Android Faithful

Jason Howell returns from the Qualcomm Snapdragon Summit in Hawaii and Ron Richards and Huyen Tue Dao are not jealous at all, in fact they want to hear all about the exciting new technologies and new phones he saw there. That plus more Gemini insanity gets dealt with as we wind down Bugdroids in Bucket Hats month here on Android Faithful!

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00:06:39 - NEWS

• It's time to start talking Android 18 as Google just dropped the first hint about it...
• And we have the first official non-Pixel phone running GrapheneOS...from Motorola!
• It's a bold new future for F-Droid as they announce F-Droid 2.0
• PATRON PICK: Beware! Your Android phone will no longer protect you from walking into a pole

00:33:00 - HARDWARE

• Jason reports on the cool phones he saw at the Qualcomm Snapdragon Summit from Xiaomi, Oppo, Motorola and more!
• Thanks to our interview last week, people went hunting for the Googlebook easter egg. Oh and it looks like Chromebooks will be moving to Googlebooks after all!
• Details and specs have emerged for the Motorola Wide Foldable
• Bigger batteries are becoming the norm, like on the new Honor Magic 9 Pro Max

01:00:58 - APPS 'n SOFTWARE 'n STUFF

• Gemini can now make phone calls. Yes, phone calls. Can't make this stuff up.
• And now Google Messages wants to chat with you. And there's a bug in Google Messages that might be ruining your photos!
• Adobe brings Premiere to Android!

01:17:17 - COMMUNITY FEEDBACK

• Chris Barrett wants to know if the iPhone Duo will have an impact on foldable apps?
• Zip is dealing with the finality of Assistant going away in favor of Gemini on Android

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The wait is over as Google finally unveils and rolls out the Googlebook line of premium laptops! We've got all the details plus an exclusive interview with Alexander Kuscher, Sr. Director of Product for Laptops & Tablets at Google to in-depth on the new line of devices and what it means for Android users. Ron Richards breaks it all down for Huyen Tue Dao and Florence Ion, along with the rest of this week's Android news PLUS Jason Howell checks in from Hawaii direct from the Snapdragon Summit with the latest news from the event!

September Special - get 10% off supporting Android Faithful on Patreon with code AFSEPT and enter to win a Google Swag giveaway at the end of the month!

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00:05:22 - HARDWARE

• The full details on the Googlebook and the line of laptops from all the OEMs like HP, Asus, Lenovo, Acer and Dell and what it means for Android users.
• And what is the critical reaction to the new Android-focused laptop?

00:26:20 - INTERVIEW

• Alexander Kuscher, Sr. Director of Product for Laptops & Tablets at Google gives us the inside look on what went into the development of the Googlebook and who this laptop is made for and what you can do with it.

01:06:03 - NEWS

• Samsung's new position is MORE FOLDABLES! Plus OneUI 9 with Android 17 begins rolling out
• A tale of David vs Goliaths as a little company is trying to get Samsung, Apple and Google devices banned in the US
• Clicks Communicators pre-orders begin and they get a bump up in specs at no extra cost?
• Jason Howell visits us from Hawaii to report on the news from the Snapdragon Summit and a give a peek at the new Motorola Signature 27
• PATRON PICK: Google's back to talking about Emoji design and this time getting a little cheeky and NSFW

01:39:30 - COMMUNITY FEEDBACK

• Kevin had a Surface Duo and looks back on it fondly
• Gary from Houston spotted a Pixel 11 in the wild on a soap opera

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The unthinkable has happened! We're talking about a new Apple iPhone on the show this week with a very special guest! None other than Tom Merritt of the Daily Tech News Show joins the show to chat about the new iPhone Duo and what it means for the world of Android with Jason Howell and Ron Richards. Will we ever be the same?!?

September Special - get 10% off supporting Android Faithful on Patreon with code AFSEPT and enter to win a Google Swag giveaway at the end of the month!

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00:05:31 - NEWS

• The iPhone Duo is here, how does it stack up against other Foldables? Also that cool iPhone Duo transition? Yeah someone replicated it on a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8
• The flagship chip game gets a new entrant with the MediaTek Dimensity 9600 Pro
• One critique of Passkeys gets undone as Google is rolling out the ability to transfer passkeys between devices
• PATRON PICK: Rambler is so cool but it's a Pixel Exclusive, so SwiftKey went and copied Rambler and made it available to all Android devices

00:44:52 - HARDWARE

• Not to be left out, Motorola makes it official and unveils their passport style foldable
• Curious what's inside the Honor Robot Phone? Watch JerryRigEverything tear one apart
• Pour one out for the Pixel Tablet, looks like it's cooked and not coming back

00:54:49 - APPS 'n SOFTWARE 'n STUFF

• Weird stuff is going on with Google Maps as the Speedometer and Traffic Overlays are disappearing for users.
• It's the September 2026 Google Pixel...DROP
• And we've also got the Android 17 QPR1 release details

01:08:58 - COMMUNITY FEEDBACK

• Tom from Manhattan is a OnePlus loyalist looking for a new phone that isn't a Pixel
• Nik is having RCS cause havoc on his phone
• Jon in Minneapolis uses LineageOS and did some research behind his troubles with RCS and it's pretty fascinating

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Huyen Tue Dao returns from Japan just in time to join Jason Howell and Ron Richards as something happens on the podcast that's NEVER happened before! Thankfully IFA brings about some wacky news in the world of Android for us to delight in along the way!

September Special - get 10% off supporting Android Faithful on Patreon with code AFSEPT and enter to win a Google Swag giveaway at the end of the month!

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00:05:29 - NEWS

• Want to try Nothing's new products early? Now's your chance!
• Gaming on Android is about to change forever thanks to AI Upscaling
• Alert! Do you use WhatsApp? Well, turns out it can access your photos without unlocking your device...what?
• PATRON PICK #1: This crazy Android phone features a detachable action camera for $999 AND is available in the US!
• PATRON PICK #2: TCL’s new Nxtpaper phone offers both e-reader and OLED

00:41:35 - HARDWARE

• The Enough phone has got target specs and they look to be...just enough
• Now Motorola's got a wide foldable and we've got a first look at it AND they're back with a Moto WearOS watch too!
• Is your Galaxy Z Fold 8 soft? Not emotionally, but in the corners? Then you're not alone.

01:01:41 - APPS 'n SOFTWARE 'n STUFF

• MapQuest is BACK BABY!
• Google says let's do it LIVE and rolls out GMail Live, Docs Live, and Keep Live. Everyone is going LIVE!
• Thankfully Google is rolling out a fix for that pesky bug in Google Messages that was sending old texts to other people. Good cause that was hella awkward.

01:09:33 - COMMUNITY FEEDBACK

• Chad writes in that it's been a while since he and his wife have upgraded and are looking for advice
• Harry from Florida had a pretty bad experience upgrading to the Pixel 11 via Google unfortunately

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It's time to ride into fall with our Bucket Hats on our Bugdroids as Jason, Flo and Ron navigate a quiet week in the world of Android as the world awaits Apple to "invent" the foldable phone. But we know better, don't we. Still, we find some time for some interesting Android news and discussion this week along with a September Android....DROP!

September Special - get 10% off supporting Android Faithful on Patreon with code AFSEPT and enter to win a Google Swag giveaway at the end of the month!

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00:08:22 - NEWS

• Foldables are primed to explode with shipments doubling by 2028, but Flippables? Not so much.
• Age Verification laws in California won't affect Linux/GPL License based software
• The dreaded AI Memory Crunch is coming for Android Apps. When will the madness end?
• PATRON PICK: The perfect Android phone exists and it's made by Sony, but there's some issues...

00:38:15 - HARDWARE

• What up fans! It's time for the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE!
• How does the Pixel Fold Pro 11 stack up? Not so great it seems...
• Have you ever seen a more stylish tri-fold than the Huawei Mate XT 2?

00:53:46 - APPS 'n SOFTWARE 'n STUFF

• It's the Android September Feature DROP!
• That's not all that's dropping, Android 17 QPR2 Beta 4 dropped!
• Who says Google can't do whimsy? Froggy says Google can do whimsy!
• Drama with GrapheneOS and Google as GrapheneOS skips the Pixel 11 over the lack of MTE

01:16:14 - COMMUNITY FEEDBACK

• Craig writes in with some gripes about the new phone transfer process hiccups
• Jeremy has some RCS issues to report
• Daniel checks in on his audio volume issue and why he's not upgrading his Pixel Fold 9

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This episode is sponsored by TORRAS.

Jason, Flo are reunited with Ron who has tales of the Pixel and Friends Made By Google 2026 After Party in New York City and the gang all weigh in on the Pixel 11 lineup up of phones with our official Android Faithful review and the results may surprise you!

This episode of Android Faithful is brought to you by TORRAS. The Pixel 11 is coming, and you'll want it protected from day one. Buy the TORRAS Q3 Air for the Pixel 11 Pro XL on Amazon today at https://amzn.to/3TDn5gC and use promo code JASON2608 at checkout for 15% off. Thanks to TORRAS for supporting Android Faithful!

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00:12:14 - NEWS

• More bad news on the horizon with sales numbers, but hey Samsung looks to be #1 again!
• And now Xiaomi is getting in on the "make your own chips" game
• RCS being glitchy for you? Don't worry, Google is on the case and they're working with the carriers to fix it
• PATRON PICK: Now you can customize Discover and News audio briefings on Google with chat!

00:39:38 - HARDWARE

• The official Android Faithful Google Pixel 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro XL Review!
• Google announces the Googlebook unveiling event in NYC on September 15
• Motorola phones running GrapheneOS will launch in 2027!

01:14:48 - APPS 'n SOFTWARE 'n STUFF

• Puke no more! Google's motion sickness feature is finally rolling out
• What the heck is Android Pulse? Spoiler: it's boring
• Someone hacked HiLight already, because of course they did

01:22:24 - COMMUNITY FEEDBACK

• Derek from Illinois weighs in on Gemini and the other AI's popularity
• Tom from Colorado sends a very lengthy, thoughtful missive about Rambler, Data Privacy and how we screwed it all up

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This episode is sponsored by TORRAS.

Jason, Huyen, and Flo question what a user actually is in the world of Gemini, give their... ahem... IMPRESSIONS of the Pixel 11 family one week in, and marvel at reviews of the Honor Robot Phone that say the gimbal camera isn't a gimmick at all. We'll believe it when we get it for review!

This episode of Android Faithful is brought to you by TORRAS. The Pixel 11 is coming, and you'll want it protected from day one. Buy the TORRAS Q3 Air for the Pixel 11 Pro XL on Amazon today at https://amzn.to/3TDn5gC and use promo code JASON2608 at checkout for 15% off. Thanks to TORRAS for supporting Android Faithful!

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00:06:14 - NEWS

• ‘That is not acceptable’: Judge orders Google to make rival app store installs easier
• Gemini becomes Google’s fastest-growing product ever as it hits 1B users
• Google Pixel strategy is now ‘attack,’ 13 million phones in 2026, ending China production
• PATRON PICK: This developer setting was keeping my Android phone awake for no good reason

00:40:58 - HARDWARE

• Pixel 11 impressions
• The Fairphone (Gen 6+) costs $650, but its repairability makes it better value than a flagship
• Fairphone officially starts selling its new repairable Android phone in the US for $649
• Honor launches Robot Phone in China with 200MP titanium gimbal camera
• Honor’s Robot Phone is better than a gimbal in a phone has any right to be
• Honor Robot Phone Hands-On: This Isn’t a Gimmick

01:03:53 - APPS 'n SOFTWARE 'n STUFF

• Google's Gemini finally arrives in Chrome for all US Android users, with a powerful new trick for subscribers
• Here’s everything new in Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 [Gallery]
• Gboard could soon show this fun animation when your typing hits hyperspeed
• Gboard is cooking up a speedy new way to add content to messages
• Gboard Rambler has a usage limit, and here's what happens when you reach it

01:16:35 - COMMUNITY FEEDBACK

• Ron, Michael, Craig all shared why they will miss Google Assistant in the Gemini era
• Shawn took Android Faithful to South Korea!

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This episode is sponsored by TORRAS.

It's the biggest day of the year! Well, one of the biggest days of the year for the world of Android - it's Made by Google day! With Made By Google 2026 happening later today in New York City, Jason Howell, Ron Richards and Huyen Tue Dao are here to give you all the details of the new line of Pixel phones and devices: the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pro XL and Pixel 11 Pro Fold plus the Pixel Watch 5, Pixel Buds Pro 2 and the all new Pixel Tag! All this plus all the Android news that has nothing to do with the Pixel 11 rollout. What a day!

This episode of Android Faithful is brought to you by TORRAS. The Pixel 11 is coming, and you'll want it protected from day one. Buy the TORRAS Q3 Air for the Pixel 11 Pro XL on Amazon today at https://amzn.to/3TDn5gC and use promo code JASON2608 at checkout for 15% off. Thanks to TORRAS for supporting Android Faithful!

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00:01:46 - PIXEL 11 / MADE BY GOOGLE

• The Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold were formally announced today and are available for pre-order and will be in stores on August 20, 2026
• Now you can share you contact info, files and more just by tapping you Pixel to other Pixels and Android devices
• The Pixel Watch 5, Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Pixel Tag were also announced.

00:54:52 - NEWS & HARDWARE

• Nothing dispels rumors of it's pivot by saying it's doubling it's phone production and expanding
• RIP Google Assistant. Google confirms Assistant is going away, for real this time and forever (unless it's in a car) on September 4, 2026
• Unboxing an hands on with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8
• PATRON PICK: The Minimal Phone 2 looks to be the real deal, it's small, got a physical keyboard and packs solid specs!

01:23:03 - APPS 'n SOFTWARE 'n STUFF

• It's really happening! Third party app stores are in the Google Play store!
• Hey, you can now use Venmo in Google Play Store to pay for apps.
• Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Sunbird is back to give you access to iMessages
• And Beeper now lets you message someone on every platform

01:31:32 - COMMUNITY FEEDBACK

• Daniel followed up on his saga of not having his volume turned down automatically
• Derek from Illinois has a handy tip for using your keyboard when accessing the app drawer
• Harry from Ft. Lauderdale realized you can finally remove that chain link fence from a photo with Gemini!

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It's one week until the Pixel 11 rollout during the Made By Google event and Huyen Tue Dao, Jason Howell and Ron Richards are getting HYPED. Maybe it's the Android Summer heat or maybe it's the mix of weirdness and oddities in the news this week that we're parsing. Either way, it's a fun show this week!

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00:03:30 - NEWS

• Depending on which report you read, Smartphone shipments dropped in Q2'26 OR Smartphone revenue was up in Q2'26
• Where there's smoke...reports coming out of Nothing that they're pivoting away from phones and focusing on AI and general devices, just as they announce new earbuds!
• Happy 5th Birthday Jetpack Compose, featuring a cameo from Huyen!
• PATRON PICK: These leaked renders of the new Samsung Galaxy Buds On are a new look for Samsung ear buds

00:32:01 - HARDWARE

• With Made By Google approaching, we get a teaser of the Pixel 11 with a focus on the Pixel Glow or perhaps it's called something else, like "HiLight"?
• In addition to the Pixel 11, will we get a a "Pixel Tag"?
• The first Googlebooks from Lenovo have leaked and so have the Googlebooks from Asus!
• Tecno is claiming to have to have the first truly bezel-less phone
• OnePlus isn't dead yet! The OnePlus 16 is confirmed to be coming later this year (just not here in the US)

00:55:52 - APPS 'n SOFTWARE 'n STUFF

• Google merges a bunch of features under voice search that use....your voice
• Google kills an app before it even launches and then kills Nano Banana 2 in Google Earth less than 24 hours after launching it
• There's a major issue plaguing Spotify on Android right now, but Spotify is aware of it and working on it
• Missing TV Time? The original creator is back with Bingers

01:08:11 - COMMUNITY FEEDBACK

• Daniel wants to turn off the annoying automatic volume lowering feature. Here's how!
• Hilton from Virginia shares adventures in car repair with Gemini
• Mike from Ohio confirms that his Nexus 5 is indeed running Marshmallow/Android 6.0

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We welcome Adam Doud back to the show to provide the firsthand experience from Samsung Galaxy Unpacked plus hands-on with the new devices as Jason Howell and Ron Richards are amazed at how thin the new foldables actually are!

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00:07:49 - NEWS

• Android is in the center of a legal battle as GrapheneOS and Duress PIN are at the center of a criminal case
• More bad news on prices of phones as Qualcomm confirms chip prices are going up and reports of the Pixel 11 prices are increasing
• If you're using Android 6.0, AKA Marshmallow, it's time to upgrade as Google cuts support making Android 7.0 the earliest supported version
• PATRON PICK: Looking for an alternative to Google Photos? Look no further!

00:40:15 - HARDWARE

• Samsungs Galaxy Unpacked gets unpacked by Adam with a breakdown of the phones: The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, the Z Fold 8, the Z Flip 8,
• And of course the watches: The Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2
• We were surprised to see the move to silicon carbon batteries
• Google showed up to Galaxy Unpacked with some announcements

01:09:34 - APPS 'n SOFTWARE 'n STUFF

• Now you can log into your Google Account with your face.
• Looks like you'll soon be able to tune your Daily Briefing to your personal tastes

01:18:23 - COMMUNITY FEEDBACK

• Bayou Byte Studio shared their new app, Journal Spaces - give it a download and check it out!
• Bob from Pennsylvania is curious what we think about the new Commodore Callback phone
• Becky B. from New Jersey found a better TV Tracking app that works with Simkl called Cinopsys and it has widgets!
• Shane C. suggests Refract to replace TV Time

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