Android Circuit: Pixel 8 And 8 Pro Reviews, Pixel Watch Problems, Honor Magic Vs2 Launched
The following are seven days of interesting news and information from the world of Android. This week's Android roundup includes the latest Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro reviews, Pixel Watch issues, Samsung's ambitious update plans, the new Honor Magic V for China, and Apple facing increasing pressure on RCS messaging.
Android Circuit is here to remind you of a lot of what happened around Android over the past week (and you can find our weekly Apple news roundup here).
Pixel 8 review
It's a bit smaller, the main camera has some kind of lens, and there's nothing particularly exciting about the new Pixel 8; But it's a great everyday phone, with lots of little benefits that make it a real smartphone:
“A refined design, a better-than-ever display and blazing fast performance make the Pixel 8 a very decent phone if you really don't need the much better camera setup on the Pro, the best Pixel this year. Lastly, "Few are mid-range flagship phones." That is no longer the case, but the Pixel 8 still offers good value for money.”
(Forbes).
Pixel 8 Pro Review
The larger Pixel 8 Pro continues last year's model, although the popularity of the Pixel 7's flat screen over the curved Pixel 7 Pro has led to the 8 Pro also sporting a flat screen. For everything else, the hardware has been replicated, while the AI software makes a real difference:
“All this positioning is great, but is this a 'good smartphone' for consumers? As an improvement over last year's Pixel 7 Pro, the hardware differences aren't enough, and I expected more from last year's Pixel 7 Pro." to support. When it comes to the Pixel 6 Pro, there's an argument that there are enough differences to consider.”
(Forbes).
Pixel Watch 2 review
Last year, Google introduced the first Pixel wearable, the Pixel Watch. Targeting a sports/fitness audience and working with the Fitbit platform is a useful start with several areas that need to be addressed. Does the Pixel Watch 2 achieve this?
“Before this watch came out, I wrote that all it needed was good battery life. Spoiler alert: the Pixel Watch 2 has made great progress in this regard (but perhaps not enough for people looking for an all-day smartwatch). The clock is gone. I had to adapt from a gadget to something that fits my daily life. This, along with many major and minor updates, in turn opens up a lot of possibilities that weren't available last year.
(Outside).
The Pixel Watch seems slower
Meanwhile, early Pixel Watch owners are enjoying the wearable's slower loading times. Along with the new software, Google has updated the required loading times to 50, 80, and 100 percent. This is more of a pointing exercise than a code change, but it makes Pixel Watch 2 charging times more attractive to buyers:
“Google told us that a software update for Google Pixel watches has forced us to reconsider loading times, and the new times are consistent with what the average user will experience.” The company did not say when the change was made or why it was necessary. What's important is that the Pixel Watch feels warm enough to touch after a full charging session. (The Pixel Watch 2's pin charger generates less heat.) These updated times more closely reflect what we first saw in recent months.
(Google 9 to 5).
Samsung's largest security window
With Google now offering seven years of software and security updates, other manufacturers should consider achieving this goal. Undoubtedly, Samsung is doing this with a desire to extend the current five-year term. Although Shin-Chul Baik (Security Group Senior Engineer and Technical Program Manager) couldn't mention the firmware update, he could reinforce the Security Group's message:
He revealed that after five years of support that Samsung is currently providing, the company is actively discussing what the company should do with security updates in the long term. Based on the upcoming new regulations, Samsung is preparing to extend the support period beyond the current five years.
(Sam Mobile).
Collectible honorary gift
Honor has released the “S” variant of the Magic V2 Book. Simply named Magic VS2 is now available in China. Instead of increasing specs, this S version has slightly lower specs than the base phone, but makes it a cheaper folding phone.
“Honor Magic Vs2 is the second in Honor's “Vs” series, a simplified foldable version of the brand's flagship phone. It's all very confusing, but the short version is that it's a slightly cheaper version of Honor's foldable device. Earlier this year Honor Magic prices for the Vs2 started at 6,999 yuan, or about $960 when converted to US dollars, and will drop to 8,999 yuan for the device. Magic V2 in China later this month.
(Google 9 to 5).
And finally...
Pressure on Apple to introduce the RCS cross-platform messaging framework has increased this week as Samsung supports Google's #GetTheMessage campaign. And the topic? Apple's use of color to segment the broader iMessage user market:
The video, entitled "Green Bubble and Blue Bubble Want to Be Together" shows a Romeo and Juliet-style conversation between two users who want to be together but have been separated by one of their "parents". The geese make it green to green. One of them asked, “We are also bubbles.”
(Outside).
Every weekend, Android Circuit rounds up news from the Android world in Forbes. Don't forget to follow me so you don't miss any updates in the future, and of course read my sister's column about Apple Loop! You can find last week's Android Circuit here. If you have news or links you'd like featured on Android Circuit, contact us!
