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Taking a look at seven days of Android news and headlines around the world, this week’s Android Circuit features the latest Galaxy S21 leaks, a review of the Samsung Dex, new Google products, changes to Play payments. Store, the lost smartphone from OnePlus, Xiaomi’s Mi 10T and 10T Pro, and Microsoft’s Surface Duo compromises.
Android Circuit is here to remind you of some of the many things that have happened around Android in the last week (and you can find Apple’s weekly news roundup here).
Latest Galaxy S21 Ultra Leak
Next year’s Samsung flagship, the allegedly named Galaxy S21 Ultra, appears to have gained a new Chinese certification. That offers a few more details about the specifications of the upcoming smartphone. Domink Bošnjak reports:
“[this leak is] from China, i.e. the Chinese Telecommunications Authority 3C. The documentation refers to a battery bearing the model number EB-BG998ABY. Which is a pretty unequivocal reference to the SM-998, previously identified as the Galaxy S21 Ultra. According to this particular source, the Galaxy S21 Ultra will feature a non-removable battery with a nominal capacity of 4,885 mAh, which is equivalent to a typical capacity in the ballpark of 5,000 mAh. “
More on SamMobile.
Reviewing the Samsung Dex
Samsung’s DeX system allows you to use your Samsung smartphone as the controller for a ‘desktop-like’ experience by connecting the phone to an HDMI monitor and bluetooth keyboard and mouse. That’s the theory, how does it work in practice? Zaeem Sawar decided to find out:
“Samsung did a pretty good job with the overall user interface. Everything is well designed and the overall feel is very similar to Chrome OS. I was able to connect my Apple mouse and keyboard quite easily and was pleasantly surprised to find that many of the Shortcut keys worked with Samsung Dex. You could adjust the brightness, volume, and playback controls directly from the keyboard.
“In terms of issues, I had a couple. For some reason the scroll gesture didn’t work on my Magic Mouse and I experienced a slight lag while typing stuff. I think both can be easily fixed with a software update.”
More details on the experience here on Reddit, or watch Zaem’s video here.
Winter Wonderland of Google Products
Previously followed in the launch of the Pixel 4a, Google has announced the Pixel 5. Once again, Google has dodged the flagship end of the market, focusing instead on the capable mid-range space with this year’s portfolio. Nathan Ingraham reports:
“The most notable design change for the 4a was its notchless screen, which included a pinhole front camera. The same screen style is here on the Pixel 5, as expected, it’s a 6-inch, 2340 x 1080 screen that It sits between the 5.7-inch screen on the Pixel 4 and the 6.3-inch screen on the 4 XL. (Speaking of the XL, there isn’t one this year; there’s just a Pixel 5.) It also includes the fastest 90Hz update, he points out that Google introduced in the Pixel 4 last year. “
Damian Wilde takes up the Pixel 4a 5G, a second model already mentioned in the 4a family. As the name implies, this is the phone that has 5G connectivity, although I’m not ready to forgive “putting the G on 5G”. Damien Wilde watches the update:
“As the largest in Google’s 2020 smartphone lineup, the Pixel 4a 5G measures 6.2 inches. The screen comes with a notch at the top left, while the OLED panel has an FHD + resolution of 1,080 by 2,340 pixels. at 413ppi. The Gorilla Glass 3 display is capped at 60Hz, unlike the 90Hz panel found on the Pixel 5. It also has a slightly larger chin and forehead than its more premium stable companion. “
Google also took the opportunity to reveal its switch from ‘Google Home’ to ‘Google Nest’ for its smart home products. While not strictly Android, the recently announced Google Nest Audio speaker ties in closely with your Google account, while also putting out solid sound. Becky Roberts has a listen:
“As the name Nest Audio suggests, Google has worked to improve the sound quality over the original, which we are pleased to hear as we describe the sound performance of the Google Home as” average. “
“The result of 500 hours of tuning, the Nest Audio supposedly sounds 75% louder and can deliver 50% louder bass. Its 75mm mid / bass driver and 19mm tweeter also make it a matrix. of drivers quite different, with the Home sporting a 2-inch driver and twin 2-inch passive radiators.
