Android Central Podcast

Android Central alumni Russell Holly and Daniel Bader join Ara, Jerry, and Michael Fisher for an epic gab session! They chat about Google's Pixel 6 messaging, Meta and the changing shape of the open web, and some of their favorite new tech in 2021.

• The Pixel 6 is facing a lot of criticism, but that's good for Google | Android Central
• Meta acquires popular VR exercise app Supernatural, a sign of things to come | Android Central

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Facebook has changed their corporate name to 'Meta', and we have thoughts! The gang chat about this and its impact on Oculus.They also check out some Samsung rumors, One UI 4 beta, and some lingering issues with Pixel 6.

• Facebook changes company name, is now called 'Meta' | Android Central
• Is a Meta rebrand enough to heal the toxicity of the Oculus name? | Android Central
• Facebook's Meta rebranding could start a trademark battle with a PC company | Android Central
• Oculus Quest to become Meta Quest, drop Facebook login requirement in 2022 | Android Central
• Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is coming to Oculus Quest 2 | Android Central
• Meta acquires popular VR exercise app Supernatural, a sign of things to come | Android Central
• Beat Saber surpasses $100 million in revenue on the Oculus Quest platform | Android Central
• Meta says it's shutting down the Facebook facial recognition system | Android Central
• Privacy in the new Metaverse | Android Central
• Leaked Galaxy S21 FE backplate shows a familiar design, with one exception | Android Central
• Samsung Galaxy S22 ready for early 2022 launch, reportedly in mass production | Android Central
• One UI 4 (Android 12) beta arrives for U.S. Galaxy Z Fold 3, Flip 3 models | Android Central
• Samsung Internet is finally getting one of Google Chrome's most useful features | Android Central
• Google to fix Pixel 6 'residual light' flickering issue with December update | Android Central
• Google Pixel 6 loses its smooth display when this Telegram feature is turned on | Android Central
• Google Pixel 6 Pro stock is running low following its release | Android Central
• Google is reportedly already working on a new Tensor chip for the Pixel 6 successor | Android Central
• Generator giant Generac acquires smart thermostat maker Ecobee for $770 milllion | Android Central
• NVIDIA's $40 billion Arm acquisition set back yet again by EU regulators | Android Central

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Ara, Nick, and Jerry each have a Pixel 6 to pinky prop in their hot little hands. Tune in as they share what they love about the phone, and what could potentially be improved.

• Google Pixel 6 review: The best Android phone under $600 — if you can get it | Android Central
• Best Google Pixel 6 cases 2021 | Android Central
• Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro hands-on: Prettiest Pixel perfection | Android Central
• 6 reasons to buy a Google Pixel 6 instead of settling for the Pixel 5a | Android Central
• Google Pixel 6 Pro review: The best $900 phone you'll find anywhere | Android Central
• Update your Pixel 6 as soon as you receive it 'to get all the features' | Android Central

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In addition to looking ahead at what's certain to be a massive week of tech news, Ara, Alex, and Nick, discuss OPPO's ColorOS 12, a new Pixel Stand, 'Pixel Pass' rumors, new Acer Chromebooks, and more.

• OPPO ColorOS 12 (Android 12) hands-on: Everything you need, nothing you don't | Android Central
• New Pixel Stand gets double the speed for the same wince-worthy price | Android Central
• Google Pixel 6 | Android Central
• Google may soon launch an Apple One-like 'Pixel Pass' subscription bundle | Android Central
• Acer Chromebook Spin 514 (2H) review: Faster, better, and much pricier | Android Central
• Acer unveils new Chromebooks with military-grade durability, Wi-Fi 6 support | Android Central
• HTC announces new Vive Flow portable VR smart glasses coming in November | Android Central

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Android 12 is out of beta and will hopefully be rolling out to Pixel phones soon. Nick, Jerry, and Ara dig into that along with the second beta Samsung One UI 4. They also talk about what to expect during the Pixel 6 launch event, Facebook's massive outage, and more.

• Android 12: Everything you need to know | Android Central
• Android 12 finally out of beta, rolls out soon for Google Pixel smartphones | Android Central
• Samsung Galaxy S21 series gets its second One UI 4 (Android 12) beta | Android Central
• With OxygenOS 12, OnePlus loses what little identity it had left | Android Central
• The Google Pixel 6 series launch date has finally been revealed | Android Central
• Facebook apologizes, explains the cause of its massive outage | Android Central
• 'Oculess' tool unlinks Oculus Quest 2 from Facebook account | Android Central

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Our own Jeramy Johnson joins Ara, Nick, and Jerry for an avalanche of Amazon product announcements. The crew also check out the latest news on Pixel 6, YouTube's ban on vaccine misinformation, and more.

• Scare-amy Johnson 🎃 (@jeramyutgw) / Twitter
• Amazon Event 2021: Everything announced including Astro, Echo Show 15, and Ring's drone camera | Android Central
• The new Amazon Echo Show 15 wants to be the ultimate digital photo frame | Android Central
• Want to try Amazon's new drone camera? You need to sign up right now | Android Central
• Ring goes after Google with new line of home security devices and services | Android Central
• Blink launches $50 video doorbell with two-year battery life, new outdoor accessories | Android Central
• Amazon projects the new Glow will be perfect for kids and long-distance loved ones | Android Central
• New Amazon Halo View fitness tracker adds AMOLED screen, ditches the creepy mic | Android Central
• Amazon Astro is a $1,000 robot dog on wheels that you can preorder now | Android Central
• Android 12.1 looks like a much-needed upgrade ahead of rumored Pixel Fold | Android Central
• The Pixel 6 isn't even out yet and Google is already offering discounts | Android Central
• The Pixel 6 looks to finally debut Google Camera's most anticipated feature | Android Central
• Google is bringing some of the best Pixel features to more Android phones | Android Central
• Managing harmful vaccine content on YouTube
• Facebook is pressing pause on its 'Instagram Kids' project | Android Central
• Samsung is reportedly considering canceling the Galaxy S21 FE | Android Central

EU legislators are giving Apple some serious side-eye as they propose the standardization of USB-C charging for all phones. But would the law even make sense?

