Android Faithful

It's a classic episode all about Android as we welcome back Florence Ion to take a trip to hardware leak city with Jason Howell and Ron Richards!

Hey! We'll be at Droidcon NYC this September!

Also hey! You can get Android Faithful merch for up to 40% off at Threadless!

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NEWS

• 0:05:47 - Big day for Android with the release of Android 15 and the September feature drop
• 0:20:53 - The date has been set for the Samsung Developer Conference!
• 0:24:03 - Patrons picked hearing about how Google Messages will handle media with RCS

HARDWARE

• 0:29:27 - The Motorola Edge 50 Neo is here and the colors are fantastic
• 0:33:47 - We enter LEAK CITY with the Oppo Find X8 with a similar looking feature to the iPhone 16
• 0:37:13 - The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition gets new dimensions
• 0:39:51 - Exciting news of Huawei's TRI-FOLD Foldable coming September 10
• 0:42:53 - Xiaomi checks in with a leak of a button-less phone
• 0:47:00 - As we leave Leak City we get news of the Pixel 9A's modem

APPS

• 0:53:01 - Gemini brings new features to your inbox
• 0:55:24 - After demos, Circle to Search gets new features
• 0:59:15 - Google adds live translation for Translate to foldables

COMMUNITY

• 1:01:20 - VinkyPoo from the Netherlands has a tip for fingerprint scanning
• 1:02:48 - Dustin shares Fi pricing
• 1:05:00 - Damon is back on Android!
• 1:08:12 - Baldwin asks to revisit the chain link fence

Thanks to Florence Ion for joining! Read her at Gizmodo and listen to Material!

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We just can't quit you Pixel 9, can we? Even with guest Adam Doud on the show, Huyen Tue Dao, Mishaal Rahman, Jason Howell and Ron Richards are at it again.

We'll be at Droidcon NYC this September!

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NEWS

• 0:17:26 - The dawn of AI Photos and the ethics of images that aren't real
• 0:29:54 - We know when Android 15 will roll out and it's been a rollercoaster!
• 0:36:21 - Android 15 QPR 1 has goodies like Lockscreen Widgets and more
• 0:43:56 - Patrons picked the news that phone call recording is coming...only to the Pixel 9

HARDWARE

• 0:49:48 - The Google Pixel 9 reviewed!
• 1:07:59 - A ton of features available on the Pixel phones
• 1:13:56 - The Pixel 9 Pro uses 3 GB for AI
• 1:16:56 - The Snapdragon 7S Gen 3 brings, you guessed it, AI
• 1:19:04 - Foldable alert! Tecno’s Phantom V Fold 2 and Flip 2 leak with great pricing
• 1:22:55 - For my tablet fam, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus and Ultra details are here

APPS

• 1:24:55 - Niagra Launcher brings Android 15 features
• 1:26:27 - Arc Browser is coming to Android!
• 1:28:49 - Sharing clips from YouTube finally got easier
• 1:30:56 - Google Tasks redesign brings productivity upgrades

COMMUNITY

• 1:32:38 - Paul has a tale of frustration from Google sales support
• 1:36:02 - Larry from Michigan is Google Fi curious
• 1:42:54 - Mike from Georgia has an old Android version alert

Thanks to Adam Doud for joining us - check him out at Benefit of the Doud, Slashgear, Forbes, CNN Underscored, and more!

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Jason, Mishaal, and guest Shannon Morse discuss the potential breakup of Google's Android division, #TeamPixel controversy, the new OnePlus Buds Pro 3, as well as the promised Pank interview!

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NEWS

0:17:33 US Considers a Rare Antitrust Move

0:28:01 Google threatened tech influencers unless they ‘preferred’ the Pixel

0:42:09 4 new AI-powered Pixel and Android accessibility updates

0:45:41 Geekbench AI 1.0

0:51:03 Samsung Expands Circle to Search to Galaxy A Series

0:51:30 California IDs coming soon in Google Wallet

0:51:55 Android's theft detection lock feature is starting to roll out

0:53:17 Patron Pick: Nearly All Google Pixel Phones Exposed by Unpatched Flaw in Hidden Android App

HARDWARE

1:02:31 @Honorglobal: Don't just imagine the future. Be there when it unfolds.

1:06:06 OnePlus Buds Pro 3 launch with redesigned case

1:08:50 Brian Cutter, Google's CMF designer - Interview

APPS

1:13:47 New video calling features coming to Google Meet

1:16:00 This new feature is basically AirDrop but for Windows PCs and Android

1:19:20 Quick Hits:

• Gemini can finally start Google Assistant Routines
• Gemini glows with new floating overlay panel, starts rolling out
• Circle to Search is rolling out a new Song Search feature for some users
• Basic editing of Ultra HDR photos in Google Photos no longer strips Ultra HDR
• Offline Google Maps rolling out to Wear OS
• Help me write in Gmail now lets you polish email drafts

COMMUNITY

1:24:52 What am I missing with Google One AI?

1:31:10 Why Google TV Streamer is disappointing.

1:33:50 Are old cars to blame?

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It's a big week in Android-land as the AF team and the rest of the tech industry descended on Mountain View, California to go to Google's headquarters for the keynote presentation and launch of the new Pixel phones, watches and earbuds, all wrapped up in a big Artificial Intelligence bow called Gemini. We truly are in the Gemini Era with this lineup of hardware designed to maximize the user benefit of the language models and tools developed by Google.

We took a little different approach this week as Jason Howell, Mishaal Rahman and Ron Richards got together pre-event to breakdown the devices and their details and then the guys were joined by Huyen Tue Dao at the event and we gathered to share our impressions of the event and the announcements. We hope you enjoy our coverage!

All details and specs for the Google Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Fold, Watch 3 and Buds Pro 2 are available at AndroidFaithful.com

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• 00:00:00 - We breakdown the Pixel hardware and Gemini software announcements at Made By Google
• 00:35:26 - Post-event we share our analysis and impressions from hands-on time with the devices and applications.

We'll be back to our regularly scheduled show next week. Thanks to Google for having us at their event and all the hospitality they provided.

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We're navigating anti-trust lawsuits, Pixel 9 leaks and so, so much hardware (again!).

**NOTE: Streamyard glitched at times throughout the recording of this podcast and there is no fix to the damage in this episode. We apologize for the audio cutouts.**

Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor.

NEWS

• 00:03:09 - What does the ruling against Google mean for Android?
• 00:10:09 - Edge to edge apps have a loophole in Android 15.
• 00:18:50 - Tablet sales are on the rise!
• 00:21:42 - Patrons picked the news that Samsung execs are displeased with their devices copying Apple

HARDWARE

• 00:28:13 - The Google TV Streamer was announced and there's new Nest Thermostats
• 00:44:11 - Now the leaks are out about the Pixel 9 Pro Fold with details about price and shipping dates
• 00:48:20 - There's more Pixel Watch 3 details leaked
• 00:50:41 - The Moto Tags are on sale now!
• 00:51:52 - Jason spent time with the Nothing Phone (2A)
• 00:56:00 - Mishaal has the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
• 01:03:43 - Jason reviewed the Nothing CMF Watch Pro 2

APPS

• 01:06:32 - Google rolled out safety updates to Search and Maps/Waze
• 01:11:15 - School Time from Google is coming to phones and tablets
• 01:13:45 - Better controls to your device's audio thanks to Wavelet
• 01:15:52 - Check this cool feature when using Google Lens!

COMMUNITY

• 01:18:02 - Dave from Virginia Beach shares his list of old devices running old versions of Android!
• 01:20:19 - George from NYC strongly recommends the ONN TV Device
• 01:22:29 - Wil in Tigard Oregon has a warning for Samsung Watch 7 users

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The gang is back together as Huyen Tue Dao, Jason Howell, Mishaal Rahman and Ron Richards are reunited after a month of travels to talk the latest in Android with lots of hardware!

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NEWS

• 00:03:52 - With Android 15 nearby, let's look at the distribution numbers for Android
• 00:10:38 - In London, Samsung's latest campaign takes the "Fold" concept literally
• 00:12:48 - Speaking of Samsung, the first look at One UI 7 is out and it's a head-scratcher
• 00:23:02 - The Patrons were all about that Picture in Picture on YouTube

HARDWARE

• 00:32:10 - Mishaal has the OnePlus Pad 2 and shares his impressions of the tablet
• 00:42:24 - Ron has the Nothing CMF Phone 1 and gives a look at the low priced phone
• 00:48:53 - The Pixel 9 details keep on leaking all over the place ahead of the MBG event in August
• 01:00:00 - The Pixel Watch 3 details leaked. So did a new Google TV streaming device

APPS

• 01:08:03 - A peek inside the Google app shows contacts, apps and settings in search
• 01:08:56 - Another peek reveals Gemini getting extensions for Google Home, Phone, Keep and more
• 01:09:59 - Windows Insiders get the ability access their Android devices in File Explorer

COMMUNITY

• 01:14:45 - Jonathan from Vermont recommends the Onn 4k Pro for a streaming device
• 01:17:11 - Darren from Tasmania, Australia asks what he loses by using the Samsung Ultra watch with a Pixel phone?

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We've got exciting news about Google Play and an exclusive interview with Sam Bright, VP & GM of Google Play recorded from Google HQ in New York City. Jason Howell and Mishaal Rahman sat down with Sam Bright to hear all the latest coming to Google Play. In addition, Ron Richards joined the guys to hit on the big news of the week so we don't miss a thing!

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HARDWARE & NEWS

• 00:52:21 - Mishaal went to China and got to get hands-on with the Xiaomi MIX Fold 4 and the Xiaomi MIX Flip! Check out these photos of the MIX Fold 4 to see how thin it is!
• 00:19:36 - Since it's all been leaked, Google released official teases for the Google Pixel 9 Pro and the Google Pixel 9 Fold Pro ahead of the Made by Google event in August.
• 00:24:55 - Android 15 gets closer to final release as Android 15 Beta 4, the final update, was released
• 00:30:07 - As if we didn't have enough events, Nothing joins the party on July 31 to unveil the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus 

APPS

• 00:32:26 - In-app release news, Notion Calendar was released for Android and it's pretty good!
• 00:34:27 - On the AI side, Claude by Anthropic for Android was released and it's pretty impressive!
• 00:36:21 - Oh hey, the Olympics start this week in Paris and we've got some tips on how to watch and engage with the games on your Android device

INTERVIEW

• 00:39:56 - After unveiling new features and updates to Google Play, Jason and Mishaal sit down with Sam Bright, VP and GM of Google Play, for an in-depth discussion of the updates and we get a behind-the-scenes update and exclusive scoop as to how it all happened.

Thank you to Sam Bright for being generous with his time and sitting down with us, as well as all the awesome people at Google for welcoming us to the Google NYC office to learn about Google Play and record on location. Make sure you check out the latest at Google Play on your Android device!

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We're bursting at the seams with this hardware-focused episode as Jason Howell, Huyen Tue Dao, and Ron Richards breakdown the latest from Samsung, OnePlus, Nothing and parse the Pixel 9 leaks PLUS a brand new Apps segment and Ron has a BIG announcement! It doesn't get bigger than this!

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NEWS

• 00:05:15 - Google took a moment to look back on and celebrate Android ten years ago in 2014, which was huge.
• 00:17:03 - PATRON PICK: Reacting to the fallout of Google's Find My Device network

HARDWARE

• 00:28:10 - Samsung Galaxy Unpacked was last week and break it all down
• 00:57:07 - OnePlus's big announcement event was today and we literally got the One Plus Watch 2R, plus news of the OnePlus Pad 2, and the Nord Buds 3 Pro
• 01:05:11 - Hands on with the Nothing CMF Watch 2 and Buds Pro 2
• 01:14:33 - It's thin foldable time as the HONOR Magic V3 looks to be the thinnest of the bunch
• 01:17:36 - Xiaomi has something to say about thin foldables also
• 01:20:39 - And there have been massive leaks about the Google Pixel 9 lineup ahead of the event in August

APPS

• 01:24:24 - NEW SEGMENT: Widget of the Week! Huyen shows off the Nothing X app widget

COMMUNITY

• 01:30:39 - Andy from Melbourne wants to know where are the Qi2 phones?

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One full year of Android Faithful is in the books and we're so elated to welcome Jason Howell back to the show to join Huyen Tue Dao and Ron Richards get hyped for what's new in Android and look back at the past year.

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NEWS

• 00:05:28 - Looks like there's an Apple-like approach to cyber attack protections coming from Google
• 00:11:39 - There was a major security breach from Authy and Xiaomi is testing a "Disable Ads" toggle option
• 00:17:36 - Microsoft makes employees in China use iPhones for security reasons
• 00:21:13 - PATRON PICK: Mishaal details an unexpected use of Fuschia on Android devices

HARDWARE

• 00:29:06 - Nothing released the CMF Phone 1 and we're all in love with it!
• 00:42:05 - Samsung Galaxy Unpacked is tomorrow and pretty much everything has now leaked
• 00:51:00 - Pixel news as the Pixel 9 is rumored to get an ultrasonic fingerprint reader and the Pixel Watch 3 gets reviewed by the FCC with revealing results
• 00:54:19 - OnePlus's big announcement event is July 16 and we're expecting the One Plus Watch 2R, OnePlus Pad 2, the Nord 4 and Nord Buds 3 Pro
• 00:56:32 - Huawei is developing a tri-fold phone that looks like a taco holder and we're here for it.

LOOKING BACK ON ANDROID

• 01:01:07 - Overrated: Passkeys, Magic Photo Tools and RCS
• 01:11:56 - Underrated: RCS on iPhones, Widgets, Google Vs. Epic fallout and Android TV

Thank YOU the listener/viewer of Android Faithful for a wonderful first year of the podcast. We'll be back next week for more Android news, hardware, apps and more and we can't wait to bring you another year of podcasts! Thanks for your support!

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It's Hot Android Summer and first up is Samsung so join Mishaal Rahman, Huyen Tue Dao and Ron Richards!

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NEWS

• 00:03:30 - Google AI is coming to the Pixel 9 and the Pixel 9 sure looks Pink!
• 00:12:37 - Major warning for Pixel 6 owners! Don't factory reset and follow this guide from Google
• 00:20:20 - WhatsApp launched a clever ad campaign and Ron saw it in NYC!
• 00:24:11 - Mishaal visited Qualcomm HQ and saw some amazing AI application demos
• 00:35:02 - The patrons picked the news of the rejected Pixel Fold design

HARDWARE

• 00:39:13 - OnePlus launched the new Pad Pro and a new Smart Watch in China
• 00:42:0 - Samsung leaks of renders and details of phone cases, the Galaxy Watch and Earbuds and of course, the Ring!
• 00:56:37 - And more details on Samsung Health apps!

APPS

• 01:02:56 - 5 new features in Chrome
• 01:08:20 - Google Lens becomes Circle to Search
• 01:12:29 - Huyen rants about Inconsistent Google App drawers

COMMUNITY

• 01:20:32 - Ryuu Minastas ponders the expansion of the Tensor chip
• 01:22:13 - Stealth Dave doesn't need a new phone!

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