Android Faithful

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!Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor.INTERVIEW00:00:45 - 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 XRNEWS00:41:42 - 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 platform00:48:57 - Want Gemini on your Nest Home device?00:52:12 - Samsung Galaxy Unpacked is coming in 2025 and the date has been leaked00:54:30 - PATRON PICK: Google rolls out a redesign to Discover HARDWARE01:06:19 - Huge news as Google chooses a MediaTek modem for the Pixel 10 APPS01:08:45 - The Epic Games store is coming pre-installed on millions of Android devices in Europe and Latin America01:11:26 - YouTubeTV gets another price increaseBEST AND WORST OF 202401:18:08 - The Android Faithful share their best things from Android in 2024:Ron: Google's insane pace of updates across Android and related platformsMishaal: Google's commitment to the future of the Android platformHuyen: The Pixel 9 SeriesJason: Project Astra01:26:54 - The Android Faithful share their worst things from Android in 2024:Ron: The cancellation of the Pixel Tablet 2Huyen: Continued overemphasis on jamming in AI-featuresMishaal: Uncertainty about the future of certain Google and Qualcomm products given litigationJason: The DOJ/Google Antitrust rulings might bring big changes to Play Services and more.

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!Get the newest merch design LEAKY PEEKY at Threadless!Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor.NEWS0:05:30 - Here's every new feature in the Pixel Drop update for December 20240:07:25 - Google’s December Pixel Drop Introduces AI Enhancements for Screenshots0:12:41 - Android is getting new features to help you consume and share content0:17:16 - Here's everything Google didn't tell you about in Android 15's first Feature Drop0:22:00 - Samsung One UI 7 Beta Starts To Roll Out0:32:20 - @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 AndroidINTERVIEW0:40:25 - Google is making captions on Android even better.HARDWARE1:02:26 - Motorola Razr+ is dripping in Pantone's 2025 color of the year1:04:55 - Upcoming OnePlus Pad's key specs tipped1:06:40 - Possible OnePlus Watch 3 bags FCC certification1:13:33 - Flo's Pixel Watch 3 Review1:02:46 - Ice Universe: the Samsung Galaxy S25 trio will support Qi2 wireless chargingAPPS1:22:28 - Your Wear OS watch can now double as a hotel key, campus ID, and more1:25:17 - Google Photos is getting its own version of Spotify WrappedCOMMUNITY1:29:10 - Clayton really wants Desktop Mode NOW.1:31:34 - Lukas knows how to roll your own YouTube Music Recap!

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.Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor.NEWS00:06:40 - Google asks US appeals court to reject app store monopoly verdict00:12:33 - Microsoft says it built an Xbox game store on Android but can’t launch it00:21:37 - Worldwide Smartphone Market Forecast to Grow 6.2% in 202400:30:16 - Former Android devs working on an operating system for AI agents00:36:15 - Motorola announces open beta program for advanced moto ai features00:39:47 - PATRON PICK: OnePlus took iPhone's Dynamic Island and made it way more usefulHARDWARE00:47:38 - Juan Reviews the Tank Pad01:00:20 - US gets its first Snapdragon 8 Elite phone01:07:19 - Honor 300 and 300 Pro01:12:25 - More images of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra01:19:55 - OnePlus 13 launches globally in January01:20:45 - What the Pixel Tablet 2 would have beenAPPS01:24:17 - Samsung reveals the fate of the DeX Windows app01:25:35 - Google Maps app showing incident reports from Waze01:27:27 - Firefox for Android v133COMMUNITY01:30:05 - Jonathan wants a review of the Moto Tag trackers01:35:45 - Ian Hall shares the BuzzKill app as a solution for taming Bluesky new follower notifications01:37:03 - Mike W wants to know how durable our foldables are in actual use

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!Get the newest merch design LEAKY PEEKY at Threadless!Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor.NEWS00:07:55 - As speculated, the DOJ recommends Google sell off Chrome00:13:35 - Samsung wearable users are finally getting the enhanced experience00:23:27 - Looks like Huawei is parting ways with Android in 202500:28:26 - Tune into the Roku Channel on Google TV00:31:42 - PATRON PICK: Google Keep is adding "Help me draw" AI based drawingHARDWARE00:39:27 - Confirmation of the rumors that Google killed the Pixel Tablet 200:44:13 - Rumors of a OnePlus flip foldable in 2025 emerge00:47:38 - Hands on with the Oppo Find X8 Pro00:51:50 - The secret weapon of the Snapdragon Elite 8 might be the battery performanceAPPS00:54:49 - Android is getting Motion Cues to help fight motion sickness00:57:42 - Soon you'll be able to backup and restore your messages in Google Messages01:03:21 - Fitbit starting to appear on device with the pre-installed Google apps01:05:53 - YouTube Music shares 2024 recaps with new functionalityCOMMUNITY01:07:08 - Bob from Ontario shares his YouTube Music 2024 recap01:08:47 - Simon from Australia recommends the app Floating Notes01:11:43 - Michael from Tulsa struggles with needing two remotes for his TV and smart TV device