More at What Hifi.
Force payments in apps through Google
Google has “clarified the language of our Payment Policy” for developers using the Google Play Store and will require that all in-app purchases use Google’s payment system exclusively as of September 30, 202. Developers will also be subject to restrictions similar to those of the Apple app. Store and be prohibited from providing information in the app to inform customers about alternative payment routes. Abner Li explains:
“Currently, Netflix, Spotify, and other large services do not use in-app billing from Google Play. Consumers directly enter their credit card information with that third party. As such, those services get the full payment / subscription. Google says this is the case for “less than 3% of developers with apps” on the Play Store.
“The alternative (with in-app billing) is for users to provide their payment information to the Play Store, which acts as an intermediary. The great advantage of this approach is that customers do not have to repeatedly enter their billing information and they can cancel the services from a consolidated page of “Subscriptions” in Google Play. However, companies have to give up a percentage to Google to facilitate the transaction. “
As Google points out elsewhere, that percentage is the same thirty percent commission that Apple implements:
“For applications and in-app products offered through Google Play, the service fee is equivalent to 30% of the price. You receive 70% of the payment. The remaining 30% goes to the distribution partner and operating fees “.
“More on 9to5Google.
OnePlus confirms that OnePlus 8T stands alone
With OnePlus’ announcement of the OnePlus 8T, many wondered where was the equivalent T update for the OnePlus 8 Pro this summer. OnePlus CEO Pete Lau has confirmed that the 8T Pro is not coming. Hadlee Simons reports:
“Lau directs users who want a ‘Pro level’ phone to get the OnePlus 8 Pro. The automatically translated text also suggests that OnePlus felt they couldn’t offer a major upgrade to the OnePlus 8 Pro by offering a OnePlus 8T Pro.
“For what it’s worth, last year’s OnePlus 7T Pro was not a major update to the OnePlus 7 Pro at all. However, the OnePlus 7T did earn critical acclaim for getting several major updates over the OnePlus 7, such as a display screen. high refresh rate and a rear camera with telephoto lens So it seems that the company does not want to repeat the situation of the OnePlus 7T Pro of launching a Pro model for the mere fact of doing so.
More on Android Authority.
Xiaomi follows the ‘T’ route
One ‘T’ that has been announced is Xiaomi’s mid-range version of the popular Mi10 family. They share the name with the premium line, but they are definitely in the mid-range price with the high-end ambitions category Max Weinbach has the details of both the Mi 10T and the Mi 10T Pro:
“Both phones are powered by Snapdragon 865. They are compatible with WiFi 6 and 5G MultiLink, a software feature that Xiaomi uses to connect to 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 5G networks at the same time to increase download speeds. They also have higher LRAs. haptic quality, Hi-Res Audio certified dual speakers, and a 5,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging (a compatible charger will be included in the box). Lack of fast wireless charging is disappointing, especially after watching it go up at 55W on the Mi 10 Ultra.
“The starting price of the Xiaomi Mi 10T is € 499, as previous rumors had hinted, while the Mi 10T Pro starts at € 599”.
More on Android Police.
And finally…
Microsoft’s new Surface Duo is the new Android kid on the block, and reviews of the dual-screen device are coming. Like many, Matthew Millar points out the compromises you have to make in your workflow, and there are too many to do – the duo meets your needs:
“You’d think the Surface Duo would be perfect for a person like me who spends many hours a day on a phone. Before the coronavirus lockdown, I was traveling two hours a day on a train, traveling for business monthly, using Microsoft products to work. (Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, and OneNote) and using my phone as a secondary computer. Things have changed a bit with remote work, but even then there were some of my standard practices over the last three weeks that were compromised on the Surface Duo, and for more than $ 1,400 I’m not ready to make those commitments. “
Read the full review on ZDNet.
Android Circuit summarizes the news from the Android world every weekend here at Forbes. Don’t forget to follow me so you don’t miss any coverage in the future, and of course read the sister column on Apple Loop! Last week’s Android Circuit can be found here, and if you have news and links you would like to see on Android Circuit, get in touch!
