Android Circuit: New Galaxy S8 Delays, Fantastic Pixel Reviewed, Google's Apps Infiltrate iOS
Taking a look back at seven days of news and headlines across the world of Android, this week’s Android Circuit includes a review of the Google GOOGL -1.10% Pixel smartphone, Nokia's smartphone design leaks, a closer look at the Mi Mix, the Note 7 saying goodbye to America, Samsung delaying the Galaxy S8, the South Korean AI plans, Google improves its trojan horse apps on iOS, and a collection of tips for Pixel users.
Android Circuit is here to remind you of a few of the many things that have happened around Android in the last week (and you can find the weekly Apple news digest here).
Reviewing The Google Pixel
Reviewers have now spent some significant time with Google’s Pixel smartphone devices, and the detailed reviews are being posted. The smaller-screened Pixel is proving a popular device with its clean OS, smart form factor, and powerful camera all receiving strong praise. Cam Bunton takes a closer look at the handset:
With the Pixel being the smaller of the two new Google phones, the 5-inch screen features fewer pixels than its big brother, the Pixel XL. While the larger model has a Quad HD screen, the Pixel has a Full HD panel. Still, 1080 x 1920 pixels shoved into a display that’s only 5-inches diagonally makes for a very sharp screen. At 441 pixels per inch, everything is crisp.It is AMOLED too, and comes with all the benefits and drawbacks of choosing that over LCD. Specifically, colours are vibrant, contrast is high and blacks are deep. That means it’s fantastic for watching movies, gaming, or viewing anything with lots of colour.
edestrians walk by the new Google pop-up shop in the SoHo neighborhood (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Is This Nokia’s New Android Design?
We already knew that the Nokia name was coming back to the smartphone market (through a brand licensing deal with new Finnish company HMD Global), and the expectation is that the handsets would be revealed by the end of the year. Now we’re starting to see the first few leaks on the potential design.
Covering the leak of a rear chassis plate with a prominent Nokia logo on it, it is possible to see two cutouts on the rear of the device (presumably for a camera lens and flash), as well as two silicon strips along the top and bottom edges to offer a radio transparent space for the handset’s antenna.The former is pretty much standard over the mid-range Android device market (although some manufacturers are placing the fingerprint sensor under the camera lens). The latter feels remarkably like the design cues of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, and allows for a minimalist look to the rear of a device – which feels decidedly Nokia.
Thoughts on the design and how the company structure will impact the market can be found here on Forbes.
The Challenger From China
Which manufacturer could pick up Samsung’s crown? Xiaomi is a name that should be in consideration, and while it has not made a huge impact in America or Europe, the Chinese based company looks to have a critical success in the Mi Mix handset. Sporting an almost bezel-less display, up to 6GB of RAM and the latest SnapDragon, it’s a gorgeous beast. Forbes’ contributor Ben Sin:
There is no getting around this: Xiaomi has crafted a piece of hardware that embarrasses Apple AAPL +0.61% and Google. Some readers are going to accuse me of nationalistic bias because they see my byline photo (which would be presumptuous, because I identify as a Chinese-American with roots in Hong Kong). But put the Mi Mix side by side with the iPhone 7 and Google Pixel, and no objective person can deny that one phone looks heads and shoulders above the other two in terms of smartphone innovation.
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 (Image: Samsung Press)
Clearing The Note 7 From America’s Streets
The Galaxy Note 7 issues are starting to lessen. With an eight-five percent return rate in the US, the popular phablets still in circulation are having their maximum battery charge level limited as a safety precaution, alone with frequent pop-ups to get the consumer to part with the handset.
The Galaxy Note 7 remains one of the most advanced Android handsets release – battery issues aside. In a sense it is understandable why so many power users are still holding on to the phablet. While there are some alternatives that come close to matching the functionality, there is nothing in Samsung’s portfolio that quite matches the Note 7. As for the competition again there are handsets that match many of the Note 7 features, which is enough for some to switch away from the South Korean company, even with the promise of a cut-price Galaxy S8 if they stay with Samsung.Samsung has nothing close to the Galaxy Note 7 coming up in the product pipeline. The next major release is the presumptively titled Galaxy S8, and while there could be a ‘plus sized’ variant of the handset its main role is to replace the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge and be the consumer smartphone, not the enterprise-favoring phablet.