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.Get the newest merch design LEAKY PEEKY at Threadless!Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor.NEWS00:04:00 - The Android 16 Developer Preview #1 has landed!00:14:24 - Rumors swirl about the future of ChromeOS and Android00:18:58 - The DOJ may be pushing for Google to sell off Chrome00:20:41 - There could be some patent wars in the US thanks to Samsung00:23:20 - The Pixel Tablet 2 may be getting a keyboard00:26:50 - Xiaomi is rolling out HyperOS 200:29:12 - PATRON PICK: Google's new Android App helps you confirm the identity of who you're chatting withHARDWARE00:37:35 - Adam Doud is hands on with the ROG Phone 900:56:41 - The Samsung Galaxy S25 Launch may be in January00:57:58 - Details emerge on the specs for the Samsung XR glasses along with rumors of a tri-fold phone!APPS01:02:30 - Google announced the best apps and games of 202401:08:55 - Enhanced scam protection rolled out to Android users along with live threat detection on apps01:15:45 - Health Connect now lets you back up your health and fitness dataCOMMUNITY01:20:18 - Shawn writes in with more Google Messages thoughts01:23:01 - Bob from Ontario, Canada wants to know if he permanently switch to Google Messages01:27:01 - Ben from Baltimore is down on ads on Android as well

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!Participate in ACast's listener survey: http://bit.ly/androidfaithful-surveyNote: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor.NEWS00:04:08 - Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1has arrived and Mishaal has the breakdown00:12:31 - Rollouts for new operating systems and updates are here for OnePlus, Nothing and Vivo00:18:25 - Google is forcing Quick Share consent across OEMs to try and help spread awareness of the handy feature00:20:47 - Hardware requirements for Android TV are being lowered, but has it gone too far?00:25:13 - Emoji reactions are finally happening in iOS00:32:48 - PATRON PICK: Guess how much the Pixel 9 Pro costs to make?HARDWARE00:38:43 - 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 revealedAPPS01:12:36 - Gemini gets a big boost01:16:34 - AI can soon help screen your phone callsCOMMUNITY01:19:53 - Dave from Patreon is frustrated by how ads in games work01:23:36 - Andy from Melbourne, Australia has a Google Photos mystery01:26:28 - Mike from Rochester, NY is comparing Google Messages with Textra

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-surveyNote: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor.NEWS00:03:33 - 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 7HARDWARE00:26:08 - The OnePlus 13 is released...in China and now we can confirm the details00:30:47 - 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 deviceAPPS00:41:10 - Some big updates to Google Play rolled out with Google's big day of news00:47:22 - And Google Maps, Google Earth and Waze got updates too!00:51:21 - Microsoft brings Android storage integration to Windows 11, Windows 1000:53:28 - Thunderbird for Android is finally out!INTERVIEWS00:55:48 - 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!

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.Participate in ACast's listener survey: http://bit.ly/androidfaithful-surveyNote: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor.NEWS00:06:35 - A bunch of new glimpses of Android 16 have emerged00:17:30 - Inside OxygenOS 15 from OnePlus00:24:55 - T-Mobile and AT&T are against the FCC mandating unlocking phones after 60 days00:30:20 - Arm takes the nuclear option in it's battle with Qualcomm00:36:10- PATRON PICK: How Google is able to provide 7 years of updates to Android phonesHARDWARE00:44:18 - HUGE LEAK from Google about the Tensor G5 and G6 and Pixel 10 and Pixel 11 phones00:52:05 - More details of the Google Pixel 9A are coming to light00:55:22 - The OnePlus 13 gets spoiled by...OnePlus01:03:35 - Everything about the Xiaomi 15 and 15 Pro is bigAPPS01:07:15 - Google Photos increases transparency around AI use01:08:50 - Notion is developing a Mail app and you can sign up to be among the first to get accessINTERVIEWS01:09:56 - 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 SkyloCOMMUNITY01:32:50 - Tony writes in to pit Android vs iOS when it comes to dictation for accessibility

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-surveyNote: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor.NEWS00:05:27 - The latest in Epic vs Google scores a win for Google this time around00:09:05 - Q3 '24 Smartphone sales show big wins for Google, Motorola and Huawei00:11:25 - You may be able to transfer your passkeys soon!00:17:45 - Moto AI is coming soon to Motorola phones with familiar LAM functionality00:24:12- PATRON PICK: Google Play is making apps use the Android Photo Picker for privacy reasonsHARDWARE00:35:00 - 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 performance00:51:00 - OnePlus 13 leaks are popping up all over the place, including eSports events!APPS00:58:30 - Google Messages is working to protect you from scams01:03:00 - WearOS and Google is coming for your watch faces01:07:20 - Autofill on Chrome for Android is getting a bit betterINTERVIEWS01:09:40 - Mishaal chats with Tom Powledge, Head of Cybersecurity Business at VerimatrixCOMMUNITY01:32:00 - Jordan writes in about Motorola notification panel swiping issues