Pixel’s Now Playing glitches, iPhone Air mimics Pixels, and a 6,000 mAh Mini marvel

Hey there, Pixel fans and smartphone enthusiasts! We’ve got a smorgasbord of news from the tech world over the past few days, and we’re here to serve it up to you. From our own Pixel’s hiccuping features to whispers of next-gen launches and even a nod from Apple, let’s dive in!

One of the Pixel’s most iconic features, Now Playing, is currently hitting a major snag. For the uninitiated, Now Playing is that magical feature that identifies songs playing around you and displays them on your lock screen. It’s been a fan favorite since its debut on the Pixel 2, but lately, it’s been more miss than hit.

Users across Reddit and Google’s community forums are reporting that Now Playing has become virtually unusable. Songs that once popped up instantly are now going unrecognized, even when manually searched. Google did release an update to Android System Intelligence last month, promising bug fixes, but the problem persists. Some users have tried clearing the cache for Android System Intelligence or disabling Battery Saver mode (which turns off Now Playing), but these fixes are hit-or-miss. For now, Pixel fans might have to rely on Shazam or other alternatives until Google rolls out a proper fix.

It’s been hinted before that Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Air might just be taking a page out of Google’s design playbook. And now, leaker Jon Prosser recently shared renders of the iPhone 17 Air, showcasing a design that looks suspiciously like Google’s Pixel camera visor.

The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to feature a single-lens camera housed in a thick, horizontal bar — a design that’s been a Pixel signature since 2021. Prosser claims the design is final, and if true, it’s a bold move for Apple, which has traditionally favored its own aesthetic.

The iPhone 17 Air is also expected to be hella thin, with a smaller Dynamic Island to match its sleek profile. Whether this design will win over fans remains to be seen. Either way, it’s clear that Google’s influence is spreading — even to Cupertino. Check out the full video below:

If you’ve been longing for a compact Android phone that doesn’t skimp on battery life, OnePlus might have just the thing. According to leaks, the upcoming OnePlus 13 Mini (or OnePlus 13T) will pack a whopping 6,000 mAh battery into a 6.3-inch frame — the same size as Google’s Pixel 9 and 9 Pro.

For context, that’s a 30% boost over the Pixel 9’s 4,700 mAh battery and a massive leap ahead of the Samsung Galaxy S25’s 4,000 mAh offering. And no, OnePlus isn’t achieving this by making the phone thicker. Instead, it’s reportedly leveraging advancements in battery tech, possibly borrowed from its sibling brand, Oppo.

The OnePlus 13 Mini is expected to launch around April, and if the leaks hold true, it could be a game-changer for small phone enthusiasts.

While we’re still way off from the Pixel 10’s expected August 2025 launch, the rumor mill is already churning. Recent leaks have revealed the model numbers for the Pixel 10 lineup, which includes the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

The big news, however, is the rumored switch to TSMC for the Tensor G5 chip. After facing criticism for the Tensor G4’s performance and efficiency issues, Google seems to be taking a page from Qualcomm’s playbook by moving away from Samsung’s manufacturing process. If true, this could mean cooler, faster, and more efficient Pixels in the future.

From the frustration of a broken Now Playing feature to the excitement of a potential battery powerhouse from OnePlus and the upcoming Pixel 10 series, there’s no shortage of news to digest. And let’s not forget the irony of Apple potentially borrowing Google’s design cues — imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, after all.

Stay tuned for more updates, and in the meantime, keep those Pixels charged and your Shazam apps ready. Until next time, happy scrolling!

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