Android Police

Topics include Fitbit Charge 6 release, Google's service shutdowns, podcast integration, sustaining a podcast as an independent creator, Disney's financial struggles and streaming service rollout, flight delays due to rain and lightning, and Pixel 8 series and Meta announcements.

The Android Police podcast may need a name change. And no, The Vergecast is taken. But for a show that delves into the profundity of notions such as the phases of smartphone design and the uncanny valley that is a conversation with a voice assistant, we also get to inject bits of "Her" and "Short Circuit" into the mix. So there's that. We've got chat about the Fitbit Charge 6, Pixel 8a, Amazon's hidden Fire HD 10 and a whole smattering of in-between bits that we just can't stay away from. This is our longest episode yet in this iteration and the show notes go to reflect it. Get ready for some links, buddy.01:44 | Top BreadLeaked Google Pixel 8a images are already making the roundsThere are no beans left to spill on Samsung's next Galaxy BudsGoogle's Pixel Watch 2 could borrow a key Fitbit Sense 2 featureThe Google Pixel Watch 2’s most unique strap yet leaksThe Fitbit Charge 6 is coming later this monthThe Fitbit Charge 6 could bring back a long-lost hardware feature22:56 | MeatAmazon's latest Fire TV lineup includes two new high-end streaming sticks and a soundbarAmazon's new Echo Show 8 wants to be your smart hub of choiceAmazon’s Echo Hub is the latest and greatest way to control all your connected devicesThe Nest Hub Max is losing one of its key features this monthThe age of smart displays is coming to a premature endJibo Review 2018: This Robot Will Steal Your Heart (Through Your Wallet) - Mr. MobileHow Jibo The Robot Succeeded – By Dying - Mr. MobileNo sane person should spend $600 on a consumer-level router | Digital TrendsGoogle's smart home strategy is as disastrous as its messaging strategy (Android Authority)1:07:48 | Yes, This Bottom Slice is Past The Hour MarkGoogle Bard Extensions brings more AI power to Maps, YouTube, Gmail, and moreAndroid 14 QPR1 Beta 1 is here with our first glimpse of December's Pixel Feature DropAndroid 14 QPR1 finally has a fix for letterboxed apps on tablets and foldablesMishaal Rahman loves Android 14's phone webcam featureGoogle Pixels are getting the September security update, but Android 14 remains missingOur regular hosts are Daniel Bader, Ara Wagoner, 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

In this podcast, the hosts discuss Apple's new iPhone 15 and Apple Watch Series 9 lineups, as well as the need for fresh ideas in Android wearables. They also cover topics such as USB-C inclusion, the lack of a higher refresh rate display on iPhone 15, console games coming to the iPhone, the history of the Bixby button, and Sony's foster program for robotic dogs in medical and nursing facilities. The hosts also talk about customizable launchers for Android devices and listener experiences with them.

A new era in Android has begun. Not Android 14 - Google looks to be off its scheduled launch window and that's got everybody in the industry scrambling. We do get a better picture, however, of when we'll be able to play with new Pixels and we preview Apple's new pickings coming up on this episode of the Android Police podcast.02:02 | Soft AndroidGoogle's Android 14 release plans may have hit a snagAndroid is getting its first brand makeover in over four yearsGoogle is bringing Pixel's modern At a Glance widget to all Android phones24:57 | Hard PixelGoogle shows off the Pixel 8 and Pixel Watch 2 in its latest October event teaseThe Pixel Watch 2 won't work on super old Android phonesGoogle may have just spilled the beans on an upcoming Chromecast34:51 | Mushy, but firm?Apple Event 2023: iPhone 15 Pro Max, AirPods, Watch Series 9, Products to Expect - BloombergThis is a Crypto Phone. Don’t Buy It. - YouTubeOur regular hosts are Daniel Bader, Ara Wagoner, 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

It's the IFA show on the Android Police podcast this week as we pour it on Huawei not even pretending that Honor is still functionally its Western-facing apparatus and pushing a foldable phone-purse hybrid. JBL's got some loud speakers that will look good in your home (or not) and work with everything. Also, we've got more Pixel intel about how it'll truly become the iPhone of Google's eye.04:06 | IFA 2023The Fairphone 5 is here, and it's the sleekest repairable phone yetThe Fairphone 5 has me looking forward to our repairable futureThe Honor Magic V2 goes international with a foldable Purse in towAnker's new chargers bring Qi2 MagSafe-style charging to the massesTecno's Phantom Ultimate concept phone is the fake rollable of your dreamsJBL's new smart speakers offer the best of two voice assistant worldsBest of IFA 2023: Android Police’s awards for Europe’s biggest tech showIFA 2023 | Android Police46:43 | PixelGoogle Pixel 8 series and Watch 2 launch date set for October 4Google leak gives us our first official look at the Pixel 8 ProThe Google Pixel 8 could get iPhone-like software supportGoogle kills off Pixel Pass just months before the Pixel 8 launchGoogle Home Routines' powerful upgrade gives you tons of new starters and actionsGoogle Photos Locked Folder now supports cross-device backupOur regular hosts are Daniel Bader, Ara Wagoner, 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 change in stance on California's right to repair bill. New handhelds and the return of a new PSP at Gamescom. YouTube's 'skip ads' button update and Samsung replicating iPhone design for Galaxy Z Fold 5. Discussion on the impact of right to repair legislation. Qualcomm's new gaming chips and rise of Android gaming handhelds. Emulation vs. remasters and game preservation. Limitations of PS5 remote play and frustration with YouTube's design changes.

On the Android Police podcast this week, our arms are circling back around the clock to our Galaxy Watch 6 review and springing forward to the Pixel Watch 2 as we're on the rumor watch. We'll stop with wordcraft and continue with more ineffective PR campaigns from Google whether you're dealing with training its AI (or the perceived sucking of data for the purposes of training that AI) or blocking ads on YouTube. We cover it all. Lost was good.03:26 | Google's WatchNew Google listing gives us our most official look at Pixel Watch 2 specs yetThe Pixel Watch 2 might get the metal band Google promised for its predecessorGoogle kills Assistant for Wear OS 2 watches18:00 | Samsung's WatchSamsung Galaxy Watch 6 review: Bright but never bold29:16 | Google, Google, Google, XiaomiGoogle could soon roll out a convenient new way to unlock your phoneGoogle's next big swing at AI rumored to launch this fallGoogle is desperate to sell Pixel Tablets, pushing ads via notificationsGoogle's new Transparency Center has big Don't Be Evil energyGoogle wants to reduce hearing loss with Android 14's latest safety featureYouTube’s anti-ad blocking test gets even pushier with a new timerXiaomi's new Mi Mix Fold 3 has all the things the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 doesn'tOur regular hosts are Daniel Bader, Ara Wagoner, 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

Our official verdicts on the Galaxy Z Flip 5, Fold 5, Watch 6, and Tab S9 series are online and Stephen Schenck is in for Will this week to help us expand upon them in vocal form on the Android Police podcast. With iteration the name of this battle, where does the next one take us in this "war?" Also up in the episode, some grumblings about the Pixel Watch 2, Android 14, and One UI 6. And we write up a manuscript for a new Google-y movie starring Macaulay Culkin and Joe Pesci.01:43 | Samsung reviewsSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 review: Something pithy when it's publishedSamsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 review: Polished to a sheenSamsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic review: Iteration with a twistSamsung Galaxy Tab S9 review: Premium, powerful, pricey40:41 | The NewsGoogle just enabled RCS by default for all Messages usersFor real this time: Samsung launches One UI 6 betaAndroid 14 Beta 5 arrives as one last scheduled update before stable releaseAndroid 14 will make scrolling in Chrome as smooth as iOSOnePlus is ready to make a splash with a touchscreen you can actually use while wetGoogle Pixel Watch 2 could pack all the right upgrades over its predecessorOur regular hosts are Daniel Bader, Ara Wagoner, and Will Sattelberg. Stephen Schenck filled in this week. 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

We're celebrating the big one-zero at the Android Police podcast, but not for ourselves (though we do get a pizza party at the end of the show). We're taking a look back at three Google products that helped get Google's hardware department where it is today: the Chromecast, the Nexus 7 (the second one), and the Moto X.04:50 | ChromecastGoogle Chromecast at 10: Our hopes for new hardwareHey Google: Make your next Chromecast like this23:43 | Nexus 710 years ago, Google launched the 2nd-gen Nexus 7, and no tablet has captured its magic since34:06 | Moto XMoto Maker Customization System For Moto X Shown Off In Video, Coming To Other Carriers As Well47:11 | Other newsExclusive Google Pixel Watch 2 faces leak online showcasing dynamic themingOnePlus Open foldable faces possible delayAndroid’s unknown tracker alerts are starting to go liveGoogle’s new search tool will make your most private photos disappearSync for Reddit returns as Sync for LemmyOur regular hosts are Daniel Bader, Ara Wagoner, 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

It's a flub. A flop. Samsung's pocket flaps are showing and the numbers are not good. At least that's what we're making of this week's Unpacked event. Daniel, Ara, and Will are putting in their say on this episode of the Android Police podcast. From the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Fold 5, the Galaxy Watch 6, and the Galaxy Tab S9 series (which we didn't remember inviting to the party), there's just a lot of gristle to chew through. Sharpen your teeth.02:34 | Flippy Floppy MessThe Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 wasn't made for youThe Galaxy Z Flip 5 fixes my biggest gripe with Samsung's flip phoneSamsung Profit Beats Estimates, Signal of Tech Spending Rising Again - BloombergGalaxy Flip 5 / Fold 5 Hands-On – After A Year On The Flip 4 & Fold 4 (Mr. Mobile / YouTube)34:45 | Six O'ClockI wore the Galaxy Watch 6 and Samsung hoped I’d never take it off45:11 | What Tablets?Samsung's Galaxy Tab S9 series brings slight upgrades but keeps its painful price54:16 | A Mixture of Bodily FluidsGoogle pushing for better big-screen appsSay goodbye to Twitter and hello to XReminder: The official ChatGPT app for Android is now up for grabsThe Sony WF-1000XM5 are here and they are glossy‎Oppenheimer (2023) directed by Christopher Nolan • Reviews, film + cast • LetterboxdOur regular hosts are Daniel Bader, Ara Wagoner, 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