Android Police

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 - [email protected] - "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 - [email protected] - "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 - [email protected] - "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 - [email protected] - "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 - [email protected] - "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 - [email protected] - "18" and "34" by HOME licensed under CC BY 3.0

We've got an Android TV review of a panel that has gone through its growing pains much like the Pixel 6 has. But we've got more Wear OS news to get through first. Plus, news about news on the Android Police podcast.1:52 | I think this is Ara's third week in a row (barring I/O) where she's been on about watches and apps. I mean, she's excited for them, thank god.Google Assistant is rolling out for the Samsung Galaxy Watch4, at long lastSamsung Galaxy Watch4 is getting a One UI Watch beta next monthHere's one reason why the Pixel Watch might remind you so much of the Apple WatchGoogle Pixel 6 cases are aging just about as well as a glass of milk19:39 | Will is giving Android TV some love this week. It's also overdue.Google TV multi-user profiles are just now finally starting to arriveTCL 6-series TV review: The perfect TV for that PS5 you still can't buy36:58 | Jules talks about how Google is forced to pay news publishers under a new law in Australia and what's to come as the U.K. prepares to consider similar leverage.Google seems to be panicking as its free news empire starts to crumble around itGoogle letting News Showcase readers break through paywall at partner publishersFacebook showdown with Australian government and local media (ABC Media Watch, YouTube)Follow up coverage (ABC Media Watch, YouTube)Former Australian competition bureau chief on the future of bargaining law he spearheaded (The Guardian)Daniel should be back next week (whee!)Find the team on Twitter - @journeydan @AraWagco @Will_Sattelberg @PointJulesReach out to us - [email protected] - "18" and "34" by HOME licensed under <a...

...well, sometimes it'll get. We have a medley of topics on this show from a Play Store app falling victim to the roboreview to YouTube Music's latest attempt to find relevance with YouTube users. Dose in a dash of LG remembrance and we've got another Android Police podcast — this week featuring editor Jules in for Daniel, who's on paternity leave.3:09 | Ara is all about the Google apps this week.YouTube Music on Wear OS now lets you stream music from your smartwatchThe YouTube app gains more shortcuts to jump from a music video to YouTube MusicLatest Android Auto update fixes S22 woes for some, while Pixel owners are left hanging17:45 | Newsflash: Amazon finally kills Micro-USB on its Fire tabletsAmazon finally gets with the times, brings USB-C to the Fire 7 tablet21:36 | Will brings us back to the Google arc, this time on the services sideGoogle unveils its free personal tier for legacy G Suite users ahead of a new June deadlineTotal Commander forced to stop letting you install APKs31:18 | Jules previews an upcoming feature he's writing on our favorite LG phonesLG V10 Review: LG Got Me Falling In Love (Android Police)LG V10 review: upping the ante (Pocketnow)Find the team on Twitter - @journeydan @AraWagco @Will_Sattelberg @PointJulesReach out to us - [email protected] - "18" and "34" by HOME licensed under CC BY 3.0

Google I/O is always brimming full of nerdy tidbits, but the closest the general enthusiast class gets to learning all about the best of what's going on at the company is with the main keynote. We'll be getting to some of the grittier stuff next week, but this week, the Android Police podcast is covering just some of the shiny objects from the show.3:59 | Let's talk about the non-Android, non-hardware stuff first. I know, I know. This is why we have timecodes.Google Search's recently introduced multisearch feature is about to get way more usefulGoogle will give you more choice over the ads you see with My Ad CenterYou can now Look and Talk to Google Assistant on your Nest Hub MaxGoogle announces AI-powered document summaries in Google Docs17:13 | A few developments in and around Android...Android 13 Beta 2 launches today for Pixels and select third-party devicesGoogle activated over one billion new Android devices last yearMore than 20 Google apps are getting tablet-centric updatesAndroid Auto is almost ready for split screen mode as streaming video apps come to Automotive26:00 | Alright, here's what you've been waiting for.Google Pixel 6a lands in July with Tensor in tow and a $449 price tagGoogle teases Pixel 7 &amp; 7 Pro with redesigned cameras, new colors, and fall release dateThe Google Pixel Watch is official, and it’s coming ‘this fall’ alongside the Pixel 7Google's Pixel Buds Pro are arriving in July for $199 with ANC, multipoint, and Silent Seal for a perfect fitGoogle is making a Tensor-powered Android tablet, coming in 2023Google teases standalone AR glasses with an unknown release dateSome family notes: we want to thank Taylor Kerns for helping us launch the pod revival. He's still with Android Police, but has decided to step away from the mic. We're happy, though, to introduce Will Sattelberg as our new, permanent co-host. Meanwhile, Daniel will be off on paternity leave for the next couple of weeks, but we'll keep the seat hot — stay tuned and thanks for subscribing and rating the show,...

We're in a gap week between the Android 13 beta drop and Google I/O and we're talking about what we would do if we dropped a highlighter-yellow Pixel Bud in snow that someone peed on. It's the Android Police podcast.1:12 | Daniel draws on new leaks (and last week's chat about spatial audio in Android 13) for some major ANC audio gear from Google and Sony.Rumored Pixel Buds Pro could take advantage of Android 13's new audio techGoogle Pixel Buds A-Series review: Drop beats, not bucksAndroid 13 Beta 1 hints at the Pixel 6 picking up this audio feature from iPhonesSony XM5 headphones may not offer better battery life than their predecessor, after all16:35 | On the Chromebook beat, Ara brings up her experiences with Acer's Chromebook 514 and we wonder exactly who it fits.Acer Chromebook Spin 514 (3H) first look: Return of the RyzenThe HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook comes with a haptic trackpad and optional 5G connectivityAsus reveals three new Chromebooks, including one for gamersAcer Chromebook Spin 713 (2021) review: The best Chromebook of 202129:24 | In other news, Google finally begins abandoning passwords for account logins and the Galaxy Watch5 may get a Pro tier.Google is bringing passwordless authentication support to Android and ChromeLeaked Samsung Galaxy Watch5 codenames cement the existence of a pro modelFind the team on Twitter - @journeydan @AraWagco @PointJulesReach out to us - [email protected] - "18" and "34" by HOME licensed under CC BY 3.0

Google finally dropped the beta this week and we're thrilled to be joined by none other than Mishaal Rahman, senior technical editor at Esper and co-host of the Android Bytes podcast.02:39 | We start with the view thus far for Android 13. Rahman's continuous changelog is unmatched as a resource for this.Android 13 Deep Dive: Beta 1 Changelog (esper.io)15:51 | So, where does Beta 1 take us? We have our initial impressions.Android 13 Beta 1 hands-on: A smooth, squiggly, and subtle upgradeFeature focuses: system photo picker, notification permissions, per-app languages, and spatial audio.32:39 | A quick detour to the Pixel Watch leak everyone's talking about.Here's what it looks like to actually wear the Google Pixel WatchFind the team on Twitter - @journeydan @AraWagco @RyneHager (in for&nbsp;@TaylorKerns&nbsp;this week) @PointJulesReach out to us - [email protected] - "18" and "34" by HOME licensed under CC BY 3.0

Daniel's worn down by COVID, we're worn down by the wait for Wear OS and Android 13 beta updates, and everyone's getting worn down by Netflix. Let us commiserate.02:55 | A quick gripe session on how Google is dragging its feet in releasing the first Android 13 beta.Android 13: Everything we know about Google’s next-gen operating system05:00 | We're getting all excited about Wear OS 3.1 — including when Google Assistant will make the jump — and the Pixel Watch even though we still have plenty of waiting to go, it turns out.The Google Store has been redesigned, and it looks like it’s preparing for the Pixel WatchThe latest Pixel Watch leak offers our best look yet at the upcoming Google smartwatchGoogle Assistant still isn't quite ready for the Samsung Galaxy Watch417:06 | Netflix knows it is bleeding subscribers and will continue to do so as it begins cracking down on password sharers. Add to that the spectacular implosion that is the end of CNN+ and we're wondering what the heck streaming has in store for us...Netflix's latest shareholder letter should be anxiety inducing for anyone using a shared passwordScoop: CNN+ looks doomed (axios.com)27:39 | Let's calm down a bit and talk about Google Seed Lab's latest arts-and-crafts project called Little Signals: tiny robots befitting your coffee table or high shelf that help take the place of your phone for notifications.Google's Little Signals experiment uses air to send distraction-less notificationsGoogle's Little Signals experiment finally has me excited about Digital WellbeingFind the team on Twitter - @journeydan @AraWagco @TaylorKerns @PointJulesReach out to us - [email protected] - "18" and "34" by HOME licensed under CC BY 3.0

That's specifications speculation to you. Welcome back to another week here at Android Police. Here's what's been tickling our heads this time:02:31 | Daniel has a "mish-mosh" of topics surrounding the Pixel 6a as well as a gut check on the Pixel 6. Plus, the iFixit-Google partnership and a step ahead for right-to-repair supporters.Google Pixel 6a hits FCC, and at least one version will have mmWave 5GGoogle releases Android 12 QPR3 beta 2 for Pixel phonesGoogle's new DIY repair program will let you fix nearly any Pixel phone in your collectionGoogle Pixel 6 bugs &amp; how to fix them: Delayed updates, biometric failures, signal issues, and more13:43 | Ara brings us on a dipsy-doodle through the Pixel experiences that have her coming back time and again.Google has disabled Hold for Me and Call Screen on the Pixel 6 after the December updateNew Google Pixel bug is changing ringtones and alarms for someSamsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Google Pixel 6 Pro22:11 | Taylor wishes macro photography on Android phones were as great as how Apple was able to show it off on iPhones...These stunning iPhone macro photos make me wish Samsung took macro photography more seriouslyThe Pixel 5's camera is so good that I've ditched my mirrorless cam while traveling28:05 | Free storage on Google Photos is coming back... to T-Mobile customers.T-Mobile will soon offer unlimited Google Photos storage — for a priceFind the team on Twitter - @journeydan @AraWagco @TaylorKerns @PointJulesReach out to us - [email protected] - "18" and "34" by HOME licensed under CC BY 3.0

Welcome back to the Android Police Podcast: the podcast that insists it's not the Android Central Podcast, but that's because two of our hosts came from there. Don't be too harsh on them, there's always a first time.Whether you're an old friend or new to us, this is as good a place to start as any. Here's what we're talking about:02:54 | Daniel gets everyone to talk about their experiences with the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra.Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra review: A mostly portable powerhouseThe top 5 things we'd change about the Samsung Galaxy S22 UltraMove over, Fold3! The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 takes the crown as most popular foldable phoneWhy your brand-new smartphone will scratch just as easily as your old one (The Verge)13:52 | Ara has gripes about Android launcher customization and Material You's color pickingOur favorite Android app launchers for 2022How to use Samsung's Smart Widgets on your One UI 4.1 phoneMaterial You upgrades its dynamic colors in Android 13 DP2The 8 best apps updated for Material You23:02 | Taylor turns heads with the latest of his perennial iPad reviews.iPad Air (2022) review: Making $1,000 Android tablets look sillyThe 2021 iPad Mini is my favorite tablet you shouldn't buyReview: The Google Pixel Slate is a beautiful mess - but mostly just a messFind the team on Twitter - @journeydan @AraWagco @TaylorKerns @PointJulesReach out to us - [email protected] - "18" and "34" by HOME licensed under CC BY 3.0