It's been 84 years, but my dream of 'MagSafe' on a Pixel is almost here
Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
I am an Android and a Pixel fan who has been heralding MagSafe as the coolest and most useful smartphone accessory improvement since sliced bread — or USB-C to stay within the metaphor. So when Qi2 was announced with a hint of MagSafe backwards compatibility, I was in nerd heaven. Finally — finally! — I'd be able to dip into a large ecosystem of accessories and use them on my Pixel phones.
But Qi2's announcement came and went, and the weeks, months, and years passed us by without any Android phone adding support for the standard. Then came the HMD Skyline, the first phone with built-in Qi2 charging and magnet compatibility, which made little impact besides claiming the title of 'first to market.' Google released its Pixel 9 series with good ol' first-gen Qi, letting 2024 roll into 2025 with me still twiddling my thumbs waiting for Qi2's big 'Finally!' moment.
Early 2025 didn't change much. I thought the Samsung Galaxy S25 series would take us over the hump and herald the age of Qi2, and while the phones are Qi2-ready, they don't have the built-in magnet compatibility that I really want. Instead, you have to buy a magnetic case, which solves the issue without really solving it (I'll get to the 'why' later). Similarly, the OnePlus 13 uses a magnetic case to trigger its proprietary AIRVOOC wireless charging ecosystem, and the OPPO Find X8 series followed with the same strategy.
It's easy to lose hope in this context. I was starting to think that 2025 is done for, and that I'd have to wait for 2026 to see Qi2's big moment on Android come to fruition. But lo and behold, Google, the brand less likely to innovate on hardware specs, is potentially preparing an unexpected surprise: Qi2 on the Pixel 10. And if that turns out to be true, you'll find me doing the Shia LaBeouf clapping meme in real life for a few minutes. Here's why.
Google adopting Qi2 puts pressure on everyone to adopt Qi2
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
Android brands have been fighting over small margins on spec sheets for years now, and no one wants to be left behind. If OnePlus upgrades to the latest processor, Samsung will follow, and if Xiaomi speeds up its charging, OPPO will go faster. It took ages to get the first under-display fingerprint scanner, but now almost all Android phones have them; the same happened with higher adaptive refresh rates on displays, periscope cameras, and so on. It only takes one small snowball to create an avalanche, but waiting for the snowball is the hardest part.
We're now seeing this shift with silicon-carbon batteries, and I hope that we'll soon see it for Qi2. If Google, the face of Android and the brand with some of the most significant PR exposure (especially in the US market), really added full Qi2 compatibility and created an ecosystem of magnet-friendly 'Pixelsnap' accessories, then it will definitely spearhead the online conversation around Qi2, magnets, and 'MagSafe on Android.' Reviews, YouTube videos, podcasts, ads — everything will mention Pixelsnap, and the onus will be on everyone else to follow.
That should pressure every other brand to include Qi2 in their upcoming flagship, even speeding up their plans if Qi2 wasn't part of them already. What was once a 'nice to have' feature in the spec sheet would become a real bullet point under the cons if it's missing. And no brand wants extra cons and reasons for people not to buy its phones.
What we're potentially looking at with the Pixel 10 is the snowball that starts the avalanche, and I'm all here for it.
Built-in magnet compatibility makes all the difference for Qi2
Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
I'm clumsy and I'm the first one to put a case on all my phones, so why am I so staunchly against the idea of Qi2-ready phones with magnet compatibility brought in by cases? Well, it's a matter of perception in my opinion.
When the metallic array used by magnets is not built into the phone, Qi2 becomes an extra: It's not taken seriously by accessory makers who believe (rightfully so) that not all users will be interested in magnetic accessories because they likely don't know that their phones are compatible.
We've seen this with the Galaxy S25 series, where the majority of S25 case makers opted for non-magnetic cases and only offered one or two magnetic options. Meanwhile, most MagSafe accessories are still being made for and marketed at iPhone users, even if they're also compatible with the Galaxy S25 and its Qi2-ready certification. You and I, the geeks who understand the tech, will know that we can buy a MagSafe charger or stand and use it with a magnetic case on our Galaxy S25 Ultra, but not everyone will. And I think that's harmful both to the accessory ecosystem and Android's perception amongst users.
When magnetism is an integral part of the phone, it can't be ignored by case and accessory makers.
