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Qualcomm soups up its flagship Snapdragon chip to run faster and use less power
The 8+ Gen 1 is basically the same chip but made by TSMC, and the 700 series joins the "Gen" party
Qualcomm has just revealed two new chips you can anticipate seeing on spec sheets for upcoming Android phones. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 is brand new, bringing the 700 series into the “Gen” era, and bound for just-sub-flagship phones more of us can afford. But the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a return to the out-of-cycle flagship chip refresh, upgrading Qualcomm’s best chipset with a new TSMC node that delivers a small clock speed bump and power improvements.
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The Pixel 6a won't use the same fingerprint sensor as the Pixel 6
"Different" may not mean "better," we'll have to see
While many complained about the performance of the fingerprint sensor in the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro over the last six months, things might be different for the upcoming Pixel 6a. A change doesn't guarantee that all problems will be solved, but Google has confirmed that the upcoming mid-range phone, expected to feature an in-display fingerprint sensor, won't use the same in-display sensor that the prior phones did.
Dreams of a matte glass back on the Pixel 7 have been shattered
Google's next flagship will be glossy, like your tears
If you were hoping that Google was going to fix the "mistake" of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro by offering a matte finish for the rear glass rather than a glossy one, you're out of luck. According to Marques Brownlee (MKBHD), the Pixel 7 series will have a glossy finish on its rear glass components again.
Google Pay could show which of your credit cards offer the best rewards when checking out
The change would make it super easy to get the best rewards, if it happens
Credit cards can be fantastic for things like travel or buying stuff from specific retailers given the rewards, rates they sometimes offer. But keeping track of which card is ideal for which purchase can be obnoxious with things like rotating categories and benefits changes. Nothing is set in stone yet, but Google says it wants to change that someday, showing customers which cards are best for a given purchase through Google Pay.
Third-party apps in Android 13 can capture HDR video and show better viewfinder previews
If they use Camera2 API or CameraX
There's a long-standing Android pain point: The camera experience in third-party apps usually isn't as good as the built-in camera app. For social media, that can suck. The Camera2 API was developed to help plug that gap, though some developers and manufacturers have been flippant about doing things the "right" way to make it better. In Google's "What's new in Android" talk, the company has highlighted changes in Android 13 that add support for HDR video capture for third-party apps through the Camera2 API.
Google teases Pixel 7 & 7 Pro with redesigned cameras, new colors, and fall release date
The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro swap the Geordi La Forge look for Robocop
We're months away from its anticipated release, but Google is already giving us an early glimpse here at Google I/O 2022 of the upcoming Pixel 7 series, including full renders of the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro in multiple colors. And if you've seen the recent iPhone 14 leaks, in a bizarre way, it will be familiar, with a similar pill-and-dot cutout for the rear cameras.
Google will give you more choice over the ads you see with My Ad Center
The new tool will help you manage how ads are personalized to you later this year
Google's on a privacy bender at its Google I/O developer conference, highlighting how it's working to keep your data private. Of course, this affects ads, which aren't just Google's bread and butter, but the mechanism that keeps most of the internet running. Personalized ads have always felt a little skeevy, but Google's rolling out a tool later this year called My Ad Center that will let you fine-tune the sorts of ads you don't want to see and opt-in if there are specific subjects you do want to see more ads for.
Space-based 5G and other changes are coming in 3GPP Release 17 and 18
Upcoming 5G features are less science-fictiony than they sound, but still pretty cool
Network standards don’t just “happen,” they’re the result of long years of planning, testing, and even compromises by the participants of the 3GPP: The regulatory body that develops and establishes the incrementally improving 5G standards. 3GPP Release 17 is set to be completed this year, with a handful of new 5G benefits just over the horizon. But the next version after that, Release 18, is the big one to look forward to, as the first “5G Advanced” release, with plenty of changes planned.
This eSIM is ready for your phone, even if your phone isn't ready for eSIMs
But the "e" this time stands for "expensive" — the full version costs $70
You might already know what an eSIM is, even if your phone doesn't support the technology. It's basically a dynamic SIM card that's built right into your phone, programmable to work with multiple carriers or MVNOs. Instead of tediously swapping little plastic cards when you change carriers, eSIMs make shopping for a new plan almost as easy as installing an app. Not many phones support the relatively new technology, but one company has brought eSIM functionality to seemingly any Android phone.
Amazon stops selling digital goods in its Android app to escape Google's Play Store tax
Google finally starts enforcing its billing rules next month, and apps are updating to accommodate it
The Amazon Shopping Android app is one of the latest to change how purchases work to escape the Play Store's billing requirements (and Google's cut) for digital purchases. Spotted by the BBC and confirmed by Android Police, you're no longer able to purchase digital goods like Kindle eBooks in Amazon's Play Store-distributed app.
