Google’s Latest Pixel Update Lets You Generate Images of People

Google rolled out new updates for Android and Pixel phones this week, one of which is the ability to generate images of people in the Pixel Studio app. This app is exclusive to the latest Pixel phones and lets you generate images based on text prompts in different art styles. Until now, the company restricted the app from generating people, but that’s no longer the case.

Also in these updates is the ability to block scams quickly as they’re happening in Google Messages. This broader Android feature uses Google’s Scam Detection to flag typical scam patterns that come through texts—before you compromise yourself, you’ll see a warning in the conversation that it’s likely a scam, and the option to report and block the number.

Finally, Google is turning its Find My Device app more like Apple’s Find My—you’re now able to share your live location with friends and family, alongside being able to track your devices. That means Android users have a dedicated place to share this sensitive information, instead of having to rely on Google Maps.

Dell’s QD-OLED Monitors Are Surprisingly Affordable

Courtesy of Dell

This week, Dell announced an assortment of new gaming monitors that bring once premium features, like QD-OLED panels and 120-Hz refresh rates, to shockingly affordable prices. Perhaps the most surprising is the announcement of the AQ2725D, a 27-inch, 2560 X 1440 gaming monitor from Alienware. The QD-OLED gaming display comes with a 280-Hz refresh rate—and yet, Dell says it costs just $549. It might not sound “cheap” but these kinds of monitors typically go for around $900 or higher, meaning there’s increasingly very little reason to buy a gaming monitor that isn’t QD-OLED. Samsung already dropped the price of its own 27-inch 1440p and 240-Hz Odyssey gaming monitor (G61SD) to $549 to match too.

Outside of gaming, Dell also unveiled a series of new professional and consumer monitors. The most interesting of the bunch are the Dell 27 Plus USB-C monitor (S2725QC) and Dell 34 Plus USB-C (S3425DW), which sport a refined design, improved 1500:1 contrast ratio, and a 120-Hz refresh rate. The 4K 27-inch model uses an IPS panel and sits at $350, impressive considering the specs. Meanwhile, the curved 34-inch ultrawide has a 2560 X 1440 VA panel and is $420. Both will be available globally starting March 20.

All these new monitors—including the new Dell Pro 14 Plus Portable Monitor—use Dell’s new company-wide naming scheme, which is how you get a name like the “Dell Pro 34 Plus USB-C Hub Monitor.” Confusingly, these Dell Pro displays are one tier down from the UltraSharp brand, which remains the company’s flagship monitor line across both commercial and consumer. —Luke Larsen

The Next-Gen Circular Ring 2 Won’t Fall Off

Courtesy of Circular

Which smart ring will be the first to offer the Oura Ring 4 some serious competition? This week, Circular made its play and launched the Kickstarter campaign for the Circular Ring 2. I tested the first generation of the Circular ring and got sized so inappropriately that the ring fell off within a week of me putting it on—the only smart ring where that’s happened to me! The Ring 2 fixes that obstacle with a new digital sizing kit, as well as a wireless charging case to supplement its purported eight days of battery life.

The Ring 2 also has a newer, bigger suite of health features that add women’s cycle tracking, FDA-cleared Afib detection, electrocardiogram capabilities, and insights by Kira+, Circular’s AI wellness assistant. Naturally, existing features remain, like the ability to track your activity, blood oxygen levels, heart rate variability, and sleep quality. A smart ring has two main advantages over a smartwatch or a wrist-worn fitness tracker, which is that it slips seamlessly on your finger, where you can forget about it and never have to take it off. We haven’t tested it yet, but the Circular Ring 2 looks like it might do just that. —Adrienne So

Polaroid’s 3rd-Gen Instant Cameras Have Better Autofocus

Photograph: Polaroid

Polaroid has updated its Now and Now+ instant cameras. The third generation Now cameras offer an upgraded two-lens autofocus system, with the camera automatically switching between focus zones (0.40m-1.3m and then 1.0m-infinity), an improved ranging sensor, and better metering. Polaroid promises that the updates will lead to sharper images, even in bright sunlight.

The basic design of the Now and Now+ has not changed, though it now comes in new colors. The “+” designator means it will pair with the Polaroid app on your phone to tap into advanced features like a double exposure mode, aperture priority shooting, and a remote timer. Both cameras shoot standard, full size Polaroid film and are available now starting at $120. —Scott Gilbertson

Dyson’s Supersonic R Is Finally Available for Consumers

Photograph: Dyson

Dyson has announced that its lightest and most powerful hairdryer yet, the Supersonic r, is going on general sale from 2 April.

First announced a year ago, the Supersonic r was previously only available to stylists and salons, but next month the rather unconventionally shaped dryer will be available to all.

Promising to be 30 percent smaller and 20 percent lighter than the original Supersonic released in 2016, the Supersonic r is powered by Dyson’s Hyperdymium motor and packs RFID sensors into its five included attachments. These work with the dryer to automatically adjust the motor speed and heat settings to deliver the optimal airflow and temperature for the job at hand.

The Supersonic r also uses new streamlined heater technology, with 10 heater foils placed in the curve of the machine that promise to heat the air more evenly and avoid hotspots. Its curved shape should also make the dryer more ergonomic and easy to hold, even if it does look just a little bit weird.

As the brand’s flagship hairdryer, the Supersonic r will have a price tag to match, making it quite the investment at $570/£450. It will be available in Ceramic Pink at launch, with Jasper Plum following in the summer. —Verity Burns