News
Pixel 6 may ditch Snapdragon in favor of Google’s in-house chip
Google going the Apple way
Google’s Pixel lineup has sported a Snapdragon-branded processor since its debut, and it’s a practice that’s followed by pretty much all phone makers globally. However, if a new report is believed, the Pixel 6 shall ditch the routine and instead house Google’s in-house chip.
According to a report by 9to5Google, Pixel 6 may run on Google’s own “GS101” Whitechapel SoC. The new silicon is developed with the help of Samsung and shall power Pixel phones and Chromebook laptops. Whitechapel is currently an internal codename for the processor, and its official name isn’t confirmed yet.
As per the report, Google CEO Sundar Pichai had teased deeper investments in hardware and promised a ‘terrific roadmap ahead’ for 2021 during an earnings call in October 2020.
The company’s increasing focus on hardware isn’t surprising since Apple has also started pivoting to custom silicon. The new M1 processor is speedy and makes the MacBook Air more efficient than ever. Most importantly, an in-house chip gives full access and control of the technology stack to the phone maker.
Everyone across the globe enjoys apple’s products because of their insanely intelligent hardware and software integration. In fact, software updates also become far easier to push when the phone maker has full access to the stack, which includes — operating system (Android), custom skin (launcher), hardware kernel, and drivers (backend programs that convert digital signals to machine language), and the hardware itself.
It’s worth mentioning that this isn’t Google’s first try with hardware chips. The Pixel Visual Core is a dedicated chip included in all Pixel phones since the Pixel 2 series. Its sole responsibility is to ensure better image processing capabilities, and it can compile HDR+ images 5 times faster than an application process. Furthermore, complex tasks like image adjustments and enhancements are handled by the chips AI while consuming barely any power.
Gone are the days when consoles get cheaper as time goes by. These days, especially because of the RAM crisis, gaming consoles are getting more expensive. Joining this worrying trend, the Nintendo Switch 2 is getting a price hike.
Even upon launch, the Switch 2 was already pricier than its original counterpart. Currently, without the incoming price hikes, the console retails for US$ 449.99. It’s a lot but not completely out of reach.
Last week, Nintendo announced a price hike that might push the console to less than attainable levels. Starting May 25, the Switch 2 will cost JPY 59,980 (up from JPY 49,980) in Japan. The original generation is also getting a hike: JPY 47,980 for the Switch OLED, JPY 43,980 for the base Switch, and JPY 29,980 for the Switch Lite.
Abroad, you can expect price hikes on September 1. The Switch 2 will jump to US$ 499.99, CAN 679.99, or EUR 499.99, depending on where you live. These are the only official hikes announced right now, but Nintendo has confirmed that price revisions will be implemented in other regions, too.
As you might expect, the price increases are due to the ongoing RAM crisis. Though the console is an undeniable hit, the Switch 2 can’t hide behind its popularity against the price shortage dealt by unnecessary data centers. At the very least, users worldwide have time to grab the console in its original pricing before the hikes.
Gaming
Call of Duty drops the PlayStation 4 starting with its next game
Is this the beginning of the end for the PlayStation 4?
When can we declare that a console is officially dead? Is it as soon as the launch of the next generation? Is it when games no longer come out on the console? Recently, Call of Duty has confirmed that the next game will not be available anymore on the PlayStation 4, which presents an important question: Is the PlayStation 4 officially dead?
Call of Duty is one of the most persistent gaming franchises today. The last entry, Black Ops 7, is still available for the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One. Both consoles were launched over twelve years ago. (If that doesn’t make you old, the current generation was launched almost six years ago.)
As such, the franchise is one of the last stalwarts keeping the past generation alive. This week, Call of Duty, via a post on X, confirmed that the next game will not arrive on the PlayStation 4. Presumably, this also means the Xbox One.
Not sure where this one started, but it’s not true. The next Call of Duty is not being developed for PS4.
— Call of Duty (@CallofDuty) May 4, 2026
Currently, we don’t have details about the upcoming game yet. But a new entry is confirmed to arrive later this year.
With the departure of the Call of Duty franchise, it’s fair to ask what will become of the old generation moving forward. Over the years, developers have started shying away from the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One. Since the franchise still maintains a steady fan base today, a lot of PlayStation 4 users might be forced to make an upgrade to play the latest entry.
SEE ALSO: PC Game Pass gets cheaper, but Call of Duty delays are coming
News
TCL CSOT Unveils ‘APEX Pixel’ innovations at SID Display Week 2026
Breakthroughs in display technologies
Pushing the boundaries of display physics, TCL CSOT has officially launched its APEX Pixel framework at SID Display Week 2026.
This unified innovation path targets the microscopic architecture of pixels across FMM OLED, Inkjet-printed (IJP) OLED, and LCD panels to redefine clarity, power efficiency, and color volume.
The Super Pixel revolution
The highlight of the showcase is the Super Pixel technology for mobile FMM OLEDs.
By increasing sub-pixel density by roughly 1.8%, TCL CSOT has achieved sharpness comparable to WQHD standards while slashing power consumption by 25%.
Key mobile prototypes on display include:
- 6.9-inch Ultra-Clarity Display: Features a 2608×1200 resolution with a 0.5mm top bezel
- 165Hz High-Refresh Panel: Utilizes a Real RGB layout to boost motion smoothness by 40% over standard 120Hz screens
- Ultra-Low Power 8T LTPO: A 420PPI powerhouse that reduces SoC power draw by a quarter.
IJP OLED and the Tri-Fold Future
TCL CSOT continues to lead the transition toward Inkjet-printed (IJP) OLED.
By utilizing the world’s first 8.6-generation IJP line, the company has debuted a 28-inch Foldable and Portable IJP OLED Monitor.
This “Real Stripe” RGB display features a tri-fold design that expands from a 16-inch footprint to a 28-inch workspace.
IJP OLED allows for larger light-emitting areas, occupying 50% to 60% of the pixel. This leads to a significantly enhanced luminous efficiency compared to traditional evaporation methods.
RGBC: The New Standard for LCD
For large-scale cinema experiences, TCL CSOT introduced RGBC Four-Color Technology.
By adding a Cyan sub-pixel to the traditional RGB matrix, the 85-inch WHVA Ultra LCD TV achieves a staggering 131% of the BT.2020 color gamut.
This hardware-level shift allows for more saturated hues and finer resolution rendering that traditional three-color pixels cannot replicate.
Through APEX Pixel, TCL CSOT is no longer just chasing size, but perfecting the very atoms of the digital image.
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