Android Faithful

Jeff Howard, VP of Consumer Devices at AT&T, shares insights on how mobile carriers are adapting to the fast-evolving Android landscape. He discusses the shifting consumer expectations and the role of AI in enhancing connectivity solutions. The conversation dives into upcoming smartphone innovations and trends, specifically highlighting the influence of e-commerce on device offerings. Listeners will gain a better understanding of how AT&T is navigating changes and the future of smartphone technology in a competitive market.

The hosts dive into the latest Android 16 features, including live updates for Wear OS and exciting enhancements in desktop mode. They discuss intriguing leaks regarding the Google Pixel 10 and the potential impact of poor battery life on the Tensor chip. A humorous critique of the Pixel 10's marketing emerges, alongside revelations about the RealMe GT7's impressive design and performance. The return of Facer to Wear OS and the bittersweet farewell to the Pocket app highlight shifts in the app landscape, while engaging listener feedback adds to the lively discussion.

Sam Bright, VP and GM of Google Play and Developer Ecosystem, and Matthew McCullough, VP of Product Management for Android Developer, share insights on developer ROI and the transformative role of AI in software development. They discuss strategies for enhancing application quality through diverse testing and the exciting features introduced at Google I/O 2025, including advancements in AI like Project Astra and Gemini Live. They also delve into the future of Android XR and the importance of developer feedback in shaping new tools and experiences.

Join Patrick Brady, VP of Android for Cars at Google, as he unveils the exciting integration of Gemini into Android Auto. Brady highlights how this innovative tech enhances the in-car experience with advanced voice interactions and multimodal capabilities designed for safety. The discussion also touches on the evolution of AI in Android Auto, the balance between tech and user-friendliness, and how the integration of Gemini redefines driving convenience. A must-listen for tech enthusiasts eager to explore the future of smart driving!

Week two of big news from Android Faithful as we welcome a new member to the team (you know who it is, right?) Also, Material 3 is EXPRESSIVE, Android Desktop Mode is TOTALLY right around the corner, and the Chromecast is BACK! (sort of)In case you missed it, Android Faithful has new perks and rewards for supporting the show on Patreon including a NEW SHOW called Android Faithful After Hours!Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:09:24 - NEWSGoogle is working on a big UI overhaul for Android: Here's an early lookLeak: How and why Google made Material 3 ExpressiveA Simple Google Search Is Now a Thing of the PastGoogle is finally building its own DeX: First look at Android's Desktop ModePATRON PICK: iOS and Android juice jacking defenses have been trivial to bypass for years00:43:26 - HARDWAREExclusive: The Pixel 10 could be in for an unexpected display upgradeSamsung Galaxy S25 Edge: This is the ultra-thin new top smartphoneThe Chromecast is back, but not as we know it00:57:50 - APPSGoogle Wallet launches new age and identity verification featuresAndroid Auto's in-progress light theme is actually starting to look pretty goodOpera for Android launches new tab management features01:08:34 - COMMUNITYTharanga wants a light Android tablet for reading musicCraig has a DND solution for JasonAnonymous has a solution for Gemini news sources Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is sponsored by Square's Mobile Payments SDK - Developers, now it’s easier than ever to integrate the market leader for payments into your mobile apps. Get more info here!BIG News from Android Faithful as we've got new perks and rewards for supporting the show on Patreon!Meanwhile, in the world of Android, Google I/O is getting closer and it already controversial and new phones hit the market and they're quite cool to look at!Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:10:31 - NEWSThe Google I/O schedule of events is out! But looks like Android is getting some advanced attention.It's been a while, but we've got updated Android distribution numbers!We're excited about Android's bubble bar and more Android 16 goodiesGoogle does a little humblebrag that Find My Device network is 4x faster now.PATRON PICK: If you're a passenger, Android Auto isn't really all that great00:47:36 - HARDWAREHands On with the Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro and BudsA happy update from OnePlus on pricing for the OnePlus Watch 3An unhappy update from OnePlus on the availability of the OnePlus 13TLook at the awesome colors of the new lineup of Motorola Razrs! We approve!01:12:24 - APPSGoodbye Assistant Driving ModeYou can finally view PDFs in Chrome for Android. Finally!Google Photos will nudge you to make a Highlights video for Mother's Day and then let you share it with a QR Code01:19:40 - COMMUNITYBrad has a POV on HealthConnectMark Zip has had it with GeminiFredrik Seglem shares his Samsung Dex setup Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is sponsored by The Great Code Chase from Square Developers! Compete now on the Square Developer YouTube Channel, and you can win a limited-edition Square Developer LEGO Minifigure!Another week in the tapestry of Android news rolls on as Jason Howell, Mishaal Rahman and Ron Richards deliver the highs and lows and the wonder of bizarre camera add-ons for phones and more.Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:06:20 - NEWSAndroid 16 rolled out the 4th beta and Mishaal breaks it downSamsung and Motorola may go the AI Assistant route of Perplexity There's early leaks of Samsung One UI 8 and they're nothing to get excited aboutCould we see a new version of Material Design at Google I/O?PATRON PICK: Apparently Android's Health Connect is a bit of a mess00:42:42 - HARDWAREA new rugged phone and tablet on the way from Samsung!The Vivo X200 Ultra and it's camera kit is shocking to seeCould this be the patent for the Samsung rollable phone?01:02:18 - APPSSome major updates from Gemini with Live Camera and free access for College studentsGoogle Discover continues to make weird design choicesNow you can upgrade old photos to Ultra HDR in Google Photos 01:16:38 - COMMUNITYJim discovered voice reporting does work in Waze!Michel Dumont is curious about anti-virus software in Android, is it needed?Sam from Cleveland has some ideas about car based smart glasses Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is sponsored by Square's Mobile Payments SDK - Developers, now it’s easier than ever to integrate the market leader for payments into your mobile apps. Get more info here!It was a week of wearable news as Jason, Huyen, and Mishaal talk about XR glasses at TED, in the news, and in Android Auto, and wonder what are the nubs on the Pixel Watch 4 in a leaky peaky.Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:02:02 - NEWSGoogle lays off hundreds of employees in the Platform and Devices division.Mishaal talks about a couple of features that will make Android devices more secure, including one borrowed from iOS.Google gives a first look at their XR glasses being made in collaboration with SamsungPATRON PICK: Gboard is working on a meme studio and it’s “mediocre at best”00:42:46 - HARDWAREThe newly announced Honor “Power” lives up to its nameThe OnePlus Watch now has a higher price for unsurprising reasonsA leaky peaky of the Pixel Watch 4 shows that it might be a little bit thicker than the Pixel Watch 3The Pixel 10 Pro Fold price leaksJason and Shannon Morse reviewed the Pixel 9a01:05:02 - APPSMishaal shares his experiences with Google’s advanced video generation model, Veo2Google may be adding Circle-to-Search-like functionality to Gemini liveGemini is coming to Wear OS and a Google Photos extension is coming to Gemini01:17:25 - COMMUNITYMichael O. writes in to ask about Android trackers that do not require Samsung device lock-in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is sponsored by Square's Mobile Payments SDK - Developers, now it’s easier than ever to integrate the market leader for payments into your mobile apps. Get more info here!This week Huyen, Jason and Ron ponder the world of of AR glasses, infinite folding smartphones, song parodies and more!Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:04:53 - NEWSHigher prices for Samsung phones seem inevitableMishaal explains how Android 16 may borrowing from iOS and more from the upcoming OS releaseGoogle adds Lens and Photos support to AI Search and it's pretty impressiveLooks like the Samsung Galaxy S25 was a hit after allPATRON PICK: Meta is going to one-up Google Glass with the next Ray-Bans Smart Glasses00:58:24 - HARDWARECould Samsung be developing a Quad Fold device? We hope so!The new Wal-Mart Onn TV Device is coming and it's the harbinger of the "Free TV" button on Google TV remotesRumors swirling around the OnePlus 13T are too amazing to be true. Small phone with a huge battery that weighs less?The camera specs for the Google Pixel 10 line are confirmed and confounding.01:20:33 - APPSAndroid Automotive has a DashCam App, but you can't download itMore AI on Android, this time from Microsoft with Copilot Vision, now available on mobileDid you know Intel Unison enabled Android to connect to Windows? We didn't either but it doesn't matter since they're shutting it down01:25:22 - COMMUNITYTJ writes in about something fishy going on with games on Google PlayLarry from Metamora, Michigan writes in asking if his bluetooth earbuds can connect to two phones at once? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mishaal Rahman, an Android expert from Android Authority, joins the discussion to unpack Google's surprising decision to make Android's development more private. This shift raises critical questions for developers and the future of the platform's open-source identity. They also delve into the intriguing prospects of the Samsung Galaxy S25, touching on innovations, challenges in smartphone durability, and the evolving technology landscape, including new Google features to enhance summer travel and planning.