Android Central Podcast

Galaxy Unpacked took place this week in New York City, marking the official unveiling of the Galaxy S20 series phones and the Galaxy Z Flip. Mobile World Conference 202 has been cancelled due to health and travel concerns related to Covid-19. It's a massive blow to exhibitors, attendees, and the host city, Barcelona.

The battle between Huawei and the United States continues, and it's possible the government was aware of backdoors as long ago as 2009. Finally, an alleged Pixel 5 render has leaked and it's pretty ugly.

Links:

• Galaxy S20, S20 Plus and S20 Ultra hands-on preview: Samsung's biggest camera bump in 4 years
• Galaxy Z Flip hands-on preview: Samsung just killed the RAZR
• Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus hands-on review: Hearing the future
• MWC 2020 is dead, so what happens now?
• The U.S. government has reportedly had proof of Huawei backdoors since 2009
• U.S. DOJ indicts Huawei for racketeering and stealing trade secrets
• Huawei to make up for the Play Store by pre-installing apps on its phones
• The U.S. could prop up Huawei's rivals Nokia and Ericsson to make 5G cheaper - Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo are teaming up to challenge the Play Store

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Android Central writer Joe Maring swings by for a report on the Moto G Stylus and Moto G Power after attending a recent event showcasing the phones in Chicago. He, Daniel Bader, and Jerry Hildenbrand also talk about the viability of Motorola RAZR. The flip phone reincarnate is not off to a good start.

The team eulogize BlackBerry devices after TCL announced sales of smartphones bearing the licensed brand name will cease in August. The BlackBerry influence on mobile technology was immeasurable. Pour one out as they ride off into the Canadian Sunset.

Links:

• Moto G Stylus and Moto G Power hands-on: The budget Galaxy Note is here
• Motorola RAZR initial review after 48 hours: A creaking disappointment
• Motorola RAZR camera review: Don't buy this phone for its photos
• Motorola RAZR battery life review: Fast to charge, faster to die
• Goodbye, BlackBerry, the zombie phone maker
• BlackBerry smartphones are dead, sales officially ending in August
• Ericsson pulls out of MWC 2020 as Coronavirus concerns intensify

Sponsors:

• Thrifter.com: All the best deals from Amazon, Best Buy, and more, fussily curated and constantly updated.

Samsung's Galaxy S20 will be officially announced soon, but there are plenty of rumors and leaks to whet our appetite. A Huawei exec claimed the company will 'never' go back to using Google apps on its phones. The company has since walked back that statement, but it raises an excellent question: Does Google need phone manufacturers more than phone makers need them?

Links:

• The Galaxy S20 might be my next phone if Samsung can fix its cameras
• The Galaxy S20 will be released on March 6
• Samsung Galaxy S20: News, Leaks, Release Date, Specs, and Galaxy S11 Rumors!
• Samsung One UI 2 review: The best (and worst) Android 10 features
• Huawei says it will 'never' go back to using Google apps on its phones [Update: Actually, not true]

Sponsors:

• Thrifter.com: All the best deals from Amazon, Best Buy, and more, fussily curated and constantly updated.

It's a precarious balance between security, privacy, and convenience. A report from Reuters that Apple dropped plans for end-to-end encryption of iCloud backups after the FBI complained helps frame a conversation between Jerry Hildenbrand, Andrew Martonik, and Daniel Bader about the differences in approach between iOS and Android backup strategies. High value hacking targets such as Jeff Bezos also highlight security vulnerabilities.

The crew also discuss backlash against Sonos regarding use of legacy products along side newer devices. Finally, they look at a leak of Android's competitor to AirDrop: Nearby Sharing.

Links:

• Exclusive: Apple dropped plan for encrypting backups after FBI complained - sources
• Did the FBI get Apple to kill iCloud backup encryption?
• iMore show 689: E2E encrypted iCloud, iPad Turns 10
• Apple may have ditched encrypted backups, but Google hasn't
• Amazon boss Jeff Bezos's phone was allegedly hacked by Saudi crown prince in 2018
• Sonos CEO responds to backlash, will continue to update legacy products
• Android AirDrop competitor Nearby Sharing gets shown off in hands-on video

Sponsors:

• Thrifter.com: All the best deals from Amazon, Best Buy, and more, fussily curated and constantly updated.

Ara Wagoner, Jerry Hildenbrand, and Daniel Bader are here with a deluge of Galaxy S20 and more Pixel 4 mid-range model rumors. They also chat about the OnePlus Concept One phone and its invisible camera.

The EU is considering legislation that would mandate the inclusion of USB-C ports on all smartphones. Finally, the gang discuss official support for Steam on Chromebooks.

Links:

• Samsung Galaxy S20: Everything you need to know
• Google may be working on as many as three mid-range Pixel 4s, one with 5G
• OnePlus Concept One hands-on: This McLaren Edition has an invisible camera
• The EU wants to mandate USB-C ports on smartphones
• The EU's decision to force USB-C on smartphones is a bad idea with good intentions
• Here's how Android makers can balance 120Hz screens and battery life
• Official support for Steam could be coming to Chromebooks in the future

Sponsors:

• Thrifter.com: All the best deals from Amazon, Best Buy, and more, fussily curated and constantly updated.

We're coming to you live from CES 2020 in Las Vegas! Daniel Bader, Andrew Martonik, Russell Holly, Hayato Huseman, and Michael Fisher crack open a cold one (or three) and talk about their favorite, and least favorite, products from the show.

Links:

• CES 2020: The biggest news and announcements so far | Android Central

Sponsors:

• Thrifter.com: All the best deals from Amazon, Best Buy, and more, fussily curated and constantly updated.

Daniel Bader, Andrew Martonik, Jerry Hildenbrand, and Ara Wagoner assemble one last time this decade for a look at the most significant stories affecting Android and Google users. They also look ahead towards towards 2020.

Marton Barcza stops by the show for a chat with Jerry Hildenbrand and Daniel Bader about the best and worst tech of 2019.

Reporting live from the Qualcomm Snapdragon Summit, Daniel Bader and Andrew Martonik have an in-depth, candid conversation with Alex Katouzian and PJ Jacobowitz. Alex is senior vice president and general manager of the Mobile Business Unit at Qualcomm, while PJ serves as senior marketing manager for camera technologies.

Daniel and Andrew follow up after the interview with additional commentary and insight from the summit.

David Ruddock of Android Police stops by the show again to share some follow up regarding Pixel 4 with Daniel and Andrew. They also chat about Google Stadia, John Legere stepping down as CEO of T-Mobile, and what the Sprint/T-Mobile merger will do to the phone industry.