Android Police

Discussions on Google's AI response, Android 15 features, Sony's game releases, and the charm of Astro Bot on PS5. Plus, insights on SEO data leaks, OpenAI's news integration, and Google Home widgets for Android homescreens.

To think that the lowly internet commenter is being done wrong by multi-million-, even multi-billion-dollar brands. Why, perish such sacrilege! You see, there's a certain unease on this week's Android Police podcast as Will and Daniel trickle through how Sonos is banking heavily on some poorly-formed assumptions about its customer base and how Microsoft and Google are overcommitted to making money off of their investments sunk into artificial intelligence. Before all of that, we recap our first-round impressions of the Pixel 8a.01:48 | AI isn't itGoogle's AI-packed I/O keynote was missing the one thing I actually wanted to seeGoogle Pixel 8a review: A great phone that I'm not sure you should buyThe Pixel 8a might be my favorite Google phone yet, but I'm still not sure I can recommend it29:44 | DeucesSonos finally enters a new market with $449 Ace headphonesPeople hate the new Sonos app even as company calls redesign 'courageous'Sonos' CEO has some regrets about the recent app redesign rolloutAndroid 15 Beta 2 brings back media volume controls for casting49:43 | EncroachmentDell, HP, Lenovo, and more jump on the Snapdragon X train with Microsoft's Copilot+ AIHumane is looking for a buyer, just like the AI PinOne week in and Google's AI Overviews are already getting adsGoogle is in damage control mode following AI Overviews fiascoTurns out OpenAI's voice assistant sounding like Scarlett Johannsson wasn't much of a coincidenceExtra Links:Suicide Prevention Resources from OpenCounselingThe Spectacular Failure of the Star Wars Hotel | Jenny NicholsonWhat Does A Great Cup Of Coffee Taste Like? | James HoffmannExcerpts from Disney/Pixar, Annapurna Pictures/Stage 6 Films, OpenAI, and James Hoffmann.Our regular hosts are Daniel Bader and Will Sattelberg. Our editor is Jules Wang.Android Police lives here. Reach out to us at podcast@androidpolice.comMusic - "18" and "34" by HOME licensed under CC BY 3.0

This Android Police podcast, Will and Joe Maring, editor of the section dubbed Mobile for Digital Trends, are starved of sleep and proper equipment prior to sharing their thoughts about Google I/O 2024. If you've been living above ground for the past couple years, you know what this song and dance is working up to: more artificial intelligence promises, more asphalt for the road on which the kicked can lies, and extremely inadequate results that would probably make your parents think twice about sticking them on the fridge door.The good news is that you'll all get to try this smorgasbord in any case, so let's talk it through and prepare you for what you'll see.Google I/O 2024: Everything announced so farGoogle I/O 2024 showed how it wants Gemini to pull all its products togetherAt I/O 2024, the theme for Android's future was safety | Digital TrendsGemini comes to Google Photos to supercharge search and curationGoogle Photos wants to stop memes from killing your feed's vibeMy Google Photos library is getting to be unmanageableAsk Photos is the AI-powered Google Photos tool I've been waiting forI saw Google's 'vision for the future of AI assistants' at I/O, and I'm cautiously optimisticI saw Google's futuristic Project Astra, and it was jaw-dropping | Digital TrendsGoogle's AI-packed I/O keynote was missing the one thing I actually wanted to seeOpenAI releases GPT-4o, a faster model that’s free for all ChatGPT users - The VergeChatGPT will be able to talk to you like Scarlett Johansson in Her - The VergeAudio excerpts from Disney/ABC and Bad Robot.You can also find Joe Maring on X. Our regular hosts are Daniel Bader and Will Sattelberg. Our editor is Jules Wang.Android Police lives here. Reach out to us at podcast@androidpolice.comMusic - "12," "18," and "34" by HOME licensed under CC BY 3.0

Discussions include the next-gen iPad Pro, Pixel 8a with AI features, American Idol's impact on iMessage, Apple's controversial ad, and Google's Pixel Tablet challenges. TikTok sues US, Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 adds wireless charging, and more on messaging platforms and texting culture.

Fresh ep. Time to jump the crevasse. This Android Police podcast, we're shooting down the Rabbit R1 and its ilk for good. We're also measuring up the stakes in TikTok's fight for survival in America. In the Google realms, the Pixel 8a is set for a cakewalk, Android 15 is firming up nicely (hopefully no odd ice crystals in the vanilla ice cream), and Will needs to cool down from all that screen time. Big and busy, that's how we like these shows.02:35 | AI GadgetryHere’s the real story of the Rabbit R1's reported Android roots32:26 | Social StrifeUS TikTok ban: How we got here and what happens nextByteDance would rather pull TikTok from the US if its legal efforts failMeta’s upgraded AI comes to WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook40:39 | In AndroidThe Pixel 8a will reportedly cost the same as the Pixel 7aSamsung’s most powerful customization app comes to the Play Store52:00 | A Clean FifteenAndroid 15 may finally allow you to force dark mode in any appAndroid 15 could stop you from leaking sensitive content while screen sharingAndroid 15 might have a less awkward landscape UI on phonesAndroid 15 is working on a clever solution for spammy notificationsCheck out XDA's video on the legacy of the HTC One M8, ten years on!Excerpt from CH Media (Dropout).Our regular hosts are Daniel Bader and Will Sattelberg. Our editor is Jules Wang.Android Police lives here. Reach out to us at podcast@androidpolice.comMusic - "18" and "34" by HOME licensed under CC BY 3.0

Apple's iMessage finally adopts RCS on iPhone, sparking regulatory concerns and an antitrust suit. Beeper Mini revolutionizes iMessage on Android before facing banhammer backlash. Discussions on Apple's ecosystem control, messaging platform dynamics, and monopolistic practices. Spotify's reaction to Apple's pricing moves in the music streaming industry.

Imminence is our word of the week on the Android Police podcast as we hit on some new Pixel lewks, watch emulation on iOS thrive with bated breath, and see if Google really has what it takes to have Android, Pixel, Chrome, and its various other platform teams operating as one AI-led family — "happy" being the optimal fashion.04:07 | The ReorgGoogle is making huge changes to its Android and Pixel teams in the name of AI21:02 | Android OthersLive Pixel 9 Pro photos show controversial design changesPlease Google, don't name your next foldable the Pixel 9 Pro FoldFeast your eyes on these Google Pixel 8a renders29:14 | The Other OthersiOS inches closer to Android with new third-party app store and Nintendo emulatorExcerpt from ABC News (via rockcityfilms3).Our regular hosts are Daniel Bader and Will Sattelberg. Our editor is Jules Wang.Android Police lives here. Reach out to us at podcast@androidpolice.comMusic - "18" and "34" by HOME licensed under CC BY 3.0

Humane's AI Pin hit the reviewers' rounds this week. Now it's time for the meta cut. Join the Android Police podcast as we rack the dominoes back from execution to concept and see if there's any salvation to be had from the fall. Also, loads of Android news, an e-reader to best the Kindle perhaps, and a Vampire Weekend album review. Hit the decks.01:36 | This Our Future?Google I/O 2024: What to expect and when it’s happeningHumane reviews are out, and they are bad27:54 | DroidyGoogle finally launches its Find My Device networkDbrand just spent 24 hours doubling down on racist remarks before apologizingYouTube has a new design on desktop and everyone is mad about itApple may not end up beating Android at the emulation game after allGoogle’s AI Magic Editor is coming to all devices for free, but there's a catch47:54 | Read ThisAndroid 15 Beta 1 is here, but many details are still under wrapsKobo's new color e-readers add some saturation to your readingOnly God Was Above Us by Vampire Weekend Reviews and Tracks - MetacriticThe Pixel 8 Pro was all I needed to create my solar eclipse memoriesExcerpts from The Verge, Pornhub, The Punisher (Netflix via Shabeebstyle), Cyberpunk 2077 (CD: Projekt Red), and Infraction and Aim To Head.Our regular hosts are Daniel Bader and Will Sattelberg. Our editor is Jules Wang.Android Police lives here. Reach out to us at podcast@androidpolice.comMusic - "18" and "34" by HOME licensed under CC BY 3.0

The 100th Android Police podcast is everything you've wanted it to be. Google this, Android that, Samsung's broken, OnePlus's broken, and we finally see what's inside The Hatch from Lost. Gemini takes a page from a BAFTA vote that has gone completely insane and the streaming industry makes money on top of showbuilding practices that are incredibly destructive to viewer habits (and, thus, their revenue), but at least Skynet's incompetent intelligence means we get to live another day, folks. Nothing gets cut. Everything's here.This is the show you've been waiting for.01:54 | Spatially AwareFilterworld by Kyle Chayka: Penguin Random HouseTesting the New Apple Vision Pro Spatial Persona - MacRumors07:49 | I've Paid Money For Worse AIGoogle may charge you for generative AI search in the futureLara Croft Crowned Most Iconic Video Games Character of All Time, According to BAFTA Poll | BAFTASonic the Hedgehog Chia Pet® - Chia.com27:05 | How Many Ways Can Google Piss People Off?Google Podcasts is dead but Google’s own podcast isn't on YouTube MusicGoogle Podcasts is gone — and YouTube Music can’t replace it - The Verge41:16 | Update DowngradeSome Pixel owners are experiencing network issues after Google's March 2024 updateGoogle's premium Pixel 9 plans feel too big, too soonSamsung's latest update is causing headaches for Galaxy S23 usersOnePlus just launched a worse version of Magic Eraser for its phones1:02:32 | Get LostStriking numbers: writers work less with streaming TV (axios.com)Excerpts from Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (New Line Cinema), hbomberguy (via Sven Bender), retsupurae, Top15s, Blizzard Entertainment (via vannero).Our regular hosts are Daniel Bader and Will Sattelberg. Our editor is Jules Wang.Android Police lives here. Reach out to us at podcast@androidpolice.comMusic - "1," "18" and "34" by HOME licensed under CC BY 3.0

Google's had it out for the Android Police podcast all this time. No, not in the ways in which it's made it difficult for us to write the stories we talk about on the show, but with how its grown its phones. Android. Nexus. Pixel. All of it. The bulk of this 99th episode — which does not contain four minutes of cut-out frolicking midshow banter between our hosts — will cover the latest we're hearing about the Pixel 9 very big triple threat XL with a cherry on top. Man, it's like we've been an Android podcast, right?01:19 | Pixel PursuitNew Pixel 9 renders point to 3 Google flagships coming this fallGemini Nano is coming to the Pixel 8 after all33:09 | SUX (Stupid User Experience)The Disney Plus-Hulu merger is way more than a streaming bundle42:10 | Heady StuffTransformed by AI: How generative artificial intelligence could affect work in the UK – and how to manage it | IPPROntario school boards sue Snapchat, TikTok and Meta for $4.5 billion, alleging they're deliberately hurting students (thestar.com)(NEW) Apple Vision Pro - 256GB (woot.com)Our regular hosts are Daniel Bader and Will Sattelberg. Our editor is Jules Wang.Android Police lives here. Reach out to us at podcast@androidpolice.comMusic - "18" and "34" by HOME licensed under CC BY 3.0