Android Faithful

It's a major milestone as we reach 100 episodes of Android Faithful! To celebrate the occasion, Jason Howell, Florence Ion and Ron Richards won't even let ill-timed technical difficulties hamper the mood to bring you the latest and greatest in the world of Android. Buckle up, cause this 100th episode extravaganza gets wild!Thanks to everyone in the AF Community for riding with us this far and here's to the next 100 episodes!Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:07:04 - NEWSNothing commits to keeping Essential Space free, for now....Old is new again as someone has figured out how to put Android in old Blackberry devices!PATRON PICK: 'Optimized' voice assistant choices may be coming soon to Android - what does that even mean?00:37:38 - HARDWAREHands on with the Moto Razr Ultra 2025 and the Moto Razr 2025Mark your calendars - July 9th, Samsung Galaxy Unpacked is getting Ultra and UnfoldedJust in time as we get leaks of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, the Galaxy Flip 7 and the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE 01:10:38 - APPSWhat is AppCast and what will it do?What's the name of that song? Gemini can tell you now!Indigo from Adobe brings the Pixel Camera app magic to iOS01:23:48 - COMMUNITYMark was worried about the Moto Razr 2025!George from NYC shares his XR Glasses / Samsung Dex setupTodd wants to know how we're liking the Google TV Streaming Device?01:39:02 - BONUS! AFTER HOURSPixel 10 ‘Magic Cue’ leaks as AI that proactively suggests ‘info and actions’OnePlus might have gamers in sight with this compact tabletFairphone 6 leaks in new images with new design, easily-replacable batteryGoogle Messages will help you shame your friends into finally turning on RCS (APK teardown)Honor beats Samsung to the punch with 'thinnest ever' Magic V5 FoldableGoogle may have secretly given its XR glasses a name

We're delighted to welcome back Juan Bagnell to the show to join Huyen Tue Dao, Mishaal Rahman and Ron Richards for all the Android 16 and WearOS updates and the latest in Tablet developments...BONUS! To celebrate 100 episodes of Android Faithful, you can get 20% off a membership to our Patreon! Unlock access to the Ad-Free Podcast, the After Hours bonus show and more. Use code AF100 at Patreon.com/AndroidFaithful or go tot AndroidFaithful.com/AF100 or AndroidFaithful.com/AF100year to sign up!Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:07:30 - NEWSGoogle insists AOSP isn't dead, but it sure is different now.Legacy watch faces are being phased out of WearOS in 2026Some problems with the Android 16 rollout causing navigation issuesPATRON PICK: What Gemini app features are free versus paid?00:50:02 - HARDWARERumors pointing to Google Pixel 10 having Qi 2 supportYes, this Android phone from Vivo connects to an Apple Watch, iCloud and other Apple devices. For real life.A 5.3mm thin color ePaper tablet from Boox has us reelingWill the next Samsung Unpacked event be in NYC? Seems like it!Another reveal for the Nothing Phone (3), this time with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 401:15:23 - APPSMotoTags and Google's Find Hub gets UWB precision findingGasp! Ads are coming to WhatsApp!01:24:03 - COMMUNITYTom from Littleton, Colorado is frustrated by the volume slider.01:32:17 - BONUS! AFTER HOURSGoogle is killing Android Instant AppsHuawei's Next Tri-Fold Phone Coming in SeptemberSamsung Galaxy Watch 8 Lineup Adopts Ultra-Inspired DesignPixel phones may finally get native flashlight brightness controlsFirst Look at OnePlus Pad LiteOnePlus Watch 3 is coming July 8th

