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Taking a look at seven days of Android news and headlines around the world, this week’s Android Circuit includes leaked benchmarks of the Galaxy S21, a new Galaxy Fold design, another goodbye to the Galaxy Note, Huawei’s alternative. to Google Maps, OnePlus’ big camera week, Qualcomm’s new SnapDragon, Google’s business program expansion, and how to learn a new accent with your phone.
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).
Galaxy S21 Benchmark Numbers
This week, Samsung’s next flagship was featured on the popular Geekbench benchmarking site … and the numbers were lower than expected. In fact, the numbers did not match those of 2020 running the SnapDragon 865 system-on-chip that will soon be replaced. There’s no need to fear, though, as Tom Bedford reports, Samsung should see that number rise as the expected January launch approaches:
“It’s likely the Galaxy S21 though, but since the phone is likely still more than a month away, we’d expect Samsung to still be messing with the phone’s software and hasn’t fully optimized the phone yet.
“Poor benchmarks could be due to this, and we expect Samsung to improve the phone’s performance between now and launch. We often find that a phone’s power depends less on its hardware than on how the manufacturer adjusts its software to make it work. .with such hardware, and the same is probably true here. “
More on TechRadar.
A woman walks past an advertisement for the Samsung Galaxy S20 5G smartphone in a telecommunications store in … [+]
AFP via Getty Images
There is more than one way to fold a Samsung
Last week, the latest Samsung Display presentation suggested a number of folding screen options. One was a two-fold screen, literally in the shape of a Z. This could be set in portrait or landscape mode; the former leads to a very small form factor version of the Galaxy Z Flip, and the latter looks for a long, slim upgrade to the Galaxy Z Fold. The second was a winged model with the two edges bent towards the main screen. The Let’s Go Digital team has taken the references from the cartoons to get a clearer demonstration of the potential:
“The first model is a relatively spacious design smartphone. Even when folded, this device is wider than a modern phone. The central part of the screen is twice as wide as the other two parts of the screen. This model looks more like the foldable smartphone that Xiaomi showed off in early 2019, with one major difference, the proprietary Samsung phone is an inward foldable device. This way, the screen remains optimally protected when you carry it with you in your pocket. “.
More views and designs at Let’s Go Digital.
Conceptual schematic of the three-fold Galaxy Z Fold
Let’s go digital
Galaxy Note goodbye note
There has been a lot of discussion about the future of Samsung’s Galaxy Note series. Once seen as revolutionary with its large screen and stylus action, the device family is losing its unique position in the portfolio as the capabilities of the Galaxy S class join the Note, and innovation heads to the foldable Galaxy Z . Joyce Lee and Heekyong Yang report on growing discussions about an upcoming cancellation “
“Currently, the South Korean tech giant has no plans to develop a new version of the Galaxy Note by 2021, said three sources, declining to be identified because the plans were not public. Instead, the top model in the series Galaxy S, the S21, will have a stylus and the next version of Samsung’s foldable phone will be compatible with a stylus, which will be sold separately, one of the sources said.
A second source said that the company’s development efforts that would normally have been directed at the Note would now be channeled to its range of folding phones.
More on Reuters.
The alternative to Google Maps
With its inclusion on the US Entity List, Huawei cannot use Google mobile services on its Android devices. That includes losing key Google apps (like YouTube) and services (like Gmail). The company has been working on its own replacements, and the Google Maps alternative left beta and is now available on Huawei’s store. Sophie Blake reports:
“Huawei launched a beta version of Petal Maps, its maps application announced in October. Published in AppGallery, the application offers almost all the functions of Google Maps. Currently released as a beta version, Petal Maps is only available on models running EMUI 11 (Mate 40, Mate 30 or P40). “
More on Mobile Marketing Reads.
OnePlus camera content
OnePlus has been hard at work with its camera this week. First was the live broadcast of a concert with Danish singer-songwriter Mads Langer, who performed inside a dome of fifty OnePlus phones, each exclusively streaming to a single OnePlus owner for a unique point of view. Fortunately, there was a more traditional livestream view for everyone else.
This week also saw OnePlus win a ‘blind camera test’ conducted by YouTube Marques Brownlee, outperforming many flagship phones, including the iPhone 12 Pro Max. That’s one for the OnePlus 8T award cabinet.
The new heart of the silicon dragon
Qualcomm has announced its high-end smartphone chip that will find itself at the heart of many of Android’s major flagships next year. The SnapDragon 888 will naturally improve on the specs of this year’s SnapDragon 865, but one of the key differences will be welcomed by many manufacturers … the 5G X60 5G modem is built into the system at the chip assembly, rather than being standalone. . Shara Tibken reports:
“With the Snapdragon 888, Qualcomm regains its SoC strengths and phone users will benefit. The biggest advantages of SoCs are better battery life and lower cost. Instead of two chips taking up space in one phone, there is only one, resulting in slimmer, sleeker phones or more room for larger batteries. Having an integrated chip also allows device manufacturers to rapidly develop phones for virtually any 5G network in the world, and makes 5G phones more affordable. cheaper for consumers. “
More on CNet.
The essentials for the company
Google has launched a new service as part of its Android Enterprise program. Android Enterprise Essentials offers a number of key features for managing mobile devices, including mandatory lock screens and devices, encryption, restrictions on the apps that can be installed, and remote wipe of phones. Abner Li reports:
“When creating, Google focused on a” fundamental set of default functions designed for companies with simpler needs and smaller budgets. “This is because SMEs are” increasingly targeted by malicious attackers and local laws may require that they protect company data. “
“… Despite that rebound, these organizations are hesitant to invest in what they perceive as complex and expensive solutions.”
More on 9to5Google.
And finally…
Have you ever needed to find a voice? Spikizi previews are now available. The app is designed for actors and other creatives to quickly learn new accents before productions, rehearsals, or auditions. From the press release:
“Upon joining the app, actors will be asked to complete a detailed onboarding process on themselves to highlight their voice history, before moving on to recording a series of words, texts and passions that exemplify all vowel sounds and consonants that they naturally use. form the basis of their contribution to the community, adding their voice to the database. From there they can search, request and help other members, as well as create private, public or broadcast playlists, all with the ability to download and listen to them offline. “
More details at www.spikizi.co.
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’d like to see on Android Circuit, get in touch!
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