Latest news with #CScottBrown
Android Authority
2 days ago
- Android Authority
Pixel setup could soon include a key step to keep scammers off your phone calls (APK teardown)
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority TL;DR Google seems to be planning to integrate Scam Detection and Call Screen features into the Pixel device setup process. Currently, these protective features need to be manually enabled by users, so there's a fair chance many people don't know these features exist on their phones in the first place. This change could thus increase user adoption of these crucial security features. Google announced Scam Detection features for Pixel devices through the Google Phone app in November 2024. This feature alerts the user in real-time about a possible scam happening to them during a call if it detects common patterns associated with scams. Similarly, Pixel's Call Screen & Spam Protection is an absolute time-saver, allowing Google Assistant/Gemini to screen your calls, answer them with AI-powered replies, and even decline spam calls automatically. While the features are great, users need to know they exist and enable them manually to take advantage of them. Much like it intends to do with the Find Hub network, Google could potentially surface Scam Detection, Call Screen & Spam Protection features at device setup, which would get many more people to activate the features and start using them. Authority Insights story on Android Authority. Discover You're reading anstory on Android Authority. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. An APK teardown helps predict features that may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release. The Google Phone app v181.0 beta includes strings and other code that suggest Google could start offering Scam Detection, Call Screen & Spam Protection features as an option during Pixel device setup. Code Copy Text Call Screen & Spam Protection Automatically screens calls from suspicious numbers & declines spam Scam Detection Get real-time alerts for potential scams when talking to unknown callers While the strings above don't directly mention the setup process, we can find the common 'joyball' codename in the string parameter. For reference, the 'dobby' codename is likely referring to the Call screen and Spam Protection features, while the 'sharpie' codename is likely referring to the Scam Detection feature. 'Joyball' is most likely the codename for the setup initialization screen, as the Pixel Setup Wizard contains plenty of references to it. AssembleDebug / Android Authority We managed to activate the setup screen ahead of its release to give you a look: While the setup screen only mentions Scam Detection, the second screenshot does mention Call Screen. Further, you can see that an unhighlighted 'No thanks' button is present, which indicates that the feature is likely optional, and attentive users can skip it if they want to. Call Screen & Spam Protection and Scam Detection are Pixel-exclusive Google Phone app features. Since the feature is Pixel-exclusive, it's safe to presume that the setup screens will be visible on Pixel devices and not all Android devices. These features are separate from the Google Phone app's Caller ID & Spam feature, which is available to all Android users if they have the app installed as their default dialer. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Android Authority
3 days ago
- Business
- Android Authority
Samsung may build Qualcomm's most advanced chip ever for the Galaxy S26 series
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority TL;DR Samsung could reportedly fabricate one variant of the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 for Qualcomm. While the normal chip would be made with a 3nm TSMC process, Samsung's could be a 2nm chip. This 2nm Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 may debut with the Galaxy S26. There's arguably no single component that more influences how a smartphone comes together than the choice of its system-on-a-chip (SoC). And while a phone is a whole lot more than just how fast it can crunch numbers, the decision around which SoC to use influences everything from the screens and cameras a handset can support, to how power-efficient the phone will be. Right now, Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips dominate popular Android hardware, with the Snapdragon 8 Elite powering many of this year's best phones. But if this latest report we're hearing turns out to be accurate, the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 could shake up the SoC industry in some surprising ways. Qualcomm designs its Snapdragon chips, but when it comes to actually manufacturing them, it has historically relied upon fabrication partners like TSMC and Samsung. But in recent years, its highest-end flagship chips have exclusively been produced by TSMC. That's included the Snapdragon 8 Elite, built on TSMC's 3nm process. We've recently been talking about the next step forward, and when we might expect to see 2nm chips start to become commercially viable. That's included a rumor that Google could get an early start with a 2nm Tensor G6 chip for the Pixel 11, made by TSMC. While at the time we hadn't heard of earlier plans for a competing 2nm chip, that's now changing. Robert Triggs / Android Authority According to South Korea's Business Post, Qualcomm could be planning something a little strange for the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2. Much like we saw with the S25 series and its special Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chips, Samsung could again be getting a special edition of Qualcomm's next chip with a few exclusive upgrades. But this time around, Qualcomm could actually tap Samsung to fabricate the chip itself. The reason why that move would be particularly interesting is because Samsung has its own promising 2nm process, and industry sources expect that this version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 (referred to internally as 'Kaanapali S') could be manufactured using it. And if those indeed end up in the Galaxy S26 family, it could be Samsung, rather than Google, that first puts these kind of next-gen chips in your hand. Yields have reported already risen from 30% to 40% for Samsung's 2nm process, and while that's still a bit below where companies target for profitability, if that number keeps moving in the right direction, Samsung could be in good shape in just a few more months. The company's also been looking at 1.4nm chips, but has supposedly delayed those plans in order to further refine its 2nm workflow. Ultimately, which company is first with a phone running a 2nm chip won't come down to more than bragging rights, and regardless of who wins, everyone else is going to catch up in short order. But that doesn't make us any less excited to think about the tiny atomic-scale places these processors are going. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Android Authority