The release of the latest version of Android is always a big moment every year and this year, with Android 16, it definitely feels different. Join Huyen Tue Dao, Jason Howell and Ron Richards break it all down and figure out exactly why...SPECIAL: To celebrate 100 episodes of Android Faithful, you can get 20% off a membership to our Patreon! Unlock access to the Ad-Free Podcast, the After Hours bonus show and more. Use code AF100 at Patreon.com/AndroidFaithfulNote: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:05:29 - NEWSAndroid 16 is here...for Pixel devices.Inside new Wear OS 6 features that can extend battery life for smartwatchesSome of the new iOS 26 feature sure look familiar...PATRON PICK: How millions of Android devices turn home networks into crime00:39:56 - HARDWAREThe new tablet on the block, the OnePlus Pad 3 is very impressiveSamsung is teasing us with an "ultra" foldableRon got his hands on the Clicks keyboard for the Pixel 9 ProJason unboxes the RayNeo Air 3x XR glasses01:05:24 - APPSSo much drama around Samung's AI Shopping partnershipGoogle Photos rolls back the "Ask Photos" AI based search featureThe WIndows 95 Space Cadet Pinball game is back on Android01:15:35 - COMMUNITYRaven has some examples of how Gemini works with RemindersEnrico sheds some light on passkeys00:32:15 - BONUS AFTER HOURSMeta and Yandex are de-anonymizing Android users’ web browsing identifiersLog in to your Samsung account by the end of next month or forever hold your peaceSamsung's shocking move: No camera upgrades until Galaxy S28!Google Messages is rolling out a Material 3 Expressive redesign along with an updated gallery + camera viewDangerous new Android malware adds fake contacts to your phone while draining bank accounts — how to stay safe

This very, very Edgy episode has Jason Howell, Mishaal Rahman, and Florence Ion talking all about Samsung's thin AND light premium smartphone in detail. Plus Ron Richards and Jason chat with AT&T's Jeff Howard all about the evolving role of the carrier in the world of Android.Apologies for the clicking on Jason's audio. It was recorded that way, not sure why.Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:07:13 - NEWSSamsung One UI 8 Beta launch plans have landedSamsung and Perplexity are close to getting into bed together for AI FeaturesMore details are emerging around Android 16 QPR1PATRON PICK: A Contacts App upgrade could exist with Pixel VIPs00:37:09We chat with Jeff Howard - VP of Consumer Devices for AT&T about the inner workings of a mobile carrier in 202501:06:55- HARDWAREJason has the first look at the Samsung Galaxy S25 EdgeWe're getting bits and pieces of details about the the seemingly early Pixel 10 launch01:26:36 - APPSPayPal says "bye-bye" to Google WalletWant an app to download and run AI Models locally? Google has an app for thatPixel Themes are coming and there will be much rejoicing.

This episode is sponsored by Planter! Arrange your garden and learn how to grow vegetables with this garden planner app. SPECIAL OFFER: Android Faithful listeners can get up to 25% off a subscription!We're recovering from KotlinConf and Google I/O but Huyen Tue Dao, Jason Howell and Ron Richards are getting excited over new features coming to Android 16 plus leaked looks at the Google Pixel 10 and more!Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:09:17 - NEWSGoogle is bringing Live Updates to WearOS and expanding beyond Pixel PhonesCarl Pei has a vision of a world without apps, where have we heard this before?What could bad battery life on the Pixel 10 mean for the Tensor chip?PATRON PICK: Google says Android 16's Desktop Mode builds on what Samsung did with Dex00:44:14 - HARDWAREThe Google Pixel 10 leaks from it's own commercial shootThe RealMe GT7 has an impressive battery and approach to designThe OnePlus 13S is launching soon, but not here and likely with an AI Button01:02:14 - APPSFacer is back on WearOS!Android Auto gets social listening with SpotifyRIP Pocket - huge bummer news from one of our old favorite apps01:10:35 - FEEDBACKDave writes in about an old prototype of a solution for car interfaces that he wonders why it never took off?Nik is frustrated with Gemini

It's the main event, back at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, CA, steps away from the Google headquarters for the big show, Google I/O 2025. Jason Howell, Mishaal Rahman, Florence Ion and Ron Richards were in attendance for all the Gemini and AI related announcements and reveals and break down what you need to know from an Android POV. Plus, we sat down with friends of the show Sam Bright, VP and GM of Google Play and Developer Ecosystem and Matthew McCullough, VP of Product Management, Android Developer to catch up on all the news as it relates to the Android ecosystem and get hyped for Android XR!Due to an unfixable error in the studio, the interview audio is less than ideal. We tried our best to clean up the audio. Our apologies.Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:02:10 - NEWSDuring the Google I/O Keynote, Android 16 QPR1 Beta was releasedHere's everything you need to know about the Google I/O Keynote for Android users00:20:17 - INTERVIEWMishaal and Ron chat with Sam Bright, VP and GM of Google Play and Developer Ecosystem and Matthew McCullough, VP of Product Management, Android Developer about Android, Gemini, Google Play, Android XR and Material 3 Expressive

