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Mr. Mobile is a (qualified) fan of the Pixel Fold, he tells the Android Police podcast
Michael Fisher appearance number two!
Is it a coincidence that the Mr. Mobile, Michael Fisher, is joining the Android Police podcast for the second time (the first time under a different run) and both times the discussion at hands was about foldables? Maybe it is, but whatever the case may actually be, this episode is all about the Pixel Fold and our evaluations on how Google's first step into foldable phones has landed.
The Razr+ brings sexy back to smartphones (and the Android Police podcast)
Featuring Joe Maring of Digital Trends
It's a study of contrasts with reviews going out for Motorola's Razr+ and Google's Pixel Tablet. This week, the Android Police podcast is graced by the presence of Digital Trends mobile editor Joe Maring to chat about garbage fires and unexpected triumphs as well as marketing of charming and questionable natures.
Reddit is doing nobody favors and the Android Police podcast won't stand for it
And surprise, surprise, Google's killing more stuff off
It's a summer of discontent running right through the Android Police podcast. Topping our show, of course, is Reddit's war on itself — namely, the user community it relies on for its success. We also watch the axe fall on more Google services with even more uncertainty ahead for its entire business. Finally, we talk about wood and how nice it looks and feels... on a phone. Dog days? Psh, who says these are dog days?
The Android Police podcast talks Apple Vision Pro (and cons)
We also give some karmic blowback on the Reddit situation
We're not beyond giving Apple some attention here at the Android Police podcast, especially during a week where the company decided to tease a $3,500 VR headset. Indeed, the road to popularization is long and filled with deep potholes, but the company is taking a chance on it in neglect of its other major existing platforms — arguably harming the Apple user experience by raising the already-high walls surrounding its garden. This week, we have XDA-Developer Apple Editor Mahmoud Itani on our show to discuss. Also, our own Stephen Schenck and his questionable amount of time spent online.
The Android Police podcast can't wait for the Moto Razr+ (and Razr-)
We lovingly called the $800 one 'the minus'
Motorola is having a good year and the streak continues, it seems, with the rollout of its new Razr+ and Razr(-) for 2023. Our Will Sattelberg shares his experiences at the hands-on event. Also on the Android Police podcast, we debate Apple's merits as it's rumored to be preparing a $3,000 consumer-focused AR/VR headset that's sure to please James Cameron. That and a lot more on this week's show!
We take a look at Google's enhanced online search engine with generative AI results and... whew, we've got a long way to go. Surprisingly, we bounce around Sony a bit in the middle before discussing the next Moto Razr, the demise of YouTube Stories (you forgot those were a thing, right?), and yes, air out laundry in our impromptu Letterboxd segment. It's just another week on the Android Police podcast.
On the menu for the Android Police podcast this week, we'll be probing a Pixel 8 rumor much like how one temps a steak with a thermometer. We've got a few thoughts to dish out on the Montana TikTok ban, too. And, if that's not enough, for dessert, we'll be having BlackBerry pie... in the form of an impromptu movie review. Order up!
The Android Police podcast basically roasts Google I/O 2023 for 77 minutes
The Pixels were mediocre and the AI ain't lookin' all right
It really felt like everything that you could tie back to the core product of Android took a back seat to some weird, rushed gimmickry through the power of artificial intelligence at this year's I/O conference. Already bad at keeping a lot of its secrets, Google has made none whatsoever about pushing applications for its various forms of AI modeling out to consumers. So, the Android Police podcast is taking the goliath to task on just how much neglect it is paying to the Pixel brand it has proudly cultivated and the shaky path ahead for its fleet of magic features to come.
We're pulling out all the STOPs for Google I/O 2023 on this Android Police podcast
Including the one that's messing with your alarm
You can read the original version of the show notes on our RSS feed — long story short, we've got Pixel Fold and Pixel 7a chatter ahead of I/O 2023 this week — but as a lifelong guy from around Boston whose taste in music was truly shaped during his time at Emerson College's WERS-FM (where they still give the Pixies plenty of airplay), seeing the Pixies persist and thrive as they approach four decades of giving a surf-punk slant to rock is amazing and I'm happy about what happened this week on Twitter. Okay, on with the show.
You might not know how you can fit all of what Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5 Pro brings to your wrist, but as we consider it to be one of the best smartwatches you can get for your money in 2023, we think that you should probably brainstorm just a little bit: the Bluetooth-only model is on sale now across multiple retailers, but there's only one place you can spot it now for a full 30% off MSRP.
