Looking back at seven days of news and headlines from around the Android world, this week's Android Circle covers new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro benchmarks, Pixel Watch issues, Samsung's big update plans, China's new Honor Magic V and more Apple RCS. messaging is under pressure.
Android Sector is here to tell you about the many things that happened around Android this past week (here's where you'll find Apple's weekly news feed).
Pixel 8 review
It's slightly smaller, has one less lens on the main camera and isn't as exciting as the new Pixel 8. But it's a great everyday phone, and has a lot of little perks that really make it a smart phone.
"Great design, a better-than-ever display and incredible performance, the Pixel 8 is a very user-friendly phone, which is recommended unless you have a much better camera on the Pro. This year, the price has dropped to $699 from $599 last year. But that's what you'd spend on the Pro for $999 it's much cheaper than last year's Pixel was a mid-range flagship phone, but that's no longer the case, but the Pixel 8 is still great value for money.
(Forbes)
Pixel 8 Pro review
The larger Pixel 8 Pro carries over from last year's model, although the Pixel 7's flat screen has been compared to the curved Pixel 7 Pro, while the popular 8 Pro has a flat screen. Overall, the hardware is second to none and the AI software makes a real difference.
"All that positioning is great, but is it a 'good smartphone' for consumers?" As an improvement over last year's Pixel 7 Pro, there's not enough of a difference in hardware performance, and I expect more to come from the AI-based software - they'll be back from time to time. Pixel 6 Pro, there's an argument to be made, there are now enough differences to consider.
Last year, Google introduced the first Pixel wearable called the Pixel Watch. This is a startup worth targeting sports/fitness groups and working with the Fitbit platform. Will the Pixel Watch 2 get that?
“Before this watch came out, I wrote that it needed good battery life. Spoiler: The Pixel Watch 2 was a big step forward in that regard (maybe not enough (for those looking for a smart watch that can be worn every day). The watch went from being a simple gadget to an everyday thing. I needed it. as something that fit into my life. . This, along with the many recent updates, big and small, has opened up a lot of options at the same time that weren't available last year."
(Restriction).
The Pixel Watch seems slow
Meanwhile, new Pixel Watch owners are experiencing slow load times for wearables. With the new firmware, Google has updated the required load times to 50%, 80%, and 100%. It's more of a one-time exercise than a code change, but the Pixel Watch 2's charging time makes it more attractive to buyers.
"The Google Pixel Watch firmware update requires us to revise the charging time, and the new time will be what the average user will experience," Google said. The company did not say when the change was released or why it was necessary. Thermal issues are a concern as the Pixel Watch gets very hot to the touch after fully charging. (The Pixel Watch 2 charger generates less heat.) These updated timelines accurately reflect what we've been experiencing with the first-gen devices over the past few months.
(9to5Google).
Samsung's biggest security window
While Google releases software and security updates every seven years, other manufacturers will have to step up their efforts to meet this goal. Samsung plans to extend its current life by five years. While Shin-Chul Baek (Senior Security Engineer and Technical Program Manager) couldn't mention the software updates, he was able to back up the security team's message:
Samsung says the company is actively discussing what to do with long-term security updates after the current five-year support period. He noted that Samsung's long-term vision for supported devices is in line with Samsung's and that in light of the new regulations, Samsung is preparing to go beyond the current five-year support window.
Honor has introduced the foldable Magic V2 'S' variant. The aptly named Magic VS2 is now available in China. Rather than a general upgrade in specs, this S version has slightly lower specs than the original phone, but that makes it a more affordable flexible phone.
The Honor Magic Vs2 is the second in the Honor "Vs" line, which is a slightly slimmer version of the brand's sophisticated device. This is all very confusing, but the short version is that the already sophisticated device costs a little less. The glory started earlier this year. Prices for the Honor Magic Vs2 start at 6,999 yuan, or about $960 in US dollars, and will arrive in China later this month. That's downgraded to the Magic V2, which costs RMB 8,999.
(9to5Google).
And finally...
Pressure on Apple to adopt RCS cross-platform messaging increased this week as Samsung backed Google's #GetTheMessage campaign. And the subject? Apple's use of color to segment a large market of iMessage users:
Titled "Green Bubble and Blue Bubble Want to Together," the video shows a Romeo and Juliet-style conversation between two users who want to be together but are "separated by one of their parents." "What makes them green? And we're bubbles," asked one.
(Restriction).
Android Circle covers the latest news from the world of Android from Forbes every weekend. Don't forget to follow me for future coverage, and of course, read my sister's column on the Apple Loop! Last week's Android Circle is available here, and if you have any news or links you'd like to see on the Android Circle, get in touch!
Marques Brownlee doesn't like iPhone😲 #short #podcast #mkbhd