It’s almost time to move on and focus on the Galaxy S8. But there might be a problem with that approach…
Covering the leak of a rear chassis plate with a prominent Nokia logo on it, it is possible to see two cutouts on the rear of the device (presumably for a camera lens and flash), as well as two silicon strips along the top and bottom edges to offer a radio transparent space for the handset’s antenna.The former is pretty much standard over the mid-range Android device market (although some manufacturers are placing the fingerprint sensor under the camera lens). The latter feels remarkably like the design cues of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, and allows for a minimalist look to the rear of a device – which feels decidedly Nokia.
Thoughts on the design and how the company structure will impact the market can be found here on Forbes.
The Challenger From China
Which manufacturer could pick up Samsung’s crown? Xiaomi is a name that should be in consideration, and while it has not made a huge impact in America or Europe, the Chinese based company looks to have a critical success in the Mi Mix handset. Sporting an almost bezel-less display, up to 6GB of RAM and the latest SnapDragon, it’s a gorgeous beast. Forbes’ contributor Ben Sin:
There is no getting around this: Xiaomi has crafted a piece of hardware that embarrasses Apple AAPL +0.61% and Google. Some readers are going to accuse me of nationalistic bias because they see my byline photo (which would be presumptuous, because I identify as a Chinese-American with roots in Hong Kong). But put the Mi Mix side by side with the iPhone 7 and Google Pixel, and no objective person can deny that one phone looks heads and shoulders above the other two in terms of smartphone innovation.
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 (Image: Samsung Press)
Clearing The Note 7 From America’s Streets
The Galaxy Note 7 issues are starting to lessen. With an eight-five percent return rate in the US, the popular phablets still in circulation are having their maximum battery charge level limited as a safety precaution, alone with frequent pop-ups to get the consumer to part with the handset.
The Galaxy Note 7 remains one of the most advanced Android handsets release – battery issues aside. In a sense it is understandable why so many power users are still holding on to the phablet. While there are some alternatives that come close to matching the functionality, there is nothing in Samsung’s portfolio that quite matches the Note 7. As for the competition again there are handsets that match many of the Note 7 features, which is enough for some to switch away from the South Korean company, even with the promise of a cut-price Galaxy S8 if they stay with Samsung.Samsung has nothing close to the Galaxy Note 7 coming up in the product pipeline. The next major release is the presumptively titled Galaxy S8, and while there could be a ‘plus sized’ variant of the handset its main role is to replace the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge and be the consumer smartphone, not the enterprise-favoring phablet.
It’s almost time to move on and focus on the Galaxy S8. But there might be a problem with that approach…
Better Google Apps For iOS
Google has updated its Gmail and Calendar apps on iOS. These apps are important as they allow users plugged into Google’s cloud system as active users, even if they are still using Apple’s hardware. These users still earn Google something, and if anyone is going to switch from iOS to Android, these users would be expected to make up the bulk of those switchers. Google’s Product Manger Matthew Izatt has more:
When you get the next Gmail iOS app update, you’ll notice some exciting changes: The biggest overhaul of the app in nearly four years. It’s the Gmail you know and love, with a fresh new look, sleeker transitions and some highly-requested features. It’s a lot faster, too.With the new app, getting things done on the go is a lot easier — whether you’re trying to find a message your colleague sent you last month, or trying to get through your work inbox on a Monday morning.
Members of the media examine Google’s Pixel phone (Photo by Ramin Talaie/Getty Images)
And Finally…
Looking to make better use of your new Google Pixel and Google Pixel Plus? Christian de Looper has collected twenty tips and tricks for Mountain View’s flagship Android device, such as this one for the home screen:
The home screen is a little different than other stock Android phones, most notably dispensing with the standard ever-present search bar that graced our Nexus phones. Thankfully, it’s still easy to search the web from the home screen — simply press the Google logo at the top left of the display, and a search bar will pop up.
Android Circuit rounds up the news from the Android world every weekend here on Forbes. Don’t forget to follow me so you don’t miss any coverage in the future, and of course read the sister column in Apple Loop! Last week’s Android Circuit can be found here, and if you have any news and links you’d like to see featured in Android Circuit, get in touch!
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