3 days ago
- Android Authority
Exclusive: Google Pixel 10's display could hurt your eyes less — but only if you go Pro
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority TL;DR The Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL displays could be better for people who are sensitive to PWM dimming. Google is considering an upgrade to 480Hz dimming for the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL. The regular model, as well as the Fold, may stick to 240Hz. The displays are also planned to be brighter by about 200 nits across the board. Since the launch of the Pixel 9 series, Google has been revising its Pixel strategy. Instead of the Pro Pixels being larger, slightly better versions of the base Pixels as they had been in previous years, the Pro tier became a whole different class of phones. This year, that trend continues, with all evidence suggesting the baseline Pixel 10 will be closer to the A series Pixels than the Pro models. It appears that Google will lean into this growing divide even further with its display tech, as we've learned that the Pixel 10 is considering a display with a higher PWM frequency — but only on the Pro models. You're reading an Authority Insights story. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. DC vs PWM dimming explained Before we get to the main part of the article, a bit of background about display dimming, as it's a complex topic. There are two main ways to do it — DC (voltage) and PWM (pulse width modulation). The two approaches have fundamental differences, which I've illustrated in the diagrams below (check here to see the Matlab script that created this illustration). Kamila Wojciechowska / Android Authority DC dimming simply lowers the voltage that's connected to the display to lower its brightness. This has its advantages — it's a very simple concept, generally provides decent results on LCDs and doesn't have any 'side effects' on the human perception of displays it's used in. Unfortunately, that's where the advantages end. The circuitry for DC dimming is more complex and pretty inefficient. Another problem is that it's hard to create a circuit that will be able to provide a wide range of voltage to enable dimming the display down to very low levels. It also doesn't work super well with OLEDs; due to the complicated chemistry involved, lowering voltage not only decreases the brightness, but also affects the color response in a fairly unpredictable way. That's where PWM steps in. Instead of lowering the voltage, it leaves it at the rated value, but only turns the panel on for a selected percentage of the time. Obviously, this wouldn't work really well if, say, we turned the display on and off every half second, so it needs to happen really fast. At just a few hundred hertz (or times per second), this switching becomes nearly invisible to the human eye. Unfortunately, this comes with a caveat — some people are sensitive to this, and will get headaches from using displays that are dimmed like this, unless they are run at a very high frequency. Other than this, however, PWM dimming only has advantages — the color reproduction is impacted to a way smaller degree, it's very easy to get really dim, and it's a more efficient technology. What is changing with the Pixel 10 series? Google Pixels have utilized PWM dimming for a while, but unfortunately, Google left the PWM frequency fairly low. The Pixel 9 Pro only refreshed at around 240Hz. Following the launch of the Pixel 9a, Google was asked about the lack of updates to help fix the flicker concerns, and it hinted to Android Central that it would provide some progress with the Pixel 10. Thankfully, that appears to be coming true — but only if you're planning to shell out for the Pro or Pro XL. The new phones are expected to run at 480Hz PWM refresh rate — at least in some conditions, as they may also support 240Hz. This isn't great, but it's still an improvement, which would track with Google's recent stance on the matter. As a comparison, some phones support a whopping 4320Hz PWM, a nine-fold advantage over Google's phones. I've compiled a table comparing the Pixel 10 Pro range's potential upgrade to some of its competitors below: Phone Maximum PWM rate Pixel 9 series 240 Hz Pixel 10/10 Pro Fold 240 Hz Pixel 10 Pro/10 Pro XL 480 Hz Apple iPhone 16 series 480 Hz Samsung Galaxy S25 series 480 Hz Xiaomi 15 Ultra 1920 Hz Honor Magic 6 Pro 4320 Hz Other than that, the Pixel 10 series is only expected to enjoy minor display upgrades. The sizes and resolutions appear to be staying the same, while the declared (HDR) peak brightness should be getting bumped up around 200 nits across the board. This, however, isn't really an issue as the displays are already excellent after the Pixel 9 series massively upgraded them across the board. Phone Brightness (HDR, declared) Pixel 9 1800 nits Pixel 10 2000 nits Pixel 9 Pro | Pro XL 2050 nits Pixel 10 Pro | Pro XL 2250 nits Pixel 9 Pro Fold 1600 nits (internal) | 1800 nits (external) Pixel 10 Pro Fold 1850 nits (internal) | 2050 nits (external) While it's good to see Google finally taking steps to address such a critical issue, it's disappointing that it could lock that solution to its most expensive phones. Hopefully, this will be amended for future generations. Whatever the case, we'll know for sure when the Google Pixel 10 series finally arrives, with an official launch expected sometime in August.
