Category: 4. Technology

In the lead-up to Google’s anticipated Pixel 10 launch, a fresh leak has provided a clearer picture of the first-party accessories and product variants likely to debut alongside the next-generation smartphones, reported 9To5Google.

Among the most notable leaks are new audio accessories, expectedly expanded colour palettes, and larger storage configurations. 

Pixel Buds 2a and Pro 2 colours tipped

According to information shared by a reliable tipster @MysteryLupin, the affordable Pixel Buds 2a are likely to arrive in four colours: Hazel (green), Strawberry (red), Iris (purple), and Fog Light (light blue), reported the 9To5Google. 

These second-generation A-Series earbuds could follow the 2021 debut of the original Pixel Buds A-Series, which offered consumers a budget-friendly alternative in Google’s audio lineup.

In addition, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are expected to introduce a new shade called Sterling, likely a sleek grey tone designed to complement the upcoming Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL models. 

Pixel 10 Series: Expanded Storage and Colour Options

The leak also details storage and colour variants for the upcoming Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold devices. The report hints that Pixel 10 will likely be available in 128 GB and 256 GB variants, with colour options including Black, Obsidian, Blue, Frost, Purple, Indigo, Yellow, and Lemongrass.

Moreover, the Pixel 10 Pro is expected to come in 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB models. Colour choices could span Black, Obsidian, Green, Jade, Grey, Moonstone, White and Porcelain. The larger Pixel 10 Pro XL is anticipated to be offered in 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB capacities, with the same colour range as the standard Pro model. Notably, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is also tipped to launch in 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB variants, available in Grey, Moonstone, Green, and Jade.  

Charging Accessories: New Pixel Chargers Incoming

Rounding off the leak is a glimpse at new charging peripherals. A product referred to as the “Google Pixel Charger” could reportedly arrive in a Rock Candy (white) finish, potentially echoing Apple’s MagSafe puck in form and function.

Alongside it, the “Google Pixel Wireless Charger” is expected to serve as the successor to the current Pixel Stand, hinting at faster wireless charging speeds and enhanced integration with Pixel phones. This may also align with the previously rumoured “Pixelsnap Charger with Stand,” suggesting a refined approach to desktop wireless charging solutions.

Land Rover’s range-topping Defender Octa has gained an undercover new specification with the Black.

Applied to the V8-powered four-wheel-drive, the new Black specification brings a range of black-finished components for an undercover, stealthy look. All cars are finished in Narvik Black as standard, while an optional matte protective film can be applied as an option.

You’ll find satin black paint on areas such as the front undershield and rear scuff plates, too, while the Land Rover badge on the grille is black with a darkened silver script. There’s also the choice of either 20-inch forged or 22-inch gloss black wheels with black centre caps.

Inside, you’ll find ebony leather applied throughout with perforation patterns applied to the seats. The main dashboard section is finished in a satin black powder coat, too, while buyers can also add a chopped carbon fibre finish as an extra. All cars get a 13.1-inch infotainment system as standard, too, which incorporates smartphone mirroring as well.

Mark Cameron, managing Director, Defender, said: “There’s no denying the presence and purpose of Defender Octa: it’s the tallest and widest Defender, enabling it to tackle even more extreme terrain.

“The introduction of Defender Octa Black takes things up a notch. We know our clients love giving their Defenders all-black finishes, so our designers have applied this principle to every possible surface – inside and out – to create the ultimate tough luxury Defender Octa.”.

As with all Defender Octa models, the Black gets a 4.4-litre turbocharged V8 engine as well as Land Rover’s 6D suspension system which can help the car to maintain a level footing no matter what conditions it is driving through.

Metal Gear and Death Stranding creator Hideo Kojima recently echoed Tom Cruise when talking about his future plans, declaring: “I want to keep creating things until I die.”

Since starting out in the industry at Konami in 1986, Kojima has created a variety of games, including Snatcher, the innovative sunlight-based GBA title Boktai, and the infamous P.T. demo. In a recent interview centering around Kojima’s latest game Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Game*Spark asked Kojima about his motivations and thoughts on why he continues to make games.

“I’m the same as Tom Cruise (laughs),” he said. “My life has been dedicated to creating things. That is my joy. I want to create for as long as my body and my brain keep working. I will think about (stopping) if it begins to inconvenience the people around me, but I want to keep creating things until I die.”

In likening himself to Cruise, Kojima is probably referring to the recent comments made by the actor at the premiere of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. On the red carpet, Cruise told The Hollywood Reporter that he will never stop making movies, even quipping that intends to keep making them into his 100s.

Talking of movies, in Kojima’s comment to Game*Spark, he didn’t specify creating games, just creating. This suggests that Kojima is open to making something that is not a game in the future. In a recent video interview with French media outlet Brut, Kojima revealed that, depending on how Kojima Productions is doing after it has completed Microsoft game OD and Sony game Physint, he would like to make a movie.

With their long cutscenes and cinematic presentation, some have argued that many of Kojima’s games are already movie-like (we’ve even worked out exactly how much of each Kojima game is cutscenes). However, in the interview with Game*Spark, Kojima addresses this, explaining that even though his games are influenced by movies, he is always focused on making a game first and foremost.

“I grew up watching movies, so they influence the lighting, character modeling, direction and so on (when I make a game), but I am conscious of the fact that I am not making a movie, and my fundamental approach is to consider what can only be done in a game, including an odd sense of playfulness,” he said.

Kojima’s playfulness is evident in some of the unexpected cameos and bizarre Easter eggs you can find in his games, especially if you mess about. Check out our list of the Death Stranding 2 Easter Eggs, cheats and secrets we’ve found so far, or find out about the strange things you can make Sam do in the hotsprings.

Of course, Kojima is associated with a movie: an adaptation of Death Stranding itself, which Norman Reedus has said he’d love to star in.

Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Kojima Productions.

Verity Townsend is a Japan-based freelance writer who previously served as editor, contributor and translator for the game news site Automaton West. She has also written about Japanese culture and movies for various publications.

Announced earlier this year at NAMM 2025, Melbourne Instruments’ Roto-Control is a MIDI controller with a difference.

Equipped with eight motorized knobs – first seen on the company’s NINA synth – that instantly recall parameter values when opening new projects or plugins, Roto-Control also offered Ableton Live integration straight out of the box.

If you’ve been reading Bring A Loupe with regularity during my tenure, you would already know my affinity for gilt-dialed Tudor Submariners. As with the Rolex Sub, there is a deep and nerdy history to explore when it comes to those offered by Tudor throughout the vintage period. In the 1960s, while Rolex’s Subs featured dials with a deep gloss, now known simply as “gilt” dials, their Tudor contemporaries offered a different finish — matte gilt. The text and chapter ring tone are the same, but the black of the dial is softer, making for a distinctly different look in the metal. Some collectors have begun to shy away from Rolex gilt dials, fearing fragility and scratches on the gloss surface. With the Tudors, there is less to worry about.

It is finally July, which as well as a heatwave in our native shores, also brings a fresh entry into our regular Pick of the Month column.

Here, we once again detail all the products to earn five-star ratings from our team of hi-fi and home cinema experts over the past month.