We wrap up 2024 for Android Faithful with a great interview with Shahram Izadi - VP & GM, AR/XR at Google about the new Android XR platform. That plus Huyen Tue Dao, Mishaal Rahman, Jason Howell and Ron Richards share their best and worst of Android for 2024. It's been a hell of year for Android, and we wouldn't want it any other way!

PROGRAMMING NOTE: This is our last episode of 2024. We'll be back on January 7, 2025. We thank you for enjoying our show this past year and hope you have a peaceful and delightful holidays and a happy new year! We'll see you in 2025, just in time for CES!

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INTERVIEW

• 00:00:45 - We sit down with Shahram Izadi - VP & GM, AR/XR at Google for an indepth discussion about Android XR and what we expect from the platform along with the news of Find My Device on Android XR

NEWS

• 00:41:42 - Google rolls out Gemini 2.0 as they enter the "Agentic Era"
• 00:47:29 - Project Astra opens up the waitlist for users to get access to the new platform
• 00:48:57 - Want Gemini on your Nest Home device?
• 00:52:12 - Samsung Galaxy Unpacked is coming in 2025 and the date has been leaked
• 00:54:30 - PATRON PICK: Google rolls out a redesign to Discover

HARDWARE

• 01:06:19 - Huge news as Google chooses a MediaTek modem for the Pixel 10

APPS

• 01:08:45 - The Epic Games store is coming pre-installed on millions of Android devices in Europe and Latin America
• 01:11:26 - YouTubeTV gets another price increase

BEST AND WORST OF 2024

• 01:18:08 - The Android Faithful share their best things from Android in 2024:

Ron: Google's insane pace of updates across Android and related platforms

Mishaal: Google's commitment to the future of the Android platform

Huyen: The Pixel 9 Series

Jason: Project Astra

• 01:26:54 - The Android Faithful share their worst things from Android in 2024:

Ron: The cancellation of the Pixel Tablet 2

Huyen: Continued overemphasis on jamming in AI-features

Mishaal: Uncertainty about the future of certain Google and Qualcomm products given litigation

Jason: The DOJ/Google Antitrust rulings might bring big changes to Play Services and more.

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Jason and Mishaal are joined by Florence Ion to discussSamsung's OneUI 7 Beta, a massive slew of new Android and Pixel features, OnePlus' Watch 3 rumors, and an interview with Angana Ghosh, Director of Product Management for Android about Expressive Captions!

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NEWS

0:05:30 - Here's every new feature in the Pixel Drop update for December 2024

0:07:25 - Google’s December Pixel Drop Introduces AI Enhancements for Screenshots

0:12:41 - Android is getting new features to help you consume and share content

0:17:16 - Here's everything Google didn't tell you about in Android 15's first Feature Drop

0:22:00 - Samsung One UI 7 Beta Starts To Roll Out

0:32:20 - @MishaalRahman: Pixel 6 series, Pixel 7 series, and Pixel Fold will get an additional 2 years of OS updates!

0:35:05 - PATRON PICK: How Chrome doubled its Speedometer scores on Android

INTERVIEW

0:40:25 - Google is making captions on Android even better.

HARDWARE

1:02:26 - Motorola Razr+ is dripping in Pantone's 2025 color of the year

1:04:55 - Upcoming OnePlus Pad's key specs tipped

1:06:40 - Possible OnePlus Watch 3 bags FCC certification

1:13:33 - Flo's Pixel Watch 3 Review

1:02:46 - Ice Universe: the Samsung Galaxy S25 trio will support Qi2 wireless charging

APPS

1:22:28 - Your Wear OS watch can now double as a hotel key, campus ID, and more

1:25:17 - Google Photos is getting its own version of Spotify Wrapped

COMMUNITY

1:29:10 - Clayton really wants Desktop Mode NOW.

1:31:34 - Lukas knows how to roll your own YouTube Music Recap!

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The Android Faithful team is joined by Juan Bagnell who gives his review of the massive (dare I say chonky) TANK Pad, along with discussion of Google's antitrust appeal, Honor's focus on portrait photography, OnePlus's Live Alerts, and IDC's smartphone growth predictions.

