Android TV is easy to clarify — it is a model of Android that is been optimized for the large display — however issues get complicated once you throw Google TV into the combination. Like Samsung’s One UI and TouchWiz earlier than it, Google TV is an OEM pores and skin constructed atop Android TV, sprinkling an additional layer of Googley options over what was as soon as the corporate’s one and solely TV OS. It is the expertise you’d get on Chromecasts and choose third-party TV units, and now it is greater than half of the branding for the corporate’s flagship set-top field, the Google TV Streamer.
The week in mobile noticed Google give its namesake TV OS a vote of confidence over its older providing by doubling the RAM differential between it and Android TV. We additionally received wind of Android 16’s launch date, whilst Android 15 was simply getting its first safety patch. And the Galaxy S25 collection reared its slim, sparkly head — however the greatest Android information may need been Google’s Pixel collection seemingly catching on with most of the people.
The Android rumor mill turns its calendar over to 2026 in last week’s news
Plus the SoC race heats up and Android will get a nemesis
Google all however admits Android TV is its ‘different’ OS
Now Google TV is my finest pal
On Wednesday, AOSP skilled Mishaal Rahman uncovered some big changes coming to Android TV: Now, Google is just requiring 1GB of RAM for OEMs trying to make use of the OS of their HD choices, down from 1.5GB. The minimal depend for 4K units was additionally lowered, from 2GB all the way down to 1.5GB. In the meantime, Google TV units preserve the next 2GB minimal.
On one hand, Google TV does signify an additional layer of software program, which might justify the elevated necessities — however on the opposite, extra pragmatic hand, this could possibly be interpreted as Google delineating its TV choices. If a TV producer desires to make use of considered one of these working programs, it is now inspired to look to Android TV for its cheaper choices, whereas saving Google TV for its extra premium merchandise.
In the meantime, it looks as if Google is shifting to a biennial release cycle for major Android TV OS updates. Contemplating Google TV makes use of Android TV as its base, these identical modifications ought to apply to Google TV units as nicely.
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New requirements say Google TV needs twice as much RAM as Android TV
Google to ease Android TV 14 {hardware} necessities
Galaxy S25 leaks are trying slim, svelte… and sparkly?
Who says Samsung has too many telephones anyway?
We anticipated the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6, however the Z Fold 6 Particular Version got here out of nowhere with its slimmer construct and almost-invisible display crease. It seems Samsung will do one thing related with its Galaxy S25 collection, bringing the three common suspects together with a possible slimmer fourth mannequin. We’re undecided what to name it but, however the identify Galaxy S25 Slim looks as if it’d match.
This week, we discovered that the slimmer S25 could still sport an Ultra camera, and that every one the brand new fashions could finally support seamless Android updates. And after seeing a few of the S25 collection’ coloration choices in current weeks, together with two known as Glowing Inexperienced and Glowing Blue, we additionally received a look at the Samsung-exclusive colorways — besides early renders of those Sparkling colors aren’t looking very sparkly.
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Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Slim may pack an Ultra camera in a sleek body
A 200MP main shooter?
Android 15 will get its first patch on Pixels
Swift November safety updates deliver well timed December Function Drops
Final month’s Pixel firmware replace introduced the secure channel onto Android 15. This week, Verizon let it slip early, then Google despatched out the first batch of bug fixes and security patches for the brand new OS on Pixel telephones. A lot of the impactful modifications are particular to the Pixel 9 collection, however customers on older Google units get a handful of goodies too.
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Google’s first Android 15 patch for Pixels is now live
Pixel 9 collection house owners will not wish to miss this
Android 16 will get a possible launch date
Mark your calendars for June 3
Final week, Google let the world know that Android 16 was coming much sooner than expected — the one timeframe given, nonetheless, was merely “Q2 2025.” This week, the particular date leaked: We’re now anticipating a June 3 release for Google’s next OS. Not like this 12 months’s Android 15 launch, which hit AOSP weeks forward of constructing its manner onto any units, the report says Android 16 will begin rolling out to Pixel customers on day one.
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If you’re an Android fan, you might want to mark your calendar for June 3
Android 16 could drop on this date
When the primary set of Q3 smartphone gross sales figures had been revealed by impartial researchers, there was a pronounced spike in Google’s Pixel gross sales. We thought it is perhaps a fluke at first, however extra experiences continued to pour on this week, they usually all present Google with a double-digit share of the US smartphone market share for the primary time ever.
Shipping 12.9% of North America’s smartphones won’t seem to be rather a lot subsequent to Apple’s 51.3%, however for a model that had but to seize 5% of those self same shipments, it represents an enormous spike in curiosity for Google’s Pixel 9 collection. Possibly it has one thing to do with the ridiculous deals Google has on its newest phones proper now (I do know my household accounts for at the very least a type of shipments with my spouse’s negative $13 Pixel 9 Pro), however regardless of the cause, sturdy Pixel gross sales figures are a fantastic signal for Android on the entire.
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The Pixel 9’s strong sales numbers could be the key to Android’s survival
This is why the Pixel’s success issues
