Last week, Google debuted its latest generative AI experiment, Project Genie. It's a tool capable of generating interactive three-dimensional environments made entirely through generative AI that you can explore for one solid minute. All you need to do (after paying the $250 monthly fee for Google's AI Ultra subscription) is write a prompt to start generating your own game-like worlds, but besides the paywall barrier, there are more than a few limitations to this technology in terms of it becoming the new way to make games. The fact that it runs at a slide-show speed of 24 frames per second, […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/googles-project-genie-shows-meaningful-progress-in-content-generation-but-it-cant-replace-creative-vision-says-analyst/

The Tensor G5 was a disappointing release, as Google’s first SoC to utilize TSMC’s cutting-edge lithography was once again behind the competition in raw performance and efficiency. Despite these shortcomings, the Mountain View is expected to witness the highest year-over-year chipset shipments growth for 2026, beating out its rivals, who are estimated to see declines in the tally due to the DRAM shortage. Global smartphone chipset shipments to decline by 7% in 2026, with Chinese OEMs hit the hardest; Apple, Samsung, and Google are better positioned thanks to a strong integrated supply chain and robust focus on in-house silicon development The […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/google-tensor-soc-shipments-2026-facing-least-resistance-due-to-dram-shortage/

Google is exploring new options to allow websites and publishers to opt out of having their content used in AI Overviews. The move comes after the UK government urged the company to provide more control to content creators, citing growing concerns about fair usage and declining traffic to news sites.

UK regulators demand more control for publishers

According to a Reuters report, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened a formal consultation on how Google manages content across its AI-powered features. The regulator wants the company to let websites opt out of having their material scraped for AI-generated summaries or used to train separate AI models like Gemini.

In a blog post published on Thursday, Google confirmed that it is working on updates that would enable websites to exclude their content from Search generative AI features. The company said it aims to protect the usefulness of Search while also giving publishers the tools to manage how their content appears across AI products.

Google introduced AI Overviews in mid-2024. The feature uses generative AI to provide quick answers at the top of search results. However, publishers have not had any mechanism to opt out of these summaries, which has led to significant drops in click-through traffic.

The CMA stated that Google holds more than 90% of the UK’s search market. It warned that this dominance could distort competition and harm news organizations that rely on visibility in search.

Google said any new opt-out control must be scalable and not create a fragmented or confusing experience for users. The company also pointed to existing tools like robots.txt and Google-Extended, but acknowledged that further updates are needed.

The CMA will spend the next year reviewing the consultation. Google said it hopes to work with publishers and regulators to find a solution that benefits both users and content creators.

In related news, you can also read our recent article exploring whether smartphones have truly reached peak innovation or if progress is now happening behind the scenes.

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Xiaomi 17 Ultra and Pixel 10 Pro XL are two of the most powerful Android phones you can buy right now. Both promise top-tier performance, excellent cameras, and premium features, but they go about it very differently. One focuses on bigger hardware and faster charging, while the other leans on software and smart features. This comparison breaks down which one actually delivers the better flagship experience.

Design and Display 

Build and Feel

Xiaomi 17 Ultra goes for a bold, camera-centric identity that feels engineered for power users. Its materials and visual weight give it a professional, almost tool-like presence. The Pixel 10 Pro XL takes the opposite route with a restrained, minimalist design that blends seamlessly into daily life. Xiaomi feels more expressive and experimental, while Pixel feels calmer and more refined. One draws attention, the other avoids it, and that difference is immediately noticeable in everyday handling.

Display Quality

Both phones deliver flagship LTPO panels with excellent HDR and adaptive refresh rates. Xiaomi prioritizes visual punch with extremely high brightness and contrast, making content feel cinematic and vibrant. Pixel focuses on accuracy, offering cleaner whites, more natural colors, and consistent tuning across apps. Xiaomi’s display feels more dramatic, while Pixel’s feels more controlled and reliable over long use.

Verdict

Xiaomi wins on visual impact. Pixel wins on balance and refinement.

Specifications 

Performance

Xiaomi 17 Ultra is built for raw performance. Its Snapdragon chipset delivers top-tier speed for gaming, multitasking, and heavy camera use with ease. Pixel 10 Pro XL, powered by Google’s Tensor chip, emphasizes AI-driven efficiency rather than peak benchmarks. Everyday tasks feel smooth and intelligent, but it lacks the headroom power users may expect. Xiaomi feels faster under pressure; Pixel feels optimized for routine use.

Battery and Charging

Battery life strongly favors Xiaomi thanks to its much larger capacity and extremely fast wired and wireless charging. Long days feel less stressful, and short charging sessions go a long way. Pixel’s battery life is stable and predictable, but charging speeds are conservative. Google clearly prioritizes longevity and thermal stability over speed.

Verdict

Xiaomi dominates in endurance and charging. Pixel focuses on efficiency and consistency.

Camera 

Main and Secondary Lenses

Xiaomi’s camera setup is aggressively hardware-driven. Its large main sensor and high-resolution periscope lens deliver excellent detail, strong low-light results, and standout zoom performance. It feels designed for users who enjoy versatility and control. Pixel relies more on computational photography, producing consistently natural images with excellent dynamic range and dependable color science. Xiaomi often delivers more dramatic shots; Pixel delivers safer, more predictable results.

Selfie Camera

Both phones perform well, but the Pixel’s front camera excels in focus reliability and social-ready processing. Xiaomi offers more detail, while Pixel offers better consistency.

Verdict

Xiaomi suits photography enthusiasts. Pixel suits users who want effortless, reliable results.

