Tech journalist and YouTuber Arun Maini, also known as Mrwhosetheboss, claims his negative review of last year's Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones may have led Google to exclude him from their Pixel 9 launch event and not send him a review model. His followers were curious as to why he hadn't shared his first impressions of the new Pixel series yet, especially when other popular creators' opinions were out. Maini stands by his criticisms and suggests that Google shouldn't have excluded him but rather use his feedback to improve their product.
Arun Maini Accuses Google of Retaliation Over Pixel Review
Tech journalist and YouTuber Arun Maini, known as Mrwhosetheboss, has alleged that Google has excluded him from this year's Pixel launch event and withheld a review model due to his negative review of last year's Pixel 8 series.
Background
Maini's review of the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro in December 2022 criticized their design, camera performance, and software experience. He labeled the phones as "unimpressive" and "overpriced."
Google's Response
Google declined to comment directly on Maini's allegations. However, a spokesperson stated that the company values feedback from all reviewers and uses it to improve its products.
Maini's Perspective
Maini has maintained that his criticisms were fair and objective. He believes that Google should not have excluded him but instead used his feedback to address the flaws in the Pixel series.
FAQs
1. Why did Google exclude Arun Maini from the Pixel 9 launch event?
Maini alleges that Google did so in retaliation for his negative review of the Pixel 8 series. Google has declined to comment.
2. Was Maini's review biased?
Maini claims that his review was based on his own experiences and observations. Some viewers have questioned his objectivity, but he has denied any bias.
3. Has Google ever taken similar actions before?
There is no public record of Google excluding reviewers from events or withholding review models due to critical feedback.
4. Will Maini continue to review Google products?
Maini has not stated whether he will continue to review Google products. He has expressed his disappointment with Google's actions but has also said that he wants the company to do well.
5. What are the implications for other reviewers?
Maini's allegations raise concerns about the potential for censorship and suppression of critical reviews. It is unclear how Google's actions will affect the independence of tech journalists and reviewers.
Samsung has announced that its Android 15 update, which comes with significant security and privacy upgrades, will be delayed until next year. This news is a major disappointment for millions of Samsung Galaxy users as they continue to fall behind competing brands such as Google's Pixel and Apple's iPhone. Furthermore, Google has also announced that it will be releasing Android 16 earlier than expected, leaving Samsung to play catch up. It remains unclear if Samsung's full suite of security and privacy advancements will be included in the delayed Android 15 release.
Australian regulators have fined the social media company, formerly known as Twitter, $400,000 for not complying with a reporting notice to help combat child sexual abuse content on the platform. However, X argued that it is no longer obligated to pay the fine as it no longer exists as Twitter. Australian Judge Michael Wheelahan dismissed parts of X's defense and is now pursuing civil proceedings against the company. This is not the first time the company, owned by Elon Musk, has clashed with the Australian regulator, with a previous court order to take down footage of a stabbing in a Sydney church. Musk has criticized the regulator for attempting to control the internet.
Lava has released its latest smartphone, the Agni 5G, with a unique dual screen design and impressive features. Priced at Rs 20,999 for the base model, the phone offers a 6.78-inch AMOLED display, MediaTek Dimensity 7300X chipset, and a secondary 1.74-inch display on the back. It also boasts a triple camera system, 5,000mAh battery, and 3 years of OS updates and 4 years of security updates. With these specifications and a starting price of Rs 20,999, the Agni 5G is sure to attract the attention of Indian consumers looking for a local, high-performance smartphone.
Lava is set to release its new flagship smartphone, Lava Agni 3, today in India. Featuring a dual-display setup and an Action button similar to the iPhone, the device promises a premium experience at an affordable price. It also boasts powerful camera specs and other unique features like a glossy glass back and a front curved AMOLED panel. Watch the launch event live on Lava's YouTube channel to learn more and see the device in action.
In response to growing concerns about the spread of false information and political polarization on its platform, Facebook has announced new measures to address these issues. These measures include improving transparency around political ads, reducing the reach of divisive content, and encouraging more diverse perspectives in users' news feeds. With these changes, the social media giant aims to create a more responsible and inclusive environment for its global user base.
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, has officially banned a feature on social media platform X that has been used for "engagement farming" and causing him "eyebleeds." Musk, who purchased the platform in 2022, has been implementing changes over the past two years, including offering a blue verification tick for premium subscribers and hiding liked posts from public view. This recent move comes after Musk's warning in April that he would take action against accounts participating in engagement farming, referring to the practice of using manipulative techniques to boost interaction on posts.
The nonprofit organization First Things First partners with Southwest Human Development and other community partners to offer a free resource called the Birth to Five Helpline. This service provides support and advice for parents and caregivers regarding childcare for children up to five years old. Parents can contact the helpline to inquire about developmental milestones, behavior, feeding, sleep, and more. The helpline even offers virtual video consultation services and can be accessed through various platforms, making it easily accessible for Arizona families.
Earth's moon will soon have some company as a school bus-sized asteroid will temporarily orbit the planet, due to Earth's gravitational pull. This "mini-moon" will only stay in orbit for about two months before resuming its journey through space. This rare event will provide a unique opportunity for scientists to study and learn more about asteroids and their behavior.
Samsung has released a new budget-friendly phone, the Galaxy S24 FE, that offers some of the same features as the higher-priced Galaxy S24 series. The FE model, starting at $649.99, shares similar specs and design elements with the entry-level S24, but for a $210 difference in price. While the FE may not feel as luxurious or robust as the $1,299 Galaxy S24 Ultra, it still offers a solid and affordable option for those interested in Samsung's latest flagship phone.
Under Microsoft's new security architecture, the Recall feature will now only work on Copilot PCs with specific security measures, such as BitLocker and Device Encryption. Users will also need to opt-in to use the feature, giving them more control over their snapshots. Microsoft's executive vice president and consumer chief marketing officer, Yusuf Mehdi, stated that these changes are important to secure the feature and put users in complete control. Partners of the company are looking forward to more AI-powered security in Microsoft's Defender for Endpoints and the extended detection and response space.