When magnet compatibility is built into the phone, it's an integral part of it. Ads will mention it, buyers will be aware of it, and the feature becomes a given, not an extra. Case makers will make sure most of their models offer it to replicate the phone's setup, and you and I, we'll have a larger choice in terms of compatible case colors and pricing. Plus, this opens up a whole world for accessory makers to adopt their accessories for Android, make special ones for different phones, or include compatible Android phones in their product images and marketing. Basically, look at the early years of MagSafe on the iPhone and copy-paste that to Android, though perhaps on a smaller scale. (It's a well-known fact that iPhone buyers pay more for accessories than Android owners, so accessory companies cater to them more.)
That is without mentioning, obviously, the small proportion of users who prefer to carry their phone case-less and could only benefit from the full Qi2 featureset if the magnetic setup was built-in.
Qi2-ready is like slapping a metallic ring on a phone and calling that MagSafe. It's not the same.
This is why I think the simple Qi2-ready certification isn't enough. It's basically the same thing as slapping a cheap metallic ring on a phone and calling that MagSafe; it's not the same.
And why magnets? Well, because they align a Qi2 wireless charger to charge up in the most efficient way possible, and also because the simplicity of snap-on and snap-off to add an accessory to your phone is unparalleled. No plugging, no clipping, no clamping, no holding; just magnets. Wallets, tripods and stands, PopSockets, external camera lights, microphones, and an entire ecosystem of unified magnet-compatible accessories exist out there, and that specific MagSafe- and Qi2-compatible metallic array opens the door for it. I want that for my Pixel phones, and I want it for all Android phones.
Bring on the magnets, I say, or to quote Jesse Pinkman…
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Entrepreneur
an hour ago
- Entrepreneur
Companies Step Up Reskilling in the Era of AI
AI is not just reshaping industries; it's redefining the future of work. So, it's critical for companies to reskill and upskill their talent to remain relevant and co-exist with AI You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform industries, companies face a critical challenge: How to prepare their workforce for a future that looks vastly different from the past. To stay relevant, companies are taking on various measures to reskill and upskill their employees to mitigate the risk of turning them redundant. The World Economic Forum estimates that automation will displace 85 million jobs by 2025, and 40 per cent of core skills will change for workers. AI will usher in a new era of productivity and value, and business leaders in the C-suite should make employees part of that future. At IT services company Persistent Systems, continuous learning and development of its people has always been a strategic priority to ensure they remain relevant and future-ready. "Our talent strategy is rooted in a robust learning ecosystem, led by Persistent University and our Digital Engineering Academy. Our Digital Engineering Academy offers AI-personalized learning paths mapped to over 6,500 skills, enabling employees to gain both breadth and depth in emerging technologies," says Dhanashree Bhat, Chief Operating Officer, Persistent Systems. "Over 18,000 employees have completed internal foundational training in GenAI, and our teams have earned close to 4,000 external certifications. Beyond this, we are scaling access to deeper specializations in AI, ML, and GenAI through a mix of internal modules and industry-recognized certifications. We have over 22,000 partner certifications across a range of technologies, including AI, which are critical to driving customer transformation," says Bhat. Fidelity Investments' global capability center (GCC) in India has been a key part of the company's global operations for over two decades. With a talent base of over 7,000 associates in India, it plays a pivotal role in driving innovation and delivering business-critical solutions. "At Fidelity Investments India, we recognise that in today's fast-changing landscape, embracing the cutting edge of technology is key to making a difference. We look to develop solutions and experiences to meet the dynamic business requirements," says Srinivas Gururaja Rau, Head of Fidelity Fund and Investment Operations Technology India, Fidelity Investments. "We have embedded this culture of constant upskilling and reskilling across all levels of the organization. Whether it's through structured programs like LEAP, an upskilling cohort for early-career technologists, role-based learning journeys, internal technology communities, niche hackathon events, our innovation and patent programs, or regular hands-on certification and training programs, we provide a host of opportunities for our technologists to learn and work on the latest emerging technologies in financial services, to innovate for the future," says Rau. ACQUISITIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS Several companies are also acquiring niche startups and leveraging partnerships to enable their reskilling initiatives. For instance, IT major Accenture recently acquired edtech firm TalentSprint from NSE Academy Ltd. The acquisition is expected to bolster Accenture LearnVantage's ability to drive growth through key university certifications and high impact bootcamps, creating trained talent pools for enterprises and governments. As part of the acquisition, TalentSprint's team of approximately 210 professionals will join Accenture LearnVantage. "TalentSprint's end-to-end delivery capabilities of focused learning programs provide a competitive value proposition for learners and enterprises alike, making it a great fit for our expanding LearnVantage business," said Kishore Durg, global lead of Accenture LearnVantage. "The addition of TalentSprint further boosts our ability to meet our clients' demand for training, helping their people gain the essential technology skills in emerging areas needed to reinvent their organizations and achieve greater business value." Saurabh Kumar Sahu, who leads Accenture's India business, added, "India is witnessing a growing need for specialized technology skills at scale as enterprises accelerate their digital transformation efforts and Global Capability Centers evolve into R&D, innovation, and engineering hubs. We see significant opportunities to partner with these organisations to build a pool of readily deployable talent skilled in emerging technologies." The acquisition of TalentSprint complements Accenture's recent investments in Udacity and Award Solutions, and aligns with the company's USD 1 billion investment in LearnVantage over three years, announced in early 2024. "Since inception, our mission has been to equip learners with deep expertise for a disrupted world," said Anurag Bansal, Managing Director and CEO of TalentSprint. "Joining forces with Accenture LearnVantage allows us to scale our impact, delivering cutting-edge technology and next-gen management programs that are valued and trusted by students, professionals, organizations, and governments alike." French IT major Capgemini recently collaborated with the Nasscom Foundation to skill and certify more than 700 disadvantaged youths through their AI for Skilling program. As India moves swiftly towards an AI-driven future, the demand for a workforce proficient in AI competencies continues to grow. Capgemini and the Nasscom Foundation partnership plays a key role in helping to meet this demand by equipping the youth with advanced skills in generative AI, robotics, fintech, and more. Implemented currently in Delhi NCR and Bengaluru, the program is designed to provide a comprehensive 200-hour training, comprising over 140 hours of technical training and more than 60 hours of soft skills development. The initiative builds on Capgemini Digital Academy program, which trains thousands of youths across India in high-demand digital skills, creating opportunities for careers in technology. "AI is shaping a bold new era of work—one where innovation, inclusion, and human potential thrive together. Through Capgemini's Digital Academy, in partnership with Nasscom Foundation, we are bridging the digital divide - equipping the youth with industry-relevant AI and technology skills for meaningful careers. This initiative is also fuelled by the passion of our employee volunteers, who mentor and guide learners, reinforcing our commitment to inclusive growth," says Ashwin Yardi, CEO, Capgemini India. Commenting on the success of the initiative, Jyoti Sharma, CEO, Nasscom Foundation said, "AI is not just reshaping industries, it's redefining the future of work. Our collaboration with Capgemini, under the AI for Skilling initiative, reflects our shared vision of an inclusive digital economy, where marginalized youth have the opportunity to participate and break barriers to AI access. By enabling future-ready skills and focusing on foundational, core-work skills, we are investing in the potential of India's youth to fully embrace evolving digital opportunities." To ensure holistic development, the initiative extended beyond technical training and included expert sessions conducted by industry professionals, as well as aptitude-building modules, and awareness programs. Real-world exposure was also facilitated through corporate volunteer engagement and industry visits, helping learners gain insights into workplace expectations and the professional culture of the technology sector. CO-EXISTENCE OF HUMANS AND AI Persistent Systems is of the view that collaboration between human expertise and AI is a "force multiplier". As GenAI becomes integral to business workflows, it's driving faster decisions, greater scale, and more dynamic operations. In fact, according to McKinsey, 71 per cent of business leaders now report using GenAI in at least one function, up from 65 per cent in early 2024. "We follow a human-in-the-loop approach, where employees are involved in training models, prompt engineering, and validating outputs, ensuring AI remains contextually relevant, ethical, unbiased, and aligned with business goals. Our focus is on outcome-based learning. From customer interview coaching to internal mobility programs, we help employees apply AI-first thinking to solve real problems, bridging skill development with delivery impact," says Bhat. He says that across industries, roles are being redefined. Developers are moving beyond manual coding toward solution design, while business teams are using AI to personalize experiences and accelerate decisions. This shift empowers talent to focus on higher-value, creative, and strategic work. Ultimately, AI is elevating human potential, and that synergy is shaping more agile, future-ready workforces capable of delivering stronger outcomes in a dynamic, technology-first world.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Billions of login credentials have been leaked online, Cybernews researchers say
