Taking a look back at seven days of news and headlines across the world of Android, this week’s Android Circuit includes Galaxy S24 designs, Pixel 8 specs leak, Pixel 8 Pro’s powerful camera, Google confirms Pixel Watch 2 details, HMD Global’s first phone, Surface Duo’s last day, Nothing’s next event, and upgraded Find My Device is nearly ready.
Android Circuit is here to remind you of a few of the many things that have happened around Android in the last week (and you can find the weekly Apple news digest here).
Samsung Is Titanium
According to the latest leaks, Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S24 handsets will have a new material. The South Korean company is preparing to add titanium into the mix for its flagship smartphones:
“The Ultra is expected to follow Apple’s lead in using a titanium frame. This won’t have a major impact on weight, in fact, the new model is expected to be 1g lighter at 233g. Of course this is a change from aluminum to titanium, while while the iPhone Pros will lose some weight since they are changing from heavier stainless steel.”
(GSM Arena).
Keeping The Pixel 8 Pro Cool
With the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro launch approaching, attention is turning to the benefits of Google’s newly designed Tensor G3 chipset. A new fabrication technique should address one of the key criticisms of the Pixel 7 family… heat:
“Part of the solution to addressing it will likely come from using Samsung Foundry’s FO-WLP packaging process during fabrication. Multiple sources are reporting the use of “fan out wafer-level processing” for the Tensor G3. This should reduce heat generation when placed under load and to run more efficiently at other times. Practically, this should see the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro run cooler for longer, precisely what you would be looking for in Google’s next smartphone.”
(Forbes).
Pixel 8 Camera Software
Google has updated its Camera app to version 9. Notably, this app is targeted only towards Pixel devices 9although enterprising coders can see it running on other devices). Given this is an Android 14-only app, you either need to risk being in the beta program or wait for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro launch to see what is being planned:
“As always, Google restricts its Camera app to Pixel devices. Additionally, Google Camera 9.0 will only officially run on Android 14. As such, the sole way to experience Google Camera 9.0 is by enrolling your Pixel smartphone on the Android 14 Beta Program, which is currently on Android 14 Beta 5.3. However, Android 14 is expected to reach stable status this month for Pixel smartphones or early October at the latest.”
(Notebook Check).
Pixel Watch 2 Specs Confirmed
Google’s teaser video of the Pixel Watch 2, launching alongside the Pixel 8 family, not only confirmed the next wearable from Mountain View, but also some of the specs we can expect were seen on the rear of the watch:
“You’ll find the sensor array at the rear of the watch. Last year’s watch featured EKG electrodes around the outside and the standard optical sensor for detecting heart rate and blood/oxygen levels. These can be seen in the Pixel Watch 2, albeit in a smaller configuration. The Pixel Watch 2 is also expected to ship with continuous electrodermal activity, and the redesigned sensors look to accommodate this technology. Finally, you can see the Pixel Watch 2 has an IP68 rating.”
(Forbes).
A First Phone From HMD Global
HMD Global brought the Nokia name back to the smartphone market, but now the company is set to launch its own HMD-branded devices alongside the Nokia-branded handsets it has built the company on:
“On Monday, HMD Global CEO Jean-Francois Baril announced on Linkedin that the company will be expanding its portfolio with a new HMD brand that will co-exist alongside its Nokia phones and collaborations with “exciting new partners” that have yet to be disclosed… No additional information has been provided regarding the new HMD products, nor any hints at a potential release date.
(The Verge).
Surface Duo At The End Of The Line
While Microsoft talked about the additional software for search appearing on the Surface Duo, this week saw the announced window for Android updates and Security patches run out.
“Going forward, Microsoft will no longer ship new OS updates or security patches for the original Surface Duo, meaning Android 12L is the last version of the OS it will ever officially receive. Surface Duo only ever got two major OS updates, one shy of the average three that most high-end flagship Android devices get these days.
(Windows Central).
Nothing On 26th Sept
Nothing Tech has announced an event for 26th September under its CMF By Nothing brand. This follows on from previous leaks suggesting that a smartwatch, wireless earbuds, and a portable charger, were under development and close to release:
“VP and GM of Nothing India, Manu Sharma, announced on X (formerly Twitter) that CMF by Nothing will hold a launch event on September 26, 2023. Outside of the date, Sharma shares nothing else about the event. Nothing India’s VP making the announcement hints that the show will take place in India, and the announced products could be exclusive to that area.”
(Android Authority).
And Finally…
The update to Google’s “Find My Device” hardware location service, trailed at the I/O Developer event earlier this year, has reached beta status and is now available in the Google Play Store.
“Looking ahead, we’re waiting for the launch of the Find My Device Network, which had its summer launch delayed so that Apple could add protections to iOS.”
(9to5Google).
Android Circuit rounds up the news from the Android world every weekend here on Forbes. Don’t forget to follow me so you don’t miss any coverage in the future, and of course, read the sister column in Apple Loop! Last week’s Android Circuit can be found here, and if you have any news and links you’d like to see featured in Android Circuit, get in touch!
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