AC Information Weekly
Information Weekly is our column the place we spotlight and summarize a few of the week’s high tales so you’ll be able to make amends for the newest tech information.
That is Android Central’s Information Weekly, your go-to supply for a concise roundup of the week’s most vital tech tales. That is the place we delve into the highest headlines that present the newest developments and improvements contributing to the digital panorama.
This week, Apple launched iOS 18 with RCS help for higher texting with Android gadgets, Samsung could also be getting ready to launch a rollable cellphone in 2025, Put on OS is getting some unique well being options, the Meta Quest 3s value could have simply leaked, and we get a have a look at what Android Automotive 15 will convey.
RCS on iOS 18 makes texting higher
Learn extra right here.
This week (Sept. 16), Apple launched iOS 18 on eligible iPhones. With it comes help for RCS, which has been supported on Android for a while now. Consequently, texting between iOS and Android customers will get a bit higher, with typing indicators, higher-quality media, higher group texting, and extra.
After all, the expertise is not excellent, with options like end-to-end encryption lacking (though it is supported between Android gadgets), and that is seemingly as a result of Apple went with the GMSA model of RCS, which is totally different from what Google implements on Android gadgets. Nevertheless, GSMA states it is engaged on bringing cross-platform E2EE and different options, which ought to additional enhance the texting expertise.
Now, there’s much less purpose to complain about inexperienced bubbles (however you realize they are going to anyway).
Samsung could lastly give us a rollable cellphone
Learn extra right here.
Samsung has proven off rollable ideas earlier than, however the newest rumor suggests the corporate could lastly be able to convey one to market. In response to The Elec, Samsung is reportedly switching instructions and focusing its efforts on getting the rollable machine prepared for a launch probably through the second half of 2024. That places the machine launch roughly across the similar time because the Galaxy Z Fold 6 successor.
There is not a lot identified in regards to the machine, nevertheless it might unfurl to greet customers with a 12.4-inch show with an under-display digicam.
In response to The Elec, Samsung seemingly feels some sort of means about Huawei launching the primary tri-fold cellphone, the Mate XT. Samsung seemingly needs to beat everybody else to the rollable end line (one thing we anticipated from LG years in the past).
Put on OS will get a lift for well being information
Learn extra right here.
You might have heard of Masimo, the corporate that nearly obtained the Apple Watch banned for infringing on patents associated to blood oxygen monitoring. Properly, the corporate is taking its tech elsewhere and partnering with Google to assist develop a brand new reference platform for Put on OS watches to make the most of Masimo’s biosensing know-how.
In response to Masimo, Put on OS OEMs will probably be free to design their telephones nonetheless they need, whereas Masimo will design and check the interior elements for well being monitoring/sensing. This additionally consists of the companion app, though it is unclear how this will probably be dealt with.
Nonetheless, the partnership ought to assist increase Put on OS well being monitoring and will even encourage extra OEMs to step in and be part of the platform. Following the latest Apple lawsuit, the timing of the partnership is suspect, however we’re not complaining.
The Quest 3s may very well be cheaper than anticipated
Learn extra right here.
Meta Join 2024 kicks off on September 25, and we expect the corporate to launch some new {hardware} on the occasion. One machine we hope to see is the Meta Quest 3s, which can seemingly be a less expensive, extra accessible model of the present Meta Quest 3. We weren’t positive how less expensive it might be, however now we could have an thought, because of an Amazon leak.
In response to the picture, the Meta Quest 3s could begin at simply $299, which is $200 cheaper than its flagship sibling. The picture additionally reveals what the Quest 3s could appear to be, that includes an identical general design however with two units of three particular person lenses on the entrance. We additionally anticipate the machine to be powered by the identical Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 for higher efficiency, though it can seemingly characteristic Fresnel lenses as an alternative of pancake ones, which is more likely to preserve prices down.
If that is to be believed, a $299 value level for a more recent VR headset would seemingly do properly, particularly forward of the vacations, for anybody nonetheless desirous to get their arms on a Quest VR headset however not desirous to get the older Quest 2.
A glimpse at Android Automotive 15
Learn extra right here.
Android Automotive is Google’s built-in automobile infotainment system, and due to Android 15, it is anticipated to get a giant replace later this yr. Google revealed options arriving within the system on its AOSP web page, which customers could discover useful on their subsequent drive.
Amongst these additions is the power to attach private Bluetooth headsets to your automobile, which may very well be good to have for passengers or whereas parked whilst you hearken to music or get pleasure from a YouTube video. One other helpful characteristic is a persistent hotspot, which might enable riders to attach their gadgets whereas on a number of journeys.
Android Automotive may achieve an Android Auto characteristic with a homescreen dock, which might enable customers to pin apps for quicker entry.
Learn extra about what’s anticipated within the subsequent main Android Automotive replace, which is predicted sooner or later this yr. Nevertheless, it is value noting that OEMs will probably be free to implement the options they see match of their gadgets.
These are a few of the largest tales from this week. In the meantime, listed below are another tales which can be value catching up on: