Guest Jason Howell joins hosts Huyen Tue Dao and Ron Richards to discuss Apple-like cyber attack protections by Google, major security breaches, employees in China using iPhones, the CMF Phone 1 release, Samsung Galaxy Unpacked leaks, Pixel 9 rumors, OnePlus event expectations, and Huawei's tri-fold phone development.
Google is adopting Apple-like cyber attack protections, major security breaches, Microsoft employees in China using iPhones for security.
Excitement over Nothing's CMF Phone 1 release, Samsung Galaxy Unpacked leaks, Pixel 9 rumored to have ultrasonic fingerprint reader.
Debates on passkeys and gimmicky video features, OnePlus's upcoming global launch event with new devices.
Deep dives
The Pixel 9 Reportedly Getting Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor
The Pixel 9 is reportedly getting an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, a departure from the previous optical sensors. This new sensor is said to be faster, more reliable, and work better in various lighting conditions. It's expected to be the Qualcomm 3D Sonic Gen 2 sensor, similar to the one in the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Leaked: Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Fold
Leaked renders indicate the global release from OnePlus on July 16, featuring devices like the OnePlus Watch 2, Nord Buds 3 Pro, OnePlus Pad 2, and OnePlus Nord 4. The Pixel 9's ultrasonic sensor and the speculated tri-foldable phone from Huawei have added intrigue to the foldable market, hinting at innovative designs and features.
Upcoming OnePlus Event in Milan
OnePlus will be hosting their global launch event on July 16th in Milan, showcasing the OnePlus Watch 2, Nord Buds 3 Pro, OnePlus Pad 2, and OnePlus Nord 4. This event promises an array of new devices aimed at expanding OnePlus' ecosystem and product lineup, offering users a variety of options to choose from.
Passkeys for Android
Passkeys for Android have been an ongoing topic, signaling a shift from traditional passwords. Despite the push for passkeys, their adoption and functionality still pose challenges in daily use, leading to confusion. The novelty of passkeys might not fully deliver on the promises of simplicity and security, making their current status slightly overrated.
Magic X Camera Video Features
Video features like magic eraser and computational photography on smartphones are often seen as gimmicky tricks. These enhancements, while technically impressive, sometimes fall short in practical use and long-term adoption by end-users. Despite their potential for creators and filmmakers, the everyday consumer experiences a limited utilization, raising questions about the real impact of these features on enhancing user experience.
One full year of Android Faithful is in the books and we're so elated to welcome Jason Howell back to the show to join Huyen Tue Dao and Ron Richards get hyped for what's new in Android and look back at the past year.
Note: Time codes are subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor.
01:01:07 - Overrated: Passkeys, Magic Photo Tools and RCS
01:11:56 - Underrated: RCS on iPhones, Widgets, Google Vs. Epic fallout and Android TV
Thank YOU the listener/viewer of Android Faithful for a wonderful first year of the podcast. We'll be back next week for more Android news, hardware, apps and more and we can't wait to bring you another year of podcasts! Thanks for your support!