Pricing 

Price Comparison

Xiaomi 17 Ultra is priced at approximately $1000, while the Pixel 10 Pro XL sits higher at around $1200. This gap significantly changes the value conversation. Xiaomi delivers stronger battery life, faster charging, and more aggressive camera hardware for less money. Pixel positions itself as a premium experience rather than a spec-heavy bargain.

Is the Price Justified?

Xiaomi feels generous, offering flagship hardware that clearly exceeds expectations at its price. It appeals to users who want maximum capability per dollar. Pixel’s higher price is tied to long-term software updates, deep AI integration, and ecosystem reliability. That premium makes sense for users who value longevity and simplicity over raw specs.

Verdict

Xiaomi offers superior value. Pixel charges more for software polish and long-term support.

Disclaimer:
Prices are approximate and may vary based on country, region, and applicable taxes.

Conclusion 

Xiaomi 17 Ultra stands out with its massive battery, ultra-fast charging, powerful chipset, and camera system built for versatility and zoom. It feels like a device designed to push limits. The Pixel 10 Pro XL differentiates itself through clean software, advanced AI tools, and years of guaranteed updates. It feels designed for stability, intelligence, and long-term reliability rather than experimentation.

Final Verdict 

Xiaomi 17 Ultra is the better overall smartphone. It delivers stronger performance, a far better battery and charging, more advanced camera hardware, and a lower price. Pixel 10 Pro XL remains an excellent choice for users deeply invested in Google’s ecosystem, but Xiaomi offers a more complete flagship experience with fewer compromises.

Read More:

• OnePlus 15 vs Vivo X300: Why Vivo X300 Might Be a Better Buy Than OnePlus 15
• OnePlus 15 vs Galaxy S25: Which Flagship Makes Sense in 2026
• RedMagic 11 Air vs iQOO Z11 Turbo: RedMagic Went All-In on Gaming, iQOO Went on Value

The post Xiaomi 17 Ultra vs Pixel 10 Pro XL: Specs, Camera, Battery, and Price Compared appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google may soon expand the color lineup of its Pixel Buds 2a. Android Headlines has published official-looking renders showing the earbuds in two new color options, which are expected to be added alongside the existing Hazel and Iris variants. The Pixel Buds 2a have been available in those two colors since their launch in August last year.

While Google has not confirmed the official names, the new shades are expected to align with the rumored Pixel 9a color palette. These are likely to be called Fog and Berry. Visually, the Fog option appears as a light gray finish, while Berry is a soft pink tone. The pink version closely resembles the Peony color seen on recent Pixel devices and is clearly aimed at users who want a more eye-catching look.

Aside from color, nothing else has changed. The Pixel Buds 2a keep the same design and hardware. The charging case remains white on the outside for both new colors, while the interior matches the earbuds themselves, similar to the existing variants.

The Pixel Buds 2a are designed using data from over 45 million ear scans to improve comfort and fit. The earbuds carry an IP54 rating for sweat and water resistance, while the charging case is rated IPX4. Connectivity is handled via Bluetooth 5.4 with Super Wideband support, which improves call quality and connection stability.

Powering the earbuds is the Google Tensor A1 chip, paired with 11 mm dynamic drivers. Features include Active Noise Cancellation with Silent Seal 1.5, Transparency mode, active in-ear pressure relief, stereo spatial audio, and a 5-band equalizer. Voice calls benefit from a wind-blocking mesh and Google AI-powered noise reduction.

Battery life is rated at up to 7 hours with ANC on and up to 20 hours with the charging case. With ANC disabled, usage increases to 10 hours on the earbuds and 27 hours with the case. A 5-minute quick charge provides up to one hour of playback. Charging is done via USB-C, and the case includes a replaceable battery.

Additional features include hands-free Gemini access, tap controls, Pixel-Perfect Pairing, multipoint switching, and Find Hub support. Each earbud includes two microphones, infrared in-ear detection, and capacitive touch controls.

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(Source)

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Google announced yesterday that it is exploring ways for sites to opt out of Google using their content for its AI-generative search features, such as AI Mode and AI Overviews. I asked the SEO community on X if they would opt out of these Google Search AI-generative features or not.

The results. Of the over 350 responses that took the poll yesterday, most said they would not opt out. However, about 1/3 of respondents said they would block or opt out of these features. Here is the breakdown:

Question: Would you block Google from using your content for AI Overviews and AI Mode?

• 33.2% – Yes, I’d block Google
• 41.9% – No, I wouldn’t block
• 24.9% – I am not sure yet.

Here is the actual poll:

Would you block Google from using your content for AI Overviews and AI Mode – Google may be giving us more controls – take my poll below. https://t.co/60M3Vt0YlN

— Barry Schwartz (@rustybrick) January 28, 2026

How to opt out. We don’t know. Google only said it is “exploring” ways to handle this but has not provided any mechanism for this. So we don’t know how hard or easy it would be to opt out. The easier it is, the more likely sites will opt out; the harder, the less likely.

Why we care. The true number of sites that might opt out of AI Mode or AI Overviews won’t be known until the mechanism is out to handle this. And trust me, there will be many reports on how many sites are opting out.

Like recently, “Some 79% of almost 100 top news websites in the UK and US are blocking at least one crawler used for AI training out of OpenAI’s GPTBot, ClaudeBot, Anthropic-ai, CCBot, Applebot-Extended and Google-Extended,” reported The Press Gazette.

My recommendation; once it is out, it is something you will want to test and see the results of opting out or opting in.