A look back at this week’s news and headlines in the Android world, including Pixel 8a specs leak, Google’s AI revamp, Photo decluttering, Huawei’s Pura 70 mystery, OnePlus Pad Go and more, Nothing’s new headphones and a boring phone from HMD. .
Android Circuit is here to remind you of some of the many discussions surrounding Android over the past seven days. You can also read my weekly Apple news roundup here on Forbes.
Pixel 8a specs leaked
Google used its I/O developers conference to launch a mid-range version of its popular Pixel devices. This year’s event takes place in May and many are expecting the Pixel 8a to debut. The general specifications suggest that the performance approach of previous handsets will be followed this year:
“As for the Pixel 8a’s specs, don’t expect anything fancy. Google’s Tensor G3 SoC appears to be a lock – the company has yet to differentiate the A-series with an older processor – as has 8GB of RAM In most ways, the Pixel 7a was designed to bring Google’s mid-range lineup closer to the main series, adding a faster 90Hz refresh rate and wireless charging. “Recent rumors ahead of I/O suggest we’re moving to a 120Hz panel this year with a peak HDR brightness level of 1,400 nits.”
(Android Font).
GooglePixel 7a
Google’s AI Shuffle
This week, Google reorganized many of its customer-facing teams, bringing them under one name in the org chart. He hopes the consolidation will improve the integration of AI across product lines:
“Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced major internal reorganizations on Thursday, including the creation of a new team called “Platforms and Devices” that will oversee all of Google’s Pixel products, all Android, Chrome, ChromeOS, Photos, etc. The team will be led by Rick Osterloh.”
(The edge).
Remove images from photos
Google continues to update its Photos app to help you navigate the so-called clutter. Think about the screenshots, emails, and reaction gifs you carry around that are images but not photos. Removing them from your Photo timeline improves your experience and makes everything a little easier, and an upcoming version of Google Photos should do just that:
“According to a new report from software sleuth AssembleDebug, the latest version of the Google Photos app for Android contains hidden text referencing a never-before-seen “Hide Clutter” feature. This must-have feature appears to let you automatically filter saved items like screenshots, GIFs, and memes from your photo grid. These types of images can add up quickly, and while you may still want to keep them, you may not want them appearing next to your family photos and vacation photos. »
(Forbes).
The Huawei mystery at the heart of the Pura 70
Following Huawei’s listing on the US Entity List, the Chinese company has been working hard to find a solution to the basic system-on-chip that modern smartphones need. With Qualcomm hardware and IP no longer available, the company fell behind. With this week’s launch of the Pura 70 family, it seems to have found a solution, although questions remain about the chipset:
“Huawei has not revealed the central processing chip inside the device, after eyebrows were raised over its semiconductor breakthrough last year. Several bloggers on Chinese social media suggest that the phone uses a Kirin 9010 processor designed by Huawei, which CNBC could not independently verify.
(CNBC).
Two new OnePlus versions
Alongside an “exclusive style” of the OnePlus Watch 2 with the OnePlus Watch 2 Lifestyle Edition, OnePlus has announced that the OnePlus Pad Go will be released in Europe following its launch in the South Asian market late last year. Pre-orders are now open with a full release on April 23:
“The OnePlus Pad Go is an affordable tablet that was launched in some markets in October last year. And now it is coming to Europe. Specifically, it will arrive on April 23. The price is not known, but You can place a very small deposit to get a slightly bigger discount on the OnePlus website.”
(GSMArena).
Nothing is new
Following one of its first product launches, the Ear(1), Nothing Tech launched the Ear and Ear(a) this week. The clean, angular design philosophy works well on the buds themselves, but the case is a bit of a problem for Ben Schoon:
“First of all, I love Nothing’s signature design. It’s excellent. And the earbuds themselves fit well in my ears. I go back and forth on earbuds with stems, but it’s pretty well made here But as for the case…I’m not the biggest fan It’s too big and bulky, and the square shape doesn’t fit well in a pocket with other things like the pebble case does. of the Pixel Buds Pro I can put up with that for the sake of the various other benefits, but I would like Nothing to adopt something more like the Pixel Buds or AirPods.
(9to5Google).
And finally…
There’s a new phone this week, and it’s boring… by design. HMD launched The Boring Phone ahead of Milan Fashion Week in partnership with Heineken and Bodega. This is a feature phone with a transparent case and a very limited series of only 5,000 devices:
“The latest to follow the trend is The Boring Phone, announced today ahead of Milan Design Week. The company that makes it is Human Mobile Devices (HMD), better known as the company that makes branded phones Nokia since 2017 thanks to a licensing partnership. The Boring Phone is cute, transparent and retro.
(Wired).
Android Circuit brings together 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!
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