What Makes Stephen Happy This Week

The Android Police podcast baits you with a title full of roasted crow, but the underlying gnashing of teeth remains the same. True, it turns out we didn't hate Apple's new aesthetic as much as we'd thought we would, but it's also carrying way too much baggage that either is neglected or is sweatily avoiding a fix. We'll get to some iPhone 17 Pro Max thoughts, but not before we cut through an onslaught of smart homewarming from Google and Amazon, and some Snapdragon elitism from Qualcomm. All of that on this week's show!

05:01 | Summit

• Qualcomm tries to unseat Apple with 'world's fastest' mobile chip
• OnePlus confirms bold new design for phones at Qualcomm Summit
• Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Elite reference designs go so hard this year
• If you thought Snapdragon X was cool, Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme blows it away
• Benchmarks are in: The Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme smokes everything else

18:03 | Google, at home

• Gemini for Home is simply too powerful for battery-powered Nest Cams
• Google Home redesign promises faster loading and enhanced Gemini integration
• Google just discontinued Nest Aware, here's what replaces it

29:16 | Tangent

• Tech Corner #1 - PowerBook 1400c
• Rogers Sony Ericsson Xperia Play & arc launch party

38:09 | Amazon, at home

• Amazon redesigns Echo devices around its Alexa+ AI assistant
• Peter Thiel Wants Everyone to Think More About the Antichrist - WSJ

53:55 | iPhone

• I used the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL and iPhone 17 Pro Max, and I can't believe which one I prefer
• My partner asked why she shouldn't get an iPhone 17 — and I blanked on a reason
• The one iPhone 17 Pro feature that convinced me I'd rather stick with my Pixel 10 Pro
• Apple's lost focus: How to regain the company's momentum
• I made a big mistake buying this phone case

Excerpts from Folding Ideas (YouTube), Albert Bozesan (Instagram), and Broadway Video/SNL Productions.

Our regular hosts are Daniel Bader and Stephen Radochia. Our editor is Jules Wang.

Android Police lives here. Reach out to us at podcast@androidpolice.com

Music - "18" and "34" by HOME licensed under CC BY 3.0