Android Authority
4 days ago
- Business
- Android Authority
Deal: Pixel 9 for just $249 for US Mobile customers, old and new
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority TL;DR US Mobile is offering the Google Pixel 9 for just $249 when you pay for a year of unlimited service, making the total as low as $459. Existing US Mobile customers who meet certain requirements can get the deal without switching plans or paying for a new annual plan. The Pixel 9 is still a strong buy in 2025, with seven years of OS updates and solid performance, and US Mobile is a reputable carrier with unique multi-network support. Now that the Google Pixel 10 launch is virtually imminent, we're seeing the Google Pixel 9 drop to some of its lowest pricing to date. Thought the Pixel 9 was a steal when it dropped to $599? That's nothing compared to the shockingly low $249 asking price over at US Mobile. As you might expect, there's a small catch: you'll need to pay for a year of either the Unlimited Flex ($210/year), Unlimited Starter ($228/year), or Unlimited Premium ($348/year) plan to get in on this offer. Let's do the math: In total, you'll pay between $459 and $597. That's still less than you'll pay anywhere else, and you'll get a full year of phone service included. What's more impressive about this deal is that it's actually even better for existing customers. While most prepaid carriers only offer promos to new customers, US Mobile customers who have been on any unlimited or By-the-Gig plan for at least 90 days can get the phone without changing plans or paying for a new annual plan. You might be wondering if US Mobile is actually a decent carrier. In short, yes. I especially recommend it for those who want support for all three major US networks. There's even an add-on that lets you run two networks simultaneously on one phone. Plus, US Mobile's Dark Star (AT&T) and Warp (Verizon) networks give you a priority level that's almost on par with postpaid service. To learn more about US Mobile's plan options before jumping into the offer via their website, head here. Even if you decide not to stick with US Mobile long term, the phone will unlock for both new and existing customers after 90 days of active service. Is the Google Pixel 9 still worth it in 2025? The Google Pixel 9 might be on its way out, but it's still a great flagship that's more than capable of lasting for years to come. In fact, it launched with seven years of OS updates, so you'll be covered for a long time. Although it's not quite as powerful as some Snapdragon flagships, the Tensor G4 is more than capable of providing a solid experience. You can learn more about the phone in our Pixel 9 review. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Android Authority
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Android Authority
Gemini for Android Auto may let you manage your smart home from the driver's seat (APK teardown)
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority TL;DR Google is working on giving Gemini the ability to control your smart home from your car. Gemini will be able to manage all Home devices connected to your account. Google Assistant for Android Auto and Automotive is a great hands-free tool for handling a variety of tasks while on the road. One such task you can use the digital assistant for is controlling your smart home from the car. When Gemini eventually replaces Assistant on Android Auto and Automotive, it should be able to do everything Assistant can do and more, including controlling your smart home. Authority Insights story on Android Authority. Discover You're reading anstory on Android Authority. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. An APK teardown helps predict features that may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release. Our most recent discovery comes from an APK teardown of the Google app (version beta). While intevestigating, we stumbled onto a string of code referencing a Google Home Gemini extension for controling your devices from your car. We believe this string is in relation to Android Auto, specifically. Code Copy Text Do you want to connect to Google Home? Gemini will manage all of the Google Home devices linked to your account, including devices you may share with other household members. Gemini will access data like your home activity history, and may also share parts of your chats with Google Home to improve Home services. Tap yes on your car screen to connect The string mentions connecting to Google Home, which you'll be able to accept or decline. If you accept, Gemini will be able to manage all of the Home devices linked to your account. It's also mentioned that Gemini will access data, like your home activity history, and may share chats with Home to improve its services. It was expected that Gemini would use extensions on Android Auto and Automotive. However, Google has yet to say anything about it. So this appears to be our first confirmation that the tech giant is working on the functionality. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