Try out 20 awesome new Chrome themes from Asian and Pacific American artists
Some great ways to brighten up your 'New Tab' page
Identity. It's something given to each and every one of us and we're all left to figure out what to do with it. With the calendar flipping over to May, we're now into Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, and the plan for many is to celebrate with the many people that share cover under this diasporic umbrella. Art plays an important role in any sort of fesitivities and we're not just talking about motion pictures here — Google is angling to join the party with a digital potluck offering: new Chrome themes.
Google Pixel Fold stops by the FCC en route to launch
Network and wireless protocol compatibility ensured
Whatever's happening at Google I/O in just nine days, the Pixel Fold is all but certain to be a part of the festivities. So far as we can tell, there's practically only crumbs that we can gain from further intelligence grabs at this point since we already know how Google's first foldable phone will look inside and out. Still, with some FCC documents about the Pixel Fold going public, we might as well try and glean something new out of all this.
These Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 renders bring that 'tabbed' exterior display to life
Of course, this intel is just for looks
When it rains, it pours, but unless you're real tired of the render parade that's been happening over the past week, there's very little to snore at here. Specifically, we're talking about some big reveals with foldables like the Pixel Fold and its inner display bezels, the flat-tastic hinge on Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 5 and... what's this? Pictures of the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 5? Who would've thought?
You're not holding the OnePlus Pad right and the Android Police podcast never will
Care to share your ThoughtPhones with us, Will?
Will goes back-to-back this week on the Android Police podcast with a debrief of his reviews of the OnePlus Pad and the Motorola ThinkPhone. Both devices provide one hell of a time each and we explore the depths of such depravity. We also roam around rumorland with the Pixel 7a and the Galaxy Watch 6, then torch Google Authenticator's makeover and Amazon's weak attempt at some sort of fitness tracker. Oh, you want merch? We got merch. That's going into the trash. That's this week.
The Pixel Watch and Samsung's Galaxy Watch are sapping a ton of oxygen in the Wear OS world right now. Recent investments in development have helped the platform make a tiny dent against the Apple Watch on the market, but truthfully, we'd really like to see more players come back on the field. Mobvoi looks set up to provide with the TicWatch Pro 5 this year and we've got all we need to know thanks to some errant uploads appearing on a Canadian Amazon product page.
Grab a Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 for as little as $179 ASAP
Android tablets have their place — this one belongs in your home
Between our homes and work, a lot of us like to hang out in our so-called "third places" like a friend's house or the coffee shop. Turns out a good portion of society also likes to jump onto a "third device" between our computers and phones and we think Samsung's Galaxy Tab A8 strikes the right balance. This weekend, you can pick one up and save more than 20% on a great Android slab.
Google risks trashing Android customization by ignoring the custom icon problem
It's a crisis of policy and incentives
The open nature of Android offers a lot of flexibility when it comes to how and where we get the software we run on our phones, but there's also little denying that the Play Store is going to be where the vast majority of us turn, the vast majority of the time — and for developers, getting their apps on the Play Store means playing by Google's rules. Unfortunately, those rules are often inconsistently applied, or in such an opaque manner that devs are left feeling frustrated and hopeless.
What does a $500 Pixel 7a mean? The Android Police podcast discusses
Plus, we remember an original champ in Android hardware: HTC
Alright, Prosser. We're talking about your leak. Lots of Pixel pricing and availability to deal with on this episode of the Android Police podcast. But we'll balance it out with another amazing Chinese phone that none of us will practically be able to use and a remembrance of a brand that truly defined the cutting edge of Android hardware a decade ago. This episode runs like a tight ship, so prepare for smooth sailing.
Extend Unlock begins replacing Smart Lock in Android device settings
Changes not quick locked up yet
Earlier this year, we reported on a planned split in Android's Smart Lock scheme which allows host devices such as phones and tablets to be kept unlocked while connected to a recognized Bluetooth device. Now, we're starting to see the follow-through on that charter as users are reporting sight of the newly-termed Extend Unlock in their devices' system settings.
Google's craze of late over applied AI tools is well profiled and well on its way to reshaping its most important product, its web search engine. The company's fervent approach has generated plenty of controversy, but it's also getting some precious accolades as well. Specifically, YouTube TV is taking in the praise in association with WSC Sports for bringing the power of machine learning to instant, on-demand highlights.