Taking a look back at seven days of news and headlines across the world of Android, this week’s Android Circuit includes Samsung’s big plans for the Gala
Android Circuit is here to remind you of a few of the many things that have happened around Android in the last week (and you can find the weekly Apple news digest here).
Flipping For More Power
Samsung’s summer spot has been the moment for folding smartphones to take the stage with their improvements. The Galaxy Z Flip 4 looks set to get a practical hardware update on top of everything else. A bigger battery:
"Like the previous Samsung foldable flip phones, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 will be powered by two batteries working together as one. Documents hinted at a 100mAh increase from the 3,300mAh unit inside the Galaxy Z Flip 3 before, but according to recent 3C certification documents (via MyFixGuide), Samsung is also testing a battery combo with a rated capacity of 3,595mAh."
(SamMobile).
A person checks South Korean tech giant Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 3 smartphone, in the MWC (Mobile ... [+]
The Pixel’s Next Photography Tool
Google’s Tensor Mobile chip was one of the key factors that allowed the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro to support the Magic Eraser feature to remove undesirable elements in your photos (for example a photobombing dog in an outdoor picture). Next up is the new feature of camouflage:
"You don’t necessarily have to just remove things. Maybe there’s a reason you wanted to keep something in the frame, maybe it’s something that has some significance – but you just don’t want the focus to be on it. Or maybe it’s just too large to remove or would look weird if you removed it. Camouflage is a way to change the colour and tone of those distractions. The way it dynamically adapts objects to the background is a totally innovative technique that we hope will spur a whole new batch of creativity from our users."
(Stuff).
OnePlus Nord 2T Review
This week saw OnePlus release the update to last year’s OnePlus Nord 2. The snappily titled OnePlus Nord 2T carries on the original OnePlus mission of bringing in a flagship-styled spec list with mid-range pricing. I’ve taken time this week to review the handset:
"Those watching the smartphone markets carefully will no doubt be trying to unwrap what OnePlus has shown today, trying to link it back to other devices from the likes of Oppo, Vivo, and RealMe. This is a great game to be going on with, but I don’t think that matters too much to the audience that the Nord 2T is aimed at. They want a reliable device, from a name they recognise, that will deliver a good experience."
(Forbes)
Huawei Mate Xs 2 Coming To Europe
Previously, Huawei’s folding Mate Xs 2 was a Chinese-only release. Now the folding smartphone that unfolds out to an almost square screen is coming to Europe"
"Huawei has now confirmed the Mate Xs 2 foldable phone is coming to its preferred global locations… The Huawei Mate Xs 2 features a 7.8-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The display's resolution is 2480 x 2200, and it shrinks to a 6.5-inch screen when you fold the phone up. The display sits around the outside of the phone in the opposite style to how Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series works."
Russian Updates Failing On Chrome
While paid apps from the Google Play Store have been blocked, updates to free apps have been getting through. Now the community is hearing that free updates to the Chrome web browser are not going through.
"Google had announced that Russian users and developers would be blocked from downloading or updating paid apps from the Play Store starting on May 5, 2022. However, Chrome is free, so it should be outside this new policy.
"Moreover, the error message doesn’t make clear the reason for the failed update, whether it is due to sanctions or a technical problem. At the same time, Google’s support agent on the Play Store suggests that Russian users find a solution in the Support Community discussions.
Qualcomm's Market Share
While manufacturers work through the market share for their own handsets, so do some of the major suppliers, notably the system-on-chip manufacturers. And Qualcomm is still on top"
"Qualcomm’s focus on the premium smartphone segment (>$500) has helped it to grow revenues. Its Snapdragon 800 series and Snapdragon 700 series, notably the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and Snapdragon 778G, are both key volume drivers. Furthermore, Qualcomm has gained a 75% share of Samsung’s Galaxy S22 series shipments. In previous Samsung flagship models, there was a more equitable split between Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered SKUs and Samsung Exynos-powered SKUs.".
(Counterpoint).
And Finally...
With the continued rise of remote working and working from home, more companies will be looking to build on Zoom calls to create richer environments. With a s $15 million funding round from Trinity Capital, Vestech Partners, NYFF, Magma Venture Partners, and WGG, Allseated is looking to bring its long experience of virtual events to this space with its new approach in Meetaverse.com:
"Our platform has the unique ability to create metaverse environments to bring employees together, power lead generation, and support sales acceleration. Our visionary team has brought a new experience to a market craving innovation beyond the 2D screen,” Daniel Anisman, Allseated Co-Founder/CTO, said.
"The rapid growth of Web 3.0 presents Allseated, a recognized market leader in the event visualization and execution space with thousands of paying customers, exciting new opportunities to transform the ways in which corporations engage in the metaverse."
Android Circuit rounds up the news from the Android world every weekend here on Forbes. Don’t forget to follow me so you don’t miss any coverage in the future, and of course read the sister column in Apple Loop! Last week’s Android Circuit can be found here, and if you have any news and links you’d like to see featured in Android Circuit, get in touch!
