With Android, Google has pretty much nailed down a yearly release schedule. First, the company announces the upcoming version and releases a developer preview sometime near March. Then, it reveals more information about the update at I/O in the summer, and finally releases the stable build in the fall near October. Is this too small of a turnaround time for major Android updates?
Today marked a big day for Android users as Google officially unveiled Android O. While we still don’t know what tasty treat “O” will stand for yet, we have now seen a wide-range of new features that will come with the update (many that we heard rumors previously about) and improve the mobile operating system.
Were there any features that you wish had been added but weren’t introduced in Android O?
Today Google pushed out the second public beta of Android 7.1.2 to Nexus and Pixel devices. For the most part, this update brought with it performance improvements, but the Pixel C got a refreshed look and feel as well as the addition of a new grid-style multitasking menu. Do you like the look of the new menu and think it should be the default on tablets?
Between Hiroshi Lockheimer’s constant teasing of Oreos and today’s round of rumors, it would appear that Google is getting closer and closer to taking the wraps off of the upcoming Android O. Which of today’s rumored features are you most excited to see?
The internet was in an uproar today after finding out that Google had added a “Beauty and the Beast” segment to the “My Day” feature found within Assistant on the Google Home and Pixel. Although Google claims that this stunt wasn’t actually an advertisement, the negative public opinion was enough for the Beauty and the Beast piece to get removed.
Do you think Google should have ads read by the Assistant?
Today, it was reported that Google is currently working on a third phone alongside the two-second generation Pixel devices. While not much is known about this codenamed “taimen” device, we have heard that it will be even larger than the updated Pixel XL. If you were to purchase one of these phones, which size would you choose?
In today’s world, we have so many different entertainment options to choose from when we want to watch something on TV. The stress of deciding on what to binge watch is only made worse when trying to decide how you will watch it. Google has two great offerings that allow you easily stream almost anything out there: the Chromecast and Android TV. Which do you think is better?
Fingerprint sensors in smartphones have become such a staple in today’s society that they are showing up in lower-end and mid-tier devices. Typically, these sensors are either placed on the front of the device under the display or somewhere on the back of the phone. From what we’ve seen from leaks, the sensor on the S8 will be moved from the front of the phone to the back. Do you like this change?
Android has always been all about customization. While other mobile operating systems have in recent years been opened up to allow for third-party keyboards, for the longest time, Android was the only platform that allowed for this level of customization.
With so many different options to choose from, what keyboard do you use on your Android device?
Earlier today Google filled us in on its plan to bring Hangouts to the Enterprise. Essentially, Google will refocus Hangouts so as to provide G Suite customers with a Slack alternative. This change, though, will remove much of the current app’s core functionality that users rely on.
So now that Google is changing up Hangouts (and assuming the current app goes away), what app do you plan to switch to for your IM and SMS needs?
Although Google announced that it would be bringing Assistant to more devices last month, it wasn’t until today that the company actually began rolling it out. Previously, Google Assistant was available on the Pixel and newer Nexus devices but today we’re seeing it show up on devices from Samsung, LG, Huawei, and more. Has your smartphone received Google Assistant yet?
Google released the March Android distribution numbers today which showed a sharp increase in the percentage of phones currently running Nougat. While this number is helped by the arrival of new phones announced at CES and MWC, we are still waiting for many older flagships to get updated. Has your smartphone been updated to Nougat?
Removing 3.5mm headphone jacks has been a bit of a trend with flagship devices on the market, but now it seems there’s a possibility that Google could also be ditching the jack with the next-generation Pixel. The big question about this rumor is obvious: Would you still consider purchasing the “Pixel 2” if it didn’t have a headphone jack?
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When Android Wear 2.0 was released, it had improvements across the board, but it also came with its own version of the Play Store so that users could easily download and use apps on their wrist. The thing is, applications built for Android Wear just aren’t that great, at least, not yet. So, if you have a smartwatch, do you own it mainly so you can check notifications or so that you can run applications?
Announced during Mobile World Congress, Google is expanding Assistant to more phones running Android Marshmallow or higher. This is a huge move on Google’s part as the virtual assistant was previously only running on the Pixel, Android Wear 2.0 watches, and the Home. The problem with the Google Assistant, though, is that it removes Now on Tap. Do you think that is for the better?
We are less than a month out from the announcement of the Galaxy S8 but that hasn’t stopped images of the device from leaking. Over the last 24 hours, we’ve seen a leaked promotional picture as well as hands-on images showing off the sides of the handset. Based on everything we’ve seen, do you think the Galaxy S8 looks better than the LG G6?
Over the past two years, YouTube has been working on building its own online TV service, and today the company officially unveiled it. YouTube TV is a $35 per month service that incorporates Fox, ABC, CBS, and NBC alongside the standard YouTube experience. Is this enough to get you to cancel your cable?
Although today marks the first official day of Mobile World Congress, we saw most of the noteworthy announcements take place over the weekend. So while there are a bunch of different options to choose from, what was your favorite announcement from MWC?
Today we got our first official look at the LG G6 and while it is miles better than last year’s flagship, it is expected to be lower specced than any of the other flagship phones coming out later this year. Based on everything we do know about the handset, are you considering the G6 as your next smartphone?
Today at MWC 2017, BlackBerry and TCL officially unveiled the BlackBerry KeyOne, the device formerly known as the “Mercury.” Since the reveal, the biggest complaint I’ve seen circulating around social media regards the pricing, particularly how high it is. Do you think the KeyOne is overpriced?
This is it. We are now on the verge of Mobile World Congress. This means that we will see companies from all over the world meet in Barcelona to announce their latest and greatest mobile devices. While it is rumored that Samsung will only be giving us a sneak peak of the S8 at the show, we are expecting a bunch of other handsets to be shown off. So, which phone are you most excited to see announced at MWC?
Over the past 24 hours, we’ve received reports that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S8 will sport a 5.8-inch screen, while the S8+ will be packing a ginormous 6.2-inch display. While most flagships these days tend to have larger screens, Samsung appears to be going to the extreme. Do you think these screens are too big?
Along with the release of Android Wear 2.0 this month, Google and LG announced two new smartwatches: the Watch Sport and Watch Style. We recently reviewed both of these smartwatches, and now we want to know if either of them interest you. If not, what other smartwatch (if any) are you interested in potentially picking up?
A report emerged this morning claiming that Samsung might bring back the Galaxy Note 7. This is exciting news as the Note 7 was one of the best selling and most popular smartphones of 2016. So popular, in fact, that Samsung had to roll out firmware updates that intentionally bricked handsets so that owners would actually return their possibly dangerous devices.
With Samsung potentially selling refurbished models of the Note 7, would you consider buying one?