This episode is sponsored by Planter! Arrange your garden and learn how to grow vegetables with this garden planner app. SPECIAL OFFER: Android Faithful listeners can get up to 25% off a subscription!Google I/O is one week away, but that didn't stop Google from starting the party early with Android related news, including some AI magic coming to cars and we've got an exclusive interview with Patrick Brady, VP of Android for Cars at Google to discuss it!Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:05:37 - NEWSGoogle presented a special edition of The Android Show ahead of I/OMaterial 3 Expressive gets confirmed and revealed to the worldGoogle Gemini makes the jump to Android Auto, WearOS, Google TV and Android XRNew security features are unveiled for AndroidPATRON PICK: The reality of tracking a powered off, stolen Pixel phone...is depressing00:47:21 - INTERVIEWFlorence Ion and Jason Howell chat with Patrick Brady, VP of Android for Cars at Google about Gemini on Android Auto01:11:17 - HARDWAREIt's so thin, how can the battery hold up? The Samsung S25 Edge arrives with lots of questionsMany rumors abound about the Samsun Galaxy Watch 8 series01:19:33 - APPSPasskeys may be in your future as Google autoconverts passwords for you!Honor phones are getting Google's image to video generator appHooray, Google Messages is getting "Delete for Everyone"!

Week two of big news from Android Faithful as we welcome a new member to the team (you know who it is, right?) Also, Material 3 is EXPRESSIVE, Android Desktop Mode is TOTALLY right around the corner, and the Chromecast is BACK! (sort of)In case you missed it, Android Faithful has new perks and rewards for supporting the show on Patreon including a NEW SHOW called Android Faithful After Hours!Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:09:24 - NEWSGoogle is working on a big UI overhaul for Android: Here's an early lookLeak: How and why Google made Material 3 ExpressiveA Simple Google Search Is Now a Thing of the PastGoogle is finally building its own DeX: First look at Android's Desktop ModePATRON PICK: iOS and Android juice jacking defenses have been trivial to bypass for years00:43:26 - HARDWAREExclusive: The Pixel 10 could be in for an unexpected display upgradeSamsung Galaxy S25 Edge: This is the ultra-thin new top smartphoneThe Chromecast is back, but not as we know it00:57:50 - APPSGoogle Wallet launches new age and identity verification featuresAndroid Auto's in-progress light theme is actually starting to look pretty goodOpera for Android launches new tab management features01:08:34 - COMMUNITYTharanga wants a light Android tablet for reading musicCraig has a DND solution for JasonAnonymous has a solution for Gemini news sources

This episode is sponsored by Square's Mobile Payments SDK - Developers, now it’s easier than ever to integrate the market leader for payments into your mobile apps. Get more info here!BIG News from Android Faithful as we've got new perks and rewards for supporting the show on Patreon!Meanwhile, in the world of Android, Google I/O is getting closer and it already controversial and new phones hit the market and they're quite cool to look at!Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:10:31 - NEWSThe Google I/O schedule of events is out! But looks like Android is getting some advanced attention.It's been a while, but we've got updated Android distribution numbers!We're excited about Android's bubble bar and more Android 16 goodiesGoogle does a little humblebrag that Find My Device network is 4x faster now.PATRON PICK: If you're a passenger, Android Auto isn't really all that great00:47:36 - HARDWAREHands On with the Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro and BudsA happy update from OnePlus on pricing for the OnePlus Watch 3An unhappy update from OnePlus on the availability of the OnePlus 13TLook at the awesome colors of the new lineup of Motorola Razrs! We approve!01:12:24 - APPSGoodbye Assistant Driving ModeYou can finally view PDFs in Chrome for Android. Finally!Google Photos will nudge you to make a Highlights video for Mother's Day and then let you share it with a QR Code01:19:40 - COMMUNITYBrad has a POV on HealthConnectMark Zip has had it with GeminiFredrik Seglem shares his Samsung Dex setup