It's an exciting week at Android Faithful as Jason Howell and Florence Ion share their Android XR experience with Ron Richards and we kickoff the first ever Android Faithful awards...the 2025 Annual Podcast Kudos or the APKs!!! You can vote for your favorite phones and news stories at https://bit.ly/2025apks - Voting closes on 12/22 at Midnight ET!

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00:03:38 - HARDWARE

• All the details of the new AI Glasses unveiled by Google at the Android XR event
• A bunch of Samsung news as it likes like they're adding Qi2 wireless to the Galaxy S26
• And Samsung rolls out OneUI 8.5
• And we can't get enough of the Tri Fold. Here's info on the fingerprint scanner and a glimpse of a 4 camera prototype
• Pebble unveils their latest product, a ring! It's a memory ring and it's open for pre-order!
• Patron Pick: 90:10 Split-Screen multitasking in Android is brilliant… so why do I almost never use it?

00:45:15 - NEWS

• A Judge limits Google's contracts to a single year
• The EU is coming after Google's AI Summaries
• Patron Pick: Check out this adorable MagSafe E-Reader!

00:59:23 - APPS

• We got new gestures with the latest WearOS update
• Opera makes it easier to choose your AI within their browser
• Get a glimpse of Face Editing in the upcoming Google Photos update

01:07:02 - The 2025 APKs

• We unveil the first ever Android Faithful awards - The 2025 APKs - voting is open now at https://bit.ly/2025apks

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We're kicking off the last month of 2025 with Florence Ion, Mishaal Rahman and Ron Richards pondering everything from multi-tasking to foldables to earbuds and whether or not icons should be themed or as the developer intended them to be? So many questions to start the end of 2025...

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00:03:20 - NEWS

• The last Pixel / Android Drop of 2025 has arrived and we've got all the details of Android 16 QPR2
• Google is hyping the next wave of news from Android XR coming next week
• The wait is over! The OnePlus 15 is going on-sale for pre-orders in the US on December 4th and you can get a free smartwatch or earbuds in the process!
• Patron Pick: 90:10 Split-Screen multitasking in Android is brilliant… so why do I almost never use it?

00:44:18 - HARDWARE

• It's finally happening, Samsung quietly announces the Samsung Galaxy Z Trifold (yes it's just called the Trifold)
• Flo's End of 2025 hardware picks for Ear Buds are in and they've got bling
• Sony unveiled their 200 Megapixel camera sensor and it's going to be in phones soon

01:10:14 - APPS

• Google may be getting ride of the Weather app!
• Netflix got rid of Casting support!
• MKBHD's wallpaper app is shutting down!

01:20:52 - FEEDBACK

• Matt from Louisville provides an amusing solve to the lack of Gemini features for his Pixel Buds
• Mike from Ohio shares how Google Photos and AI helped make some memorable photos for his family
• Craig K. ponders how sustainable the Fairphone actually is...

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So much to give thanks for this week as Jason Howell, Huyen Tue Dao and Ron Richards process the implications of AirDrop on Android, the affordability crisis in phones and exciting new hardware designs in phones!

BLACK FRIDAY SPECIAL: Support Android Faithful at Patreon and get 25% off using code: BLACKFRIDAY

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00:05:27 - NEWS

• The unthinkable happened: AirDrop works with Android!
• US customers aren't upgrading their phones as fast as they used to
• Hints of Google's 'Aluminium OS' for Android to PCs
• Gemini arrives on Android Auto!
• Patron Pick: Samsung's Now Bar and Now Brief are the Google Now experience I've been missing

00:44:25 - HARDWARE

• Upstart manufacturer Nubia has got two Foldables coming soon
• Check out this modular feature phone running Android, it's wild!
• Honor's Robot Phone is real, and it's fantastic - get your first glimpse of it in person

00:58:50 - APPS

• Perplexity has been busy! Comet for Android launched and Perplexity may be powering Bixby for Samsung
• Google ain't messing around as Nano Banana goes Pro

01:12:14 - FEEDBACK

• Hilton shares his excitement for Microsoft Co-Pilot
• Kiril explains how skiing and cold weather makes Face Unlock a necessity

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It's a big episode full of first looks, glimpses and glances as Jason Howell, Mishaal Rahman and Ron Richards gear up for everything from AI to OnePlus, Samsung, Motorola and more this week in the world of Android.

