Android Faithful

Thankfully the snowstorm stopped in time for Ron Richards to dig out and join Jason Howell and Huyen Tue Dao for the latest in Android news from OnePlus to Samsung and of course a dash of Google and Gemini for fun.

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00:04:55 - NEWS

• OnePlus responds to reports of their demise and it's not really confidence building...
• Ron was glad he wasn't alone in having Pixel Weather fail completely during the snow storm last weekend.
• EU is coming after Google, again, this time for how deeply Gemini is integrated into Android
• Patron Pick: Say goodbye to this killer feature in GMail you probably didn't even know existed!

00:36:39 - HARDWARE

• Some glimpses of the Oppo Find X9 Ultra shows a cool two-tone camera back design
• More peeks of the Samsung Galaxy S26, this time at the camera bump via the Qi2 battery bank!
• We hope you're sitting down because Samsung revealed how much the Galaxy Z Trifold will cost in the US and it's a lot! It's available now!

00:50:01 - APPS

• Now you can sync your queues across the web and Android on YouTube Music
• Feel free to celebrate now that Google Photos Me Meme feature is here. Or Not.
• But you should really celebrate now that Google Sans is an available font in Google Docs and other apps!

00:57:52 - FEEDBACK

• Jezz from Australia wants to know how to screenshot the Gemini overlay?
• Ken from Batavia, NY weighs in on the iOS vs Android debate
• Frank R. clears up the confusion about Porsche Design and Honor Phones.

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Rumors swirl about a popular manufacturer's demise but we see right through it plus the latest Gemini news that Google has to offer to keep Jason Howell, Florence Ion and Ron Richards amused in the key of Android for another week!

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00:05:05 - NEWS

• We've got Q4 2025 smartphone market data and it shows growth!
• ASUS confirmed no new phones this year and maybe even beyond 2026
• Also, news of OnePlus's demise may have been overwrought, but there's definitely something happening in Oppo-land
• The latest from Google and Gemini is called Personal Intelligence and Jason got the advanced look at it!
• Patron Pick: Smartphones are likely going to be more expensive this year and here's why...

00:35:50 - HARDWARE

• Someone's Samsung Galaxy Z Trifold already broke...oops.
• Honor is hard at work ripping off the iPhone Air, making a wacky camera phone with Porsche and Jason compared the Honor Magic8 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra at the Grand Canyon!
• The new battery king might be the RealMe P4 Power with a 10,001 mAh battery!

00:51:46 - APPS

• Google is looking to amp up MagicCue thanks to Google Wallet and Tasks
• Need a quicker answer from Gemini? Google has a button for that.
• There are some major upgrades to Voice Search from Google featuring, you guessed it, Gemini.
• Nova Launcher lives again with a new owner! And now there will be ads, but that's ok!

01:03:02 - FEEDBACK

• Robert from Alaska blesses us with the discovery of the rugged phone Xever 7 Pro from RugOne, and it's a doozy

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Making a triumphant return from CES, Jason Howell and Mishaal Rahman join Huyen Tue Dao and Ron Richards to wind down from Vegas and get into the latest Android headlines from the past week. Plus stay tuned for a major update from the Android Faithful fam at the end of the show!

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00:03:57 - NEWS

• We wrap up CES with Jason and Mishaal's experiences at the show
• Google released the first Pixel update of 2026 with the January Pixel Update
• The world shook as Apple chose Google Gemini to provide AI for Siri via a Joint Statement between the two companies
• Don't worry, ChromeOS isn't going anywhere!
• Patron Pick: Can tiny speakers be the future for cooling devices?

00:44:07 - HARDWARE

• Our first Leaky Peaky of the year is the Pixel 10A and it's red color
• Foldables Lightning Round begins with Motorola surprising at CES with the Motorola Razr Fold! Jason got to check it out at CES!
• Oppo is prepping to go after Apple with it's new foldable
• Don't get your hopes up for a new foldable from OnePlus though
• The mystery deepens behind Samsung's foldable's creases
• Jason loves his new Flashback camera!

01:04:50 - APPS

• Now you can avoid vertical video by filtering out Shorts from search results on the YouTube app
• Soon you can finally make your own Calling Card for yourself on Android, here's how
• G-Mail is getting all Gemini'd up in here with new AI Features

01:15:06 - FEEDBACK

• James wants to know what we think of the new Desktop Mode on Pixel Phones?

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Back from the holidays and ready to dive into 2026 for Android and what better way to start than with CES? Florence Ion, Huyen Tue Dao and Ron Richards break down all the Android related news coming out of Las Vegas and we get hands-on reports from Jason Howell on the scene at CES 2026!

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00:05:58 - CES NEWS

• We've got all the Android related CES news at AndroidFaithful.com!
• Google showed up at CES and put Android XR on the Sphere, made some Google TV announcements and extended their partnership with XREAL
• Samsung had a lot to say about AI, but that's okay because everyone fell in love with the Samsung Galaxy Z Trifold
• Patron Pick: GE Lighting’s new Matter-compatible smart shades impressed the patrons!

00:40:05 - CES HARDWARE

• Clicks made a big splash with the Clicks Communicator but the Clicks Power Keyboard is the sneaky winner
• Watch lovers rejoice, the Pebble Round 2 has arrived
• TCL continues their NXTPAPER devices with the NxtPaper 70 Pro Phone and Note A1 NXTPAPER
• It's real and it's delightful, the Honor Robot AI Phone was on the scene
• For something minimal, european and secure, check out the Punkt MC03 phone, with a subscription

01:21:21 - NON-CES NEWS

• Google makes a major change to the Android Open Source Project release schedule
• Motorola's upcoming Razr Foldable phone design leaks
• ASUS may be getting out of the smartphone business

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The moment you've been waiting for as Florence Ion, Mishaal Rahman, Jason Howell and Ron Richards gather to present the best (and weirdest) in the world of Android for 2025 and unveil the winners of our first annual end of the year awards, the APKs! 

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00:09:42 - NEWS

• Don't worry about the New Year's deadline, Google is extending the move from Assistant to Gemini further into 2026
• Unfortunately Gemini's takeover of Google Home ruined Christmas for some kids this year
• Mishaal has the details of Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1
• Patron Pick: Could Sodium-Ion batteries be the next big thing in smartphones someday?

00:35:56 - HARDWARE

• Details emerge on the OnePlus 15T and the Honor Magic V6
• Is Samsung developing a widescreen foldable to pre-compete with the Apple Foldable?

00:49:26 - The 2025 Annual Podcast Kudos (APKs)

• We present the winners of the first ever Android Faithful end of year awards for Best Phone, Best Foldable, Best Accessory, Best Innovation, Biggest News Story of 2025 and Weirdest News Story of 2025.

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Another glorious week on the Android Faithful podcast with Jason Howell reviewing a 32" tablet, Mishaal flexing his Google sleuthing muscles all over Android 17, and Huyen bringing the TURBO to 2026!

Don't forget the 2025 Annual Podcast Kudos (APKs!!!) You can vote for your favorite phones and news stories at https://bit.ly/2025apks - Voting closes on 12/22 at 11:59pm ET!

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0:05:18 - NEWS

Google and Apple partner on better Android-iPhone switching

Galaxy Z TriFold Becomes Instant Hit, Sold Out Within Minutes

Android 17 may finally add the native App Lock feature Pixel users have been waiting for

Android 17 could mimic this helpful iOS feature to reduce motion sickness

Patron pick: Google's Stadia controller just got a big upgrade courtesy of Steam

0:32:25 - HARDWARE

Jason reviews the KTC 32" Android Tablet

OnePlus says its upcoming ‘Turbo’ gaming phones are ‘frighteningly strong’

Return of 4GB RAM in smartphones by 2026 amidst DRAM crisis

2026 Smartphone Shipment Forecasts Revised Down as Memory Shortage Drives BoM Costs Up

0:52:09 - APPS

Instagram hands you the keys to control 'Your Algorithm' in Reels, plans to expand

Bringing state-of-the-art Gemini translation capabilities to Google Translate

0:59:35 - FEEDBACK

Jeff is having Pixel 10 Qi2 issues

Hilton thinks monochrome icons make Android less usable

Morgan shares a (long) report on Google's sub-par customer service

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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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