Daniel Bader, Andrew Martonik, and Russell Holly are here for the penultimate episode of the show for 2018! AT&T has officially launched their 5G network — albeit in portions of only 12 markets. T-Mobile's John Legere has chimed in with plenty of snark, but maybe he should keep his opinion to himself for once.

Facebook continues to rationalize their insidious disregard for user data. They gave unfettered access to Microsoft, Amazon, and Netflix. Meanwhile, Sundar Pichai schooled Congress on exactly what Google does (and does not do) with regard to user data and perceived bias in search results.

Finally, the crew share their favorite gadgets of 2018. Happy Holidays!

Show Notes and Links:

• AT&T launches 5G, here's why it's important
• T-Mobile's cringeworthy response to AT&T's 5G announcement
• Facebook gave Microsoft, Amazon, and Netflix unfettered access to user data
• Sundar Pichai testifies in Congress, responds to political bias, data collection on Android, and more

Favorite things of 2018

Russell: - Nanoleaf Canvas review: Futuristic art you're supposed to touch

Andrew: - Google Pixel 3 XL

Daniel: - Google Pixel 3
- OnePlus Bullets Wireless headphones

Sponsors:

• Thrifter.com: All the best deals from Amazon, Best Buy, and more, fussily curated and constantly updated.

Chromecast is finally (FINALLY) once again available for purchase from Amazon. You can buy one here: http://phon.es/szcq

And to mark this special occasion we've invited the CordCutters.com podcast onto the Android Central feed for a little cross-promotion and pollination. And you absolutely should subscribe to the CordCutters podcast — here's where to do it, or just search on you podcatcher of choice.

Still reading? Good. Because Phil called Jerry his bearded bedfellow.

Sascha Segan of PC Mag stops by to have an incredibly in-depth conversation with Daniel Bader and Andrew Martonik about Qualcomm's recent Snapdragon Tech Summit, and the various technologies being used by carriers to support 5G connectivity. They talk about 5G in the US as well as the rest of the world. Additionally, they take a look at the ostentatious OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition. If you want to better understand where the next several years of mobile connectivity is headed, you need to soak in the glory of this episode!

Show Notes and Links:

• Don't let Verizon and AT&T's bad 5G demos temper your excitement for 5G in the real world
• Hands On With Samsung and Verizon's First 5G Phone
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 855: Everything you need to know about the latest mobile platform
• Qualcomm debuts ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor tech, launching in 2019 phones
• Qualcomm's 'extreme' Snapdragon 8cx processor for Windows 10 can handle dual 4K displays
• OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition hands-on: The fastest phone just got even faster
• OnePlus: T-Mobile Helped Boost Sales 249 Percent

Sponsors:

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Daniel Bader and Jerry Hildenbrand are joined by Marton Barcza of TechAltar to grade the performance of just about every player in the smartphone market you can think of. It's an evaluation of not only the quality of the devices, but the direction in which the companies are heading and whether or not they are successful in reaching their intended audiences. It's epic and worth every second spent vibrating your ear drum.

Show Notes and Links:

• youtube.com/TechAltar
• @TechAlatar Marton Barcza on Twitter

Sponsors:

• Thrifter.com: All the best deals from Amazon, Best Buy, and more, fussily curated and constantly updated.

Daniel Bader, Andrew Martonik, and Jerry Hildenbrand are here with a mix of follow up and piping hot news for your listening pleasure. They discuss the performance on in-display fingerprint sensors and innovations in charging thanks to Gallium nitride. Additionally, Google is adding data encryption to Project Fi. That's great, but what's the catch? Is there a catch?

Our sister site, Thrifter, is sponsoring the show this week — and with Black Friday on the horizon Jared DiPane speaks with Daniel some of the best deals for Android fans.

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." – Arthur C. Clarke

This week, Google release an update to their camera app for Pixel phones with a feature called Night Sight. It enables low-light photography in a way that has never been done as effectively before now.

Finally, the crew about the OnePlus Type-C Bullets vs. Google Pixel USB-C earbuds. Which of these low cost headphones are the best choice for you?

Show Notes and Links:

• In-display fingerprint sensors and cold weather could mean problems
• Gallium nitride is the most important 'new' charging innovation you'll never see
• Project Fi adds data encryption no matter what network you're on
• Night Sight review: Letting your Google Pixel camera see in the dark like never before
• Deal: BOGO 50% off Pixel 3 sale starting Nov. 16 on the Google Store
• OnePlus Type-C Bullets vs. Google Pixel USB-C earbuds: Which should you buy?

Sponsors:

• Thrifter.com: All the best deals from Amazon, Best Buy, and more, fussily curated and constantly updated.

Daniel Bader, Andrew Martonik, Jerry Hildenbrand, and Hayato Huseman are here with a cornucopia of Android news. First up, they address solutions to some common problems with Pixel 3 that have been vexing early adopters, and its lack of face unlock as a missed opportunity to set an example for OEMs to follow.

Jerry shares his expertise on the USB-C spec, and how the new iPad Pro will drive demand for more, and better quality peripherals from all manufacturers — and benefiting all users in the process.

Hayato reviews the new Palm phone. It's certainly tiny. And as a device running full Android 8, it CAN do more than the minimal amount of tasks it's intended for. But does it actually help someone achieve improved digital wellness?

