AC Information Weekly
News Weekly is our column the place we spotlight and summarize a few of the week’s prime tales so you may atone for the most recent tech information.
That is Android Central’s Information Weekly, your go-to supply for a concise roundup of the week’s most vital tech tales. That is the place we delve into the highest headlines that present the most recent developments and improvements contributing to the digital panorama.
This week, Apple launched iOS 18 with RCS assist for higher texting with Android gadgets, Samsung could also be making ready to launch a rollable telephone in 2025, Put on OS is getting some unique well being options, the Meta Quest 3s value might have simply leaked, and we get a have a look at what Android Automotive 15 will carry.
RCS on iOS 18 makes texting higher
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This week (Sept. 16), Apple launched iOS 18 on eligible iPhones. With it comes assist for RCS, which has been supported on Android for a while now. Because of this, texting between iOS and Android customers will get a bit higher, with typing indicators, higher-quality media, higher group texting, and extra.
In fact, the experience isn’t perfect, with options like end-to-end encryption lacking (though it is supported between Android gadgets), and that is doubtless as a result of Apple went with the GMSA model of RCS, which is totally different from what Google implements on Android devices. Nevertheless, GSMA states it is engaged on bringing cross-platform E2EE and different options, which ought to additional enhance the texting expertise.
Now, there’s much less cause to complain about inexperienced bubbles (however you understand they are going to anyway).
Samsung might lastly give us a rollable telephone
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Samsung has proven off rollable ideas earlier than, however the newest rumor suggests the corporate might lastly be able to carry one to market. In line with The Elec, Samsung is reportedly switching instructions and focusing its efforts on getting the rollable machine prepared for a launch doubtlessly in the course of the second half of 2024. That places the machine launch roughly across the identical time because the Galaxy Z Fold 6 successor.
There is not a lot identified concerning the machine, nevertheless it might unfurl to greet customers with a 12.4-inch show with an under-display digicam.
In line with The Elec, Samsung doubtless feels some form of method about Huawei launching the primary tri-fold telephone, the Mate XT. Samsung doubtless desires to beat everybody else to the rollable end line (one thing we expected from LG years ago).
Put on OS will get a lift for well being knowledge
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You might have heard of Masimo, the corporate that almost got the Apple Watch banned for infringing on patents associated to blood oxygen monitoring. Effectively, the corporate is taking its tech elsewhere and partnering with Google to assist develop a brand new reference platform for Wear OS watches to make the most of Masimo’s biosensing know-how.
In line with Masimo, Put on OS OEMs can be free to design their telephones nonetheless they need, whereas Masimo will design and take a look at the interior parts for well being monitoring/sensing. This additionally consists of the companion app, though it is unclear how this can be dealt with.
Nonetheless, the partnership ought to assist increase Put on OS well being monitoring and will even encourage extra OEMs to step in and be a part of the platform. Following the current Apple lawsuit, the timing of the partnership is suspect, however we’re not complaining.
The Quest 3s may very well be cheaper than anticipated
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Meta Connect 2024 kicks off on September 25, and we predict the corporate to launch some new {hardware} on the occasion. One machine we hope to see is the Meta Quest 3s, which can doubtless be a less expensive, extra accessible model of the present Meta Quest 3. We weren’t positive how less expensive it will be, however now we might have an thought, due to an Amazon leak.
In line with the picture, the Meta Quest 3s might begin at simply $299, which is $200 cheaper than its flagship sibling. The picture additionally reveals what the Quest 3s might appear to be, that includes an identical general design however with two units of three particular person lenses on the entrance. We additionally count on the machine to be powered by the identical Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 for higher efficiency, though it would doubtless function Fresnel lenses as a substitute of pancake ones, which is prone to preserve prices down.
If that is to be believed, a $299 value level for a more moderen VR headset would doubtless do nicely, particularly forward of the vacations, for anybody nonetheless eager to get their palms on a Quest VR headset however not eager to get the older Quest 2.
A glimpse at Android Automotive 15
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Android Automotive is Google’s built-in automotive infotainment system, and because of Android 15, it is anticipated to get an enormous replace later this 12 months. Google revealed options arriving within the system on its AOSP web page, which customers might discover useful on their subsequent drive.
Amongst these additions is the power to attach private Bluetooth headsets to your automotive, which may very well be good to have for passengers or whereas parked whilst you hearken to music or enjoy a YouTube video. One other helpful function is a persistent hotspot, which might enable riders to attach their gadgets whereas on a number of journeys.
Android Automotive may additionally achieve an Android Auto function with a homescreen dock, which might enable customers to pin apps for sooner entry.
Read more about what’s anticipated within the subsequent main Android Automotive replace, which is predicted in some unspecified time in the future this 12 months. Nevertheless, it is value noting that OEMs can be free to implement the options they see match of their gadgets.
These are a few of the largest tales from this week. In the meantime, listed below are another tales which might be value catching up on:
