Android Faithful

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.

It's an episode of some deep analysis and discussion of Google's AI progress with Gemini along with a lively Stock Android hot-take talk along with the latest phones, apps and your emails with Huyen Tue Dao, Mishaal Rahman and Ron Richards.Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:03:17 - NEWSThe EU has got Apple backed into a corner over iOS only featuresA fascinating look at Google playing catch-up to OpenAI with the development of GeminiPATRON PICK: A hot-take on the fact that Stock Android really is a thing of the past00:36:06 - HARDWAREThe Pixel 9A is here! Even though it's delayed and missing some featuresHuawei changes the game on foldables WITHOUT Android!The new lineup of Moto Razr foldables have leakedNow you can have Atari 2600 games on your new Atari smartwatch00:54:21 - APPSG-Mail upgrades your inbox with AI (of course) and now parents can add credit cards to kids' Google WalletGoogle Messages might be bringing YouTube backGet your free stuff. Free video games on the Epic Games store and free MLB.TV on T-Mobile01:01:56 - COMMUNITYClayton from Valencia, CA followed up with photos of his DEX SetupJordan also sent in photos of his former DEX SetupAndy in Melbourne, Australia has a huge gripe about smartwatches and their lack of actual watch like functions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

March is a huge month for Android with Google's barrage of announcements. Adam Doud joins the team to parse through as much as we can in this extra long episode.Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:10:40 - NEWSRCS is back as Apple adds encryption with Android usersGoogle Play announced interoperability between PCs and Mobile games along with Vulkan as the official graphics APIPokemon Go! got sold to ScopelyAndroid 16 Beta 3 is here and we've got platform stability!We finally get a date for Samsung's OneUI 7 rollout and more device infoPATRON PICK: This crazy new handheld device is powered by the new Snapdragon chip for gaming00:44:50 - HARDWARELeaks of the Motorola Edge 60 Fusion and a NEW kind of foldable from HuaweiGet minimalist as the Light Phone III is shipping this monthPebble is back with the Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2 watches01:22:32 - APPSGemini is getting personalization along with a ton of tools for developers and collaborationGemini begins the takeover of AssistantMicrosoft integrated Android into Copilot AI app for WindowsJoining groups on Google Messages is getting easier01:38:11 - COMMUNITYClayton from Valencia, CA is a proud Samsung Dex user! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mobile World Congress is over and Jason and Mishaal are back on the show to join Huyen and Ron to go through a TON of Android News. Plus we're delighted to welcome Nirave Gondhia of House of Technology to the show to help us break it all downNote: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor.00:06:50 - NEWSGoogle announces an experimental AI Mode for SearchSamsung expands One UI 7 beta access to more devices, revealing new featuresLock screen widgets are coming (back) to Android along with one step closer to desktop accessMore details on the Pixel 4A debacle emergeThe March Feature Drop has caused many problems for Google PixelsThe DOJ vs Google saga continues targeting ChromePATRON PICK: GBoard goes rounded keys and people freaked out00:59:11 - HARDWAREMobile World Congress Recap with tons of phones! Like the RealMe Photo Concept phone, the Techno Spark Slim phone and much more!Leaky Peeky at the Pixel 10 and "Pixie" makes a comeback!We get updated leaked images of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7REVIEW: Jason took the OnePlus Watch 3 Snowboarding!Goodbye slider button! OnePlus confirms it's dead01:38:16 - APPSGoogle Gemini on Android Auto? Yes it's for realGoogle Photos rolls back feature change due to user demand Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While Jason Howell and Mishaal Rahman are enjoying Jamon in Barcelona at Mobile World Congress, Huyen Tue Dao and Ron Richards are at AFHQ to bring you the latest in Android news and the continuing parade of new phones!Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor.00:02:50 - NEWSGoogle times the March 2025 Android Feature and Google Pixel Drops with MWCIf you've got a Samsung device, here's when you'll get One UI 7Google Pixels in the wild as NYC uses them to help monitor the subway for defectsPATRON PICK: Google Translate gets an unbelievably helpful AI boost00:31:20 - HARDWAREJason is hands on with the brand new Nothing Phone 3(A) and ProMishaal provides a n in-depth review of the Xiaomi 15 UltraSamsung busts into the mid-range with some great specs for the Galaxy A26 5G, A36 5G & A56 5GFrom Barcelona at MWX, Jason is hands on with the TCL 60 XE NextPaper 5G Foldable leaky peakys! First the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and then the crazy cool Infinix tri-folding concept phoneMore concepts with the TECNO Spark Slim boasting the thinnest smartphone ever!01:19:50 - APPSSome cars will get a very cool heads-up display integration with the Waze 5.4 update01:23:54 - COMMUNITYDerek from Illinois sheds some light on the OnePus Watch 3 typo debacleMichael from Tulsa, OK is so very disappointed in Samsung Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.