Lastly, the discussion turns to the announcements from Samsung's developer conference, particularly Samsung's Android 9 Pie interface called 'One UI', and their Infinity Flex Display technology. Whether or not you want one, foldable devices are on the way.

Show Notes and Links:

• Common Google Pixel 3 issues and how to fix them
• Google Pixel 3's memory management issues will be fixed 'in the coming weeks'
• The Pixel 3 should have had face unlock as an example for OEMs to follow
• A USB-C iPad Pro is great for the mobile industry. Here's why
• Palm Phone review: Tiny phone riding on a big reputation
• Samsung's new Android 9 Pie interface is called 'One UI', beta begins in November
• Samsung's foldable phone will have Infinity Flex display — Here's what we know
• Samsung's new Infinity Flex Display will hit mass production soon, enabling foldable phones of all kinds
• Samsung will cave in to the display notch trend — maybe even with the Galaxy S10
• Android will officially support foldable phones, but app developers need to do the work

Sponsors:

• Casper Get $50 toward select mattresses by visiting Casper.com/AC and using offer code "AC" at checkout — Terms and conditions apply.

Daniel Bader, Andrew Martonik, and Russell Holly are joined by our very own Hayato Huseman! The deluge of new phones in October continues with the launch of OnePlus 6T and RED Hydrogen One — the crew have in-depth looks at both devices.

But before they get to the main event(s), they talk about the various controversies surrounding Pixel 3, but Daniel explains why it is becoming his favorite phone of all time. Plus, they make sense of the charging speed discrepancies between Pixel Stand and Qi compliant wireless chargers. Finally, Russell professes his love and devotion to Google Home Hub.

Show Notes and Links:

• Here's why the Pixel 3 charges faster on a Pixel Stand than other wireless chargers
• Google Pixel 3 second opinion review: Quickly becoming my favorite phone ever
• OnePlus 6T review
• OnePlus 6T specs
• RED Hydrogen One review
• Google Home Hub Review: Little, fierce, and nearly perfect

Sponsors:

• Thrifter.com: All the best deals from Amazon, Best Buy, and more, fussily curated and constantly updated.

Daniel Bader, Andrew Martonik, Alex Dobie, and Jerry Hildenbrand are here to celebrate the 400th episode of Android Central Podcast with some seriously deep Pixel 3 gazing and analysis of the Huawei Mate 20 Series phones! They also discuss Pixel Slate, Google Home Hub, and a ton more!

Plus, as a special bonus, Ara Wagoner is joined by Des Smith of T-Mobile to chat about the history of Android phones and share some of their favorite devices. This is a truly epic episode. Don't miss a syllable!

Show Notes and Links:

• Google Pixel Slate hands-on
• Google Home Hub preview
• Google Pixel 3 review
• Huawei Mate 20 Pro hands-on
• Huawei Mate 20 series: Everything you need to know!
• My Logitech Harmony remote is one of the best purchases I've ever made
• @askdes Des Smith on Twitter
• Android Central Celebrates 400 Episodes of the #ACPodcast — Special Edition LIVE Video Podcast *This is a special video stream that's entirely different from the Ep. 400 audio podcast.

Sponsors:

• Thrifter.com: All the best deals from Amazon, Best Buy, and more, fussily curated and constantly updated.

The rumors are real, and they're spectacular! Daniel Bader and Jerry Hildenbrand are joined by Andrew Martonik as he provides a firsthand look at Google's Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. It's an iterative device, but in all the right areas with improvements to the camera, display, and better spec parity between the small and lager models. The phones will be available on Oct. 18th, with a starting price of $799.

As an appetizer to the main course, the LG V40 ThinQ and LG Watch W7 are here as well. V40 ThinQ is a solid phone, but the crew are less than impressed by LG's latest watch. Dive in!

Show Notes and Links:

• LG V40 ThinQ review
• LG V40 specifications
• LG V40: Everything you need to know
• LG Watch W7 hands-on
• Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL hands-on
• Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL specifications

Sponsors:

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Daniel Bader takes a break from dirty diapers and sleepless nights to join Andrew Martonik and Jerry Hildenbrand for an in-depth look at the staggering number of devices Amazon unveiled at a recent event in Seattle. This is a serious shot across the bow of every smart home company. Amazon excels at automation — now they're looking to Echo all the things into just about every facet of life imaginable.

What are your favorite voice assistant and smart home devices? Let us know!

Show Notes and Links:

• Here's everything Amazon announced at its 2018 hardware event
• Amazon just asked Alexa to declare war on every smart home company
• Amazon Alexa does a whole bunch of new stuff
• Amazon announces upgraded Echo Dot with vastly improved sound quality
• The Amazon Echo Sub is a subwoofer for your Echo speakers
• Amazon's new Echo Show has slimmer bezels and dual side-firing speakers
• Amazon Will Consider Opening Up to 3,000 Cashierless Stores by 2021
• Fire TV Recast sends local TV to your Echo Shows and Fire TVs
• Amazon offers its latest Echo devices in discounted bundles, so pre-order now

Sponsors:

• Lenovo Smart Display
• Techmeme Ride Home Podcast —New episodes every weekday covering all the top stories from techmeme.com! Just search your podcast app for "Ride Home" and subscribe today!