Google has accidentally leaked its new line of Nest security cameras and video doorbells. Setup options appeared in the Google Home app for the wired versions of the Nest Cam Indoor (3rd Gen), Nest Cam Outdoor (2nd Gen), and Nest Doorbell (3rd Gen), as reported by Android Authority. The options appear to have now been removed, but an eagle-eyed Redditor also found the new products locked up at Home Depot ready to sell.
Google has already confirmed that it plans to reveal new details about its Nest Aware voice assistant infusion into Google Home on October 1st, replacing Google Assistant. That’s likely when we’ll also see the new hardware. These long-awaited updates are rumored to include a resolution bump to 2K, new zoom and crop, fresh colors, and a switch to Nest Home in the area. There’s also talk of a new subscription option, as Nest Aware is morphing into Google Home Premium and a new Google Home Premium Advanced plan. Details haven’t been confirmed, so take all of this with a pinch of salt.
As for the design of the new range, they look almost identical to the existing range, except for the colours, which include a striking red. Perhaps in preparation for the new releases, the Nest team recently updated the Home app to provide preview images of the last event before Live View loads, swiping between timelines and events, and better notifications with a static thumbnail that expands to a large animated preview. There were also a number of performance improvements and some much-needed polish. – Simon Hill
Sony Xperia 10 VII will not launch in the US
Courtesy of Sony
Sony stopped selling its flagship Xperia phones in the US last year, and that seems to be continuing with its latest mid-range Xperia 10 VII, announced on Friday. It will launch in Asia, Europe, and the UK, and it debuts a fresh design language with a horizontal camera bar, similar to Google’s Pixel phones (and even the iPhone Air).
It has a 6.1-inch screen, which may sound nice and compact, but it’s a bit larger than the 6.1-inch iPhone 16. That’s probably because the bezels at the top and bottom of the screen are a bit chunky for a modern phone. You do get a 120Hz refresh rate, though, and some folks will be excited to see a 3.5mm headphone jack and microSD card slot. It’s powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip with a 5,000mAh battery in tow and no wireless charging.
Speaking of cameras, the Sony has a 50-megapixel main camera paired with a 13MP Ultrawide, and you can use a dedicated shutter button on the side to snap pictures. It will cost £399 or €449 in the UK and Europe and goes on sale on September 19, the same day as the latest iPhone 17 lineup.
Qualcomm debuts Quick Charge 5+
This week, Qualcomm announced the next evolution of its fast charging technology, known as Quick Charge 5+. Qualcomm calls it the “fastest and most versatile charging solution” that can charge phones from 0 to 50 percent in five minutes. That was the case with the original version of Quick Charge 5, which is now over 5 years old. The advancements in Quick Charge 5+ are due to “improved thermal control” and “intelligent power delivery,” according to the standard. It’s less about increasing charging speed and more about maintaining that speed sustainably.
For example, Quick Charge 5+ doesn’t just pour all that juice into a device that’s not in a jam; instead, it “dynamically” regulates that power using a “reduced voltage approach.” This means it can reduce voltage on the fly to prevent overheating while charging, without affecting performance or battery health.
Qualcomm says its fast charging technology powers more than 1 billion devices, but we’ll have to see if Quick Charge 5+ gains more mainstream adoption in phones and accessories in the U.S. Qualcomm’s annual Snapdragon Summit is on Sept. 23, and the company says devices announced at the conference will support Quick Charge 5+. — Luke Larsen
Ultraloq enables NFC unlocking for Android phones
Courtesy of Ultraloq
Smart-lock brand Ultraloq is adept at adding support for the latest smart-home standards to its devices, from Matter to HomeKit. Now Android users can share a similar experience with Apple Home Key users with an update to the BOLT NFC Smart Lock ($200) that allows it to work with NFC-enabled Android devices to get a TAP-to-Ollock feature, similar to how you tap to pay. It’s a feature often touted on the iPhone, and you typically can’t switch between ecosystems if your device is compatible with both. The Bolt NFC Lock will allow both Apple and Android devices to wirelessly unlock this smart lock with a tap.
