The first Android 12 Developer Preview build includes a new settings page for the Pixel 5, intended to allow it to respond to a “Double tap” gesture on the back, which can activate the Assistant, take a screenshot, and more, but it doesn’t seem to work just yet.
If the idea of a double tap gesture sounds all too familiar, that’s with good reason. It first appeared during the Android 11…
Most expensive electric vehicles on the road in 2021
February 19, 2021
Electric vehicles are booming. Shortened supply chains, making parts in-house, and advanced battery technologies have significantly helped manufacturers lower the costs of their electric vehicles. Consumers may soon see multiple EVs for sale under $30,000, which is exciting.
EGEB: Dandelion raises $30M, led by Bill Gates’s Breakthrough Energy
February 19, 2021
Geothermal company Dandelion closes a $30 million Series B funding round led by Breakthrough Energy.
Scottish-made tidal turbine generates power in Japan.
UnderstandSolar is a free service that links you to top-rated solar installers in your region for personalized solar…
Here’s what you get when a cellphone maker creates an electric moped
February 19, 2021
If Detel doesn’t ring a bell as an electric moped company, that’s because it’s not. The Indian company is more well known for its low-cost consumer electronics such as phones, LED displays, and headphones.
But now Detel is moving into the electric moped space, and the company’s Detel Easy moped is an interesting first entry into the market.
India is already a leader in electric mobility…
Tesla Powerwalls and other home battery packs proving more than useful in Texas blackouts
February 19, 2021
Tesla Powerwalls and other home battery packs are proving extremely useful in the current Texas blackouts following a snowstorm.
Home battery packs have grown in popularity in recent years by combining them with home solar systems to optimize the use of solar power.
Some…
As we saw in some early screenshots, Android 12 is preparing to deliver some new privacy enhancements. While it’s not live for everyone just yet, a pair of new toggles on Android 12 allow users to disable microphone and camera access to all apps.
We were able to manually…
Android 12 DP1: Pixel Launcher gains new 4×5 grid option
February 19, 2021
Today’s the big day of the Android 12 Developer Preview, and we’re hunting for changes large and small. One interesting small change we’ve spotted is that the Pixel Launcher now offers a new 4×5 grid option.
Last year, with the launch of the Pixel 5, Google introduced a new feature to the stock Pixel Launcher, adding the ability to adjust the grid size of your homescreen. At the time, the…
Motorola offers the most affordable phones on Google’s MVNO with a trio of devices launching this week. Google Fi is also introducing a promo where new Unlimited plan customers can get 50% off their first three months of service.
The Moto G Play (2021) is normally…
A solar innovator predicts the top 5 trends in solar’s future
February 19, 2021
Electrek spoke with Derya Baran, assistant professor of material science and engineering at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, about solar trends.
Baran’s work pushes boundaries in the solar sector, including inventing…
Android 12 DP1: Notifications to gain ‘Automatic’ option for whether or not to alert [Updated]
February 19, 2021
Android 12 Developer Preview 1 released earlier today, and deep within, we’ve found the beginnings of an “Automatic” option that lets Android decide whether or not a notification is important enough to alert by ringing and/or vibrating your phone.
When you long-press a notification on Android 11 today, you’ve given the choice as to whether notifications like that one should be set to…
