Android Faithful

Huyen Tue Dao makes her triumphant return to the show just in time to join Mishaal Rahman and Ron Richards to talk more AI in Android, the latest leaks with Android XR and weigh in on watches!Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:02:00 - NEWSIn the court room, Google thinks they should be allowed to bundle Gemini with their appsWear OS 6 comes to older versions of the Pixel WatchAhead of it's return, Pebble relaunches it's appstore! Patron Pick: Not to be pushed around, LineageOS releases Android 16 despite lack of support from Google00:32:00 - HARDWAREFlorence Ion weighs in with her review of the Pixel Watch 4 and the Pixel Buds 2A Google reveals how they built the hinge on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold without gearsWe get the most comprehensive collection of leaks ahead of Project Moohan's release from Samsung, maybe happening soon?Motorola gets in on the thin phone game with the latest version of their Edge 70 device00:58:45 - APPSWhew! Google Messages will now protect you from NSFW videos containing nudityDetails on the potential Theme Manager coming to Android Nano Banana continues it's meteoric rise within Google as it expands to more apps01:09:42 - FEEDBACKLarry from Kennewick, Washington wants to know if he should get the Pixel 10 Pro?Andrew is considering jumping from the Pixel to Samsung, what should he lookout for?Craig shares his own personal unlimited storage workaround scheme Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well, Google Home welcomed Gemini into it's doors and many of you had lots of passionate reactions. Mishaal Rahman, Jason Howell and Ron Richards are here to process those emotions plus all the other Android related news and happenings from the week that was.Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:03:40 - NEWSFinally, Gemini gets added to Google Home along with new hardware and lots of changes.Listen to our exclusive interview with Anish Katukaran, Chief Product Officer of Google HomeNothing takes a step forward with AI and vibe coding, kind of, with Nothing OS 4.0 BetaThe Supreme Court won't save Google (yet) from their battle with Epic GamesPatron Pick: Details on how Google's App Verification system will work00:39:38 - HARDWARERumors and renders aplenty about the Samsung Galaxy S26 PlusMore rumors that the Samsung Android XR headset will be shipping to Korea on October 22!No rumors here, just facts that the Samsung Galaxy Z series is a hit!Who needs a USB Cable with their phone? Manufacturers might be thinking you don't!00:55:26 - APPSComputer Control may be coming from Google to let LLMs automate and use your appsGoogle removes the ICE Reporting app Red Dot from the Play StorePour one out for the last subscription option for unlimited photos storage in Google Photos01:08:46 - FEEDBACKDavid reacts to our Google Home interview with his displeasure and lack of trust in GoogleAdam writes in with his frustration over disabling the Google Home BriefMatt wants to know where Spoken Notifications are on his Pixel Buds!??! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with another special edition of Android Faithful as Florence Ion and Mishaal Rahman talk with Anish Katukaran, Chief Product Officer of Google Home and Nest, about the launch of Gemini for Home, replacing Google Assistant, and updating smart home intelligence. They touch on rollout challenges, multi-user experience, a redesigned Google Home app , and smarter automation features.00:00 - Podcast begins01:58 - The journey of bringing Gemini AI to Google Home04:41 - Addressing consumer skepticism and trust in Google’s smart home products04:41 - Challenges faced upgrading old Nest and Google Home devices08:41 - The decision to build future-focused AI rather than patch existing tech09:43 - Testing and rollout strategy for Gemini’s AI in real homes14:03 - New features like Gemini Live and natural language automation creation17:39 - Pricing and subscription changes with Home Premium tiers explained22:48 - Accuracy and source attribution differences across devices with Gemini24:59 - Managing family and different user profiles with Gemini for Home26:49 - Favorite new features and improvements in the Google Home app32:00 - The future rollout plans and ongoing improvements for Google Home32:42 - Big thanks to Anish Katukaran! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dive into the latest in the Android universe as Google announces its plans for Android on PCs by 2026. Discover Amazon's shift to its new Vega OS for Fire TV and the quirky saga of a Samsung Galaxy Ring battery mishap. Get the scoop on leaks for OnePlus 15 and Xiaomi's impressive 15T series. Plus, learn about the upcoming graphical support for Linux apps on Android and how F-Droid is reacting to new app store regulations. Don't miss insights on Proton Mail's redesign and Google Photos' AI features!

Huyen Tue Dao and Jason Howell decide that two is the right number for episode 115. Plenty of talk about where Gemini is headed (turns out, everywhere at this point), Jason has a brief review of the TCL Nxtpaper 60 Ultra, and Huyen details the walkie talkie feature of Nothing's new earbuds.Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor0:02:37 - NEWSNothing OS 4.0 announced with refined design, updated dark mode and quick settingsMotorola Android 16 Update Begins Rolling Out to Edge 60 Pro and Edge 50 FusionSony Xperia 1 VII gets huge Android 16 software updateExclusive: Your First Look at Samsung One UI 8.5Here's every new feature for Pixels in Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2Android 16 QPR2 may let you flip your Pixel's navigation bar like on Samsung phonesPATRON PICK: I regret to inform you Meta’s new smart glasses are the best I’ve ever tried0:31:24 - HARDWARENothing’s Ear 3 buds have a walkie-talkie style ‘super mic’Nxtpaper 60 Ultra brief reviewSamsung’s Android XR headset has a new October 21 launch date, report claimsSamsung’s biggest new phone in years may launch in the US this year0:52:16 - APPSNew ways Google Play is built entirely around youIntroducing the Google Play Games Level Up programGoogle is finally changing its tune about call recording on Pixel phonesGoogle is bringing the fun of custom Androidify bots to your Wear OS watch face1:12:30 - FEEDBACK@dmgerbino on X got an Android Faithful mug!Ron Johnson thinks Google fixed a camera issue with the Pixel 10 Pro XL Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The hosts dive into the hilarious history of fences in tech. Android's shift towards a more closed source raises eyebrows, sparking concerns among developers. Exciting leaks about the Galaxy S26 series get everyone chatting, while Jason unboxes the vibrant new Infinix GT30 gaming smartphone. There's buzz about Google's evolving security updates and the innovative features in upcoming smartphones’ cameras. Plus, the ability to erase unwanted objects in photos makes for a playful discussion!

On this episode of Android Faithful with Jason Howell and Ron Richards, Beeper’s new CEO Kishan Bagaria shares the app’s evolution, the potential of AI integration, and a shift to on-device privacy. The conversation covers Beeper’s fight against messaging silos, openness versus Apple’s closed ecosystem, and plans to reach 100 million users.Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:00 - Podcast begins04:54 - Introducing Kishan Bagaria, CEO of Beeper05:23 - Background and journey to Beeper CEO role07:11 - Experience since taking the CEO position07:41 - Overview of new Beeper tiers and features10:20 - User feedback on recent Beeper changes11:33 - Privacy and security shift to on-device connections14:44 - Beeper’s approach to messaging interoperability17:20 - Regulatory landscape and Beeper’s role in the US and EU19:46 - Matt Mullenweg’s goal of 100 million users22:25 - Openness and open-source contribution as core values24:06 - Beeper integration with Clay personal CRM27:35 - Defining Beeper’s core user base28:26 - What to expect from Beeper in 2026 including AI integrations30:06 - Closing remarks and future outlook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're trying to enjoy a quieter week in the world of Android but man, the drama doesn't stop and neither does the rollout of new devices. Luckily Huyen Tue Dao, Mishaal Rahman and Ron Richards are here to parse it all for you in one enjoyable package.Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:05:24 - NEWSLookout! Google and Pixel is moving up the charts! Plus the latest from Apple's iPhone announcement?Material 3 Expressive properly rolls out with Android 16 QPR1 and an update on the sideloading dramaSomeone thought phones were too boring so they created the phone they wanted and it's pretty awesome!Patron Pick: GoogleTV slow and sluggish? Maybe it's your button re-mapping app?00:41:35 - HARDWARESamsung unveils even more new devices with the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE and the Galaxy Tab S11 and S11 Ultra TabletsOnePlus and Hasselblad are breaking up and we can't even take a photo to remember them byTCL unveiled new phones and watches at IFA along with that awesomely designed theater projector with GoogleTV01:06:36 - APPSDaily Hub no more! Google pulls it from Pixel 10s to be re-workedAndroidify is back from Google and now powered by AI!Nova Launcher may be leaving us soon, as it's founder departs the project, work stops and open source canceled. There's a petition lobbying for it to be Open Sourced.01:21:06 - FEEDBACKMike Sanders writes in to express is sadness over the Nova Launcher news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a day of surprising news from and about Google as we get the latest legal update and Gemini looks too make a homecoming and whole lot more this week as Huyen Tue Dao, Jason Howell and Ron Richards deliver the Android gospel.Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:05:00 - NEWSGoogle dodges a bullet and won't need to spin off Android or Chome in it the big Antitrust CaseLooks like Gemini is finally coming to Google Home on October 1The Android 16 Droid statue has arrived in Mountain View!Nothing got busted using stock photos on the a Phone (3) adPatron Pick: Acer unveils a Google TV box with a ton of ports!00:29:58 - HARDWAREWe get a glimpse of how the Samsung tri-fold device will foldChanges to Google Pixel Care and lots of problems with Pixel 10sSome rumors floated about the release date and price of the Android XR Headset from Samsung00:50:53 - APPSThe new and improved QuickShare is rolling out and Google is still tinkering with itYouTube rolls out a new UI on TVs and starts cracking down on shared accounts01:06:52 - FEEDBACKMike proudly shares his widget count on his phone: 31!Mike from Virginia ruminates on life after eSim. It's not too bad!Tom in Sacramento joins the Patreon and weighs in on GoogleTV and WearOS/Facer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Forgive us for another time-delayed episode but we promise its for good reason. Florence and Jason have been using the new Pixel 10 Pro for almost a full week and in good parental fashion are prepared with their Yucks and Yums of their time with Google's latest and greatest! Also, Huyen shares the developer perspective on the news that Google wants developers to de-anonymize themselves when bringing apps to Android.Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor0:04:16 - NEWSGoogle wants to make sideloading Android apps safer by verifying developers’ identitiesAndroid 16 QPR2 Beta 1 is hereGoogle's not done yet, with a new Android Canary release arriving for testersPATRON PICK: Android 16's power button wallet shortcut is strangely exclusive0:29:55 - HARDWAREFlorence and Jason share their favorites (yums) and not so favorites (yucks) about the Pixel 10Check out Jason's video on Material 3 Expressive0:59:28 - APPSGoogle Translate is ready to replace Duolingo in your lifeSpotify still doesn't offer Hi-Fi audio, but now you can harass your friends about their music tastes in a messageGemini app getting major image editing upgrade with ‘nano banana’1:07:24 - FEEDBACKKyle ordered the Pixel 10 Fold, but might not keep itKev things the temperature sensor is a feature worth havingBrian does not like the changes to the Google Contacts app Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.