Your Android Central pals also talk about upcoming new Android features, Pixel 6 leaks, the Surface Duo 2 announcement, and more. Be sure you listen all the way to the end of the episode this week!

• The EU wants to make USB-C charging mandatory for all phones, including iPhones | Android Central
• What’s new on Android
• New Android features coming this season
• Upgrade your drive with Google as your copilot
• The Microsoft Surface Duo 2 is the best foldable you're not going to buy | Android Central
• Indian antitrust regulators accuse Google of abusing Android's dominance | Android Central
• Google's second Galaxy Z Fold 3 contender could launch with Android 12.1 | Android Central
• The Pixel 6 Pro looks stunning in what may be its first hands-on video | Android Central
• Next-gen Mobvoi TicWatch Pro smartwatch shown off in first major leak | Android Central
• OnePlus, even joined with OPPO, will struggle to compete with Samsung: experts | Android Central
• Unplugged hands-on preview: Guitar Hero for the hand tracking era | Android Central
• Should you play The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners Aftershocks update? | Android Central
• Google updates apps for iOS 15 with new widgets and better integration | Android Central

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Lisa Gade of MobileTechReview is our special guest this week! She hangs out with Jerry, Daniel, and Ara to discuss the Epic court ruling and check out Apple's recent announcements in relation to what they mean for Android users. Plus, the gang offer early impressions of Samsung's One UI 4 Beta, Pixel 6, and more.

• MobileTechReview - YouTube
• Lisa Gade (@lisagade) / Twitter
• Epic Games pays Apple $6 million as result of Epic v. Apple lawsuit | iMore
• Fortnite fans furious as Epic Games vows to fight on against Apple | iMore
• As expected, Epic Games has appealed a court ruling in its spat with Apple | iMore
• iPhone 13 (2021): Release date, price, features, and more | iMore
• iPhone 13 delivers big 5G disappointment | iMore
• After four years, the notch on the iPhone is finally getting smaller | iMore
• Apple Watch Series 7: Release date, price, features, and more | iMore
• iPhone 13 event utterly bamboozles leakers | iMore
• Apple begins selling USB-C charging cable designed for Apple Watch Series 7 | iMore
• Ousted developer furious over new Apple Watch Series 7 feature | iMore
• iPad mini 6 (2021): Release date, price, features, and more | iMore
• The new iPad Mini seems great even if you love Android | Android Central
• Here's everything Samsung added to One UI 4.0 based on Android 12 | Android Central

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Nick, Ara, Michael Fisher, and Daniel ponder the Ray-Ban Stories, a collaboration with Facebook that includes cameras in a form barely different from a regular pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarer frames. Ara reports on the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 detachable, and the Fossil Get 6 is the first Wear OS smartwatch with Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear 4100+.

Michael tells the tale of TCL's canceled "Chicago" foldable, Android 12 hits beta 5 but is still buggy as hell, and more.

• Ray-Ban Stories review: Facebook on your face | Android Central
• The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 is the first Chrome detachable you'll actually want to type on | Android Central
• Last year's Lenovo Chromebook Duet whet my appetite for the new Duet 5 | Android Central
• Fossil Gen 6 is the first Wear OS smartwatch with Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear 4100+ | Android Central
• The Foldable That Wasn't: TCL's Canceled "Chicago" Flip [Into The Fold Episode 9] - YouTube
• Samsung is preparing a 576MP camera sensor, but you'll have to wait a while | Android Central
• Android 12 beta 5 hands-on: So close, yet so far | Android Central
• Final Android 12 Beta rolls out ahead of full release 'in the weeks ahead' | Android Central
• The Galaxy Z Fold 3 has amazing hardware, but its software feels unfinished | Android Central
• Batman: Wayne Family Adventures | WEBTOON

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Marton Barcza of TechAltar and crrowd joins Daniel and Nick for a conversation about the proliferation of earbuds and Qualcomm's announcement of a lossless Bluetooth audio codec.

The trio also cover some wearables news, speculation about Microsoft's upcoming Surface event, a new camera sensor from Samsung, and Google is rumored to be developing custom ARM silicon to be used in Chromebooks starting in 2023.

Finally, China is limiting online gameplay for children, and Apple will be making some changes to App Store policies as a result of an investigation by the Japan Fair Trade Commission.

• TechAltar (@TechAltar) / Twitter
• Jabra's new $200 wireless earbuds use bone conduction for better-than-AirPods call quality | Android Central
• Qualcomm is about to give your next wireless earbuds a CD quality boost with aptX Lossless | Android Central
• Why everybody is making earbuds - YouTube
• Fossil unveils the first Wear OS smartwatch with Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear 4100+ | Android Central
• Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 5100: Neuer Quadcore für Wear OS-Uhren - WinFuture.de
• Microsoft announces September Surface event, may unveil Surface Duo 2 | Android Central
• Samsung Galaxy S21 FE may take its sweet time arriving with late October launch | Android Central
• Samsung unveils a crazy new 200MP camera sensor for smartphones | Android Central
• Google is reportedly working on custom ARM-based chips for Chromebooks | Android Central
• China Tightens Limits for Young Gamers and Bans School Night Play - The New York Times
• Japan Fair Trade Commission closes App Store investigation - Apple