Android Faithful

We've got an exciting pair of new phones to look at as Jason Howell and Mishaal Rahman are showing them off to Huyen Tue Dao and Ron Richards along with the latest in the ongoing sagas from the world of AndroidNote: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:04:40 - HARDWAREFirst looks at the OnePlus 15Comparing the Nubia Z80 Ultra camera to the Pixel 10 ProRumors and renders of the Samsung Galaxy S26 UltraThe Samsung Galaxy XR might be available in more countries in 202600:35:20 - NEWSThe Google Vs. Epic legal drama took a surprise turn towards a settlement?!? And what does this mean for sideloading?The November PIxel Drop is here and it's filled with some cool new featuresPatron Pick: A YouTuber put phone batteries to the test and the results are fascinating!01:07:55 - APPSLauncher news! Niagra launcher has themes! Another Nova Launcher update! There's a new minimalist launcher aimed at older adults and beginners!OpenAI's SORA app is now available on AndroidBig Gemini updates to Google Maps and Android Auto01:22:44 - FEEDBACKMattBatt writes in with memories of his LG G4

It's Election Night in the US and Jason Howell, Huyen Tue Dao and Ron Richards are abuzz with the world of Android ranging from Android Developer updates to AI powered Robots and phones with physical keyboard.Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:09:07 - NEWSWell, it's happened - Google has opened up the Play Store's gates in the US after the Epic Games court rulingAndroid Developers take note as Google announces new tools and programs for Google Play plus new AI experiences on The Android ShowA leaker reveals exactly how Cellebrite can hack into Pixel phonesPatron Pick: Why don't the best Android phones ever make it to the US?00:44:58 - HARDWAREExperience the LOOI Robot which turns your phone into an AI Powered, desktop robot!Hands on with the Unihertz Titan 2 and it's elegant physical keyboardThe Samsung Galaxy S26 will be unveiled in San Francisco next February along with so much more AI stuffA new gaming phone is teased by Ayaneo10 years later, we get more looks at Project Ara's modular smartphone01:09:13 - APPSAndroid 17 could bring full-screen apps to your phone’s always-on displayLineage0S now supports the Pixel 9A and the OnePlus 13Home screen widgets are coming to Android Auto!01:18:13 - FEEDBACKChuck in Thousand Oaks follows up with what he did with that free phone number from VerizonWill from Oregon points out that Nova Launcher just released an update, what's up with that?

The pre-Halloween vibes are setting in as Florence Ion shares her scary experience with Google Home and Gemini seeing ghosts with Jason Howell, Mishaal Rahman and Ron Richards along with the other shocking Android news of the week.Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:09:19 - NEWSIt gets creepy as Google Home starts hallucinating people in housesNothing appears to be going the bloatware route in favor of revenue, can you blame them?Fitbit's AI-Powered personal health coach enters public previewPatron Pick: Wanna be a meme? Google Photos has you covered00:44:08 - HARDWAREGet your first glimpse of the blue Google Pixel 10AThe OnePlus 15 gets confirmed specs, especially the massive battery. It's real!Ever think you wanted a denim backed phone with a 2.1 stereo speaker system powered by Bose? Dreams do come true thanks to RedMiSamsung reshuffles the Galaxy S26 lineup...again and it's very familiar!01:05:21 - APPSThe YouTube video player redesign rolls out across AndroidGoogle might be fixing the flaw in Calling CardsGoogle Wallet gets in on the Live Updates action01:12:32 - FEEDBACKLarry from Kennewick, WA checks in with an update to his upgrade to the Google Pixel 10 Pro

The time has finally come as Samsung announces and rolls out the Android XR headset formerly known as Moohan, now known as the Samsung Galaxy XR and Jason Howell was hands on with the new headset and is here to share the experience with Huyen Tue Dao, Mishaal Rahman and Ron Richards.Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:01:58 - NEWSOnePlus rolls out OxygenOS 16 to rave reviewsGoogle's deadline for changes from the Epic lawsuit gets closerRIP Privacy Sandbox, but no this doesn't mean privacy is dead on AndroidPatron Pick: Android phones are skipping Qi2, and Nothing thinks it knows why00:28:50 - HARDWAREThe OnePlus 15 is launching this month...in China! Next month for the Global rollout. And it has an enormous batteryAnd OnePlus' sister phones, the Oppo Find X9 and X9 Pro get releasedWe're blown away that the Galaxy S26 Edge is getting canceled so quickly after releaseXiaomi is all about those rear displays after insane sales of the 17 seriesHey Pixel Superfans, Google wants you to test the next line of phones!00:57:44 - GALAXY XRHands on with the Samsung Galaxy XR and Android XR 01:23:12 - FEEDBACKSeamus from Mexico leads the charge of the many people who wrote in about using LineageOSGeorge is using GrapheneOS to avoid GoogleJoey has made a lifelong commitment to Pebble Watches

Huyen Tue Dao makes her triumphant return to the show just in time to join Mishaal Rahman and Ron Richards to talk more AI in Android, the latest leaks with Android XR and weigh in on watches!Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:02:00 - NEWSIn the court room, Google thinks they should be allowed to bundle Gemini with their appsWear OS 6 comes to older versions of the Pixel WatchAhead of it's return, Pebble relaunches it's appstore! Patron Pick: Not to be pushed around, LineageOS releases Android 16 despite lack of support from Google00:32:00 - HARDWAREFlorence Ion weighs in with her review of the Pixel Watch 4 and the Pixel Buds 2A Google reveals how they built the hinge on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold without gearsWe get the most comprehensive collection of leaks ahead of Project Moohan's release from Samsung, maybe happening soon?Motorola gets in on the thin phone game with the latest version of their Edge 70 device00:58:45 - APPSWhew! Google Messages will now protect you from NSFW videos containing nudityDetails on the potential Theme Manager coming to Android Nano Banana continues it's meteoric rise within Google as it expands to more apps01:09:42 - FEEDBACKLarry from Kennewick, Washington wants to know if he should get the Pixel 10 Pro?Andrew is considering jumping from the Pixel to Samsung, what should he lookout for?Craig shares his own personal unlimited storage workaround scheme