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00:02:13 - NEWS

• Gemini 3 has landed and here's how Mishaal put it to the test
• More developments in the Google Sideloading emotional rollercoaster
• Android apps are coming to Steam?
• Android 17 updates focusing on alternate app stores, gaming controllers and contacts management privacy
• Patron Pick: Android is about to get better facial recognition

00:39:45 - HARDWARE

• The official Android Faithful OnePlus 15 Review
• Unboxing the Moto G Play 2026, a nice low end phone
• The Samsung Galaxy Z Trifold gets another pre-release update

01:02:38 - APPS

• Google Play announced the best games and apps of 2025!
• Google's attempt at Apple's NameDrop might be coming to Android soon?
• Predictive weather gets a boost from Google's WeatherNext 2 model on Pixel Weather

01:15:11 - FEEDBACK

• Joey checks in now that he got his new Pebble Watch
• Joseph wants to know if the Onn 4k Pro is a good buy?

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We've got an exciting pair of new phones to look at as Jason Howell and Mishaal Rahman are showing them off to Huyen Tue Dao and Ron Richards along with the latest in the ongoing sagas from the world of Android

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00:04:40 - HARDWARE

• First looks at the OnePlus 15
• Comparing the Nubia Z80 Ultra camera to the Pixel 10 Pro
• Rumors and renders of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
• The Samsung Galaxy XR might be available in more countries in 2026

00:35:20 - NEWS

• The Google Vs. Epic legal drama took a surprise turn towards a settlement?!? And what does this mean for sideloading?
• The November PIxel Drop is here and it's filled with some cool new features
• Patron Pick: A YouTuber put phone batteries to the test and the results are fascinating!

01:07:55 - APPS

• Launcher news! Niagra launcher has themes! Another Nova Launcher update! There's a new minimalist launcher aimed at older adults and beginners!
• OpenAI's SORA app is now available on Android
• Big Gemini updates to Google Maps and Android Auto

01:22:44 - FEEDBACK

• MattBatt writes in with memories of his LG G4

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It's Election Night in the US and Jason Howell, Huyen Tue Dao and Ron Richards are abuzz with the world of Android ranging from Android Developer updates to AI powered Robots and phones with physical keyboard.

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00:09:07 - NEWS

• Well, it's happened - Google has opened up the Play Store's gates in the US after the Epic Games court ruling
• Android Developers take note as Google announces new tools and programs for Google Play plus new AI experiences on The Android Show
• A leaker reveals exactly how Cellebrite can hack into Pixel phones
• Patron Pick: Why don't the best Android phones ever make it to the US?

00:44:58 - HARDWARE

• Experience the LOOI Robot which turns your phone into an AI Powered, desktop robot!
• Hands on with the Unihertz Titan 2 and it's elegant physical keyboard
• The Samsung Galaxy S26 will be unveiled in San Francisco next February along with so much more AI stuff
• A new gaming phone is teased by Ayaneo
• 10 years later, we get more looks at Project Ara's modular smartphone

01:09:13 - APPS

• Android 17 could bring full-screen apps to your phone’s always-on display
• Lineage0S now supports the Pixel 9A and the OnePlus 13
• Home screen widgets are coming to Android Auto!

01:18:13 - FEEDBACK

• Chuck in Thousand Oaks follows up with what he did with that free phone number from Verizon
• Will from Oregon points out that Nova Launcher just released an update, what's up with that?

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The pre-Halloween vibes are setting in as Florence Ion shares her scary experience with Google Home and Gemini seeing ghosts with Jason Howell, Mishaal Rahman and Ron Richards along with the other shocking Android news of the week.

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00:09:19 - NEWS

• It gets creepy as Google Home starts hallucinating people in houses
• Nothing appears to be going the bloatware route in favor of revenue, can you blame them?
• Fitbit's AI-Powered personal health coach enters public preview
• Patron Pick: Wanna be a meme? Google Photos has you covered

00:44:08 - HARDWARE

• Get your first glimpse of the blue Google Pixel 10A
• The OnePlus 15 gets confirmed specs, especially the massive battery. It's real!
• Ever think you wanted a denim backed phone with a 2.1 stereo speaker system powered by Bose? Dreams do come true thanks to RedMi
• Samsung reshuffles the Galaxy S26 lineup...again and it's very familiar!

01:05:21 - APPS

• The YouTube video player redesign rolls out across Android
• Google might be fixing the flaw in Calling Cards
• Google Wallet gets in on the Live Updates action

01:12:32 - FEEDBACK

• Larry from Kennewick, WA checks in with an update to his upgrade to the Google Pixel 10 Pro

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The time has finally come as Samsung announces and rolls out the Android XR headset formerly known as Moohan, now known as the Samsung Galaxy XR and Jason Howell was hands on with the new headset and is here to share the experience with Huyen Tue Dao, Mishaal Rahman and Ron Richards.

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00:01:58 - NEWS

• OnePlus rolls out OxygenOS 16 to rave reviews
• Google's deadline for changes from the Epic lawsuit gets closer
• RIP Privacy Sandbox, but no this doesn't mean privacy is dead on Android
• Patron Pick: Android phones are skipping Qi2, and Nothing thinks it knows why

00:28:50 - HARDWARE

• The OnePlus 15 is launching this month...in China! Next month for the Global rollout. And it has an enormous battery
• And OnePlus' sister phones, the Oppo Find X9 and X9 Pro get released
• We're blown away that the Galaxy S26 Edge is getting canceled so quickly after release
• Xiaomi is all about those rear displays after insane sales of the 17 series
• Hey Pixel Superfans, Google wants you to test the next line of phones!

00:57:44 - GALAXY XR

• Hands on with the Samsung Galaxy XR and Android XR

01:23:12 - FEEDBACK

• Seamus from Mexico leads the charge of the many people who wrote in about using LineageOS
• George is using GrapheneOS to avoid Google
• Joey has made a lifelong commitment to Pebble Watches

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Huyen Tue Dao makes her triumphant return to the show just in time to join Mishaal Rahman and Ron Richards to talk more AI in Android, the latest leaks with Android XR and weigh in on watches!

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00:02:00 - NEWS

• In the court room, Google thinks they should be allowed to bundle Gemini with their apps
• Wear OS 6 comes to older versions of the Pixel Watch
• Ahead of it's return, Pebble relaunches it's appstore!
• Patron Pick: Not to be pushed around, LineageOS releases Android 16 despite lack of support from Google

00:32:00 - HARDWARE

• Florence Ion weighs in with her review of the Pixel Watch 4 and the Pixel Buds 2A
• Google reveals how they built the hinge on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold without gears
• We get the most comprehensive collection of leaks ahead of Project Moohan's release from Samsung, maybe happening soon?
• Motorola gets in on the thin phone game with the latest version of their Edge 70 device

00:58:45 - APPS

• Whew! Google Messages will now protect you from NSFW videos containing nudity
• Details on the potential Theme Manager coming to Android
• Nano Banana continues it's meteoric rise within Google as it expands to more apps

01:09:42 - FEEDBACK

• Larry from Kennewick, Washington wants to know if he should get the Pixel 10 Pro?
• Andrew is considering jumping from the Pixel to Samsung, what should he lookout for?
• Craig shares his own personal unlimited storage workaround scheme

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Well, Google Home welcomed Gemini into it's doors and many of you had lots of passionate reactions. Mishaal Rahman, Jason Howell and Ron Richards are here to process those emotions plus all the other Android related news and happenings from the week that was.

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00:03:40 - NEWS

• Finally, Gemini gets added to Google Home along with new hardware and lots of changes.
• Listen to our exclusive interview with Anish Katukaran, Chief Product Officer of Google Home
• Nothing takes a step forward with AI and vibe coding, kind of, with Nothing OS 4.0 Beta
• The Supreme Court won't save Google (yet) from their battle with Epic Games
• Patron Pick: Details on how Google's App Verification system will work

00:39:38 - HARDWARE

• Rumors and renders aplenty about the Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus
• More rumors that the Samsung Android XR headset will be shipping to Korea on October 22!
• No rumors here, just facts that the Samsung Galaxy Z series is a hit!
• Who needs a USB Cable with their phone? Manufacturers might be thinking you don't!

00:55:26 - APPS

• Computer Control may be coming from Google to let LLMs automate and use your apps
• Google removes the ICE Reporting app Red Dot from the Play Store
• Pour one out for the last subscription option for unlimited photos storage in Google Photos

01:08:46 - FEEDBACK

• David reacts to our Google Home interview with his displeasure and lack of trust in Google
• Adam writes in with his frustration over disabling the Google Home Brief
• Matt wants to know where Spoken Notifications are on his Pixel Buds!??!

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