AC Information Weekly
Information Weekly is our column, the place we spotlight and summarize a few of the week’s high tales so you’ll be able to atone for the newest 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 newest developments and improvements contributing to the digital panorama.
This week, Samsung by chance leaked its personal upcoming foldables, Google Maps is eliminating Timeline on the net, Spotify is climbing its costs, first take a look at the Galaxy watch FE, and Google says it will not confiscate Pixels elements anymore.
Samsung slips up leaks its Foldables
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Earlier this week, Samsung by chance launched official advertising photos showcasing the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the Z Flip 6 on the corporate’s Kazakhstan web site.
In accordance with a Reddit submit, the ad showcases the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the Z Flip 6 alongside the favored Galaxy AI options, which can seemingly debut with the flagship foldable telephones subsequent month. The shared picture showcases the brand new design of the Galaxy Z Fold 6, which can now have sharp corners and flat sides much like the Galaxy S24 Extremely. The Fold 6 could have a triple digicam system on the rear, the place all of the cameras are stacked vertically. The Z Flip, then again, might not see many adjustments in the case of design. Nevertheless, the foldables are mentioned to be powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
Samsung has been “dropping hints” about its summer time Unpacked occasion, which we count on will happen on July 10. We count on to see the launch of the Galaxy Ring, Galaxy Watch 7, and foldables subsequent month.
One other Google Maps characteristic bites the mud
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In its newest replace, Google said that it’ll take away the Timeline characteristic on the net model of Google Maps. The timeline, initially named “location historical past,” is a characteristic that permits you to maintain monitor of the locations you have visited and the routes traveled.
In December 2023, Google modified the place the placement historical past was being saved. Customers who’ve chosen to show Location Historical past on (it’s off by default) will see Google Maps’ Timeline saved immediately on their gadget reasonably than the online, giving them much more management over their knowledge.
Because of this when you entry Google Maps on the net, the Timeline is not going to present any historical past of the locations you have visited. As a substitute, the corporate is pushing customers to obtain the app and proceed accessing the characteristic.
Customers have till December 1, 2024, to shift from the online model to the app. In any other case, all of the saved knowledge shall be misplaced. Nevertheless, the corporate says it should strive shifting as much as 90 days of Timeline knowledge to the “first-signed- gadget” after the deadline. Any routes or visits made earlier than that interval shall be auto-deleted.
Spotify ups its costs, Gemini extension on the best way
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Spotify introduced Monday (June 3) that it might increase its Premium costs for the second time in a 12 months. Because of the change, Spotify Premium will price greater than different competing music streaming companies like Apple Music and Tidal.
In a press launch, in addition to in an e-mail to subscribers, Spotify justified the worth enhance by saying it might enable it to “put money into and innovate on our product options and convey customers the most effective expertise, we often replace our costs.”
“Over the following month, subscribers within the U.S. will obtain an e-mail explaining what this replace means for his or her subscription.”
The value for a Premium Particular person plan is now $11.99, a greenback greater than the outdated fee. Spotify Premium Duo is up by $2 and prices $16.99—the outdated value of the Spotify Premium Household plan. Premium Household will now price $19.99, a $3 enhance. The up to date costs are being rolled out practically a 12 months after Spotify’s final value hike, which was in July 2023.
Moreover, a discovery in Google’s app means that the corporate is engaged on a Spotify extension for Gemini. As noticed in model 15.22.2 of the Google app, a Spotify extension for Gemini could be coming. The provision of a Spotify extension would (ideally) let customers shortly entry their created playlists and uncover songs, genres, artists, and extra. Gemini will alert customers with a string that reads, “beginning to play on Spotify.” This seems like a message customers see after telling the AI to play a sure tune or playlist.
Sneak a peek at Galaxy Watch FE
Unique: Samsung Galaxy Watch FE renders! pic.twitter.com/Jtzp9eUIaCJune 4, 2024
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In accordance with current leaks, Samsung may very well be brewing a Fan Version Galaxy Watch, and this week, we acquired the primary take a look at a doable Galaxy Watch FE.
The leak comes from Sudhanshu Ambhore on X, who mentioned that the watch options an aluminum physique with water resistance as much as 50 meters — due to its 5ATM and IP68 ranking and will are available Black, Blue, and Rose/Pink colorways.
The tipster additionally shared that this finances smartwatch will sport a 1.2-inch AMOLED show accompanied by an Exynos W920 dual-core CPU with 1.18GHz clock speeds. That includes 1.5GB of RAM paired with 16GB of onboard storage, and it’ll ship with Put on OS out of the field. Holding the lights on is a 247mAh battery capability with a 30-hour battery life promise, and it additionally helps wi-fi charging.
The watch will seemingly be launched alongside the Galaxy Watch 7 collection in July.
Google’s Pixel restore coverage
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A current discovery by YouTuber Louis Rossmann, highlights Google’s restore coverage that can confiscate your Pixel if it has elements the corporate did not approve. The coverage, efficient since July 19 of final 12 months, grants Google the precise to retain Pixel gadgets despatched in for restore if unauthorized elements are found.
The precise clause, as discovered on Google’s web site, states: “You’ll not ship in a System containing non-Google-authorized elements – if You do, Your System is not going to be returned to you.”
This coverage creates a battle between your proper to repair your individual telephone and Google’s want to maintain issues below its management. Google’s restore coverage extends to any equipment, like your favourite Pixel 8 circumstances, which can seemingly be relegated to the misplaced and located bin, assuming your telephone even passes the “licensed elements” inspection.
Nevertheless, following important backlash from clients, the corporate says it is not going to retain telephones for restore resulting from non-OEM elements.
“If a buyer sends their Pixel to Google for restore, we might not maintain it no matter whether or not the telephone has non-OEM elements or not,” a Google spokesperson advised Android Central. “In sure conditions, we can’t have the ability to full a restore if there are security considerations. In that case, we are going to both ship the telephone again to the shopper or work with them to find out subsequent steps. Prospects are additionally free to hunt the restore choices that work greatest for them. We’re updating our Phrases and Situations to make clear this.”
These are a few of the largest tales from this week. In the meantime, listed here are another tales which can be price catching up on: