AC Information Weekly
Information Weekly is our column the place we spotlight and summarize a number 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 important 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.Â
This week, Samsung Unpacked a number of of its gadgets in Paris, beginning off with the Galaxy Ring, the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Filp 6, the Buds 3 and three Professional, and the Galaxy Watch 7 collection. Whereas this launch might have taken the highlight by way of information, listed here are another issues that went down within the tech world.Â
Beginning off, the XR headset that will probably be launched this yr, the brand new Galaxy watch collection could possibly be lacking a characteristic, Google suspends assist for Lollipop, OnePlus gadgets leak forward of its summer season occasion, and a brand new characteristic might allow you to search the darkish internet. Let’s dive in.
Samsung to lastly launch it is XR headset
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Samsung at all times ends its occasions by leaving us wanting extra. January’s Unpacked gave us the Galaxy Ring, whereas the mid-year occasion ended with a swift point out of the Samsung XR headset.Â
Samsung shocked us on stage by stating that “a brand new XR platform is coming later this yr.” Whereas we did not get to see any picture of the system, we have been speculating in regards to the XR headset. The corporate was allegedly planning its debut in the summertime of 2025, however it appears like we’ll get to see it in motion someday within the subsequent 5 months.Â
All we all know for now’s that Samsung headsets are nonetheless within the early growth levels. Samsung’s headset is likely to be extra than simply for gaming, just like the Meta Quest 3, however we count on full Google Play Retailer entry with all of the apps included in it. Samsung additionally desires to make its XR system extra inexpensive— to be one-third the worth of the Imaginative and prescient Professional may cost round $1,000.
New Galaxy Watch Extremely is lacking an essential characteristic
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The brand new Galaxy Watch collection has let go of one thing known as the PowerShare, a wi-fi charging characteristic that is suitable with smartphones. In a current assist web page replace, Samsung stated that the Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch 7 Extremely don’t assist wi-fi charging from a paired Galaxy telephone. X consumer Jordy Verboven was the primary to identify this transformation.Â
This helpful characteristic mainly lets the telephone’s battery wirelessly cost suitable smartwatches by inserting them shut collectively— an effective way to get some cost into your watch when it is nearly dying. Whereas this characteristic will not be accessible on the brand new watches, it continues to be current within the older technology gadgets.
Samsung needed to take away this characteristic as a consequence of a design change with the brand new sensor array, which required reshaping the rear glass on each Watch fashions, which elevated the space between the inner wi-fi charging coil and the exterior charging floor, making the earlier wi-fi power-sharing functionality unimaginable.
Android Lollipop no extra
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Google first launched the Android Lollipop software program again in 2014 with its Nexus 6 system. Now, a decade later, the corporate is shutting down official updates. Â
Google will discontinue the Google Play Providers updates for Android Lollipop gadgets beginning this month. A Google spokesperson stated that the rationale for placing a nail within the coffin is the proportion of energetic Android Lollipop gadgets, which is claimed to account for lower than one % in the intervening time.
Whereas updates might now not be accessible for this software program model, Google Play Providers assist will proceed to work. Nonetheless, customers will not obtain “any new options, essential safety updates, and will not be suitable with some apps.”
Android KitKat’s updates additionally stalled in July final yr. With Lollipop gone, Marshmallow handsets could possibly be subsequent in line.
Spoiler alert: OnePlus gadgets present up forward of launch
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A mid-week leak spilled some critical beans in regards to the subsequent OnePlus occasion launch; it gave us a full record of gadgets that might launch on July 16 in Milan. The lineup contains the OnePlus Nord 4, Pad 2, Â Watch 2R, and Nord Buds 3 Professional.Â
The leak got here from Steve Hemmerstoffer (aka OnLeaks). Based on him, the OnePlus Nord 4 may have an all-metal physique, a toned end, and three colorways: black, mint, and silver. The Nord 4 is claimed to have a 6.74-inch 1.5K AMOLED show and a 120Hz refresh price. The system will probably be powered by Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 3 and a 5500mAh battery capability. The twin cameras on the again comprise a 50MP major sensor, an 8MP secondary digicam, and a 16MP selfie digicam within the entrance.
Now, coming to the OnePlus Watch 2R— renders shared by the publication point out that the smartwatch will are available in inexperienced and an everyday black colorway. This could possibly be an inexpensive revamped model of the OnePlus Watch 2 variant within the Chinese language area with eSIM assist.
Subsequent up, the OnePlus Pad 2 might look rather a lot like its predecessor, that includes an aluminum unibody design with rounded corners. The tipster notes that it’s going to embrace a 12.1-inch LCD panel with a 144Hz refresh price and a peak brightness of 900 nits.Â
Lastly, the corporate’s subsequent earbuds additionally appeared to leak. They appear to be they may characteristic a stem design much like the older Nord Buds 2 however with an oval aesthetic. The renders additional point out that the ear tip may have a shiny end whereas the stem may have a matte end.
Google might let you know for those who’re on the darkish internet
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It was introduced in April that two Google One options are being shut down: the Google One VPN service and free delivery for Google Pictures prints. Nonetheless, one key a part of the Google One VPN is a characteristic known as darkish internet report, which offers subscribers with insights on their knowledge — particularly account login particulars and private info — and whether or not it has been leaked on the darkish internet will probably be made free to all.Â
As noticed by 9to5Google, a banner within the Google One app explains that beginning in late July, the darkish internet stories will work as a separate service and can now not require a subscription.Â
” Darkish internet stories will grow to be accessible to all customers with a client Google Account,” the corporate explains, as reported by 9to5Google. “Darkish internet report is built-in with outcomes about you as a mixed answer to assist customers shield their on-line presence.”
Why might this be a very good transfer, you ask? Our employees author, Brady Snyder, feels that issues like this should not be a paid characteristic. “This performance that helps individuals keep secure and shield their privateness must be free.”
“Even for those who follow the fundamentals, like title, handle, and e-mail, it’s going to be useful to know what sort of knowledge is on the internet. For instance, for those who see that your e-mail is showing on the darkish internet, you would possibly need to be extra cautious when receiving unsolicited messages and improve spam filters.”Â
These are a number of the largest tales from this week. In the meantime, listed here are another tales which are value catching up on: