The Morning After: Our verdict on the Pixel 9a

Google is back with another entry-level smartphone, the Pixel 9a. With more AI smarts, a new hardware design, and the biggest battery on any Pixel yet, on paper, it sounds good. Especially the sub-$500 price tag.

In our full Pixel 9a review, Sam Rutherford breaks down where corners have been cut compared to the rest of the Pixel 9 family, namely screen (which is still nice!) and sluggish charging.

Engadget

While there is support for nearly all of Google’s AI features, the $499 Pixel 9a doesn’t get access to Google’s Screenshots app, which is an odd oversight. Especially when the phone has the Tensor G4 chip.

With ‘only’ two cameras, once again the Pixel 9 offers accurate images and enough versatility for most of us, including a macro focus mode for pin-sharp close-ups. In short, it’s likely to elbow out last year’s Pixel 8a as the best mid-range smartphone.

— Mat Smith

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Samsung’s robot ball arrives this summer

Ballie is happening.

Samsung

Samsung’s Ballie will go on sale in the US and South Korea this summer and will now pack Google’s Gemini AI model. Samsung says it can manage your smart home devices and even offer health and styling recommendations, for some reason. Having said that, we don’t know what kind of OS is running on the device, but it will process voice, audio and visual data. And struggle... with stairs. Samsung has yet to announce pricing for the robot ball, however. Probably for good reason.

Continue reading.

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Get three months of Apple TV+ for only $9

Understand the Severance obsession.

Apple TV+ is on sale right now for $3 per month for the first three months, bringing the total cost to just $9 for the entire period. That saves you $21 off the standard $10 monthly cost of the subscription. The deal is available through April 24, and the good news is that both new and qualified returning subscribers (those who haven’t been subscribed for the past 30 days) are eligible.

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The best drone for 2025

DJI still dominates, but HoverAir and Autel have some interesting alternatives.

Engadget

In the market for a drone? We break down the best options at different budgets, including some impressive budget models, like DJI’s Neo and Flip drones, along with the HoverAir X1 Pro lineup, all under $500. If you want the best flight experience (or camera quality), expect the budget to circle $1,000.

Continue reading.

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