Google is bringing passwordless authentication support to Android and Chrome
Go ahead and post your favorite passwords in the comments; you won't need them anymore
This might sound a little weird if you haven't followed the development of sign-in standards over recent years, but Google has just announced that passwordless security is coming to Android and Chrome over the next year. That means signing into a secure account from a website or app will be as simple as unlocking your phone — and more secure than using a password.
Here's how Google is protecting Ukrainian infrastructure and people from state-sponsored cyber attacks
It's blocked domains, prevented phishing attacks, and warned targeted individuals, helping to keep the country and its people safe
Cybersecurity researchers have been warning us that the war in Ukraine is driving an increase in cyberattacks. And according to Google's threat analysis group, that's what's happened over the past few weeks, with government-backed actors from countries like Russia, North Korea, China, and Iran all reportedly targeting critical infrastructure with previously recognized attack types. Thankfully, Google's also doing something about it.
Google Pixel 6 Pro review: Fake it till you make it
It's a gamble, but the Pixel 6 Pro is a great phone for lots of people (and a nightmare for a chosen few)
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The Pixel 6 Pro had a rough start, landing with positive reviews and big expectations, but stumbling almost immediately due to software issues, new bugs, and update problems. Six months later, the Pixel 6 Pro has finally caught its stride. It may not be a killer value like the cheaper Pixel 6 and Pixel 5a are, but if you want the best possible Google experience, this is it — warts and all.
The Pixel 3a and 3a XL will get their final update by July
According to Google, Pixel 3a and 3a XL owners can look forward to one last update
The Pixel 3a is one of the best-received phones in Google's history. Readers and reviewers loved it and the bigger Pixel 3a XL for delivering a great software experience and camera at a stunning price. Unfortunately for the many remaining owners, the 2019-era mid-rangers have been officially left behind. Google's three-year-update promise turns pumpkin this very month, marking the end of software updates — with one exception. Google tells us that a final update is planned to land by July.
Google Pixel 6 gets its Dirty Pipe fix and improved haptics in the May update
And it's the end of the line for the Pixel 3a and 3a XL
Mere hours after May Day itself, Google is now rolling out the May 2022 update for Pixel phones. The associated security bulletin claims the 2022-05-05 patch level includes fixes for CVE-2022-0847 — otherwise known as the Dirty Pipe vulnerability that affected a handful of very recent Android devices. On top of that, Pixel 6 owners can look forward to a few bug fixes, including unexpected display wakes and "improvements for haptic feedback." According to Google's promised update schedule, it's also the end of the line for the Pixel 3a and 3a XL, though we've reached out to Google for more information.
Google Fit and Fitbit activity metrics are coming to Nest displays
Soon you'll be able to track your steps and calorie count from your smart display
As we eagerly anticipate Google's upcoming Pixel Watch, documentation for its likely integrations has already shown up. According to a new help document on Google's site, you'll soon be able to see "activity metrics" on your Google Nest's Wellness section, including your step count and calories burned as measured by Google Fit or Fitbit.
Google responds to Bandcamp's hypocrisy in Play Store billing fight and potential ban
Epic-owned Bandcamp is trying to stay in the Play Store but doesn't want to follow Google's billing rules
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In 2020, Google announced a "new" Play Store policy change to prevent apps from circumventing Google's in-app billing rules. Companies like Amazon, Netflix, and Spotify had ignored its billing policies years in their apps, allowing customers to purchase content and subscriptions without Google taking a cut, but the hammer was set to fall. Although the change itself was delayed for a while, it finally kicks into gear soon, and now Epic Games is taking Google to court to prevent Bandcamp from being yanked from the Play Store for not giving Google a cut of its in-app sales.
Pixel Launcher universal search may let you search inside more apps, could come to third-party launchers
Get ready for some "search" semantic satiation
When you think of a Pixel, you might think of a great camera, features like automatic call screening, or even the many Pixel bugs, but there are other perks to ownership. The Pixel Launcher is so popular that some folk install third-party home screen replacements to mimic how it looks. In Android 12, it picked up universal search, with support for finding screenshots, widgets, and even queries in Google Search — as in "Googling" it. According to a recent teardown, it may pick up the same level of search integration to find things in Maps, YouTube, Settings, and the Play Store. And, based on a recent bug filed to the issue tracker, third-party launcher integration for universal search is on Google's roadmap.
Google Translate's widget is next in line to say 'bonjour' to Material You
Enjoy faster access to translation tools with a snazzy look
We've known that Google Translate was working on its own Material You-themed widgets for a few months, but Google just tweeted out formal confirmation for what at least one of them will look like. It doesn't seem to be widely available yet, but we have to assume a rollout is imminent in the context of the announcement.
Android 13 Beta 1 just quadrupled its Material You theme options
Three new color options for all four of the base themes available before
Fans of Material You and Android's snazzy new dynamic theming system will be excited to note that the Android 13 Beta 1 release finally includes the long-leaked and previously hidden new color options, letting you pick between more muted or vibrant tones. There are sixteen color options now available.