In this week’s top stories: Google labels the iPhone XS as “Phone X” in a Pixel 3 ad, the Google Material Theme arrives for both Gmail and Google Voice, and we get a more official look at the Galaxy S10 from press renders.
Over last weekend, Google released the first piece of what could be a widespread advertising campaign for the Pixel 3 that shows a direct comparison against “Phone X,” which is noted to be the iPhone XS. While the iPhone XS has a very capable camera, the new ad shows the Pixel 3 blowing it out of the water in the dark, neon-lit scene thanks to Night Sight.
Today’s simple ad features Google’s multi-colored ‘G’ logo at the bottom-right, but is otherwise quite simple and stark. It is particularly ideal for billboards and other large print mediums, but could be part of a longer video. With the major advertising event that is Super Bowl LIII next Sunday, Google could make a big splash during the Big Game.
This week, Google brought its latest iteration on Material Design, the Google Material Theme, to two apps that were overdue for a revamp, Gmail and Google Voice. Users of Inbox may be interested to know that Gmail’s iteration brings the app closer in line (visually at least) with Google’s soon-to-be-retired second email app.
New Google Material Theme icons that feature bolded outlines and hollow interiors are leveraged throughout the redesign, while Gmail will now also display large red banner warnings for “dangerous” messages. On tablets and other large-screened interfaces, the rounded selection indicators are used to note the message you’re currently viewing.
Overall, Google Voice’s Material Theme helps freshen up the Android app. The new bottom bar and removed app bar make for a cleaner experience with less duplicated section names. Version 2019.05.230825622 of Google Voice is rolling out now via the Play Store.
With the reported launch of the Galaxy S10 and S10+ just around the corner, what appear to be proper press renders of the device have leaked out. These renders confirm the triple-camera setup on the back of the phone and hole-punch style cutout for the front-facing camera.
Samsung is also offering these two phones in three colors based on these renders. There’s a traditional black, a white gradient, and also a green gradient. The more affordable Galaxy S10e, on the other hand is also expected to come in a yellow color option.
Chrome 72 arrived for Windows, Mac, and Linux this week with a revamped Settings menu and an expanded omnibar. While it brought a number of positive changes, many will note one significant change in that setting up Chromecast devices is no longer possible from the browser.
Google is directing users to the Google Home app for Android and iOS. It’s important to note that this change only applies to the setup process and not any Casting functionality. Users can still send tabs, video, or audio from Chrome for Mac, Windows, and Linux to a Chromecast or other Chromecast-enabled device, like Google Home, once everything is setup.
Finally, an update schedule was released by a community manager of Canadian carrier Rogers which shows their network’s Samsung Galaxy S9, S9+, and Note 9 phones receiving Android Pie within the next two weeks.
Whilst the Canadian update schedule isn’t directly indicative of what we’ll see Stateside, it is still a solid indication that we’ll see the update for US carrier-locked devices in the very near future.
We do expect unlocked Samsung Galaxy S9, S9+ and Note 9 users to get the full Android Pie update ahead of those on carrier-locked devices though. As always, we’ll do our utmost to get you any news on when this is occurring.
The rest of this week’s top stories follow:
Android |
- Leaked real life Motorola Moto G7 Plus images show 27W fast charger, camera OIS [Gallery]
- uBreakiFix confirms same-day repairs for Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are (finally) available
- Xiaomi Pocophone F1 beats out original Google Pixel w/ DxoMark camera score of 91
- Moto G7 surfaces again but in real-life images this time [Gallery]
- Latest OxygenOS Open Beta updates include minor usability improvements for OnePlus 5, 5T, 6 and 6T users
- Energizer is bringing 26 new phones to MWC w/ pop-up cameras, 18,000 mAh battery, more
Apps & Updates |
- Hands on: Gmail for Android’s Google Material Theme isn’t radical, save for one new feature
- Google spotted testing bundles, reminders, and other Inbox features in Gmail for Android
- Google+ will shut down for consumers on April 2nd, some features killed as soon as next week
- Google.com on mobile web rolling out voice search in Chrome for Android
- Google app 9.10 preps Face Match, Android Q support, removes Assistant dark mode, more [APK Insight]
Chrome OS |
- Chrome OS Instant Tethering reportedly arriving for more Android devices
- Square offering Pixelbooks to employees, trialing with designers as MacBook alternative
Samsung |
- Android Pie beta program now open to unlocked US Samsung Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy S8 and S8+ users
- First carrier-locked Galaxy Note 9 Android Pie update lands w/ AT&T, S9 too
- January 2019 security patch rolling out for the Samsung Galaxy Note 8
- Samsung debuts first 1TB storage chip for smartphones, likely destined for Galaxy S10
- Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Android Pie update now rolling out to unlocked UK users
- Samsung Galaxy S8 gets a third Android Pie beta update w/ the February security patch
- Samsung Galaxy S9 picks up Android Pie, One UI on Verizon Wireless, rolling out now
- Samsung Galaxy S9 Android Pie update now available on Sprint
- Galaxy S9 on Comcast Xfinity gets Android Pie, first carrier-locked US update
Videos |
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