Do you plan to buy Google’s new USB-C to HDMI cable for your Pixel?

This week has been an absolute whirlwind. After flying across the country to experience Made By Google in-person, I’m back home and ready to hunker down for the incoming storm that is the Pixel review period. With the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL set to launch in just a week — and with the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro Fold following soon after — we want to know what you want our reviewers to focus on by leaving a comment on this very post.

Our Pixel reviews tend to be some of the longest on the site — and considering I tend to write long reviews as it is, that’s saying something. Google’s focus on rolling out countless new software features can make it a real challenge to hit every change in-depth, though I’m always aiming to make sure our readers are as familiar with the experience as possible before they decide to upgrade. After all, the best reviews can help make up your mind for you.

Whether you’re curious about Gemini

We recently learned that the new Google TV Streamer remote works with older Chromecasts (read more about this in the linked article). So now that it is clear the new remote will work with older 4th gen devices, do you plan on picking up a replacement for your aging Chromecast? Sure, the Chromecast 4K and HD came with a remote, but perhaps it stopped working or is showing its age.

But this got me thinking: how many Chromecast owners actually want a replacement remote? So, hit the comments to let us know if you are planning to purchase the Google TV Streamer remote for your 4th gen Chromecast.

I, for one, usually run my phones free of cases, but after a recent drop that obliterated my Redmagic 9s Pro, I decided to pick up a Pixel 9 as a replacement. With that new purchase came a strong sense that I should probably splurge on a case this time around. So I went all out. I wanted something that looked good, made of leather, so a Bellroy case is what I purchased. It wasn’t cheap, but I’m pretty happy with it, so feel my money was spent well. 

But what about you? What kind of case do you normally go for when you purchase a new phone? What’s your go-to? Is it leather, plastic, rubber, colorful, muted, expensive, or cheap?

Everyone remembers their first phone. It’s the first time you can call your friends from wherever you are, take pics on the go, and play Angry Birds (depending on your era). What was your first phone and what do you remember about it? Do you remember it fondly? Share your memories about your first cellular experience!

I only recently switched to a Pixel 9, and I have to say I love the experience. Android feels more polished, the user experience more cohesive, and I appreciate that. But Pixel’s don’t always have the best reputation, with bugs and other issues typically cropping up after release. But this year seems different, partly because Google has held Android 15 back, which means Pixel 9 users are on a more stable and tested system, at least for the time being. This has certainly worked in Google’s favor, but for some, I’m sure the reputation remains lacking.

So, I have a question for all you Pixel users out there. Why did you choose to buy a Pixel over any of the other OEMs? Is it brand loyalty, do you simply prefer the experience Google offers, or is there another factor why you choose Pixel over the competition?

Now that Apple is starting to offer more and more of the features that made Android unique, like the recent addition of RCS messaging, it’s getting harder and harder to tell the two systems apart. Where using one operating system over another is becoming less about features and more about looks and branding. Still, there are some areas where Android excels and others where iOS comes out on top. For me, I choose Android because it is still more open than iOS, allowing me to easily sideload whatever I want, and I can even dip into ADB if I really need to change something, like remove a default app. I’ve used iOS plenty, but overall, it just feels locked down, and most workarounds often cost money.

But what about you, what is the major dealbreaker that holds you back from mainlining iOS? Hit the comments to let us know.