This week’s Android Circuit looks back at seven days of Android news and headlines from around the world, including Galaxy S24 Ultra spec leaks, Galaxy Unpacked release date, Google’s repairable Pixel plans, TikTok’s tablet win, and Nothnig’s Includes new accessories, Nubia’s global wins, and more. And Gboard’s stunning stylus…
Android Circuit is here to remind you of some of the many things that happened around Android last week (you can find our weekly Apple news digest here).
S24 launch details leak
It has been rumored for a long time and while we wait for the official declaration of the next Glaaxy Unpacked event and the launch of the Galaxy S24 family of phones, the latest leaked promotional images confirm the previous date and time. He has a little more than three weeks until South Korea’s new flagship appears.
“[The leaked] A teaser for the Galaxy Unpacked event states that the launch will take place on January 18, 2024 at 3:00 AM KST, which will lead to a 10:00 AM PT and 10:00 PM ET on January 17 in the US. Released at 1 p.m. This is in line with previous leaks that claimed that the launch event would take place on the 17th, i.e. mid-January. ”
(Forbes).
Latest Galaxy S24 specs leaked
Ahead of the Galaxy S24 family’s launch in January, the core specifications and colorways of the announcement are corroborated through specific product model numbers and SKUs. Unfortunately, it looks like Samsung has decided on a smaller memory option for the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
“The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s 12 GB of RAM will be a disappointment for the community. Over the summer, various online benchmarking sites showed a 16 GB smartphone with a model number matching the S24 Ultra. AI-based For applications, this could be a weak point in Samsung’s excellent overall package.”
(Forbes).
repairable pixels
Google announced the next step in its ongoing effort to make Pixel devices easier to repair (Read the blog here), including a new repair mode, access to manuals, and the supply of spare parts. Janhoi McGregor takes a step back and looks back at both Google’s services and why other manufacturers might want to emulate Shaw’s principles.
“From our seven-year software support promise, the longest of any smartphone on the market today, to our partnership with iFixit to supply genuine parts for the same amount of time. Also, new diagnostic tools to help owners discover potential. You can see any problems with your device at a glance. The message is clear. Buy Google and we’ll take care of you for years to come. ”
(Forbes).
TikTok tablet victory
Google will be happy to see the latest updates to TikTok this week. This will improve support for large-screen devices, resulting in a smoother UI and better video experience for Android users when browsing the White Hot social network, both on tablets and foldable devices. Become. The more these major developers and services optimize for tablets, the more valuable they become and the more attractive it becomes for developers to target these larger screens.
“TikTok has announced that a new app upgrade will allow you to watch videos on larger screens, especially foldable devices and tablets. It says you’ll see a video feed, which means either those videos will be optimized for larger displays or TikTok will do some upscaling in the background. You should be able to watch HD video on your foldable device.”
(9to5Google).
Nothing new accessories for Europe
Nothing Tech’s price-focused CFM brand launched its new Buds Pro and Watch Pro across Europe this week. Nothing Store in Soho, London has it in stock. For others, the hardware options are exclusive to Amazon.
“Battery life is 13 days. [the Watch Pro]This is obviously huge for a smartwatch. This is much better than other expensive devices out there. Speaking of price, you can get it for just £69. Next up are wireless earbuds. Likewise, it packs incredible specs that far exceed expectations for its price range. It offers 45dB ANC, IP54 dust and water resistance, and an incredible battery life of up to 39 hours. ”
(T3).
Nubia wins global ribbon for the first time
Nubia announced its Z60 Ultra smartphone this week. This is a global release and will be the first global smartphone to be powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. However, this terminal is not only the first, but the rollout has revealed some of the supply chain management.
“While Qualcomm’s latest flagship models have been on sale in China since last month, others like the OnePlus 12 and Xiaomi 14 Pro have not been released globally. Instead, the Nubia Z60 Ultra has taken the lead, but Nubia 29. The company’s FAQ also states that pre-order shipments won’t begin until January 16, 2024, likely after Samsung announces the Galaxy S24 series. . Similarly, ASUS is also expected to announce its ROG Phone 8 by then. ”
(Note check).
And finally…
GBoard, Google’s advanced Android keyboard, added a new feature this week: handwriting support. This is especially beneficial on Android tablets whose handwriting recognition now supports the USI 2.0 stylus standard.
“Thanks to handwriting support, Gboard now automatically converts chicken scratch into neatly typed text. Google’s keyboard app automatically types your writing when you switch to the next word. And the great thing is, you can do this by switching to the next word.” Try moving the stylus around on your Pixel or Samsung tablet. ”
Android Circuit rounds up news from the Android world every weekend here at Forbes. Don’t forget to follow me so you don’t miss any future coverage. Of course, you should also read Apple Loop’s sister columns. Last week’s Android Circuit can be found here. If you have news or links you’d like to see featured on Android Circuit, please contact us.