Well, Google Home welcomed Gemini into it's doors and many of you had lots of passionate reactions. Mishaal Rahman, Jason Howell and Ron Richards are here to process those emotions plus all the other Android related news and happenings from the week that was.Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:03:40 - NEWSFinally, Gemini gets added to Google Home along with new hardware and lots of changes.Listen to our exclusive interview with Anish Katukaran, Chief Product Officer of Google HomeNothing takes a step forward with AI and vibe coding, kind of, with Nothing OS 4.0 BetaThe Supreme Court won't save Google (yet) from their battle with Epic GamesPatron Pick: Details on how Google's App Verification system will work00:39:38 - HARDWARERumors and renders aplenty about the Samsung Galaxy S26 PlusMore rumors that the Samsung Android XR headset will be shipping to Korea on October 22!No rumors here, just facts that the Samsung Galaxy Z series is a hit!Who needs a USB Cable with their phone? Manufacturers might be thinking you don't!00:55:26 - APPSComputer Control may be coming from Google to let LLMs automate and use your appsGoogle removes the ICE Reporting app Red Dot from the Play StorePour one out for the last subscription option for unlimited photos storage in Google Photos01:08:46 - FEEDBACKDavid reacts to our Google Home interview with his displeasure and lack of trust in GoogleAdam writes in with his frustration over disabling the Google Home BriefMatt wants to know where Spoken Notifications are on his Pixel Buds!??!

We're back with another special edition of Android Faithful as Florence Ion and Mishaal Rahman talk with Anish Katukaran, Chief Product Officer of Google Home and Nest, about the launch of Gemini for Home, replacing Google Assistant, and updating smart home intelligence. They touch on rollout challenges, multi-user experience, a redesigned Google Home app , and smarter automation features.00:00 - Podcast begins01:58 - The journey of bringing Gemini AI to Google Home04:41 - Addressing consumer skepticism and trust in Google’s smart home products04:41 - Challenges faced upgrading old Nest and Google Home devices08:41 - The decision to build future-focused AI rather than patch existing tech09:43 - Testing and rollout strategy for Gemini’s AI in real homes14:03 - New features like Gemini Live and natural language automation creation17:39 - Pricing and subscription changes with Home Premium tiers explained22:48 - Accuracy and source attribution differences across devices with Gemini24:59 - Managing family and different user profiles with Gemini for Home26:49 - Favorite new features and improvements in the Google Home app32:00 - The future rollout plans and ongoing improvements for Google Home32:42 - Big thanks to Anish Katukaran!

It's whirlwind of stops around the Android universe as Mishaal Rahman, Florence Ion and Ron Richards track the comings and goings from Google, Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, F-Droid and more!Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:02:30 - NEWSAndroid for PCs is a real thing and it's coming in 2026Amazon makes good on their departure with the new Fire Stick NOT Running AndroidA Samsung Galaxy Ring got stuck on someone's finger after battery exploded.Patron Pick: Linux apps will soon run on Android even better, with graphics and that means good things for the platform00:36:35 - HARDWAREWe're getting many glimpses of the new OnePlus 15, including a close up of the new camera system and colorHands on with he new Xiaomi 15T Pro and the Xiaomi Pad MiniNew processors have landed with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 & MediaTek Dimensity 950001:07:35 - APPSDetails on how Android's version of Apple's Handoff will workA storm is brewing with F-Droid as they react to Google's new app store requirements and limits to sideloadingProton Mail launches a brand new app with a new designGoogle updates for the Phone app on Pixels and AI powered conversational based edits roll out on Google Photos for everyone01:25:06 - FEEDBACKJeff in Knoxville, TN shares an example of a Samsung FE customerChuck from Thousand Oaks, CA shares his experience with eSim and the Pixel 10

Huyen Tue Dao and Jason Howell decide that two is the right number for episode 115. Plenty of talk about where Gemini is headed (turns out, everywhere at this point), Jason has a brief review of the TCL Nxtpaper 60 Ultra, and Huyen details the walkie talkie feature of Nothing's new earbuds.Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor0:02:37 - NEWSNothing OS 4.0 announced with refined design, updated dark mode and quick settingsMotorola Android 16 Update Begins Rolling Out to Edge 60 Pro and Edge 50 FusionSony Xperia 1 VII gets huge Android 16 software updateExclusive: Your First Look at Samsung One UI 8.5Here's every new feature for Pixels in Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2Android 16 QPR2 may let you flip your Pixel's navigation bar like on Samsung phonesPATRON PICK: I regret to inform you Meta’s new smart glasses are the best I’ve ever tried0:31:24 - HARDWARENothing’s Ear 3 buds have a walkie-talkie style ‘super mic’Nxtpaper 60 Ultra brief reviewSamsung’s Android XR headset has a new October 21 launch date, report claimsSamsung’s biggest new phone in years may launch in the US this year0:52:16 - APPSNew ways Google Play is built entirely around youIntroducing the Google Play Games Level Up programGoogle is finally changing its tune about call recording on Pixel phonesGoogle is bringing the fun of custom Androidify bots to your Wear OS watch face1:12:30 - FEEDBACK@dmgerbino on X got an Android Faithful mug!Ron Johnson thinks Google fixed a camera issue with the Pixel 10 Pro XL