NEW YORK (AP) — Researchers at cybersecurity outlet Cybernews say that billions of login credentials have been leaked and compiled into datasets online, giving criminals 'unprecedented access' to accounts consumers use each day. According to a report published this week, Cybernews researchers have recently discovered 30 exposed datasets that each contain a vast amount of login information — amounting to a total of 16 billion compromised credentials. That includes user passwords for a range of popular platforms including Google, Facebook and Apple. Sixteen billion is roughly double the amount of people on Earth today, signaling that impacted consumers may have had credentials for more than one account leaked. Cybernews notes that there are most certainly duplicates in the data and so 'it's impossible to tell how many people or accounts were actually exposed.' It's also important to note that the leaked login information doesn't span from a single source, such as one breach targeting a company. Instead, it appears that the data was stolen through multiple events over time, and then compiled and briefly exposed publicly, which is when Cybernews reports that its researchers discovered it. Various infostealers are most likely the culprit, Cybernews noted. Infostealers are a form of malicious software that breaches a victim's device or systems to take sensitive information. Many questions remain about these leaked credentials, including whose hands the login credentials are in now. But, as data breaches become more and more common in today's world, experts continue to stress the importance of maintaining key 'cyber hygiene.' If you're worried about your account data potentially being exposed in a recent breach, the first thing you can do is change your password — and avoid using the same or similar login credentials on multiple sites. If you find it too hard to memorize all your different passwords, consider a password manager or passkey. And also add multifactor authentication, which can serve as a second layer of verification through your phone, email or USB authenticator key.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Researchers Scanned the Brains of ChatGPT Users and Found Something Deeply Alarming
Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have found some startling results in the brain scans of ChatGPT users, adding to the growing body of evidence suggesting that AI is having a serious — and barely-understood — impact on its users' cognition even as it explodes in popularity worldwide. In a new paper currently awaiting peer review, researchers from the school's storied Media Lab documented the vast differences between the brain activity of people who using ChatGPT to write versus those who did not. The research team recruited 54 adults between the ages of 18 and 39 and divided them into three groups: one that used ChatGPT to help them write essays, one that used Google search as their main writing aid, and one that didn't use AI tech. The study took place over four months, with each group tasked with writing one essay per month for the first three, while a smaller subset of the cohort either switched from not using ChatGPT to using it — or vice versa — in the fourth month. As they completed the essay tasks, the participants were hooked up to electroencephalogram (EEG) machines that recorded their brain activity. Here's where things get wild: the ChatGPT group not only "consistently underperformed at neural, linguistic, and behavioral levels," but also got lazier with each essay they wrote; the EEGs found "weaker neural connectivity and under-engagement of alpha and beta networks." The Google-assisted group, meanwhile, had "moderate" neural engagement, while the "brain-only" group exhibited the strongest cognitive metrics throughout. These findings about brain activity, while novel, aren't entirely surprising after prior studies and anecdotes about the many ways that AI chatbot use seems to be affecting people's brains and minds. Previous MIT research, for instance, found that ChatGPT "power users" were becoming dependent on the chatbot and experiencing "indicators of addiction" and "withdrawal symptoms" when they were cut off. And earlier this year Carnegie Mellon and Microsoft — which has invested billions to bankroll OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT — found in a joint study that heavy chatbot use appears to almost atrophy critical thinking skills. A few months later, The Guardian found in an analysis of studies like that one that researchers are growing increasingly concerned that tech like ChatGPT is making us stupider, and a Wall Street Journal reporter even owned up to his cognitive skill loss from over-using chatbots. Beyond the neurological impacts, there are also lots of reasons to be concerned about how ChatGPT and other chatbots like it affects our mental health. As Futurism found in a recent investigation, many users are becoming obsessed with ChatGPT and developing paranoid delusions into which the chatbot is pushing them deeper. Some have even stopped taking their psychiatric medication because the chatbot told them to. "We know people use ChatGPT in a wide range of contexts, including deeply personal moments, and we take that responsibility seriously," OpenAI told us in response to that reporting. "We've built in safeguards to reduce the chance it reinforces harmful ideas, and continue working to better recognize and respond to sensitive situations." Add it all up, and the evidence is growing that AI is having profound and alarming effects on many users — but so far, we're seeing no evidence that corporations are slowing down in their attempts to injecting the tech into every part of of society. More on ChatGPT brain: Nation Cringes as Man Goes on TV to Declare That He's in Love With ChatGPT
