AC Information Weekly
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Information Weekly is our column the place we spotlight and summarize a few of the week’s high tales so you may compensate for the most recent tech information.
That is Android Central’s Information Weekly, your go-to supply for a concise roundup of the week’s most important tech tales. That is the place we delve into the highest headlines that present the most recent developments and improvements contributing to the digital panorama.
This week, Apple launched iOS 18 with RCS help for higher texting with Android units, Samsung could also be making ready to launch a rollable telephone in 2025, Put on OS is getting some unique well being options, the Meta Quest 3s worth could have simply leaked, and we get a have a look at what Android Automotive 15 will convey.
RCS on iOS 18 makes texting higher
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This week (Sept. 16), Apple launched iOS 18 on eligible iPhones. With it comes help for RCS , which has been supported on Android for a while now. In consequence, texting between iOS and Android customers will get a bit higher, with typing indicators, higher-quality media, higher group texting, and extra.
After all, the expertise is not excellent , with options like end-to-end encryption lacking (though it is supported between Android units), and that is seemingly as a result of Apple went with the GMSA model of RCS, which is completely different from what Google implements on Android units . Nonetheless, GSMA states it is engaged on bringing cross-platform E2EE and different options, which ought to additional enhance the texting expertise.
Now, there’s much less purpose to complain about inexperienced bubbles (however you understand they are going to anyway).
Samsung could lastly give us a rollable telephone
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Samsung has proven off rollable ideas earlier than, however the newest rumor suggests the corporate could lastly be able to convey one to market. In keeping with The Elec , Samsung is reportedly switching instructions and focusing its efforts on getting the rollable gadget prepared for a launch doubtlessly in the course of the second half of 2024. That places the gadget launch roughly across the similar time because the Galaxy Z Fold 6 successor .
There is not a lot recognized in regards to the gadget, however it may unfurl to greet customers with a 12.4-inch show with an under-display digital camera.
In keeping with The Elec, Samsung seemingly feels some form of means about Huawei launching the primary tri-fold telephone, the Mate XT . Samsung seemingly desires to beat everybody else to the rollable end line (one thing we anticipated from LG years in the past ).
Put on OS will get a lift for well being knowledge
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You’ll have heard of Masimo, the corporate that nearly acquired the Apple Watch banned for infringing on patents associated to blood oxygen monitoring. Properly, the corporate is taking its tech elsewhere and partnering with Google to assist develop a brand new reference platform for Put on OS watches to make the most of Masimo’s biosensing know-how.
In keeping with Masimo, Put on OS OEMs can be free to design their telephones nevertheless they need, whereas Masimo will design and take a look at the interior elements for well being monitoring/sensing. This additionally contains the companion app, though it is unclear how this can be dealt with.
Nonetheless, the partnership ought to assist increase Put on OS well being monitoring and will even encourage extra OEMs to step in and be a part of the platform. Following the latest Apple lawsuit, the timing of the partnership is suspect, however we’re not complaining.
The Quest 3s might be cheaper than anticipated
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Meta Join 2024 kicks off on September 25, and we expect the corporate to launch some new {hardware} on the occasion. One gadget we hope to see is the Meta Quest 3s , which can seemingly be a less expensive, extra accessible model of the present Meta Quest 3 . We weren’t positive how less expensive it might be, however now we could have an concept, due to an Amazon leak.
In keeping with the picture, the Meta Quest 3s could begin at simply $299, which is $200 cheaper than its flagship sibling. The picture additionally exhibits what the Quest 3s could appear like, that includes an identical total design however with two units of three particular person lenses on the entrance. We additionally count on the gadget to be powered by the identical Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 for higher efficiency, though it’ll seemingly characteristic Fresnel lenses as a substitute of pancake ones, which is prone to hold prices down.
If that is to be believed, a $299 worth level for a more moderen VR headset would seemingly do effectively, particularly forward of the vacations, for anybody nonetheless eager to get their arms on a Quest VR headset however not eager to get the older Quest 2.
A glimpse at Android Automotive 15
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Android Automotive is Google’s built-in automobile infotainment system, and due to Android 15 , it is anticipated to get an enormous replace later this 12 months. Google revealed options arriving within the system on its AOSP web page, which customers could discover useful on their subsequent drive.
Amongst these additions is the power to attach private Bluetooth headsets to your automobile, which might be good to have for passengers or whereas parked whilst you take heed to music or take pleasure in a YouTube video . One other helpful characteristic is a persistent hotspot, which may enable riders to attach their units whereas on a number of journeys.
Android Automotive can also achieve an Android Auto characteristic with a homescreen dock, which might enable customers to pin apps for quicker entry.
Learn extra about what’s anticipated within the subsequent main Android Automotive replace, which is predicted sooner or later this 12 months. Nonetheless, it is value noting that OEMs can be free to implement the options they see match of their units.
These are a few of the largest tales from this week. In the meantime, listed here are another tales which are value catching up on:
