Android Central Podcast
The Android podcast for everyone. A weekly show about Android, Google, and the best of mobile technology.

Writer and analyst Daniel Matte from techspecs.blog joins Daniel Bader, Alex Dobie, and Russell Holly to discuss the issues, real and perceived, with the display used on Google’s Pixel 2 XL. They also talk about the software changes Google has promised to help address problems with the device.

 

To wrap things up, the crew chats about the Pixelbook, OnePlus 5T rumors, and the Android 8.1 beta!

 

Show Notes and Links:

Direct download: androidcentral358.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:45pm EDT

It’s a full house this week on the show, but Daniel Bader, Alex Dobie, Andrew Martonik, Jerry Hildenbrand, and Russell Holly deliver a tight 70 minutes of insight into Google’s Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. Is the display on the XL as bad as some reviewers have said, or are expectations out of whack because the screens on recent Samsung phones are just so good? One thing is certain—the FUD machine is running at full throttle.

 

The crew also talk about the usefulness of the squeeze function as well as the design, materials, and components used by Google. Alex also delivers a taste of what’s to come with the Huawei Mate 10. There will be two different versions of the phone. At this point it’s unclear which ones will be available where, but we do know that Huawei’s SoC is a monster!

 

Show Notes and Links:

Direct download: androidcentral357.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:45pm EDT

Your privacy and personal data are a major topic this week as Daniel Bader, Andrew Martonik , and Jerry Hildenbrand talk about Google’s quick decision to disable touch-activated listening on the Home Mini before it becomes available to consumers. OnePlus is taking some heat once again; this time for data collection concerns regarding OxygenOS.

 

On a more positive note, Google is adding Duo video calling to the dialer and SMS app on Pixel, Nexus, and Android One phones. Also, Disney has partnered with other major studios, excluding Paramount (at least for now), to offer Movies Anywhere—a service that lets you more freely access movies you’ve purchased from multiple platforms.

 

The crew also discuss using Pixel 2 on Project Fi, and whether or not it’s a good decision to buy an original Pixel in 2017.

 

Show Notes and Links:

Google Home Mini review units had a bug that recorded everything

Google to disable touch-activated listening on Home Minis

Google's commitment to hardware is no longer in doubt

OnePlus responds to OxygenOS data collection concerns

Google is adding Duo video calling to the dialer and SMS app of Pixels

Movies Anywhere

Should you use your Google Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL on Project Fi?

Should you buy an original Pixel or Pixel XL in 2017?

Sponsor: Thrifter

 

Direct download: androidcentral356.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:46pm EDT

Daniel Bader, Jerry Hildenbrand, Russell Holly, and Andrew Martonik convene for a detailed breakdown of all the announcements from Google’s Pixel hardware event this week.

 

They get the bezel bashing out of the way quickly before moving on to Google’s Home Mini and Home Max, followed by a look at the Pixelbook. Besides Jerry, who is the target audience for Chrome OS on such a high end piece of hardware? Are the specs simply overkill for what can be accomplished on the device? It’s a computer that’s far more capable than your might think.

 

The second half of the episode is devoted to Pixel 2 as the crew discuss the specs, colors, and features of each model. The camera is a major change from the original Pixel. It bucks the recent trend of dual cameras by offering a single rear facing camera. They also talk about the Pixel Buds and their potential usefulness for translation. All that, and much more!

 

Show Notes and Links:Show Notes and Links:

Direct download: androidcentral355.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:43pm EDT

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