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NEWS

00:06:40 - Google asks US appeals court to reject app store monopoly verdict

00:12:33 - Microsoft says it built an Xbox game store on Android but can’t launch it

00:21:37 - Worldwide Smartphone Market Forecast to Grow 6.2% in 2024

00:30:16 - Former Android devs working on an operating system for AI agents

00:36:15 - Motorola announces open beta program for advanced moto ai features

00:39:47 - PATRON PICK: OnePlus took iPhone's Dynamic Island and made it way more useful

HARDWARE

00:47:38 - Juan Reviews the Tank Pad

01:00:20 - US gets its first Snapdragon 8 Elite phone

01:07:19 - Honor 300 and 300 Pro

01:12:25 - More images of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

01:19:55 - OnePlus 13 launches globally in January

01:20:45 - What the Pixel Tablet 2 would have been

APPS

01:24:17 - Samsung reveals the fate of the DeX Windows app

01:25:35 - Google Maps app showing incident reports from Waze

01:27:27 - Firefox for Android v133

COMMUNITY

01:30:05 - Jonathan wants a review of the Moto Tag trackers

01:35:45 - Ian Hall shares the BuzzKill app as a solution for taming Bluesky new follower notifications

01:37:03 - Mike W wants to know how durable our foldables are in actual use

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Just in time for Thanksgiving in the US, Shannon Morse returns to the show to join Huyen Tue Dao and Ron Richards for the latest in Google. OnePlus. Samsung, Oppo and of course, Huawei news. Plus a whole lot of being thankful! Thanks for enjoying Android Faithful!

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NEWS

• 00:07:55 - As speculated, the DOJ recommends Google sell off Chrome
• 00:13:35 - Samsung wearable users are finally getting the enhanced experience
• 00:23:27 - Looks like Huawei is parting ways with Android in 2025
• 00:28:26 - Tune into the Roku Channel on Google TV
• 00:31:42 - PATRON PICK: Google Keep is adding "Help me draw" AI based drawing

HARDWARE

• 00:39:27 - Confirmation of the rumors that Google killed the Pixel Tablet 2
• 00:44:13 - Rumors of a OnePlus flip foldable in 2025 emerge
• 00:47:38 - Hands on with the Oppo Find X8 Pro
• 00:51:50 - The secret weapon of the Snapdragon Elite 8 might be the battery performance

APPS

• 00:54:49 - Android is getting Motion Cues to help fight motion sickness
• 00:57:42 - Soon you'll be able to backup and restore your messages in Google Messages
• 01:03:21 - Fitbit starting to appear on device with the pre-installed Google apps
• 01:05:53 - YouTube Music shares 2024 recaps with new functionality

COMMUNITY

• 01:07:08 - Bob from Ontario shares his YouTube Music 2024 recap
• 01:08:47 - Simon from Australia recommends the app Floating Notes
• 01:11:43 - Michael from Tulsa struggles with needing two remotes for his TV and smart TV device

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Adam Doud returns to the show with a tale of phones vs. escalators and joins Mishaal Rahman, Huyen Tue Dao, Ron Richards and Jason Howell for a jam packed show full of Android 16, Samsung and Google rumors and much more.

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NEWS

• 00:04:00 - The Android 16 Developer Preview #1 has landed!
• 00:14:24 - Rumors swirl about the future of ChromeOS and Android
• 00:18:58 - The DOJ may be pushing for Google to sell off Chrome
• 00:20:41 - There could be some patent wars in the US thanks to Samsung
• 00:23:20 - The Pixel Tablet 2 may be getting a keyboard
• 00:26:50 - Xiaomi is rolling out HyperOS 2
• 00:29:12 - PATRON PICK: Google's new Android App helps you confirm the identity of who you're chatting with

HARDWARE

• 00:37:35 - Adam Doud is hands on with the ROG Phone 9
• 00:56:41 - The Samsung Galaxy S25 Launch may be in January
• 00:57:58 - Details emerge on the specs for the Samsung XR glasses along with rumors of a tri-fold phone!

APPS

• 01:02:30 - Google announced the best apps and games of 2024
• 01:08:55 - Enhanced scam protection rolled out to Android users along with live threat detection on apps
• 01:15:45 - Health Connect now lets you back up your health and fitness data

COMMUNITY

• 01:20:18 - Shawn writes in with more Google Messages thoughts
• 01:23:01 - Bob from Ontario, Canada wants to know if he permanently switch to Google Messages
• 01:27:01 - Ben from Baltimore is down on ads on Android as well

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It's never quiet in the world of Android and this week we've got reviews of two Chromebooks, plus updates to Android 15 and rollouts to manufacturers like OnePlus and Nothing. Jason Howell, Mishaal Rahman and Ron Richards are here to sort through the noise for you, the Android Faithful!

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NEWS

• 00:04:08 - Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1has arrived and Mishaal has the breakdown
• 00:12:31 - Rollouts for new operating systems and updates are here for OnePlus, Nothing and Vivo
• 00:18:25 - Google is forcing Quick Share consent across OEMs to try and help spread awareness of the handy feature
• 00:20:47 - Hardware requirements for Android TV are being lowered, but has it gone too far?
• 00:25:13 - Emoji reactions are finally happening in iOS
• 00:32:48 - PATRON PICK: Guess how much the Pixel 9 Pro costs to make?

HARDWARE

• 00:38:43 - REVIEW: Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11
• 00:47:51 - REVIEW: Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus (2024)
• 01:00:41 - Details on the impressive Realme GT7 Pro
• 01:08:42 - The #1 reason for returned Pixel phones is revealed

APPS

• 01:12:36 - Gemini gets a big boost
• 01:16:34 - AI can soon help screen your phone calls

COMMUNITY

• 01:19:53 - Dave from Patreon is frustrated by how ads in games work
• 01:23:36 - Andy from Melbourne, Australia has a Google Photos mystery
• 01:26:28 - Mike from Rochester, NY is comparing Google Messages with Textra

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It's been a big week for Android with an official Android 16 Update along with new features and a new release schedule. In this episode we have our interview with Seang Chau, VP and GM of Android Platform and Matthew McCullough, VP of Android Developer Experience at Google who talked with Huyen Tue Dao and Mishaal Rahman about the news AND Android 16's dessert name! Jason Howell, Ron Richards and Huyen alos break down this week's news in the world of Android!

Participate in ACast's listener survey: http://bit.ly/androidfaithful-survey

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NEWS

• 00:03:33 - XR Devices are coming from Samsung and Google!
• 00:08:51 - More Gemini extensions are coming for Messages, Whatsapp, Google Home and more!
• 00:19:06 - There's a big update for Samsung's OneUI 7

HARDWARE

• 00:26:08 - The OnePlus 13 is released...in China and now we can confirm the details
• 00:30:47 - Is there a slim Samsung Galaxy S25 coming?
• 00:33:55 - Will the Pixel Tablet 3 be a productivity device?
• 00:38:02 - The Boox Palma 2 adds more power to the neat little device

APPS

• 00:41:10 - Some big updates to Google Play rolled out with Google's big day of news
• 00:47:22 - And Google Maps, Google Earth and Waze got updates too!
• 00:51:21 - Microsoft brings Android storage integration to Windows 11, Windows 10
• 00:53:28 - Thunderbird for Android is finally out!

INTERVIEWS

• 00:55:48 - Seang Chau, VP and GM of Android Platform and Matthew McCullough, VP of Android Developer Experience at Google talk the news around Android 16's release schedule and reveal the Android 16 dessert name: Baklava!

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We've got leaks, we've got reveals, we've got an interview about satellite smartphone connectivity - this episode has it all as Mishaal Rahman, Jason Howell, and Ron Richards break down all the ins and outs in the world of Android this week.

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NEWS

• 00:06:35 - A bunch of new glimpses of Android 16 have emerged
• 00:17:30 - Inside OxygenOS 15 from OnePlus
• 00:24:55 - T-Mobile and AT&T are against the FCC mandating unlocking phones after 60 days
• 00:30:20 - Arm takes the nuclear option in it's battle with Qualcomm
• 00:36:10- PATRON PICK: How Google is able to provide 7 years of updates to Android phones

HARDWARE

• 00:44:18 - HUGE LEAK from Google about the Tensor G5 and G6 and Pixel 10 and Pixel 11 phones
• 00:52:05 - More details of the Google Pixel 9A are coming to light
• 00:55:22 - The OnePlus 13 gets spoiled by...OnePlus
• 01:03:35 - Everything about the Xiaomi 15 and 15 Pro is big

APPS

• 01:07:15 - Google Photos increases transparency around AI use
• 01:08:50 - Notion is developing a Mail app and you can sign up to be among the first to get access

INTERVIEWS

• 01:09:56 - Inside the world of satellite connectivity and it's deployment on the Pixel 9 phones with Dr. Andrew Nuttall, the co-founder and CTO of Skylo

COMMUNITY

• 01:32:50 - Tony writes in to pit Android vs iOS when it comes to dictation for accessibility

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This week we have everything from legal drama to hardware leaks and new releases to cybersecurity as Mishaal Rahman, Huyen Tue Dao, Jason Howell, and Ron Richards catch up on the week in Android.

Participate in ACast's listener survey: http://bit.ly/androidfaithful-survey

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NEWS

• 00:05:27 - The latest in Epic vs Google scores a win for Google this time around
• 00:09:05 - Q3 '24 Smartphone sales show big wins for Google, Motorola and Huawei
• 00:11:25 - You may be able to transfer your passkeys soon!
• 00:17:45 - Moto AI is coming soon to Motorola phones with familiar LAM functionality
• 00:24:12- PATRON PICK: Google Play is making apps use the Android Photo Picker for privacy reasons

HARDWARE

• 00:35:00 - Coming soon to Korea, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition and it sure is somethin'!
• 00:44:20 - Qualcomm says the Snapdragon 8 Elite is a quantum leap forward in performance
• 00:51:00 - OnePlus 13 leaks are popping up all over the place, including eSports events!

APPS

• 00:58:30 - Google Messages is working to protect you from scams
• 01:03:00 - WearOS and Google is coming for your watch faces
• 01:07:20 - Autofill on Chrome for Android is getting a bit better

INTERVIEWS

• 01:09:40 - Mishaal chats with Tom Powledge, Head of Cybersecurity Business at Verimatrix

COMMUNITY

• 01:32:00 - Jordan writes in about Motorola notification panel swiping issues

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The Android Faithful team breaks down the major Android 15 release, foreshadows Android 16 features, examines Google's legal troubles, and reviews new devices from Vivo and Walmart.

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NEWS

• 00:04:18 - Big day for Android 15 as it rolls out to Pixels along with an October Pixel Drop
• 00:24:58 - Last week was a big day for the DOJ as indicators of a Google breakup may be looming
• 00:34:17 - Some neat new features coming to Android 16
• 00:38:54 - Linux apps are coming to Android!
• 00:42:25 - PATRON PICK: Google Photos will soon be able to identify images that are AI generated

HARDWARE

• 00:53:53 - Extreme performance is promised by MediaTek with the Dimensity 9400
• 00:58:31 - Jason reviewed the ONN 4k Pro TV streaming device
• 01:00:00 - George from NYC advocates for the ONN 4k Pro TV
• 01:06:10 - and meanwhile, the NVidia Shield Pro is still getting updates
• 01:10:10 - And with the Dimensity 9400 comes the Vivo X200 Pro and X200 Pro mini
• 01:15:47 - We got a glimpse of the Oppo Find X8 Quick Capture button

INTERVIEWS

• 01:19:27 - Recorded at Droidcon NYC, Sam Greenberg from Capital One and Matt McKenna from Square discuss developing for accessibility
• 01:22:11 - Matt Ramotar from Uber chatted about the feedback loop from users
• 01:24:12 - Roy Cohen and Brian Reed from Appdome talk about why the accessibility layer of Android is targeted by malicious actors

APPS

• 01:29:40 - Circle to Search is coming to the HONOR Magic V3 and HONOR 200 series
• 01:32:20 - There's a bunch of new features coming to YouTube
• 01:38:32 - Gemini users rejoice, Imagen 3 is now available to everyone

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