News Weekly: OnePlus 12 global launch, Pixel Feature Drop, and more

This is Android Central’s News Weekly, your go-to supply for a concise roundup of the week’s most vital tech tales. This is the place we delve into the highest headlines that present the newest developments and improvements contributing to the digital panorama. This week, we deal with the OnePlus 12 international debut, Google’s early function drop for Pixel telephones, a brand new Pixel colorway, Meta taking steps to guard teenagers on their platforms, and Google bringing AI to Chrome.OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R debut globally(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The OnePlus 12 and 12R debuted this week on January 23. First, there’s the OnePlus 12, retaining a design just like final 12 months with refined adjustments. The telephone has a 120Hz AMOLED show, a  5400mAh battery that lasts two days on a single cost, and 100W wired and 50W wi-fi charging. One Plus has at all times lauded itself on its cameras, and this one does not disappoint. The One Plus 12 has three rear cameras: a 50MP vast digicam, a 64MP lens with a 3x optical zoom, a 48MP ultra-wide lens, and a 32 MP entrance digicam.Android Central’s Senior Editor Harish Jonnalagadda was impressed in his OnePlus 12 overview, giving this gadget a 4.5/5 score. “Earlier OnePlus phones were a good option for what they cost, but the OnePlus 12 doesn’t need that particular qualifier — this is a terrific flagship that holds its own against the best that Samsung, Xiaomi, and Google have to offer,” Jonnalagadda stated. The OnePlus 12 is available in Flowy Emerald and Silky Black colours.On the opposite hand, the cheaper gadget, OnePlus 12R,  is now obtainable globally for the primary time. This mannequin has a 6.7-inch 120Hz display screen, with a much bigger 5,500mAh battery backed by 100W quick charging (80W in North America). The round digicam contains a 50MP Sony IMX890 main lens, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, a 2MP macro lens, and a 16MP selfie digicam. The OnePlus 12R is available in Iron Gray and Cool Blue colorways.Swipe to scroll horizontallySpecsOnePlus 12OnePlus 12ROSOxygenOS 14 based mostly on Android 14OxygenOS 14 based mostly on Android 14Display6.82-inch 120Hz LTPO AMOLED (3168 x 1440), 1,600 nits (HBM), 4,500 nits (HDR), Gorilla Glass Victus 26.78-inch 120Hz LTPO AMOLED (2780 x 1264), Gorilla Glass Victus 2ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 3Snapdragon 8 Gen 2RAM12GB/16GB LPDDR5X8GB/16GB LPDDR5XStorage256GB/512GB, UFS 4.0128GB/256GB, UFS 4.0Rear digicam 150MP ƒ/1.6 vast, 1/1.4-inch, OIS, 8K at 30fps50MP ƒ/1.8 vast, 1/1.56-inch, OIS, 4K at 60fpsRear digicam 264MP ƒ/2.6 3x telephoto, 120x digital zoom, OIS2MP ƒ2.4 macro, 4cm efficient taking pictures distanceRear digicam 348MP ƒ/2.2 ultrawide, 114-degree FoV8MP ƒ/2.2 ultrawide, 112-degree FoVFront digicam32MP ƒ/2.4, EIS16MP ƒ2.4 vast, EIS, 1080p at 30fpsProtectionIP65 mud and water resistanceIP64 mud and water resistanceConnectivityWi-Fi 7, Sub-6 5G, NFC, Bluetooth 5.4Wi-Fi 7, Sub-6 5G, NFC, Bluetooth 5.3SecurityIn-screen optical sensorIn-screen optical sensorBattery5400mAh battery, 100W wired (worldwide), 80W wired (U.S.), 50W wi-fi charging5500mAh battery, 100W wired charging (worldwide), 80W wired charging (U.S.)Dimensions164.3 x 75.8 x 9.1mm, 220g163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm, 207gColorsFlowy Emerald, Silky BlackCool Blue, Iron GrayGoogle brings new AI options to Chrome(Image credit score: Google)On Tuesday (Jan. 23), Google introduced the introduction of latest and “experimental generative AI features” to the Chrome browser. Users will quickly be capable to arrange comparable tab teams, and Chrome will present you a preview of what these teams include. Everyone likes to set a theme on Chrome based mostly on their aesthetic or temper, and Google is taking it a step additional with the Chrome M121, letting you customise your Chrome theme with “Create with AI.” With this, customers can “quickly generate custom themes based on a subject, mood, visual style and color that you choose.”There is now a brand new Chrome Web Store touchdown web page with themes created by those that work on Chrome for inspiration. Lastly, Google introduced one other function known as “Help Me Write,” present in Gmail and Google Docs, that shall be coming to Chrome. It will even be obtainable in “a text box or field on any site you visit in Chrome.” (Image credit score: Meta)Meta introduced on Thursday (Jan 24) that it is taking extra steps to safeguard teenagers from undesirable contact and restricted content material on its platforms. Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram,  introduced {that a} new set of “stricter messaging” settings is arriving on Meta. These settings for youngsters beneath 16 in some areas and beneath 18 in others will assist dad and mom guarantee teenagers do not obtain messages from folks they do not know. Teens beneath this age group will solely obtain messages from Facebook pals or these saved of their telephone’s contact record by default. They will now need to ship a request to their dad and mom when seeking to alter a default safety or privateness setting.Meta states that it has plans to launch a further function to assist steer teenagers away from “unwanted and potentially inappropriate images” within the close to future.Google freshens up the Pixel 8 sequence with a brand new Mint Green colorway(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Google put out a cryptic teaser a couple of new coloration for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro earlier this week, and it is lastly right here: in Mint Green. These telephones hit the cabinets on January 25 and may solely be bought from the Google Store or from Google Fi. Google despatched a Mint Green Pixel 8 pattern to Android Central, and the primary impression was that the precise coloration is way nearer to white than darkish inexperienced, with a extra pastel hue. Nevertheless, it is the primary distinctive coloration possibility for the Pixel 8 since its launch. The new gadget comes with just one storage possibility: 128GB, which is a dampener when Google is ready to supply seven years of software program updates. This distinctive colorway is out there by way of the Google Store and Google Fi Wireless.The January 2024 Pixel function drop places a physique thermometer in your pocket(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Looks like Google is taking part in all the correct playing cards to begin this 12 months. The first function drop of 2024 comes a bit early, and the replace is bringing in a sequence of well being options and AI instruments to a variety of Pixel customers beginning January 25. Imagine with the ability to take your temperature along with your telephone. If you may have a Pixel 8 Pro, now you can precisely test your physique’s temperature with a easy brow scan, and the telephone will vibrate as soon as the outcomes are learn.Moreover, Google launched new and up to date options like Circle to Search, Photomojis, Magic Compose, and Quick Share, which lets you textual content seamlessly, get inventive, share recordsdata, and seek for something inside apps. Lastly, seamless audio switching on the Pixel Buds Pro extends to the Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2, which means you may simply change your audio from one gadget to a different with out disruptions.