Looking back at seven days of news and headlines from around the Android world: This week's Android roundup includes leaked details on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Ultra HDR for Pixels, a confirmed OnePlus 12 launch, Epic Games takes on to Google, GM kills Android Auto and an exciting ROG Phone 8. Ironically, a new weather app.
Android Circuit is here to remind you of some of the many things that happened around Android over the past week (and you can find a weekly roundup of Apple news here).
The future of the Galaxy S24 is bright
More features were revealed this week for the upcoming Galaxy S24 family. Not only will the flagship phones feature new display technology, but Samsung will also increase the brightness to 2600 nits:
“...The new Dynamic AMOLED display on the Galaxy S24 Ultra could reach a maximum brightness of 2,600 nits, which is higher than the previous speculation of 2,500 nits. This would put it in a great position to have one of the brightest displays, second only to what the recently announced OnePlus 12 was able to achieve.
(Tom's Guide).
Pixel Ultra HDR for everyone
Google's December feature drop brought more features to Pixel phones. In addition to the long-awaited introduction of Video Boost to the Pixel 8 family, Google has added an option to capture Ultra HDR photos on older Pixel phones, starting with the Pixel 5a:
"By enabling Ultra HDR, you tell your camera to save additional information about the brightness and colors of your photo each time you take a photo. This additional information can be used by apps like Google Photos, Google Chrome, or Photoshop to display colors Brighter and more vibrant colors on screens.” Screen Compatible.
In an exclusive interview with Forbes on the occasion of the brand's 10th anniversary, OnePlus President Kinder Liu confirmed that the OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R smartphones will be available in North America:
OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R, part of the R series, will be unveiled for the first time in North America and Europe during the company's Smooth Beyond Belief event on January 23. Liu says the OnePlus 10R and OnePlus 11R have become increasingly popular in China, so they decided to introduce the R series to a broader global user base in 2024. »
(Forbes).
Epic Games wins App Store antitrust case against Google
Epic Games won its antitrust case against Google, with a jury ruling that Google "acquired and maintained monopoly power" over the Google Play app store. Google confirmed it would appeal the case, citing Android's choice and openness. The outcome of this situation could radically change the current application distribution system, as John Ketesser writes:
"But these decisions and others like them, along with the EU Digital Markets Act, are slowly but surely undermining Google and Apple's ability to control the distribution and monetization of apps on the mobile platforms they create. In 15 years, The way we download apps will change.” On our phones in a big way. And in 15 years, who makes money from software will change, too.
(Forbes).
GM is killing Android Auto
GM plans to remove Android Auto (and Apple CarPlay) from its future electric vehicles. Smartphone mirroring in the car is a popular and appreciated feature. So why eliminate an important selling point? Tim Babbitt, GM's head of infotainment products, discussed the safety concerns:
"GM's decision to remove Android Auto and CarPlay was due to the fact that both systems have 'stability issues' such as 'poor connections, poor display, slow responses, and dropped connections.'" According to GM, these problems force the driver to restart their phone and take their eyes off the road. GM believes its integrated Android Automotive system will prevent these problems.
Ahead of the long-awaited launch of the ROG 8 gaming phone, Asus showed off the phone via a short online video in which it introduces a new selfie camera with notches and slimmer bezels:
"Asus has also released more detailed renders of the recently launched ROG Phone 8, detailing the new rear design and punch-hole for the pentacamera. Asus is also testing the blind camera for the ROG Phone 8 if the company makes an effort to do so. We are working to change the ROG Phone 8 camera settings on the upcoming device. We know that the ROG Phone 8 will launch with three camera sensors, but we don't know. There are no details about the sensors yet.
(GSM Arena).
Finally...
As part of the new Android feature, Google has made its new Weather app available across the Pixel range, including integration with the rest of Google's apps:
"The new app brings the weather to the Watch app. After downloading it (or automatically installing it as part of regular app updates), you'll see a pop-up in the Watch app asking if you want to add local weather, if you agree Activate it and grant the necessary permissions, in the "Clock" tab, you will find the current weather conditions in relation to the time in your location and any other cities you have added to reflect different time zones.
(Android source).
Every weekend, Android Circuit rounds up news from the world of Android at Forbes. Don't forget to follow me so you don't miss any future coverage, and of course, read my dedicated column on Apple Loop! Last week's Android camp can be found here. If you have news or links you'd like to see on Android Circuit, please contact us!
