AC Weekly News
Weekly News is our column where we highlight and summarize some of the week’s biggest news so you can catch up on the latest tech news.
This is Android Central’s News Weekly, your go-to source for a concise summary of the week’s biggest tech stories. This is where we delve into the top headlines that provide the latest developments and innovations contributing to the digital landscape.
It’s raining leaks this week, and Samsung’s Unpacked event could be just a few weeks away. We look at the Galaxy Watch FE launch, Galaxy Z Fold 6 and unpacked date leaks, Android is adding a defense against charging station attacks, Pixel devices get feature updates, and Google updates its warranty policy.
Samsung’s first Fan Edition watch is here
Read more here.
On Thursday (June 10), Samsung announced its first budget Galaxy Watch FE, which the company says is “stylish and durable” but comes with health monitoring features that consumers need.
The watch is available in one size, 40mm, and has a 1.2-inch Super AMOLED display. The wearable is almost identical to the Galaxy Watch 4, except it features sapphire crystal. It also has a bioactive sensor to help users monitor their health and fitness data.
The company says the sensor will provide “actionable” tips for staying active throughout the day. Other features include Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification (IHRN), which notifies users of possible signs of Afib, and an option to perform a quick ECG. The Galaxy Watch FE (Bluetooth) will be available on June 24 for $199.99, and its LTE variant will be available later this year for $249.99.
Spoiler alert: Samsung is ahead of itself
Read more about the Galaxy Z Fold 6 leak here and the event unpacked here.
Samsung has dropped hints, intentionally or not, about its upcoming Unpacked event; Friday came with its own series of leaks for the company. To start, the complete specifications of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 have leaked, and Smartprix Highlighted with screenshots revealing that the device will maintain the 6.3-inch cover display like its predecessor, but in terms of aspect ratio (22:9) and resolution (2376 x 968) on a possible wider external display .
The device will supposedly have the Snapdragon 8 Generation 3 SoC and retains 12 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage. The Z Fold 6’s camera system also reflects the configuration of the Galaxy Z Fold 5. The leak suggests that it will have the same triple rear camera: a 50MP (f/1.8) main sensor, a 12MP (f/2.2) ultra-wide angle and a 10MP (f/2.4) telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The front cameras also appear unchanged, with a 10MP (f/2.2) sensor on the cover display and a 4MP (f/1.8) sensor below the internal display.
Thats not all. We also get a glimpse of the Unpacked event countdown. Leaker Evan Blass shared a GIF of what looks like an official Samsung countdown on his X account. He shows that the event is scheduled for July 10 at 10 pm Korean Standard Time (KST). Since Samsung is a major sponsor of the Paris Olympics, the launch of the Galaxy foldable devices is expected to occur simultaneously.
No more charging station hacks for Android 15 users
Read more here.
Google is adding a new feature to Android 15 which works to block data transfers at public charging stations.
Mishaal Rahman found a new security feature for Lockdown mode on the latest beta version of Android 15. This feature protects your device from a hacker tactic called “juice jacking,” which uses USB charging cables to introduce malware, execute unauthorized commands, install unwanted apps, or alter your data.
Juice Jacking is a risk that every Android user can face due to the wide availability of USB charging ports. This cyber attack exploits the phone’s single port for power and data transfer. Using a compromised public station can allow hackers to install malware, steal personal data, or take full control of your phone.
To enable this protection, Beta users must press and hold the power button and select “Lock” from the Power menu (if your settings allow it). One touch activates a digital shield around your data.
Pixel devices receive new updates
Read more about the Pixel phone update here and see here.
This week, Pixel devices received a slew of updates. Google is bringing some useful user-friendly features to its Pixels, such as support for display ports. With a USB-C cable, Pixel users can now watch movies and shows on a larger secondary display, as if it were mirroring their screen.
Pixel users are now selecting “power off search” via the Find My Device network, which will help users locate their Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro devices, even if they are turned off, for several hours and away from the user. Next, in the “Recents” tab of the Phone app, users can find that unknown person, tap the number, and tap “Search.” The search will start from there, providing any relevant information that users need about that unknown phone number.
Some camera improvements are also coming to Pixel users. The company claims that this new feature will allow Pixel owners to find the “best moment of their photo in HDR Plus with a single shutter.” This is intended for users to choose the best option.
Users will also receive an update that provides more detailed overviews of the Pixel Recorder app, along with the Gemini Nano AI model appearing as a developer option for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a.
Pixel watches were not far behind; They also received some updates. Popular car accident detection The feature that was only on Pixel phones is now available for Pixel clock 2, with the last feature dropped. Pixel Watch 2 users can now call emergency services if they are in a serious car accident. Second, both Pixel Watch models can link your Paypal account to the wallet app. Google will also bring the Home app to Wear OS 3 and higher Smart Watches. It allows users to easily access their smart home devices faster and easier from their wrists.
Google updates its warranty policy for screens
Read more here.
Google has announced a new extended warranty for Pixel 8 devices to address vertical line and flickering issues that arose in November. The technology giant announced in a Pixel phone help page that some Pixel 8 phones have display problems, which has led them to increase the warranty. If users have an issue with their Pixel 8 screens, they will be covered for three years from the date of purchase of the device.
However, it is important to note that not everyone will qualify for the extended warranty. Google or an authorized repair partner will perform a diagnostic check using your device’s serial number to see if you are eligible. Pixel 8 owners whose devices don’t qualify for the extended warranty may still be covered by Google’s standard limited warranty if they experience similar display issues.
Those were some of the biggest news stories this week. In the meantime, here are some other stories worth knowing: