Android Faithful

As if Google I/O excitement wasn't enough, we shared some big news on the podcast this week! Listen as Jason Howell, Huyen Tue Dao, Ron Richards and Mishaal Rahman reveal the brand new Android Faithful website featuring newsletters, articles, reviews and more! Check it out at AndroidFaithful.com and then listen as we discuss all the major Android news of the week!

NEWS

• Google I/O is next week and we share what we're excited to see along with programming updates about our coverage
• One UI 6.1 with AI rolls out to to the Samsung S21 series and older foldables
• MediaTek is getting in on the premium Android action in the US this year
• Multitasking on Android 14 is finally better on tablets
• The Patron Pick speculated whether or not HTC might launch a phone with a faster Snapdragon chip soon?

HARDWARE

• Ahead of I/O, Google rolls out the Pixel 8A
• Also, the Pixel Tablet shed the dock and sells for $399
• Hands-On with the Rabbit R1 and continued debunking of it's relationship with Android
• Get ready for style with the Porsche Design Honor Magic6 RSR with clean lines and design
• Walmart levels up your living room with the Onn 4K Pro streaming set top box with Google TV

APPS

• Exciting news for new phone set ups as Google's working on a way to speed-up data transfers
• Google Photos adds a new feature to enhance videos with a button
• There's a new android app for Comic Books called Omnibus

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This edition of Android Faithful sure did erupt into something spectacular as Jason Howell, Huyen Tue Dao, Ron Richards and Mishaal Rahman dig deep into the Rabbit R1 and it's tenuous Android connection along with tracking the latest rumors, leaks and news about Samsung, Google and more!

NEWS

• Mark your calendars, the next Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event is coming in July!
• It's Android 15 time with Mishaal as we go even deeper into the new OS
• Wear OS is gaining on the Apple Watch
• The Patron Pick celebrates Google Play enabling downloading two apps at once, finally!

HARDWARE

• Some curious Pixel Tablet release rumors
• Details of the Google Pixel 8A are leaking left and right including the cost
• And Google has a refresh of the Chromecast with Google TV getting teed up

APPS

• Google explains why YouTube Music should be the destination for podcasts and we have opinions!
• Want Android 15's volume panel now? Here you go!
• Mishaal unravels the Rabbit R1's connection to Android with BREAKING NEWS of Rabbit's response

BONUS HARDWARE

• Unboxing the Nothing Ear 3

COMMUNITY

• James from SoCal write in about Google Messages compressing images and video even over RCS
• Mike in Dubai has thoughts about Google One and the end of the Google One VPN
• Stealth Dave provides some recommendations for multi-device travel chargers

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We're into the quiet period before Google I/O, but that doesn't stop Google from doing a massive re-org that affects Android dramatically. Huyen, Jason, Mishaal and Ron break it all down and get a little emotional about saying goodbye to Hiroshi Lockheimer.

NEWS

• Google shares the future as they build it with AI and reorganize their divisons
• Mishaal shares even more Android 15 previews
• Meta rolls out the Horizon OS, based on Android, for more third party partners
• The Patron Pick highlights the new AI tool in YouTube is pretty helpful!

HARDWARE

• Hands on with the Nothing Ear (a) in bright yellow
• Improved performance looms for the OnePlus Pad 2
• Introducing the Pura 70 line from Huawei
• Global manufacturer Tecno goes in on camera functionality with the Camon 30 Premiere

APPS

• TikTok Notes is the upstart rival to Instagram
• Google Messages is rolling out Selfie GIF functionality and even more features coming for Google Photos
• EV drivers get some cool functionality in Google Maps

COMMUNITY

• Timothy writes in to defend the Google One VPN
• Mike from Ohio was able to change the ringtone on his Pixel Watch 2!
• Andrew from Ontario celebrates the new Google Home Controls screensaver

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The gang is back together as Ron returns to join Huyen, Jason and Mishaal and just in time too since the Android 15 beta dropped and Mishaal's got the breakdown. That plus...a phone made of wood?!?

NEWS

• Android 15 Beta has arrived!
• Samsung overcomes Apple in market share according to IDC
• Google Gemini and OnePlus are working together in a confusing fashion
• Samsung brings Galaxy AI to more Galaxy devices
• The Patron Pick shows that Google listens as Google Messages brings back the single-line text field after getting complaints

HARDWARE

• Pixel 9 line developments as a new modem brings emergency satellite connections and perhaps the Pixel Fold gets renamed?
• Leaked looks at the Sony Xperia 1 VI
• Motorola rolls out the Edge 50 series, featuring a wood backing plate (again!)

APPS

• All Google Photos users are getting AI editing tools
• Sadly, Google One VPN is dying

COMMUNITY

• Stephen from Ontario has solved the taking calls while driving with Maps problem
• Mike from Ohio has discovered a huge drawback to the Google Pixel Watch 2
• John from Cincinnati, also in Ohio, shares some tech observations while traveling abroad

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Welcome Ben Schoon of 9to5Google to the show as we've got a lot going on with Android 15 developments and Google's rollout of the Find My Device network, finally!

NEWS

• We got some amazing photos of the solar eclipse yesterday!
• Mishaal's got the latest rundown of what's coming to Android 15
• Google is finally rolling out the Find My Device Network - whoo hoo!
• The Patron Pick is a hoot with a new device that lets you run Samsung Dex on your car screen!!

HARDWARE

• The rumored Motorola Edge 50 has been announced!
• The Samsung Galaxy S25 will stick Exynos and Snapdragon

APPS

• Beeper was acquired by Automattic!!
• In more messaging news, Sunbird is coming back, rising like a phoenix
• OnePlus is rolling out AI Eraser and some rumors about Google's Magic Eraser

COMMUNITY

• Owen from Ottawa, Canada checks in on Chrome tabs
• Chaim from Crown Heights in Brooklyn) wants to know if Android's Earthquake Detection actually works?
• Jakob shows off how he watches Android Faithful

Thanks to Ben Schoon for joining us - check out all his great work at 9to5Google!

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JR Raphael of The Intelligence returns to the show to join Jason, MIshaal and Ron to discuss the latest in Google and Android updates plus some hands-on Gamer gear and some rumors of the Pixel 9 line.

Sign up for The Intelligence today and get $25 off your membership with the code: iloveronrichards - https://theintelligence.com/insider/

NEWS

• Google has a bunch of updates to Shopping, Maps and Circle to Search
• Latest in the upcoming Android 15 is protection from stingray devices
• Google may be bringing Gemini to phones but it's going to be a RAM hog
• RCS is coming to iPhones this Fall, according to Google
• Patron Pick: Android 15 could revamp the volume panel and make it collapsible and plus, Android 15 prepares revamped status bar and Mishaal isn't having it!

HARDWARE

• Pixel 9 rumors and leaks are heating up and it looks like there might be three phones in the line
• The Vivo X Fold3 is the lightest book-style foldable yet - it's so thin!
• Mishaal is hands on with the GameSir X2s Type C mobile gaming controller
• If you like photography then you'll want to check out the Xiaomi 14 Ultra photography kit

APPS

• Google Podcasts is going away, make sure you find a new podcast app!
• Gemini now automatically starts Google Maps navigation
• Got too many Chrome tabs? They've got a fix for that

COMMUNITY

• Dan M. is having a hard time with audio on the OnePlus Watch 2
• Jon and Eric write in with Maps while on the phone solutions
• Mike S. has a tip for battery drain on the Pixel 7A

Thanks to JR Raphael of The Intelligence for joining us, check out all his great work over at The Intelligence - https://theintelligence.com/

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Juan Bagnell of SomeGadgetGuy returns to the show for a spicy week of Android discussions as Jason, MIshaal and Ron preview Android 15 and get hands-on with some new hardware!

Want your own Android Faithful T-Shirt? You can get yours at Threadless - https://androidfaithful.threadless.com

Would you want to come to a LIVE recording of Android Faithful during Google I/O? Let us know at bit.ly/afgoogleio

NEWS

• Android 15 Developer Preview 2 is out and Mishaal breaks down what's new in this latest release
• The Department of Justice is suing Apple for monopolistic behavior. What does it mean for Android?
• Samsung Galaxy A55 5G gets Seamless Updates
• The Samsung OneUI 6.1 Update starts rolling out this week!
• Patron Pick: Google Contacts is making it easier to set custom ringtones for individual contacts

HARDWARE

• Ron is hands on with the Nokia T21 Table from HMD
• Jason reviews the OnePlus Watch 2 - Go watch his full review on YouTube!
• Details on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3, featuring (surprise, surprise), AI!

APPS

• The Epic Games Store is coming to Android!
• Google Wallet requiring device unlock for payments
• Google Photos library can now appear in OnePlus and Xiaomi's gallery apps

COMMUNITY

• Alpan23 on Patreon wonders if Android/Google Play is really as insecure as Apple makes it out to be?
• Daniel C. shares why he's Team Pixel all the way
• David, akak Panzer_Z has another tip for locking your screen on Google Maps

Thanks to Juan Bagnell for joining us, check out all his great work over at SomeGadgetGuy.com

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Ron, Mishaal, Huyen, and Jason are so excited to share some big news for the show (a long time coming!) Plus, its that time of the year when Google blesses us all with the date for an event that always gets us giddy!

Get your Android Faithful Merch!

Would attend an Android Faithful meetup during Google IO!

Featured in this episode:

NEWS

• Google I/O 2024 takes place on May 14
• Android 15 will let you find your Pixel 8 even when it's off
• Here's a first look at Android 15's built-in app archiving feature
• The golden age of Nintendo emulators on Android is over
• Patron News Story Pick: Android phones with Gemini Nano could gain another handy on-device feature

HARDWARE

• Mishaal's Zenfone 11 Ultra review
• ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra Photo Samples
• ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra Video Samples
• Motorola’s new Moto G's
• Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 arrives
• Samsung going back to square wearables?
• Google Pixel 8a boasts 120Hz display

APPS

• YouTube Music rolling out song search
• YouTube Music trims the silence
• Spotify comes for YouTube Music with music videos in select countries
• Google Wallet may get .pkpass support!

COMMUNITY

• Linda loves pinch to zoom in Android Messages
• Richard has a problem with Google Maps for Android.
• Chris wonders what he'd miss if he switched away from Pixel

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Ron, Huyen, Jason, and Mishaal have a hard time sifting through the sheer volume of big Android news this week, but have no fear: There's an exclusive piece of news that Mishaal breaks on the show complete with a shiny new breaking news bumper and the gang celebrates a little too hard.

NEWS

• @MishaalRahman: Here is what's new in Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2
• Android 15 might let you send text messages via satellite
• Google finally enables display output on the Pixel 8, here's what it could mean for a DeX-like mode
• Patron News Story Pick: SpaceX says its satellite service aced tests on Android and iPhone
• Apple is working to make it easier to switch from iPhone to Android because of the EU
• @MishaalRahman: Google also announced yesterday that they will begin showing "additional choice screens" for users setting up an Android device in the EEA.
• @MishaalRahman: Google has shared details on its new external offers program, the program they created to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act.
• To comply with DMA, WhatsApp and Messenger will become interoperable via Signal protocol

HARDWARE

• Pixel 8a will be more expensive: colors, prices, memory of the new Google phone
• Google confirms Pixel 8a is coming with Android’s new battery stats
• @mishaal_rahman: Gemini Nano won't be coming to the Pixel 8 because of ""some hardware limitations"" but will be coming to more high-end devices in the near future according to Terence Zhang, a Developer Relations engineer at Google, during #TheAndroidShow.
• Samsung's Galaxy A55 and A35 are official with 6.6" OLED screens, focus on security
• No April Fools' joke: OnePlus will launch a new Nord on April 1
• Exclusive Leak: Motorola Edge 50 Pro
• Jason's Boox Palma hands on

APPS

• [Exclusive] Google says the IETF's ongoing work on the unwanted tracker detection spec doesn't impact its launch timeline for the Find My Device network
• @MishaalRahman: Google has announced that movie tickets and boarding passes will automatically be added to Google Wallet when you get a confirmation email in Gmail!"

COMMUNITY

• Timothy, Hilton, and Robert have PLENTY to say about Assistant routines
• Michael says we've seen Circle to Search before
• Chuck is having Samsung RCS issues

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Ron, Jason, Huyen, and guest Will Sattelberg dive into Will's experience in Barcelona at Mobile World Congress, plus Jason has the Nothing Phone (2a) and rooted phones lose RCS.

NEWS

• Google is blocking RCS on rooted Android devices
• Pixel feature drop: New productivity tools and advanced health features
• Google prepares to add 'Satellite SOS' feature on Pixel devices
• Google prepares 'Satellite SOS' emergency feature for Pixel devices.
• Patron News Story Pick: Google Phone is going to make talking more fun with sound reactions and effects

HARDWARE

• I miss when the world's biggest phone show wasn't all about prototypes
• MWC 2024 was weird, and I couldn’t be happier about it
• These Companies Have a Plan to Kill Apps
• Deutsche Telekom/T-Mobile: AI Could Replace the Apps on Your Phone. I've Seen It With My Own Eyes
• Humane AI Pin: The most jaw-dropping demo at MWC was from a brand I wasn't expecting to see
• A Phone, A Friend
• Jason's Nothing Phone (2a) hands-on

APPS

• Microsoft is killing support for running Android apps on Windows 11
• YouTube's free picture-in-picture mode could go global really soon
• A new look for “Your apps” row

COMMUNITY

• Setting volume based on Bluetooth device
• Routines in the Clock app

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