Good morning and happy Thursday. Today’s highlights include a wave of Pixel reviews, a fresh look at Insomniac’s upcoming Wolverine game, an eye-opening piece on widespread phone scams, and an updated Qwen 3.8 model that I’ll be adjusting over the next few days.
Inbox is our concise tech newsletter you can read in roughly 95 seconds. We summarize the most important 9to5Google stories from the past couple of days alongside select items from across the web. We publish every Tuesday and Thursday; if you enjoy this edition, please consider subscribing.
Inbox is written by Daniel Bader. Read past issues to catch up, and don’t miss Ben Schoon’s Weekender column for deeper weekend picks and analysis.
⭐️ Starred
The top story today is Google’s new Pixel phones and watches. Reviews are now live, and our coverage reflects a cautious consensus: the Pixel 11 lineup feels evolutionary rather than revolutionary. As Damien Wilde put it bluntly, “This probably could have been a software update.”
That assessment has two sides. It’s disappointing if you expected dramatic hardware changes. But it’s also reassuring: many of the headline software features are likely to reach older Pixel models once Google finishes optimization. Some capabilities may remain exclusive to the faster Tensor G6 chip—for example, advanced camera modes—while other improvements like Proactive Assistance and Rambler could be backported in the coming months.
Across the tech press there’s a general ambivalence about the new Pixel devices, driven by rising prices and hardware that some feel lags competitors. Early reviews emphasize solid software and AI features, but highlight compromises that may deter buyers at launch prices.
From our team:
The Pixel 11 is a good phone but an expensive phone. It’s easier to evaluate after discounts and sales, which historically make Google hardware a more compelling buy.
The Pixel 11 Pro is a capable device affected more by perception and timing than by serious flaws. The hardware, software, and AI are all strong.
The Pixel 11 Pro Fold shows promise but is held back by fit-and-finish issues, camera inconsistencies, a visible display crease, and potential battery life concerns.
These early impressions aren’t final verdicts; we prefer careful testing over rushing to meet embargo deadlines. Still, they mirror much of the wider industry sentiment: capable phones with meaningful software improvements, priced higher than many expected.
Other outlets echo similar points: praise for Tensor G6’s improved real-world performance, appreciation for new camera and AI features, and skepticism around battery life and inconsistent behavior in some modes.
More from our Pixel coverage:
- Initial Pixel Watch 5 (41mm) impressions and what’s new
- Stronger Pixel Snap magnets on the Pixel 11
- Unified Pixel search introduced and integrated into the app drawer
✉️ Inbox
- Google is shifting Pixel production out of China to Vietnam and targeting aggressive shipment goals for 2026. This long-running move is essentially complete for the Pixel 11 lineup.
- Fairphone’s Gen 6 Plus launches in the US at $649. It’s repairable and built for longevity, making it an attractive long-term choice despite modest specs.
- Gemini is getting tighter integration with Chrome on Android in the US, expanding “do-it-for-you” browsing features.
- Claude can now send emails through Gmail on your behalf—a reminder that AI-driven messages are increasingly common but not always welcome.
- Android’s stricter sideloading flow is rolling out, introducing delays designed to limit coercive app-install scams.
- The reMarkable Paper Pro can technically run Android, though the process is cumbersome and likely to undermine the device’s intended focused experience.
- Pixel 11 launches with Android 17’s new 3D emoji set, a divisive change for some users.
- GeForce Now added Firefox support, expanding cloud gaming browser options further beyond Chrome.
- Gemini Live introduces Deep Research and Notebooks in AI Mode, with several back-to-school updates including limited-time free AI Pro or AI Plus access depending on region.
🤑 Action items
If you value a distraction-free writing and note-taking experience, reMarkable continues to stand out. The company builds minimalist software and premium hardware focused on writing. Competitors offer broader features—web browsing, reading, and gaming—but for serious note-taking and sketching I find reMarkable unmatched.
reMarkable devices rarely see discounts, so current promotions that bundle a stylus and folio at reduced prices are worth noting for anyone shopping for a premium digital paper tablet.
- reMarkable Paper Pro Move bundle — discounted bundle price
- reMarkable Paper Pro bundle — discounted bundle price
🙃 FWD:
In one unexpected move, a US Army unit offered a special four-day pass tied to the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 for soldiers who reenlisted during a specified window. Separately, days before a major Netflix reveal, gameplay footage reportedly leaked in multiple uploads tied to a group calling itself CyberLeek, which also promoted a memecoin alongside the leaks.
I’m also eagerly awaiting Laika Studios’ stop-motion film Wildwood—handcrafted animation, heartfelt storytelling, and imaginative characters make it one of my most-anticipated releases.
🗑️ Trash
I first encountered the theremin in Sean Michaels’ novel Us Conductors, and the instrument’s eerie, hands-in-the-air interface has always stuck with me. You can now experiment with a webcam-based theremin emulator that translates hand motions into pitch and volume, offering a fun and accessible way to try out those signature “jazz hands” gestures.
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Thanks for reading, and have a great weekend.