaboration). More service providers could be added later.
This emergency communications feature will be used for text messages in future Pixel devices. A special ‘Satellite Gateway’ app will allow users to communicate with emergency services easily. They must use the Emergency SOS feature to connect to emergency services. Moreover, they need to hold the phone in a specific alignment and direction (to connect to satellite signals), and Google has developed animations to explain that to users.
The app will reportedly ask a few questions about the user’s condition and situation. They are listed below:
What happened?
[Are you/Are they/Is everyone] breathing?
In total, how many people are [missing/trapped]?
What best describes your situation?
What is on fire?
Are there weapons involved?
What type of vehicle or vessel?
Do any of these apply?
Could Galaxy S25 feature satellite connectivity for emergency situations?
However, the Galaxy S25 might have satellite-based two-way communication for Emergency SOS services and text messaging.
Author’s Note:After the launch of the Galaxy S23, Samsung MX CEO TM Roh said that the ecosystem for satellite-based messaging and emergency services isn’t mature yet. He said that the company will wait for the ecosystem to mature before bringing it to Galaxy phones. Since Android 15 has built-in support for the feature, the Galaxy S25 may finally have that feature. It also looks like a possibility as the Galaxy S25 is pegged to be a major launch for the South Korean firm.
Google‘s Long Exposure photo mode is actually decent. There, I said it. Photographer me is putting his neck on the line by saying that another smartphone computational photography mode, recently given its own tab in Google’s revamped Camera app, is one less reason to use a ‘proper’ camera – and mine’s a TechRadar-approved best mirrorless camera, no less.
I was on a short family break at the coast recently and set an early alarm to sneak out for a little solo time at first light at a secluded cove nearby. It would be me, the gentle lapping waves, and hopefully a little color in the sky. Of course, I would take a camera too.
Hot tea in a travel flask, banana, notepad and pen, mirrorless camera, two pro lenses covering the 24-200mm focal length between them, an ND filter plus a tripod, and I was good to go. Oh, and the Google Pixel 6 was in my pocket.
Image 1 of 3
The standard version of the headline image, completely unedited.(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
With the Long Exposure photo mode applied but no edit. That horizon needs straightening!(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
An edited version in the original 4:3 aspect ratio, whereas our headline images get cropped 16:9.(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
A steep descent through a wooded area and the sheltered east-facing cove came into view. I’ve learned the importance of enjoying nature first before taking a camera out of the bag, especially given my screen-intensive day job.
After grounding myself in the peace and unrushed pace of the quiet sunrise I started moving around the beach looking for compositions that caught my eye, for photos that would transport me back to what it was like being there.
Sunrise was lovely – not award-winning, but adding a splash of color. The outgoing tide was steadily revealing more of the beach. Small waves crashed against the clay-red sandy incline, climbed up the beach a little, and then retreated around small rocks, creating interesting patterns.
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I’ve taken a few long exposure seascape photos down the years, and love the technique, especially for accentuating the movement of water as it retreats around rocks. I take a quick snap of the scene on the Pixel 6 and it occurs to me that I’ve not properly used its Long Exposure photo mode yet, now prominent in the camera app with its own tab.
Image 1 of 2
Most of my favorite images of the morning were taken in vertical format. I’ve made a cooler, moody edit to this photo using the Google Pixel 6’s camera app editor (Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
The unedited standard version of the same image. (Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
The Long Exposure photo mode blurs movement, while keeping still objects sharp. The creative technique can be used in several ways, with blurring moving water a popular choice. Having observed the water trails, I line up the picture and take the snap.
It works a little like Night Sight – you need to keep your phone as steady as possible while the long exposure is captured. That way the still objects – in this case the rocks, cliff faces, and untouched sand – remain sharp. This computational photography mode is like a pro mirrorless camera’s in-body image stabilization on steroids.
The phone stores both the regular photo and the long exposure effect image (I’ve included both versions of every image for comparison). I have to say, the effect in this scenario is convincing (see above), similar to what I’d expect from my mirrorless camera which remains in the bag 50 meters away up the beach.
Whatever camera you use for long exposure photography (be it mirrorless or a cameraphone) – in this context of accentuating retreating ocean waters – you need to keep trying and trying and trying to get the shot. Timing is so hard.
Your best bet is starting the capture with the wave at its peak up the beach and just as the water starts to retreat. That way the natural path back to the ocean, be it straight or snaking around rocks, is accentuated and depicts the tidal energy.
Image 1 of 2
Not all scenes are worth using the Long Exposure photo mode for. The water is too far away in this composition and now I’m blowing out highlights.(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
For this scene I prefer the standard photo. Also, if you look closely at the detail in the image using the Long Exposure photo mode, it’s a little softer.(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
Google Pixel’s Long Exposure mode isn’t perfect – detail is usually softer than in the standard version – but it’s pretty darn good and convincing enough that I didn’t really need to bring my mirrorless camera, tripod, and ND filters along for the ride. If I owned the OM System OM-1 II (or OM-1), I could use that camera’s Live ND computational photography mode instead and leave the tripod and ND filters behind.
I haven’t lost faith in my ‘proper’ camera, far from it. Towards the end of my time at the beach, while still alone, a playful seal popped its head up like a floating rock. I steamed back up the beach to my bag, grabbed the camera with a 70-200mm lens, and got a few photos that far exceed what I could possibly hope to get with the Pixel 6 – though some of today’s best cameraphones might have done a decent job.
I’ll also still use my ‘proper’ camera with tripod and ND filters for long exposure photography, too. It’s just that now I might think twice if lugging all of that gear to get the creative effect is worth it when I have the computational mode in a device that slips into my pocket.
Sammy, from considerable distance, taken with my pro mirrorless camera that I still love. (Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
