Smartphones
Android 13 has started rolling out
Coming to Pixel phones first
Weeks ago, eagle-eyed developers foresaw an early debut of the Android 13 series. At the time, the fairly accurate report pegged a launch for the start of September. However, Google waited no time at all to confirm the early launch. In a huge swerve, Google has launched Android 13 for the Pixel 6 series.
Starting this week, Google is rolling out the major update to its main flagship lineups. Gradually, owners with Pixel 4, Pixel 5, and Pixel 6 devices should get the update.
While the current Android 12 update showcased a lot of major changes, Android 13 will refine the former and ship more improvements than anything. As with the previous, the new update will feature more customization features. Material You will start supporting non-Google apps, matching them with your device’s theme with Android 13.
Further, the update’s on-board player will customize its look based on the content users are listening to. For example, songs will feature album artwork more prominently than, say, a podcast.
Besides customization, Android 13 will also work on privacy. For one, instead of blanket permissions, users can specify which photos and videos that an app can have access to. The system will also clear out the device’s clipboard if it detects that sensitive information — like passwords and phone numbers — was copied.
A more substantial set of updates will come in the form of seamless integration. Updated phones will now work better with tablets and Chromebooks. For example, Chromebooks can stream messaging apps, reducing the need to check phones while working. Users can also easily move content from phone to tablet through simply copying and pasting.
Though the update is coming to Pixel phones for now, other Android phones should receive it soon enough.
SEE ALSO: Here’s what’s coming in Android 13
News
New leak reveals first look at Samsung’s wide foldable
It looks like there’s only one book-style foldable this year.
Coming in just a heartbeat, Samsung will unveil the next foldables during the upcoming Unpacked event. The spotlight, naturally, lands on the rumored wide foldable. Now, we don’t have an official look yet, but a new leak is spoiling that for us.
Leaked by Android Headlines, the upcoming foldable, purportedly named the Galaxy Z Fold 8, looks as advertised. The brand’s first wide foldable takes a few inches off the top to deliver a, literally, wide resolution for more display real estate.
There’s not much to say about the specs, but the model does have a camera setup with two shooters. It will also be available in three colorway options: black, white, and lavender. A limited-edition green variant might also make an appearance.
Among the scheduled devices this coming Unpacked, the wide foldable is the main event. Plus, the new leak reveals that a regular Fold isn’t debuting with this batch. Rather, Samsung might go all-in on the wide foldable format.
If that’s not your style, the leak also unveiled the Galaxy Z Flip 8. The new model doesn’t look different from the usual Flips that we’re used to, so it’s not a big headline.
Finally, the leak reveals the Galaxy Watch 9 and the Watch Ultra 2.
It won’t be long before we see these devices for real. Samsung has officially scheduled the next Galaxy Unpacked event for July 22.
SEE ALSO: Samsung sets Galaxy Unpacked for July 22 in London
News
Honor might launch the Robot Phone in August, leak says
No word on whether it’s a global or a regional launch, though.
Back in CES earlier this year, Honor unveiled the oddly shaped Robot Phone. A unique concept of a smartphone melded with an action camera, the Robot Phone teased a launch date for the third quarter of this year. Well, we’re in the third quarter now, and a new leak has teased that the one-of-a-kind phone is launching in August.
According to Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station (via GizmoChina), Honor has narrowed down August as the launch date of its new smartphone. To be clear, the leaker did not clarify whether this is a global launch or just the regional one.
It should still be an exciting time for a launch, though. The lovechild between a smartphone and an action camera comes just in time for the era of the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 and the Insta360 Luna. A hybrid device scratches both itches.
Honor isn’t shy about showcasing the capabilities of the Robot Phone. Only recently, the Chinese brand showed off the first professional video shot using the new phone.
When it comes to hardware, the Robot Phone touts a 200-megapixel main camera attached to a stabilized gimbal system. If not in use, the camera folds into the device. Super Steady Video keeps the camera steady when taking shots while moving. Meanwhile, AI Object Tracking follows subjects seamlessly, making it a great tool for shooting videos in the field.
SEE ALSO: HONOR Robot Phone to launch in Q3 2026
News
Google will host its Pixel 11 event on August 12
The event happens between Samsung’s and Apple’s events.
Earlier today, Samsung officially announced the date of its next Unpacked event. The South Korean brand isn’t the only one to tease its future. It’s that time of the year when the invites keep coming in. Also today, Google has announced its own upcoming Pixel event set for August 12.
It is around this time when the big brands announce the debuts of their respective flagships. Apple, Google, and Samsung all hold their events in this quarter. And it’s looking like it’s going to be one per month, assuming that Apple will hold its event in September.
Google has announced that the next Pixel event will be held in New York on August 12.
Though the invite doesn’t specifically name the series, the Pixel 11 lineup will likely debut during this event. Right now, we don’t know much about the flagship series. Unlike previous years, Google today isn’t a leaky boat, showing off its unannounced devices left and right. That said, it’s still over a month away, so there’s still time for the brand to let loose some of its secrets.
Google does have stiff competition this year, though. Samsung, as has been teased relentlessly, will likely showcase its very first wide foldable. Apple, on the other hand, is rumored to launch its first entry into the foldable market. The poster boy for Android needs a strong outing to compete with its third-quarter contemporaries.
SEE ALSO: Google launches the Pixel 10a
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