A look back at this week's news and headlines from the Android world: Samsung announces Galaxy Foldable launch date, Google teases Pixel 9 Pro release, why Galaxy AI is everywhere, OnePlus Pad 2's powerful specs, Honor's latest eye care tech, Surface Duo 3 excitement, and Google expands its Find My Device network.
Android Circuit is here to keep you up to date on some of the many discussions taking place around Android in the last seven days, as well as my weekly digest of Apple news for Forbes.
Galaxy AI at Mobile World Congress 2024 (Photo by Joan Cros/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
NurPhoto via Getty Images
Galaxy Unpacked date confirmed
Samsung has confirmed the date for its long-anticipated next Galaxy Unpacked event, where the company is expected to unveil its new foldable devices, namely the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6, along with some interesting accessories.
“There will also be three major peripherals launching: the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Buds 3, joined by Samsung's fitness and health tracker, the Galaxy Ring. This was teased at Galaxy Unpacked in January, but details about its features and software are scarce at present.”
(Forbes).
Galaxy AI is Everywhere
Another part of Galaxy Unpacked is the Galaxy AI updates, which will be rolling out to all new Samsung products and integrated into the AI ​​cloud for existing products. With the launch of Samsung's Galaxy Book4 Edge laptop last week, I spoke with Samsung VP James Kitto about these integrations.
“A [Galaxy] Plus, with Link to Windows, users also get a better experience. We have the unique ability to run up to five different applications in separate windows.” Kitt points out that this isn't exclusive to Samsung devices, but staying within the Samsung ecosystem makes it the best package. “If you're using a competing brand of phone, you can only mirror the entire display. So if you're using a Galaxy device, you're getting a much better experience.”
(Forbes).
When will the Pixel 9 hardware arrive?
Galaxy Unpacked wasn't the only confirmed launch this week, with Google teasing the upcoming Pixel hardware. It's fair to say that Google left everyone scrambling to confirm the launch date, and didn't make it any easier.
“And finally, the release date, also written in Roman numerals: VIII-XIII-MMXXIV, which means August 13, 2024. Putting aside the fact that I don't think the Romans put the moon first, as they don't have a 13th moon, that obviously means August 13, 2024 (did the Romans ever think about a 13th moon? Let's not get into that).”
(Forbes).
OnePlus Power Pad
Launching in China as the OnePlus Pad Pro, but soon to be released globally, the OnePlus Pad 2 is shaping up to be the most powerful Android tablet ever, with rumours pointing to the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon chip at its heart.
“Translated from Chinese, OnePlus calls the Pad Pro “the most powerful Android tablet,” strongly hinting that it will be equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. This will be a significant upgrade from the Dimensity 9000 chip found in the original OnePlus Pad, making it the first Android tablet to feature the 8 Gen 3 chip.”
(Android Authority).
Honor Gives New Focus
Chinese manufacturer Honor is making a big push into eye care tech across its range of smartphones and tablets, and that continued this week with the introduction of an AI-driven tool that defocuses the display to promote eye health.
“Introducing the latest in eye protection technology, HONOR unveiled its AI Defocus Eye Protection at MWC Shanghai. Noting the global rise in cases of myopia due to prolonged screen use, the technology leverages AI to simulate defocus glasses on the display of smart devices.”
(honor).
what's happened
Microsoft's quirky Surface Duo family has only lasted two generations, with a rumored third device never being released, and a recently published Microsoft patent shows a foldable phone that many believe to be the Surface Duo 3 design.
“The cover screen and inner foldable screen would be edge-to-edge and feature an in-display camera sensor for selfies and video calling. At the time, sources said the device would feature a magnetic accessory that would attach to the back of the phone, and this patent details exactly that design aspect.”
(Windows Central).
And finally…
Google's Find My Device network, which launched in April, began focusing its coverage on “high traffic areas.” Now, the company is urging users to switch a setting that will allow it to expand its collaborative network to lower traffic areas.
“In a statement to 9to5Google this week, Google confirmed that improvements to the Find My Device network are on the way, but also directly urged Android users to change the settings on their devices to ensure the Find My Device network works in 'all areas.'”
(9to5Google).
Android Circuit recaps the Android world news every weekend on Forbes. Be sure to follow us so you don't miss any future articles, and of course, be sure to read our sister column, Apple Loop. You can find last week's Android Circuit here. If you have any news or links you'd like to see featured on Android Circuit, please let us know!
