The anticipated Google Pixel 6a is expected to be a budget spin-off of the Pixel 6 , and the big question is 'what will Google drop to keep the price low?' - a question we've potentially just heard an answer to.
Google's camera app is used between different Pixel phones, with the same modes appearing throughout. However according to developer Kuba Wojciechowski , as spotted by XDA Developers , Motion Mode won't show up on the Pixel 6a.
The code for the tips pop-up, which helps you understand how to use a mode the first time you try it out, apparently explicitly mentions that it won't show up on a phone codenamed 'bluejay', which we've previously heard was the Pixel 6a.
If the tips pop-up won't show up, it's highly likely that that's because the mode isn't available at all. Motion Mode is a tool that lets you capture multiple pictures of a moving object, and machine learning will show you a sharp photo with a stylized blurry background.
So it sounds like Motion Mode will be one dropped feature for the Pixel 6a - but we're not sure that people will mind too much.
Analysis: Motion Mode isn't a huge loss
Motion Mode wasn't one of the big selling points of the Google Pixel 6 series - the company made a much bigger song and dance about Magic Eraser, which lets you scrub out unwanted objects or people in the background of shots.
That's likely because Motion Mode is highly situational - there are rarely times that you'll want to take a picture of a moving object, especially with how stylized the snaps are.
You can tell that Pixel owners aren't as passionate about this camera feature as others. Searching for Motion Mode in the r/Pixel6 subreddit on Reddit, shows it was last mentioned in February 2022, or two months prior to this article being written. In contrast, Magic Eraser was last discussed only half a day before this article.
If Magic Eraser was dropped for the Pixel 6a, we can see users being annoyed, but we don't envision many users minding if Motion Mode doesn't show up on the upcoming device.
Exclusive: Moon Knight could turn up all over the MCU
Moon Knight executive producer Grant Curtis has suggested that the superpowered vigilante could appear in any number of upcoming Marvel projects.
Speaking exclusively to TechRadar, Curtis revealed that Moon Knight 's supernatural leaning doesn't necessarily mean that he'll team up with Blade and other similarly positioned heroes to form the Midnight Sons.
Marvel Studios is pressing ahead with a new live-action Blade movie , while its Eternals movie set up Kit Harington to portray Black Knight in future productions. Those elements, combined with Moon Knight's debut on Disney Plus , have many fans excitedly claiming that it's only a matter of time before a Midnight Sons project is greenlit.
Moon Knight lead star Oscar Isaac has already fanned those flames, telling Comicbookom that "it would be a cool group to see" in a live-action capacity. In a separate interview (thanks to MCU Geek for the catch), the Dune and Star Wars actor also stated his desire to star alongside Blade, Daredevil, and Ghost Rider in a Midnight Sons-style team-up. Meanwhile, co-star Ethan Hawke has hinted that Moon Knight could set up a mini MCU franchise .
Given the fan furor surrounding such a possible project, TechRadar asked Curtis directly where Moon Knight would appear next. Unsurprisingly, Curtis suggested that Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige was the best person to answer this query.
However, the former Spider-Man producer did tease where Moon Knight may turn up in Phase 4 and beyond. The simple answer? Given Moon Knight's lack of ties to previous Marvel Studios projects, the character's Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) future is practically limitless.
"That's a great question for the master himself, Kevin Feige," Curtis teased. "But what I can tell you is we put Moon Knight – and Mark Spector and Steven Grant – in so many different aspects of the show. Whether it is the horror, the tension, the character study, or the comedy, I think he blends naturally with so many corners of the MCU. As a fanboy, I can't wait to see where he goes next."
Interestingly, Moon Knight has been part of multiple superhero groups throughout his nearly 50-year comic book history. The Fist of Khonshu has also featured for the Avengers, Heroes for Hire, Marvel Knights, the Defenders, West Coast Avengers, and Secret Avengers. Of course, only one of those teams – the Avengers – has appeared in the MCU so far. The Defenders recently shifted from Netflix to Disney Plus , although none of those shows exist as part of the MCU.
