Taking a look back at seven days of news and headlines across the world of Android, this week’s Android Circuit includes Galaxy S24 Ultra release dates, Samsung’s Instagram love, Pixel 8 Pro screen problems, Sunbird’s sunset, Redmagic 9 Pro launch, Honor’s IPO, and Google’s latest UI update.
Android Circuit is here to remind you of a few of the many things that have happened around Android in the last week (and you can find the weekly Apple news digest here).
Galaxy S24 Launch Dates Leak
The next “Galaxy Unpacked” event should see Samsung launch the Galaxy S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra. Rather than the pre-MWC Samsung has used in previous years, the latest leaked schedule suggests Samsung is going for an earlier option:
“A new report from Korean publication The Elec (via SamMobile) claims that Samsung’s next flagship will be announced on January 17th 2024, with the device line-up being available to pre-order the next day. The Galaxy Unpacked event will also be held in San Jose, California… The report states that the thought process behind an earlier launch date is to improve sales in the first half of next year. Unsurprisingly, Samsung will unveil the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus and Galaxy S24 Ultra at the launch event.”
(Forbes).
Instagram And Samsung
Samsung will have likely locked down the hardware for the Galaxy S24 family, but the software will be worked on up to (and through) the launch. Details on the changes are coming out now, and one of the curious ones will be the addition of Instagram—a third-party app—to the lock screen:
“The lock screen addition is a small detail to come out, but it helps understand the company’s upcoming approach. Samsung’s One UI software has limited apps that can appear on the lock screen only to system apps, with only one or two exceptions. Instagram joining that list is a big decision for the South Korean company.”
(Forbes).
New Pixel Screen Problems
Google has addressed concerns over “ripples” that have appeared in some Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro handsets. Components sitting under the screen are apparently pressing the back of the display units, resulting in distortion that can be seen under certain lighting conditions. According to a Google spokesperson, this should not affect the phone’s use:
“Pixel 8 phones have a new display. When the screen is turned off, not in use and in specific lighting conditions, some users may see impressions from components in the device that look like small bumps. There is no functional impact to Pixel 8 performance or durability.”
(9to5Google).
The Sun Sets On Sunbird
Last week saw a flurry of interest in Sunbird, a messaging app and protocol that allowed Android users to interact with Apple’s iMessage service through virtual servers emulating Mac devices. Smartphone manufacturer Nothing Tech was set to use Sunbird in its new messaging app; subsequently, it has blocked downloads and paused usage of the app. This week saw the service shut down following a rising tide of security concerns around the service:
“Good afternoon everyone. We are investigating the security issues raised in the last 24 hours. In an abundance of caution and to protect your confidential data, we are shutting down Sunbird media temporarily. We will keep you posted. Thank you, & sincere apologies for the inconvenience.”
(9to5Google).
In a clear coincidence, Apple announced it would support the common standard of RCS for messaging service interoperability in the future.
(Forbes).
Faster, Stronger, And Flatter, All For The Game
Sporting the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 system on chip, the latest gaming smartphone from Nubia—the Redmagic 9 Pro—has been confirmed. It offers increased cooling, active cooling and a new R2 co-processor. But it’s the promise of a flat back that will catch the attention of many:
“The cameras hiding under this glass consist of dual 50MP main/ultrawide-angle lens cameras, with a tiny 2MP macro lens thrown in beside them. On the other, equally flat, side, the 9 Pro and Pro Plus have a 6.8-inch FHD+ display of nearly the exact same specs as that of the 8S Pro – except that this “5th-gen” UDC panel has Q9+ technology from BOE for a max brightness boosted to 1,600 nits.”
(NotebookCheck).
Honor Prepares Its IPO
The Chinese smartphone manufacturer Honor has seen stellar growth since it was spun out of Huawei. Now, it is preparing to go public to continue growth in a number of key markets, including China and Europe:
“In order to meet new strategic goals, HONOR will continue to optimize its shareholding structure, attract diversified capital, and enter into the capital market through IPO. As the company starts the IPO preparation process, the composition of the Board of Directors will gradually be adjusted, in accordance with the standards of a listed company, to embrace greater diversity for meeting the relevant governance and regulatory requirements.”
(Reuters).
And Finally…
Google continues to update the UI paradigm on Android smartphones, with its new Messages app packing in new features, such as the new profile page design and the chat bar at the bottom of the screen:
“All these changes which Google Messages bringing recently clearly indicates that Google is working very hard to make people use Google Messages as an instant messaging platform with the power of RCS. These UI changes are currently hidden behind flags and may appear for beta testers anytime soon.”
(The SP Android).
Android Circuit rounds up the 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!
Read the full article here