Android Faithful

We're very excited to welcome back Shannon Morse back to the show and just in time as Ron Richards got his hands on a Googlebook and he's ready to show it off to Huyen Tue Dao and Jason Howell and the rest of the Android Faithful!Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:06:58 - NEWSThe Android Developer Verification program has begun, how will the world change?Has hell frozen over? The big three mobile carriers are working together to bring service to dead zones...but why?Sad news in Android media as Android Central is faced with massive layoffsPATRON PICK: Google Japan is at it again, this time with a wacky conveyor belt keyboard!00:39:18 - HARDWAREHands on with the HP Googlebook 14How much do you miss the BlackBerry? Well if you open your wallet, you could relive the magic.The Google Pixel phone is 10 years old - can you believe it's been 10 years? We can't.01:11:17 - APPS 'n SOFTWARE 'n STUFFGuided Vision mode in Gemini is pretty amazing and great for low vision and blind people.Want to make 3D Models in Android? Now with Blender, you can! And you can't on iOS (for a little bit at least!)01:17:57 - COMMUNITY FEEDBACKWil in Tigard, Oregon has got a couple of dead devices thanks to Google Assistant going awayMark Zip is has got a solution to Google Assistant going away in favor of Gemini and runing all his routinesJeff in Knoxville, Tennessee is not a fan of the recent changes to the news feed in Google Discover

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!Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:05:22 - HARDWAREThe 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 - INTERVIEWAlexander 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 - NEWSSamsung's new position is MORE FOLDABLES! Plus OneUI 9 with Android 17 begins rolling outA tale of David vs Goliaths as a little company is trying to get Samsung, Apple and Google devices banned in the USClicks 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 27PATRON PICK: Google's back to talking about Emoji design and this time getting a little cheeky and NSFW01:39:30 - COMMUNITY FEEDBACKKevin had a Surface Duo and looks back on it fondlyGary from Houston spotted a Pixel 11 in the wild on a soap opera

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!Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:05:31 - NEWSThe 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 8The flagship chip game gets a new entrant with the MediaTek Dimensity 9600 ProOne critique of Passkeys gets undone as Google is rolling out the ability to transfer passkeys between devicesPATRON PICK: Rambler is so cool but it's a Pixel Exclusive, so SwiftKey went and copied Rambler and made it available to all Android devices00:44:52 - HARDWARENot to be left out, Motorola makes it official and unveils their passport style foldableCurious what's inside the Honor Robot Phone? Watch JerryRigEverything tear one apartPour one out for the Pixel Tablet, looks like it's cooked and not coming back00:54:49 - APPS 'n SOFTWARE 'n STUFFWeird stuff is going on with Google Maps as the Speedometer and Traffic Overlays are disappearing for users.It's the September 2026 Google Pixel...DROPAnd we've also got the Android 17 QPR1 release details01:08:58 - COMMUNITY FEEDBACKTom from Manhattan is a OnePlus loyalist looking for a new phone that isn't a PixelNik is having RCS cause havoc on his phoneJon in Minneapolis uses LineageOS and did some research behind his troubles with RCS and it's pretty fascinating

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!Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:05:29 - NEWSWant to try Nothing's new products early? Now's your chance!Gaming on Android is about to change forever thanks to AI UpscalingAlert! 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 OLED00:41:35 - HARDWAREThe Enough phone has got target specs and they look to be...just enoughNow 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 STUFFMapQuest 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 FEEDBACKChad writes in that it's been a while since he and his wife have upgraded and are looking for adviceHarry from Florida had a pretty bad experience upgrading to the Pixel 11 via Google unfortunately

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!Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:08:22 - NEWSFoldables 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 softwareThe 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 - HARDWAREWhat 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 STUFFIt'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 MTE01:16:14 - COMMUNITY FEEDBACKCraig writes in with some gripes about the new phone transfer process hiccupsJeremy has some RCS issues to reportDaniel checks in on his audio volume issue and why he's not upgrading his Pixel Fold 9

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!Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:12:14 - NEWSMore 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" gameRCS being glitchy for you? Don't worry, Google is on the case and they're working with the carriers to fix itPATRON PICK: Now you can customize Discover and News audio briefings on Google with chat!00:39:38 - HARDWAREThe official Android Faithful Google Pixel 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro XL Review!Google announces the Googlebook unveiling event in NYC on September 15Motorola phones running GrapheneOS will launch in 2027!01:14:48 - APPS 'n SOFTWARE 'n STUFFPuke no more! Google's motion sickness feature is finally rolling outWhat the heck is Android Pulse? Spoiler: it's boringSomeone hacked HiLight already, because of course they did01:22:24 - COMMUNITY FEEDBACKDerek from Illinois weighs in on Gemini and the other AI's popularityTom from Colorado sends a very lengthy, thoughtful missive about Rambler, Data Privacy and how we screwed it all up

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!Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:06:14 - NEWS‘That is not acceptable’: Judge orders Google to make rival app store installs easierGemini becomes Google’s fastest-growing product ever as it hits 1B usersGoogle Pixel strategy is now ‘attack,’ 13 million phones in 2026, ending China productionPATRON PICK: This developer setting was keeping my Android phone awake for no good reason00:40:58 - HARDWAREPixel 11 impressionsThe Fairphone (Gen 6+) costs $650, but its repairability makes it better value than a flagshipFairphone officially starts selling its new repairable Android phone in the US for $649Honor launches Robot Phone in China with 200MP titanium gimbal cameraHonor’s Robot Phone is better than a gimbal in a phone has any right to beHonor Robot Phone Hands-On: This Isn’t a Gimmick01:03:53 - APPS 'n SOFTWARE 'n STUFFGoogle's Gemini finally arrives in Chrome for all US Android users, with a powerful new trick for subscribersHere’s everything new in Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 [Gallery]Gboard could soon show this fun animation when your typing hits hyperspeedGboard is cooking up a speedy new way to add content to messagesGboard Rambler has a usage limit, and here's what happens when you reach it01:16:35 - COMMUNITY FEEDBACKRon, Michael, Craig all shared why they will miss Google Assistant in the Gemini eraShawn took Android Faithful to South Korea!

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!Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:01:46 - PIXEL 11 / MADE BY GOOGLEThe 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, 2026Now you can share you contact info, files and more just by tapping you Pixel to other Pixels and Android devicesThe Pixel Watch 5, Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Pixel Tag were also announced.00:54:52 - NEWS & HARDWARENothing dispels rumors of it's pivot by saying it's doubling it's phone production and expandingRIP Google Assistant. Google confirms Assistant is going away, for real this time and forever (unless it's in a car) on September 4, 2026Unboxing an hands on with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8PATRON 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 STUFFIt'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 iMessagesAnd Beeper now lets you message someone on every platform01:31:32 - COMMUNITY FEEDBACKDaniel followed up on his saga of not having his volume turned down automaticallyDerek from Illinois has a handy tip for using your keyboard when accessing the app drawerHarry from Ft. Lauderdale realized you can finally remove that chain link fence from a photo with Gemini!