Still, there's no requirement for Marvel Studios to fill the Avengers-shaped hole in the MCU and introduce a brand-new superhero group in its place. Moon Knight, and other MCU heroes for that matter, are free to team up with any other character that Marvel sees fit. He's joined forces (or ran into) superheroes including Thor , Spider-Man , and Shang-Chi in the comics, so why wouldn't Moon Knight do so in the MCU, too? If they share a common enemy, it would make sense for them to pool their resources as the Avengers did. Regardless, we'll have to see what Marvel Studios has in store for the character once his TV show ends.
For more Moon Knight coverage, get the exclusive lowdown on whether George Clooney directed one of the show's episodes . Alternatively, see the early critical reception to Moon Knight before the official review embargo lifts next week.
Canon EOS R7 rumors suggest it could be a dream wildlife camera
After a quiet few months, the Canon EOS R7 rumors are starting to hot up – with fresh speculation giving us a good idea of the incoming camera's specs.
The Canon EOS R7 has been tipped to be Canon's first RF-mount camera with an APS-C sensor, which should make it more affordable than its current full-frame models. And the reliable Canon Rumors has now predicted that the camera will pair a 32MP APS-C BSI (Back-illuminated) sensor with a Digic X processor.
If true, that'd be a powerful combo that should make the EOS R7 capable of fast burst-shooting speeds and video frame-rates, and this backed up by further leaked specs. Canon Rumors says the camera will shoot at 20fps (matching the speedy Canon EOS R6 ) and shoot video at 4K/60p (or 1080/240p).
It seems the EOS R7 will sit more towards the premium end of APS-C cameras, because it's also been tipped to have two card slots: one for pro-friendly CFExpress cards, and the other for more standard SD cards. According to the rumors, it'll also get Canon's latest Multi-Function hot-shoe (as seen on the Canon EOS R3 ), which means it'll be able to power accessories like external microphones.
What will the EOS R7 look like? Canon Rumors is predicting "a combination of ergonomics from the EOS R6 and EOS R5". Both of those cameras are pretty similar in terms of handling, so this may be referring to the EOS R6's more hobbyist-friendly PASM dial (Program, Aperture, Shutter, Manual) or the R5's more sturdy construction.
On paper, then the EOS R7 is shaping up to be the spiritual mirrorless successor to the Canon EOS 7D Mark II , which we called its "best APS-C format model to date" when it landed in 2014. That would make it something of a dream wildlife camera, assuming Canon includes its latest autofocus algorithms like Animal Eye Detection AF. With a predicted announcement in August 2022, we shouldn't have to wait too long to find out.
Analysis: Leaked specs make perfect sense
Canon's EOS R mirrorless cameras are understandably popular among pro photographers, but the system is badly lacking some hobbyist-friendly options – and the Canon EOS R7 sounds like it could fill that gap.
The inclusion of an APS-C sensor should make it a little more affordable than the EOS R5 and EOS R6, even if it's as unlikely to be as cheap as the aging Canon EOS RP . The EOS 7D Mark II, for example, cost $1,799 / £1,599 when it arrived eight years ago, and the EOS R7 will include some improved (and likely pricier) specs.
But not everyone needs a full-frame sensor and APS-C cameras are particularly well-suited to sports, action and wildlife for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the sensor size effectively acts as a 1.6x multiplier to the focal length of any lens you attach, which means greater reach from smaller lenses. A smaller sensor also means less data to scan, which can bring benefits for burst shooting, autofocus and rolling shutter.
The combination of the EOS R7's rumored specs with Canon's latest autofocus powers, which we found hugely impressive for wildlife photography on the EOS R5, will be a tantalizing one for photographers who can't quite justify Canon's flagship mirrorless cameras. Canon does already have its EOS M system with APS-C cameras, but those models have seemingly been left behind.
One potential downside is the fact that Canon is well-known for segmenting its camera lines by capping certain features, so it remains to be seen how much it'll hold back on the EOS R7 and where those limitations might creep in.