Android Central Podcast

It’s a full house this week on the show, but Daniel Bader, Alex Dobie, Andrew Martonik, Jerry Hildenbrand, and Russell Holly deliver a tight 70 minutes of insight into Google’s Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. Is the display on the XL as bad as some reviewers have said, or are expectations out of whack because the screens on recent Samsung phones are just so good? One thing is certain—the FUD machine is running at full throttle.

Your privacy and personal data are a major topic this week as Daniel Bader, Andrew Martonik , and Jerry Hildenbrand talk about Google’s quick decision to disable touch-activated listening on the Home Mini before it becomes available to consumers. OnePlus is taking some heat once again; this time for data collection concerns regarding OxygenOS.

Daniel Bader, Jerry Hildenbrand, Russell Holly, and Andrew Martonik convene for a detailed breakdown of all the announcements from Google’s Pixel hardware event this week.

Daniel Bader, Jerry Hildenbrand, Russell Holly, and Phil Nickinson talk about the motives and strategies behind some significant moves in the industry this year, including Google’s HTC deal and Amazon’s new Echo products and Fire TV 4K.

 

It’s update-mageddon! With Google extending security updates for Nexus 5X and 6P, and the Moto X Pure Edition just now getting Android 7.0, what can users reasonably expect from manufacturers in the way of support for devices they already own?

 

Finally, the Pixel 2 only days away—Google is offering up to $410 back when trading in your original Pixel through the Google Store. Now might be a good time to get on it!

 

Show Notes and Links:

 

• The Sony Xperia XZ1's camera has pleasantly surprised me
• Google extends Nexus 5X and 6P security updates until Nov. 2018
• It's September 2017, and the Moto X Pure Edition just got Android 7.0
• For Google, HTC deal is about the Pixel's next decade
• Essential has probably sold around 5,000 Essential Phones since its release
• Amazon announces cheaper second-gen Echo with better audio, new design
• Amazon's new Echo Connect brings landline phone calls to your Echo
• Amazon's new Fire TV 4K supports Alexa, starts at $70
• New Amazon Echo Plus has ZigBee smart home hub built in, priced at $150
• Amazon's new Echo Spot is like a smaller, rounder Echo Show
• Get up to $410 back when trading in your Pixel through Google Store

It’s a huge week of news and leaks in the Android world! Daniel Bader, Andrew Martonik, and Jerry Hildenbrand settle in for a roundtable feast of epic proportions, beginning with Android 8.0 updates to some Motorola phones, the Blueborne Bluetooth vulnerability, and data throttling on T-Mobile.It’s a huge week of news and leaks in the Android world! Daniel Bader, Andrew Martonik, and Jerry Hildenbrand settle in for a roundtable feast of epic proportions, beginning with Android 8.0 updates to some Motorola phones, the Blueborne Bluetooth vulnerability, and data throttling on T-Mobile.

Moving on to the main course, Google spent 1.1 billion dollars to acqui-hire HTC’s best engineers, more details and photos have surfaced for Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, and Pixelbook, and a smaller Google Home Mini speaker is on the way.

For dessert, the Moto X4 is coming to Project Fi as the first Android One device for the U.S., and an unlocked Moto X4 with Motorola’s software will be shipping this year.

 

Show Notes and Links:

• Motorola confirms Android 8.0 for Moto Z, Moto G5 lines and Moto G4 Plus
• Let's talk about Blueborne, the latest Bluetooth vulnerability
• T-Mobile is raising monthly prioritization limit to 50GB per month
• Google is spending $1.1 billion to hire HTC's best smartphone talent
• Google Pixel 2 XL shown in black and white, pricing rumored at $849
• Google Pixel 2 will start at $649, offer 'Kinda Blue' third color option
• Google Pixelbook convertible breaks cover with high-end hardware, big price
• Google's smaller Home Mini speaker will cost just $49
• Moto X4 coming to Project Fi as first Android One device for the U.S., priced at $399
• Unlocked Moto X4 with Motorola software will come to the U.S. this year

This week, Daniel Bader, Alex Dobie, and Jerry Hildenbrand dissect the technology in Apple’s new iPhone X for a deep dive into wireless charging, facial recognition, and the impact they have the entire smartphone industry. Additionally, LG’s V30 continues to generate buzz in the market while the Galaxy Note 8 is now shipping, and the Pixel 2 is officially set for an October 4th announcement. The crew also talk about Andy Rubin, Vic Gundotra, computational photography, and more!

 

Show Notes and Links:

• LG V30 initial review
• Where to buy the Galaxy Note 8
• Fact-checking the iPhone X event
• iPhone X and iPhone 8 impressions from an Android user
• Take it from a Note 8 user: Temper your iPhone X Face ID expectation
• It's official: the Pixel 2 is coming October 4
  
  

This week, Daniel Bader, Andrew Martonik, and Alex Dobie are joined by Russell Holly for an epic roundtable of new phone goodness. The crew starts off with the LG V30. Is it living up to Daniel’s initial impressions? T-Mobile is including Netflix subscriptions with their ONE plans.

 

Also, reviews are out for the Galaxy Note 8 and S8 Active. In the rumor mill, Google may buy HTC, and the Pixel 2 is taking form. All that, plus an update on what’s happening with ARCore!

 

Show Notes and Links:

• LG V30 hands-on: A galaxy of good ideas
  
  
• All T-Mobile ONE plans now include a Netflix subscription
  
  
• Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review
  
  
• Samsung Galaxy S8 Active
  
  
• Google may buy HTC
  
  
• The Pixel 2 is taking form
  
  
• ARCore
  
  

International nerds of mystery, Andrew Martonik, Alex Dobie, and Phil Nickinson, have traveled all the way to Berlin, Germany for IFA 2017 to bring you the latest announcements in the Android universe. They do a deep dive into the LG V30, Moto X4, plus new wearables from Samsung, connected speakers, and more!

Show Notes and Links:

• LG V30 hands-on: A galaxy of good ideas
• LG V30 specs: Snapdragon 835, dual cameras, Quad DAC
• The LG V30 is the phone the G6 should've been from the start
• LG V30 is official, and it could be one of the sleeper hits of the year
• Moto X4 hands-on: Familiar name, entirely different phone
• Moto X4 is official: 5.2-inch display, dual cameras and glass back for €399
• Moto X4 specs: Snapdragon 630, 3000mAh battery and dual cameras 
• Samsung Gear Sport hands-on: The Gear S2 refresh we all wanted
• Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro hands-on: Simple improvements to one of the best fitness trackers
• BlackBerry KEYone Black Edition goes global
• Sony Xperia XZ1 and XZ1 Compact hands-on: Tiny upgrades
• Sony Xperia XZ1 and XZ1 Compact specs: Snapdragon 835, Motion Eye camera, and dual speakers

Daniel Bader, Andrew Martonik, and Michael Fisher sequester in a New York City hotel to talk about the newly released Essential Phone—and after months of rumors, leaks, and speculation, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is here!

Show Notes and Links:

• Essential Phone
• Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is official
  
  

Daniel Bader, Andrew Martonik, and Jerry Hildenbrand follow up on Andrew’s second opinion article about the Moto Z2 Force. They also talk about Bluetooth 5, the LG V30, and the installed base of Nougat, which is now at 13.5% of all Android devices. This brings up a great question: Is it better to buy a slightly older “flagship” phone, or a brand new mid-range device?

 

Show Notes and Links:

• Moto Z2 Force, a second opinion: Just not enough
• Bluetooth 5 and the HTC U11: You had it all along
• Sponsor: Thrifter
• LG V30: Specs, images, release date, and everything else