Android Police

The Android Police podcast has been preparing for today and you get this lovely episode for our efforts. So, what's so great about the stuff Samsung Unpacked today? We have hands-on coverage and many more opinions from the usual suspects as well as our point man for Samsung stuff, Zachary Kew-Denniss!01:52 | Zac holds up his Galaxy Z Fold 3 against the Fold 4.14:43 | Will flips for the Flip 427:31 | Watch 5 has Ara feeling feelings41:06 | Executive Daniel executive sums up the Galaxy Buds 2 ProSamsung just Unpacked the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Fold 4, the two coolest phones of the summerSamsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 & Flip 4 hands-on: A little progress, lots of polishSamsung Galaxy Watch 5 and 5 Pro hands-on: A real gem of an upgrade43:52 | Oh, boy, is Google really going on about RCS again?Google calls on Apple to 'fix texting' and adopt RCS messagingFind the team on Twitter - @journeydan @AraWagco @Will_Sattelberg @shutupzac96 @PointJulesReach out to us - podcast@androidpolice.comMusic - "18" and "34" by HOME licensed under CC BY 3.0

This week on the Android Police podcast, we celebrate some more ChromeOS catch-ups, seek ad and tracker salvation from Google, and pick over the Pixel Buds Pro and more of the Pixel 6a.2:13 | Daniel has some words about the Pixel Buds Pro and 6a.Google Pixel Buds Pro review: Catching up, tuning out, and rocking onThe Pixel Buds Pro aren't even out yet, and the best colorway is already selling out everywhereSamsung Galaxy A53 vs. Google Pixel 6a: Which deserves your $450?21:36 | Will strolls by some new Play Store policy and some lagging cookie replacement policies. Also, the inevitability of big smartwatches in the next few years.Play Store lays out new rules to curb intrusive full screen adsGoogle's scheme to kill cookies needs a little more time in the ovenIt's time for the era of big smartwatches45:00 | Ara takes us into overtime with some of ChromeOS's sprucing up.Chromebooks are getting a new video editor from Google Photos with some pro-level featuresChromebooks are finally getting the automatic light and dark themes you've been waiting forGoogle Photos integration keeps your Chromebook desktop looking fresh with minimal effortFind the team on Twitter - @journeydan @AraWagco @Will_Sattelberg @PointJulesReach out to us - podcast@androidpolice.comMusic - "18" and "34" by HOME licensed under CC BY 3.0

The embargo's been lifted and we can finally talk about how we feel Google's new Pixel 6a has changed us for the better. That, or, we can just talk about it. Plus, other new phone launches in the next few weeks and a patch of tumult in Android launchers. All this week on the Android Police podcast!2:21 | The hot topic.Google Pixel 6a review: Regression is the better part of valueCheck out how Google's new Magic Eraser camouflage feature works before the Pixel 6a arrives next weekQualcomm's new chips might be what Wear OS needs to turn around — if they actually deliver19:16 | Will takes us through what Samsung and OnePlus wanna do.Galaxy Unpacked is official for August 10, and Samsung's already offering big reservation bonusesOnePlus 10T is making its formal debut on August 3 in New York31:54 | Ara's got dirt on Nova Launcher and LawnchairOne of Lawnchair's core developers has ceased his involvement with the launcherNova Launcher has been acquired by analytics company BranchFind the team on Twitter - @journeydan @AraWagco @Will_Sattelberg @PointJulesReach out to us - podcast@androidpolice.comMusic - "18" and "34" by HOME licensed under CC BY 3.0

Well, whaddya know? It's our regular episode of the Android Police podcast and we have our Europe Editor Manuel Vonau on to talk about his Nothing Phone (1) review. And you know it's super-fresh because we recorded it this morning!2:07 | Nothing.Nothing Phone 1 review: Premium design meets midrange everything else20:14 | We're in Ara's hands (or on her wrists, I guess?) now...Samsung teases One UI 4.5 for Galaxy Watch4's new keyboard experience, watch face options, and moreQualcomm teases its next-gen Snapdragon Wear chip, and we couldn't be more excited31:19 | Will cleans it up with Android 13 and Sonos's sledge to GoogleAndroid 13 Beta 4 is here to convince you it's ready to be your daily driverGoogle would rather ruin its products than pay SonosFind the team on Twitter - @journeydan @ManuelVonau @AraWagco @Will_Sattelberg @PointJulesReach out to us - podcast@androidpolice.comMusic - "18" and "34" by HOME licensed under CC BY 3.0

We've got the sauce on OSOM, the Android startup founded by a collective of former employees who worked for Essential before Andy Rubin, facing public pressure for salacious work behavior at Google, dissolved the firm. OSOM tried to mix focuses on iconic industrial design as well as privacy and performance, but had to delay and reshape its launch product as it announced that the Solana blockchain would be backing what would be its first phone.We dig into why with two people who are on the inside track through long chats with the company's executives: Android Police's Ryne Hager and Esper's Mishaal Rahman.Former Essential staff have started a new company called OSOM ProductsOSOM plans to release its first privacy-focused product next yearOSOM OV1 is the new phone from the team behind the Essential PhoneThe OSOM OV1, an Essential Phone 'sequel', will be made of stainless steel, titanium, and ceramicOSOM's hotly-anticipated OV1 smartphone succumbs to crypto gimmick as Solana SagaHow to build an Android phone (with GMS) - Android Bytes (powered by Esper)Why OSOM went web3 | TechCrunchFind the team on Twitter - @PointJules @RyneHager @MishaalRahmanReach out to us - podcast@androidpolice.comMusic - "18" and "34" by HOME licensed under CC BY 3.0

Every week is a big week outside of the Android space and while we can talk about those things, we at the Android Police podcast feel more equipped to be your nerdy escape. That said, please scream into the ether (or your pillow) as you need to. Also, drop a review if you can — we need some fresh feedback on our performance and it tends to matter more on the podcatchers. Thanks.1:56 | Will, what are you angry about this week?T-Mobile has started selling your app data to advertisers — here's how to opt outU.S. carriers under fire for continuing to sell phone location data to third partiesDitching your iPhone just got way easier with Google’s latest Switch to Android app13:37 | Old stomping grounds for Ara: accessories and Chromebooks.Samsung has teamed up with Starbucks for limited-edition Galaxy S22 casesThe HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook comes with a haptic trackpad and optional 5G connectivity25:28 | Daniel is in the Android nerd corner this week.Google is finally helping developers fight back against smartphone manufacturers breaking how Android apps workCar crash detection may soon shed its Google Pixel exclusivityGoogle I/O 2012 set a high-water mark for innovative hardware that has yet to be approached againFind the team on Twitter - @journeydan @AraWagco @Will_Sattelberg @PointJulesReach out to us - podcast@androidpolice.comMusic - "18" and "34" by HOME licensed under CC BY 3.0

We had a whole bunch of one-liners in this episode that I could've used for the title, but most of them were R-rated and even though our show seems to be designed with the 'E,' I'm trying to help the Android Police podcast go up in the rankings. Just a bit. 3:35 | Ara dishes on Chrome and Google Assistant remindersChromeOS 103 is all about bringing Chromebooks and Android phones closer togetherGoogle might be shaking up its approach to reminders on Android, starting with Calendar18:54 | Will drives home his hatred of the Google Assistant driving experienceGoogle kicks off the summer driving season by killing Android Auto for phone screens31:46 | Daniel figures someone has to be talking about new phones this week... might as well be him.Dive deep with new Tensor and display details from yet another Pixel 7 Pro prototypeThe most interesting Android phone of 2022 won't be sold in the USFind the team on Twitter - @journeydan @AraWagco @Will_Sattelberg @PointJulesReach out to us - podcast@androidpolice.comMusic - "18" and "34" by HOME licensed under CC BY 3.0

On this week's show, a meditation on what one Google engineer saw in the artificial intelligence he was working on. Oh, and phones. Phones worth talking about, maybe phones worth talking down.2:52 | It's the LaMDA segment and Dan is vibing.Google suspends engineer who claimed that the company’s LaMDA chatbot has become sentient23:32 | Samsung says "Fan Edition." Ara says "What fans?"Samsung may fix the Galaxy S21 FE's biggest problem with some new hardwareSamsung may be giving up on Fan Edition phones32:15 | Will talks about Nothing.Nothing Phone 1: News, rumors, leaks, and everything else you need to knowPlus, our news appendix:John Oliver attacks Google for its anti-competitive grip on search on Last Week TonightDISH's Smart 5G™ Wireless Network is Now Available to Over 20 Percent of the U.S. PopulationSamsung will fix your Galaxy phone’s broken display for just $50Adobe Photoshop will soon be free to use on the webFind the team on Twitter - @journeydan @AraWagco @Will_Sattelberg @PointJulesReach out to us - podcast@androidpolice.comMusic - "18" and "34" by HOME licensed under CC BY 3.0

Well, those are some words I didn't expect to put together in that order. Curveballs all the which way as we cover WWDC 2022 on the Android Police podcast. Also, Daniel is back (yay)!3:27 | Dub dub.6 things Apple announced at WWDC 2022 that Google did firstApple pulls an Android with iOS 16's new lock screen customizationApple is following Google's lead on cleaning up iMessage reaction textsA decade after launch, Apple Maps will support trips with multiple stopsApple's next-gen CarPlay teaser is making me anxious about Android AutomotiveApple's drag-and-drop-the-dog Visual Look Up tool is the coolest iOS 16 feature you never knew Android neededDark Sky API gets reborn as Apple WeatherKit, with plans to support Android35:29 | Newsflash: EU officially on track to adopt USB-C for phones in two years.USB-C will be mandatory on all phones sold in the EU by end of 202445:19 | Android 13 still in beta, but it's mostly baked through.Android 12 QPR beta program ends, Pixels in it will be unenrolled automaticallyFind the team on Twitter - @journeydan @AraWagco @Will_Sattelberg @PointJulesReach out to us - podcast@androidpolice.comMusic - "18" and "34" by HOME licensed under CC BY 3.0

Happy Prime Pride Month! On this week's Android Police podcast, we stay on the Pixel beat with the upcoming phones and watch, beat down on carriers for not putting themselves to a higher standard and appreciate the heck out of newly-released Chromebooks. And Jules is back in the hot seat for one more week, but Daniel should be back and in control of things next week.3:01 | Will is concentrated on Pixel news.Someone listed a prototype Pixel 7 on eBay months before sales officially beginPixel 7 might end up reusing more than just the Pixel 6's cameraDon't expect the Pixel Watch to blow your mind when it comes to battery life16:24 | Jules wants more accountability from carriers about software updates.US wireless carriers should get real with customers about software updates27:54 | Ara's latest toys of the week...IdeaPad Chromebook Duet 3 (lenovo.com)2022 Acer Chromebook Spin 513 available for $614.99 (aboutchromebooks.com)Find the team on Twitter - @journeydan @AraWagco @Will_Sattelberg @PointJulesReach out to us - podcast@androidpolice.comMusic - "18" and "34" by HOME licensed under CC BY 3.0