The Tech Media Minute: A Real Google Phone Set to Arrive

An actual Google phone?

It looks like Alphabet is prepping to release its first smartphone that uses the Google brand. A move “that would tighten its grip on mobile software and see it compete directly with the iPhone,” according to The Telegraph.

Google Android runs on four in five smartphones sold around the world. Despite this, the company has never released a smartphone to call its own. Instead, it has relied on partners such as LG and Huawei to make products under the Google Nexus brand.

WALL-E lives

The Verge examines Anki’s new Cozmo robot, which looks beyond cool:

“While Cozmo sleeps, it snores. The small robot — shaped like a miniaturized bulldozer with a CRT monitor for a cockpit — sits in a charging dock, waiting to be awoken. Like Pixar’s adorably anthropomorphic WALL-E, Cozmo falls somewhere between a Mars rover and an animated woodland creature. It’s lifelike enough to evoke sympathy, but still enough of a toy not to teeter too close to the uncanny valley.”

Cozmo launches in October for $179.99. You can pre-order it now for $159.99.

New “iPhone 7” images leak

Over the weekend, new images purportedly of the upcoming “iPhone 7” leaked online over at Nowhereelse.fr (via BGR). The images suggest that Apple is planning a huge camera upgrade on both the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch models. Previous rumors have suggested that only the “iPhone 7 Plus” would receive a massive update in this regard.

Get ready for strawberries and fresh cream as The Championships, #Wimbledon begins outside of London.

Other topics being discussed on this Monday:

• #mondaymotivation
• #WhatIBelieveIn5Words
• #NationalSunglassesDay
• #DIA2016
• Justin Timberlake
• #lasi16
• #StopTheSham
• #MorningWordProblems
• J.J. Abrams

Today, June 27 is Sun Glasses Day.

StackWorld and Red Hat Summit commence in San Francisco, California.

Rewind: On this day in 1859, the song “Happy Birthday to You” was first sung. In 1934, the U.S. Federal Savings and Loan Association was created.

Have a few more minutes? Check out these other stories making news:

• Will the rich get richer with Apple’s new app store ads, TechCrunch
• Bear Mauls Man, Steals his iPad, Santa Monica Observer
• Freedom 251 ultra cheap smartphone starts shipping June 30, SlashGear

Want even more? Check out Tech Media Extra.